Solazone supplies solar power kits to install yourself, or supplies and installs complete solar power systems almost anywhere in Australia, the Pacific Islands, East Timor and Philippines, using accredited and experienced installers.
- You can use solar power to run your home, business, houseboat, camper or holiday cabin.
We've fitted solar power systems to isolated rural homesteads, holiday shacks, boats, farms, city townhouses, and even to factories.
How much power can I expect to generate?
For every one kilowatt of installed solar panels facing due south, and inclined at the latitude angle from horizontal, the following table will give a rough estimate of the power that you can expect.
Remember that shading, cloud cover, dust, and pollution can affect the output of any individual solar power system.
To know what size solar system will completely run your house, look at the average kilowatt usage per day on the back of a recent power bill, then divide that number by the annual average figure in the table below.
| Davao | |||
| Manila | |||
| General Santos |
Most suburban homes in the Philippines are connected to the electricity grid, which uses alternating current electricity (AC). Solar panels generate direct current (DC) electricity, so a. power inverter is used to transform the DC electricity into AC electricity suitable for household needs. Houses with solar power systems use their solar power first, before sourcing electricity from the grid.
When the solar panels are not able to produce sufficient electricity, for example at night, electricity is supplied from the electricity grid. For systems with a battery backup (optional), the power stored in the batteries can be used at night, or during blackouts.
Greenhouse gas savings - Solar power is a zero-emission electricity source. One megawatt hour of solar-derived electricity avoids approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide.
You can use solar power to run your home, business, houseboat, yacht, camper or holiday cabin.
Some tips:
Electric hot water generally uses about 1/3 of the total household power use, even though in some cases it may be on a cheaper tariff. Changing to solar hot water will substantially reduce this component.
Biggest power users in a typical home are air conditioners, heaters, swimming pool pumps, spa pumps, old refrigerators and freezers, electric stoves, halogen downlights and large plasma TVs.
Reduce the usage of these where possible to save on your power bill. Change from using an air conditioner & heater (heat pump) to a SolarWhiz; swap your pool pumps to a solar pump or change your lights to some from our new range of low energy LEDs.
Phantom loads, such as the little red lights and appliances on stand by, all add to using substantial amounts of power over the quarter. Switch them off at the wall where possible, or use our future switch to reduce wasteful power consumption.
Top 10 tips for buying solar
1. Be an informed consumer.
Research your options, be clear on your needs and compare quotes.
2. Know your daily electricity consumption.
By understanding what you use, you can assess how much you would like your solar system to generate, depending on your budget.
3. Get an estimate of how much energy your system will generate.
Your contract should include an estimate of the average daily output of your system in kilowatt-hours (based on where you live and the size and position of your system).
4. Check with your electricity retailer.
Never purchase a solar system without knowing what rate you will be paid for the electricity you generate and whether this will affect any hourly rates in your electricity bill.
5. Always use an Accredited Installer.
You can check your installer is accredited.
6. Avoid signing up on the spot.
You should not feel pressured to sign a contract on the spot. Take the time to understand up-front costs, warranties and payback of your solar PV system.
7. Use products that meet Australian standards.
Your installer should provide proof the panels and inverters meet the standards. You can also check the product list at www.solaraccreditation.com.au
8. Check the conditions of product warranties and work guarantees.
Know who is providing the warranty (manufacturer or importer) and how long it lasts.
9. Keep the documentation.
A copy of your contract is necessary to resolve any disputes down the track.
10. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Visit www.solaraccreditation.com.au/consumers/consumerguide.html for a copy of the Clean Energy Council’s Consumer Guide to Buying Household Solar Panels.
The Clean Energy Council has also addressed some myths about solar energy through its new Solar Myths and Facts info sheet.
Remember that Solazone has been installing solar equipment for more than 29 years, and we have taught many of the newbies, like maxi solar and others, what they need to know to make a decent solar power system. Our experience throughout Australia, and overseas, means that you can rely on getting top quality without over the top prices.
Stand Alone (or Remote Area) Solar Power Systems
Also referred to as “off-grid” power systems, these are self-sufficient systems that provide useable power to the end user, without the need to connect to a mains grid electricity supply.
They are quite common in remote and rural areas, where mains grid electricity either doesn’t exist or is simply too expensive to have connected due to the distance of the home from the nearest power lines (it can cost several thousand dollars per power pole that needs to be erected).
Power is predominantly provided by a renewable energy source, such as solar and/or wind, which is then stored in a large, deep cycle battery bank. A pure sine-wave power inverter then provides the 240 volt AC power to the house, and often a generator provides backup power for when there is insufficient renewable energy available.
Solazone supplies solar power systems, lighting, pumps and refrigeration to those dependant upon solar power. Our experience over the past 30 years means we almost always have a great solution.
