Solar Power Information Guide: Todae Solar - CEC Award Winner 2012
Solar Power Information Guide: Todae Solar - CEC Award Winner 2012
Solar Power Information Guide: Todae Solar - CEC Award Winner 2012
Australian PV Association
Solar Energy Industries Association INC
Contents
Solar Power Checklist ................................................................................................ p2 Why Go Solar? ............................................................................................................. p3 About Todae Solar ....................................................................................................... p4 How Solar Power Works ............................................................................................. p5 Solar Panel Comparison ............................................................................................. p6 How To Choose The Right Installer ........................................................................ p7-8 When Warranty Isnt A Warranty ............................................................................... p9
Resources:
Clean Energy Councils (Solar Accreditation Body) Solar Consumer Guide click here Whirlpool Forums Unedited Feedback on Todae Solar click here Todae Solars Clean Energy Council Award 2012 click here Todae Solars Installation on Parliament House click here Todae Solar Customer Testimonials click here Todae Solar Awards click here
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
The Company Been in business for 9+ years 9+ years experience in solar power Accredited and experience team of system designers, engineers and project managers Offer you a dedicated project coordinator for you system Are master distributers for Solar Panels and Inverters Awarded 2012 Best Installation by the Clean Energy Council Trusted by large organisations including Parliament House, ING and The Catholic Education Office Provide details of all their public liability insurances Completed thousands of solar installations across Australia (all States) Do they provide a cooling off period Offer site inspections Solar System & Components (Premium System) Does the quote list all components, component brands and costs upfront Is every system designed by an accredited system designer & engineer (rather than a sales person) Have the Solar Panel and Inverter manufacturers been in business for more than 10 years Are the Solar Panel and Inverter manufacturers one of the top 5 manufacturers globally Are the Solar Panel and Inverter manufacturers publically listed on NASDAQ or Frankfurt stock exchange Has your installer provided you with a strong level of comfort that your Solar Panel manufacturer will be around in 25 years (or 5 years) to meet any warranty claim Do the Solar Panels include 3rd party warranty insurance Do the Solar Panel and Inverter manufacturers have local Australian offices Are Solar Panel and Inverter warranties handled in Australia Do they provide a 5 year warranty on workmanship Installation Is the installation done by local installers Has your Solar System provider rigorously tested and chosen the best local installer to install your system Is the warranty on your installation held with a well-established national company that you feel confident will be around for the next 5 years to meet any warranty claim Is the installation custom designed to your roof
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CEC Industry Award Winner 2012
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
Why Go Solar?
Solar power is a fantastic way to reduce your energy bills and your household impact on the environment. Now is the perfect time to go solar as energy prices continue to rise. This guide is an easy to read and simple explanation of solar power, which will help you understand what you need to look for when purchasing solar power. Your investment in solar means you receive the benefits and savings on your electricity bills for up to 25 years, so you want to make sure you are choosing the right company and right components to ensure you get the optimum return from your investment.
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
Clean Energy Council Award Winner 2012 Todae Solar. Best Installation Greater Than 10kW Parliament House
Experience
Our team of expert solar consultants, engineers, system designers, project managers and solar installers have well over 50 years of combined experience in solar power. It is with this experience that we provide the highest level of service and quality.
Trusted Name
Todae Solar is one of Australias most trusted solar installers. Since 2003, Todae Solar has installed thousands of systems on homes, businesses and schools around Australia. So you can rest assured you are in good hands with Todae Solar.
Highest Quality
Todae Solar has relationships with renowned and reputable manufacturers offering high quality components and cutting-edge technology. Our installers go through a rigorous selection process with most having over 10 years experience.
Featured Installations:
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
Solar electricity is generated from Solar Panels, which is then fed into the Inverter which converts it to mains voltage (240v). During the day, if you are using any appliance such as a toaster, kettle or microwave, the solar electricity will power these. If no energy is being used whilst your solar system is generating electricity, the inverter feeds this unused energy into the Grid. Your energy provider will then pay you for any electricity that your system feeds back into the Grid and this is commonly called a Feed in Tariff. With a Grid Connect System you do not require any batteries and with the Grid as a back-up, you will never run out of electricity. In addition to this, no changes need to be made within your house regarding power points or how you use electricity.
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Solar Panels - The solar panels on your roof turn the UV from the suns rays into electricity. Inverter - The inverter turns the electricity from the solar panels into 240V electricity, the same type used by all your appliances at home. The electricity flows from your inverter to any appliances which are running in your home. Electricity Meter - Any unused electricity flows through your electricity meter, so your energy provider can measure the amount of electricity you export to the electricity grid. Electricity goes back into the grid - The unused electricity, will then be exported into the electricity grid and used by the next house which is drawing electricity from the grid. Some states may provide Feed-in tariffs for any exported back into the grid.
CEC Industry Award Winner 2012
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Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
Monocrystalline
Each cell is made of singular crystal silicon. Recognizable by its dark, black uniform colour, and diamond shaped spaces, smaller cells. Approx. Panel Efficiency rate 15-17%*- because the cell uses a higher purity-silicon, it converts light to electricity more efficiently. Nominal Operating Cell Temperature 45C* Temperature Coefficiency Pmp 0.45%/C * the performance of the cells is affected more if its too hot or too cold. Monocrystalline cells are more expensive to make, and thus are more expensive to purchase and install.
Polycrystalline
Each cell is made of multi-crystal silicon. Recognizable by variations across the cells between light and dark blue colours, perfectly square shape, larger cells. Approx. Panel Efficiency rate 14-16%*- because the silicon used to make the cell isnt as pure it doesnt convert light to electricity as efficiently. Nominal Operating Cell Temperature 46C (+-2 )* Temperature Coefficiency Pmp 0.41%/C* this cell tolerates high temperatures better, but does not perform as well in colder temperatures. Polycrystalline cells are more cost-efficient to make, therefore, they are cheaper to purchase and install.
*Approximate comparative efficiency rates between same/similar modules for both mono and poly.
There is minimal difference between mono & poly panels, the key is to focus on what will provide the best output for your home.
According to Trina Solar, currently, 53% of Australians using solar power have used mono panels for their installations, compared to 47% using poly. This current popularity isnt necessarily because the mono is better, but because historically they have performed better, and because of the monos longevity in the solar industry it has been perceived by the public to be better than poly. However, through technological developments, poly panels now have a comparable cell performance to that of mono, but they can be produced at a much lower cost. Overall, there is a strong future for both cell types as the gap between their relative optimum efficiency rates gets smaller, and the development of both mono and poly is still continuing, however, what does make the difference is your circumstances. For example, if you live in an area that is 30+ degrees most days a poly system might be more beneficial for you as it has better heat resistance. From another angle, if you live in the middle of Sydney or Melbourne and have minimal roof space then a mono system might allow you to get more out of your system simply because the panels may be smaller or have a greater output. As a professional and experienced installer, Todae Solar can help you to better understand which system will benefit you and your conditions most.
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
As a national installer since 2003 our company has longevity and history in the industry, which is a massive advantage for several reasons: a) Consumers can feel secure that we can cover the solar component warranties, and are better able to back the products and services over the length of the warranty, as well as guarantee the life of your PV unit. b) Consumers can be assured of our strong and direct relationship with manufacturers and that we can provide ongoing service after sales for the years to come. The solar industry has seen hundreds of local installers close down. We de-risk this process by providing a direct warranty, and we have been in business almost 10 years and are trusted by organisations such as Parliament House, ING, Clubs NSW and dozens of councils and schools across Australia.
With Todae Solar, consumers are guaranteed up-to-date accredited systems and procedures, and you can be assured complete compliance with all regulations, procedures and certifications that ensure you get the highest quality installation, including accreditation. As a national installer our award-winning project management team and in-house engineering team are experts in their areas to provide all our customers with a system that is custom designed to suit their house and energy needs. Each team member is specifically trained and has extensive experience in their area, whether thats designing your roof top system or customer service.
Whilst we do not provide face to face consultation like some local installers; we provide a highly professional end-to-end service including a dedicated project coordinator. Whilst you may receive a site visit initially from a local installer, they cannot provide you with the dedicated support and service that our project management team ensures every customer receives. As a customer, you cant be sure that a local installer will have the breath to provide you with the full service that Todae Solar provides, as they manage multiple jobs, tasks and customers by themselves.
As an experienced national solar company, we only offer the highest quality Tier 1 products; whereas local installers often offer unbranded cheaper components. For example, we have direct & long standing relationships with our Tier 1 brands including Canadian Solar (Publicly listed company & Top 5 panel manufacturer globally) and SMA (World renowned leading German inverter manufacturer). All our components are researched and tested; with our solar panels coming with locally based warranties as well as 3rd party insurance on the warranties so you can rest assured your system is truly guaranteed for the entire warranty period.
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
Despite being a national company, we use local sub-contractors to install our solar systems. This means you receive all the benefits of going with a national company and have your installation done by a local installer. We de-risk this process by putting all our local contractors through a rigorous screening test, check their work, and ensure they are working to our national standards and not cutting corners. So you will probably end up with a local, but will have the benefit of our project management, engineering, and after sales service. Realistically, installing solar power on your home is a significant, long-term investment and choosing a national installer like Todae Solar just makes sense.
With Todae Solar, you will probably get a local, but it will be the BEST local.
Having confidence in your solar system components is extremely important, and having a warranty you can trust is essential to a good solar system.
Manufacturer has been manufacturing solar components for more than 10 years Manufacturer has local offices and the warranty is administered locally Solar Panel manufacturer has 3rd party insurance. Manufacturer is a large and reputable brand with a global presence Manufacturer is vertically integrated (controls the sourcing of components) which ensures Manufacturer has an R&D department to ensure their products are high quality Manufacturer is top 5 globally
Our Researched & Tested High Quality Brands:
Solar Panels:
Inverters:
Todae Solar Solar Power Information Guide | www.todaesolar.com.au | 1300 GO SOLAR (46 7652)
A 25 year warranty is only worth the paper its written on if you are confident the manufacturer will be in business for 25 years