Solar Power System Design
System Design
When we initially provide you with a quote, but have not yet seen the property, we will supply a satellite image showing a proposed panel layout. The design of the panel layout will always take into account the most effective design for power generation, whilst also avoiding, where possible, placing the panels on the roof surfaces which face the street.
Solar Panel Placement
This design is not strict by any means and quite often a customer may benefit from having panels on specific roof surfaces. For example, on the East or West roof surfaces to maximise the usage of solar power which is generated either early or later in the day.
Site Visits
We are always pleased to work with you to ensure you get the most from your system, and to meet the needs and usage patterns of your family. We can do this without visiting your property, however we welcome the opportunity to conduct a site visit to meet with you, discuss your needs and to finalise a system design.
Inverter Location
We are most often asked about the location for the inverter. Ideally, the inverter should be out of the weather, and in particular, protected from the sun. It can be located on exterior walls although, with your approval, we will always prefer to install the inverter inside your property and usually within the garage, if there is one available. We are more than happy to discuss this with you so that you are satisfied with the end result.
Apart from our quoted price, which is all inclusive, and your Synergy connection fees there are no other charges. We charge the same price for 3 phase inverters, so whether you have single phase or 3 phase power our quote will be the same. We also do not apply an additional charge for 2 storey buildings.
Solar Power System Installation
Our Process
Once you have accepted our quote we will arrange an installation date with you, which is normally between 7- 10 days.
The only other item we need prior to installation is a copy of your Synergy bill. We use the details on your bill to apply for installation approval with Western Power, which usually takes less than 24 hours.
We do not require a deposit prior to installation, preferring instead to complete your installation and, if you are satisfied with our work, we will then invoice you the following day.
System Connection
On the day of installation your solar system will be switched on and generating solar energy. You will, however, not receive the feed-in-tariff for the power you send back to the grid until Western Power have visited your property to either change your meter to a bi-directional meter, or reprogram your current meter, if a meter upgrade is not required.
Synergy will arrange this change for you and Western Power will leave a note in your meter box when your meter has been changed or re-programmed. The change to your meter is usually completed within 7 working days.
Our Certifications
We are licenced Electrical Contractors and our current licence number is 012468.
We are also a Clean Energy Council Accredited Designer & Installer and our licence number is A9923205
Synergy / Western Power Connection Fees
The current costs associated with the meter changes are $138.24 (GST inc) for a Single phase meter, $235.04 (inc GST) for a Three phase meter or $66.00 if your current meter can be reprogrammed.
There is an administration fee of $21.50 regardless of which change is required for your property.
Other costs
Apart from our quoted price, which is all inclusive, and your Synergy connection fees there are no other charges. We charge the same price for 3 phase inverters, so whether you have single phase or 3 phase power our quote will be the same. We also do not apply an additional charge for 2 storey buildings.
And, if you have an existing solar system and would like us to remove that for you we will do that on the day of installation of your new system. We will either leave the system for you if you have another use for it, or we will take it away with us when we leave and we provide this service free of charge.
Warranties
We provide you with a 5 year workmanship warranty.
You will find our warranty details in Section 11 of our Term & Conditions which we send to you with our quote.
The products that we provide also have manufacturers warranties. Whilst product faults are rare, should you ever have a need to claim on a product warranty we will manage this process for you, rather than you having to deal with the manufacturer.
Monitoring
Monitoring of the performance of the solar system can take several forms. Inverters come with wifi applications which provide basic information that is generally also available on the screens on many inverter brands. If however, you want to have more detail to include power generated, consumed and exported to the grid you will need a smart meter. These meters are relatively inexpensive and are easily installed either at the time of installation of your solar power system, or at a later date if you find the wi-fi application insufficient for your personal needs.
If you want more detail we would recommend installing a product called Solar Analytics. This product will alert you if your system stops working, if the panel performance drops, if the inverter performance drops, or if there is a fault in the system and it also provides analysis on why your power bills rise and fall.