Commercial Solar Commercial Solar
April 13, 2021in Commercial Solar 0 Likes

How Commercial Solar Systems Work

Why Use Commercial Solar?

Commercial solar is targeted towards businesses that use most electricity between 9 am and 5 pm (operating hours).
These commercial-sized systems (10kW) and up carry unique design considerations and challenges we will go through within the blog.

The three distinct size breaks for commercial solar

(Baring in mind, the average residential solar system size is 5kW or around 20 solar panels).

Less than 30kW (around 100 panels)

A 30kW solar system will usually generate around 120kWh of electricity daily on average over a year; this will save approximately $2000 per month if 100% is self-consumed (which is possible in commercial situations).

30kW to 100kW

Solar systems of this size are usually installed in medium-sized offices, small retail businesses and local clubs.

Solar systems of this size require unique designs to protect the grid from all the electricity they generate. They also need special permission from your local electricity network (DNSP) to connect to the grid.

100kW – 250kW

These systems are typically installed in large offices, wineries, hotels and small to medium factories.

If your system exceeds 100kW, you can no longer claim the STC incentive. However, don’t stress you are still eligible for the subsidy known as ‘LGCs’. This is paid every year based on how much energy the system generates. The application process and paperwork can become quite complex as you have to install a special meter and report your generation every year to be eligible for your incentives. We will be more than happy to help you through this process. Read More

Solar Installation Westsun Solar
April 7, 2021in Solar Installation 0 Likes

The Difference Between A Quality Install And Dodgy Install

The difference between quality and dodgy installs has become a significant talking point within the solar industry. At Westsun Energy, we take pride in identifying our customer’s solar needs, helping them every step of the way, including design and installation.

This article goes through critical points that separate an excellent install from a bad one, including whether your solar installer has added value to your home, not just a future headache for you.

Licensing

All solar work is legally required to be installed by a licensed electrician with an attached CEC-accredited license. Firstly, you should check that the company that is completing your solar installation is both insured and licensed – this will protect you and your home in the event of anything going wrong and prevent you from being added to the list of casualties who have been caught out by using unlicensed tradespeople to install solar on their home.

Anything with solar requires a Clean Energy Council Accreditation; this ensures that the electricians installing your system have completed the required courses and are adequately educated regarding the correct installation procedures.

Finding a licensed installer will help prevent any future headaches and can be found here:

https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/consumers/buying-solar/find-an-installer

Signage

Appropriate labelling and identification should always be on the inverter, isolating switches and switchboards. Acceptable forms of signage should include some of the stickers pictured below. Read More

Solar Energy Savings Westsun Solar
March 29, 2021in Solar Energy Savings 0 Likes

Why you should invest in solar power in 2021

The world continues to move away from fossil fuel resources like gas and coal to produce electricity, transitioning towards a more sustainable model that utilises renewable energy resources. This means turning towards solar installation instead of the traditional grid power for businesses and homes. More than 2 million Australian homeowners have already transitioned to solar power.

As the world moves closer towards a renewable energy goal, 2021 presents the best opportunity thus far to switch to solar: with many reasons to transition, including:

Solar is becoming more affordable

New data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows that solar has become the cheapest electricity in the world as technology continues to improve. In the last ten years, the cost of solar panels has plummeted by more than 80%.

In addition, solar technology continues to improve, meaning households and businesses from all budget points can afford to make the transition while getting a great quality product.

Panels are becoming more efficient, allowing you to get great bang for your buck.

In the current solar environment, manufacturers are putting out PV systems that are around 25-26% efficient, meaning that around a quarter of all of the sunlight that is hitting your panels will be converted into clean energy.

In 2021 you can use fewer panels to generate more electricity; this allows residences and businesses with smaller amounts of space to consider going solar as fewer panels have now become an alternative when going solar. Read More

Solar Batteries Solar battery storage
March 23, 2021in Solar Batteries 0 Likes

Solar Battery Storage

Solar battery storage is it worth it?

Solar battery storage

A solar battery captures unused solar power generated during the day, used later at night and on low-sunlight days. Solar installations that include batteries are becoming increasingly popular. There is a natural attraction to being independent of the grid: for most buyers, it isn’t just an economic decision but an environmental one. For some, it expresses their wish to be independent of energy companies.

If your solar panel array and Battery included are large enough, you can run your entire home on solar power. Using the energy from your Battery can be cheaper per kWh than using electricity from the grid, depending on the time of day and electricity tariffs in your area.

Grid-connected vs off-grid

Your home can be set up for electricity supply in four main ways.

Grid-connected solar (no solar battery storage)

The most general set-up for homes with solar panels. The solar panels supply power throughout the day, and the home typically uses this power first, resorting to grid power for any extra electricity needed on low sunlight days, times of high power usage and at night.

Grid-connected no solar

The most generic set-up, where all of your electricity comes from the primary grid. The home has no solar panels or batteries installed. Read More

Commercial Solar Choosing the right commercial solar system
March 19, 2021in Commercial Solar 0 Likes

Choosing the Right Commercial Solar System

Choosing the right commercial solar system has many great perks.

Solar Power has become an attractive investment option for Perth and Western Australian businesses.

How much energy will commercial solar panels in Perth generate?

Generally, a solar PV system in Perth will generate an average of 5.3kWh (kilowatt-hours) of energy per kilowatt of capacity per day on average throughout the year. This is based on 30 years of sunlight data from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Therefore, on average, a 10kW solar system will generate around 53kWh of energy per day, whilst a 100kW solar system will generate around 530kWh per day (with less in winter and more in summer months. Actual energy yields will vary depending on location, orientation/tilt angle and the components used. The below table shows the expected output from typical commercial solar system sizes.

Westsun Energy’s engineers will review your power bills with you whilst providing a detailed summary of the optimal size system and expected savings through the life of your commercial strategy. Read More

Solar Installation Solar Panel Direction
March 18, 2021in Solar Installation 0 Likes

The Direction Solar Panels Face

The Direction Solar Panels Face

The direction solar panels face for optimum sun exposure varies depending on location. In Australia, solar panel yields are higher when solar panels face north. All Southern Hemisphere locations should ideally position panels in a northerly direction.
The direction solar panels face, along with their angle, or tilt, at that orientation, are all vital inputs to accurately calculate the solar power for the property. These inputs and the property’s location are needed to calculate the solar energy at a given site.

For Australian conditions, the best orientation for your panels is NORTH. Although, if your commissions do not face north, you can still generate good solar yields.

What if your panels aren’t facing north?

If you live in Perth, and your panels don’t face north, your property may still be suitable for generating solar energy. Conferences can still generate good yields if your property faces east or west. Depending on your roof pitch and location, you will lose somewhere between 10-20% efficiency due to not having panels facing north. It is recommended that you can place the panels in more of a northeast or even northwest direction. This will increase sun exposure to the meetings and improve the system’s ability to generate solar power.

Suppose your property is constructed so that you can only face solar panels in a southern direction. In that case, you will also lose capacity compared to a north-facing solar system.

The table below shows the panels’ efficiency in Perth at different orientations; this is based on a roof pitch of 25°. Read More

Solar Panels How to buy the best solar panels for your home
March 12, 2021in Solar Panels 0 Likes

How to buy the best solar panels for your home

Solar panels are progressively being installed by homeowners who are worried about rising electricity costs and want a system that cuts their bills and produces greener energy.

What size solar panel system do I need for my home?

To size your solar panel system for your home, you need to figure out how much electricity you use and when you are using it.

A typical home uses 20Kw of energy a day as a general guide. A 5Kw solar system would meet most of the daytime power needs of an available home.

How many solar panels do I need for my home?

  • The output of your entire solar system matters more than the size or number of panels.
  • The higher each panel’s nominal power rating (and actual power output), the fewer you will need or (the more power you will generate).
  • If your home has plenty of roof space, you may find it economical to purchase cheaper panels with less efficiency and use more of them.

For example, You could use four 250W Jinko panels, taking up 6.5m² of roof space, to make a 1000W array. But four 350W Q.MAXX panels would take up the same overall area and form a more extensive collection of 1400W (although the Q.MAXX will cost you more). Read More

Solar Inverters Solar.web
March 8, 2021in Solar Inverters 0 Likes

Fronius GEN24 Plus Hybrid Inverter

Fronius GEN24 Plus

The Fronius GEN24 Plus, with power categories of between 3 and 6Kw, is the ideal hybrid inverter for private households. With many features as standard, the single-phase device covers all customer requirements.

The Fronius GEN24 Plus leaves nothing to be desired with numerous features such as energy management functions, WLAN connection as standard, Ethernet connectivity and easy integration of third-party components. Thanks in particular to the PV Point – an integrated socket supplied with electricity when backup power is needed – and the full backup feature in the event of power outages ensures the highest degree of power supply reliability.

PV Point

The integrated essential backup power supply is a power socket supplied with electricity during a power outage. This allows loads to be provided with up to 3kW of power. The PV point represents the low-cost backup power solution.

  • Automatic activation in case of a grid outage
  • Costly additional installation work is not necessary
  • Supplies households with one-phase loads of up to 3kW
Read More

Government Solar Policies Energy Buyback Scheme
March 4, 2021in Government Solar Policies 0 Likes

Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) Changes

As of (31st August 2020), residential solar power systems installed in Western Australia no longer receive the REBS or ‘Renewable Buyback Scheme’ solar feed-in tariff of 7.135 cents per kilowatt-hour. Instead, they now receive the DEBS or ‘Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme’ that will rather pay:

  • For most of the day, 3 Cents for each kilowatt-hour of solar electricity fed into the grid, and…
  • Ten cents for each kilowatt-hour exported from 3 pm until 9 pm.

Because rooftop solar produces most of its energy in the middle of the day, that works out to be an average of 3.8c for north-facing solar panels and roughly 4.4c for west-facing solar on a roof with an average pitch of 22.5 degrees.

Systems currently on the ‘Renewable Buyback Scheme’ REBS that are upgraded will be shifted to the ‘Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme’ DEBS.

All new solar systems installed from 31st August must receive the DEBS feed-in tariff. The new tariff started on 6th November; until then, all new solar installations still received the old feed-in tax of 7.135c per kilowatt-hour.

The new feed-in tariffs will also be paid for energy from home batteries or electric cars exported to the grid. This explains why the 10c feed-in-tariff period extends until 9 pm when the latest set is 7.25 pm in Perth. Read More

Solar Batteries Q CELL
February 26, 2021in Solar Batteries 0 Likes

Why Westsun Energy Choose Q CELL and Q.HOME

The ever-increasing customer demand for premium solar and battery solutions continues to evolve. At Westsun Energy, we choose Q CELL and Q.Home.

Providing our customers with excellent products at a competitive price is something we are very proud of.

Products that are made to last in the harsh Australian climate.

Q CELL and Q.HOME is designed to last in Australia. The products are put through numerous tests leading to IP 65 Outdoor rated, with the flexibility to install indoors or outdoors.

The tests include hail damage testing, where they shoot large amounts of ice at the products—and desert testing at the Knowledge Australia Solar Centre in Alice Springs. Where products are tested for resistance to harsh desert climates, the results are compared in real time and can be found here. Read More