BUY SOLAR PANELS AUSTRALIA
The sun is an excellent source of renewable clean energy and a solar photovoltaic (PV) system is a technology designed to convert sunrays into electricity through the use of solar panels. The Australian government's Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme is designed to make the installation of PV systems an attractive investment for homeowners as well as small businesses.
The RET scheme has been divided into two distinct parts:
Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES)
This includes installations of small-scale renewable energy systems, such as rooftop solar panels (under 100 kW) and solar water heaters that are sufficient to supply the needs of homeowners and small business owners.
Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET)
This covers commercial renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and geothermal power stations. For home and small business owners, a photovoltaic system is assembled from three key components.
Solar panels are the essential piece of technology in a
solar power system. A solar electricity system convert sunray energy into DC electricity using solar modules technology developed in the 19th century. The amount of electricity a system can produced is based on several factors. The key ones are:
- Location of the solar panel system (Weather has an influence on sun hours, etc)
- Size of the system (Number of solar panels installed)
- The efficiency of the solar panel technology (Quality of the components)
The table below provides an average calculation of solar energy produced based on location, size of system using current technology.
Average Daily Solar Energy Production in Australian Cities
| City |
1 kW system |
1.5 kW system |
2.0 kW system |
3.0 kW system |
4.0 kW system |
| Sydney |
3.9 kWh |
5.85 kWh |
7.8 kWh |
11.7 kWh |
15.6 kWh |
| Melbourne |
3.6 kWh |
5.4 kWh |
7.2 kWh |
10.8 kWh |
14.4 kWh |
| Brisbane |
4.2 kWh |
6.3 kWh |
8.4 kWh |
12.6 kWh |
16.8 kWh |
| Cairns |
4.2 kWh |
6.3 kWh |
8.4 kWh |
12.6 kWh |
16.8 kWh |
| Darwin |
4.4 kWh |
6.6 kWh |
8.8 kWh |
13.2 kWh |
17.6 kWh |
| Alice Springs |
5.0 kWh |
7.5 kWh |
10.0 kWh |
15.0 kWh |
20.0 kWh |
| Perth |
4.4 kWh |
6.6 kWh |
8.8 kWh |
13.2 kWh |
17.6 kWh |
| Adelaide |
4.2 kWh |
6.3 kWh |
8.4 kWh |
12.6 kWh |
16.8 kWh |
| Hobart |
3.5 kWh |
5.25 kWh |
7.0 kWh |
10.5 kWh |
14.0 kWh |
| Canberra |
4.3 kWh |
6.45 kWh |
8.6 kWh |
12.9 kWh |
17.2 kWh |
Data compiled from the
Clean Energy Council PV Guideline. Calculations are based on solar irradiation and temperature data from the Australian Solar Radiation Handbook and on solar panels facing true north, tilted at a 20 degree angle using a an average inverter and wiring efficiency of 0.92.
b. Inverter
The inverter’s job is to convert the DC electricity generated through solar panels into AC electricity, so it can be consumed by the household or fed into the electricity grid.
c. Electricity Meter
The electricity meter keeps track of how much electricity is produced by the solar panels and fed into the electricity grid.
The Australian government realises the need to act on climate change now to reduce its impact on the future. The RET scheme is designed to facilitate the government's goal of having 20% of the Australia's electricity supply coming from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
In order to be eligible for STCs, a Small Generation Unit (SGU) such as a solar PV system must not have system capacity over 100 kW and its total annual electricity output must be less than 250 MWh. Additionally, its components must be included in the Clean Energy Council list of accredited components and it needs to be installed correctly by an installer who has been accredited by the Clean Energy Council.
STCs need to be created within 12 months of the SGU installation. They can then be sold to electricity retailers through online systems similar to the stock market. This means that the price of STCs would vary according to supply and demand. Alternatively, STCs can be traded through the STC Clearing House where STCs have a fixed price of $40 (exc. GST).
Monetising STCs can occur either through a STC agent or individual trading. STC agents are usually SGU retailers and STCs can be assigned to them in exchange for some form of financial benefit such as a discount. On the other hand, the owner can create STCs once the SGU has been installed and then trade these through the REC Registry or STC Clearing House. Most consumers opt for the agent assisted process.
The number of STCs that can be created is calculated through the combination of five factors:
1. Power output of the solar PV system: The power output of the system in kW.
2. Installation postcode zone rating: Due to variations in sunlight levels across the country, a 4-tiered zoning system has been created to reflect the various amounts of sunlight radiation. Different locations across the country receive less or more sunlight, which has an effect on the amount of electricity produced via solar panels. The Australian Government recognises this fact and has divided the country into zones with different solar ratings:
| Zone |
Rating |
| 1 |
1.622 |
| 2 |
1.536 |
| 3 |
1.382 |
| 4 |
1.185 |
3. Solar Credits: The number of STCs can be increased by applying a multiplier to the first 1.5 kW of solar PV installations. SRES multipliers are based on the installation date and summarised in the following table:
| Installation Period |
Multiplier Value |
| July 2011 to June 2012 |
3 |
| July 2012 to June 2013 |
2 |
| July 2013 to June 2014 |
1 |
| July 2014 to June 2015 |
0 |
4. Deeming period: If the installer is Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited the deeming period is 15 years.
5. REC market value: The market rate of RECs changes regularly and is overseen by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator.
How to Calculate Solar Rebate:
STC Subsidy = Rated power output x Zone rating x Solar credits x Deeming period x REC market value
Calculating STCs for a 15-year deeming period for an eligible solar PV system installed in the postcode area of 2134 on 12 July 2009:
STC Subsidy = 1.5 x 1.382 x 3 x 15 x $40 = $3,731
