Todae Solar

Solar Power FAQ:

Todae Solar > Solar Power FAQ

PictureWho will be installing my solar system and how long does it take?

Todae Solar has a highly experienced team of Clean Energy Council (CEC) qualified solar installers. Installation generally takes one day and will be performed by one of our CEC electricians.

How do I choose a solar system that is right for me?

Contact our Solar Team and they will work with you to decide on a system that best suits your needs. A Solar Consultant will come directly to your home, office or school to assess your suitability and guide you through every step.

Who takes care of the paperwork?

We take care of all the paperwork for you. We may request some information along the way, but the Todae Team will send in all required documents and applications.

Does the system require maintenance?

Systems are designed to the highest standard and should provide you with 25 years of free solar power. However, some very basic maintenance is required. For example, solar cells will need to be occasionally cleaned of leaf litter, dirt and other debris as this will prevent sunlight from reaching the cells.

What roof types are suitable?

The system can be mounted to most types of roof coverings, except those roofs that are in poor condition. Before installation is started the installer will notify you if there are any problems that would not allow the installation to continue.

I have trees shading the roof. Is this okay?

The system will work, but will have a reduced output due to the degree of shading. Other obstructions like neighbouring buildings, chimneys, and air conditioning units may reduce system output due to shading. It is best to reduce the amount of shading as much as possible for your system to work to it's optimum level.

I live in a 2 storey house, can it still be installed?

Yes.

What’s the lead time for me to be installed?

Depending on availability of panels and components chosen, we try to get new customers installed as quickly as possible.

How long does it take to fit the panels on the roof?

It depends on the size of your installation. For home solar power systems, 1.5 to 2 kw generally take one day, larger systems can take 2 days but generally speaking no more than 3 days.

What’s the difference between net and gross metering? Which should I choose?

A net metering system combines the generation of the solar system and the household’s consumption and calculates the net outcome. Therefore it is essential that a meter under such a scheme is an interval based one and read periodically so that the solar producer can capture 30 minute blocks of export to the national electricity grid – rather than it being read at the end of the day, where consumption is normally going to be more than the export. Gross meters measure the export and import of your electricity separately. Therefore the Gross Meter actually measures the entire output of your system separately to your electricity consumption. Iif it is possible to get a Gross Meter then you should do so because a Gross Metering system can support not only a Gross tariff policy but also a Net tariff policy.

What’s the difference between mono and poly crystalline panels?

Mono crystalline panels are made from a single wafer of silicon, poly crystalline are many hundred of thousands small flakes of silicon sandwiched together. Mono crystalline is the dominant panel of choice for grid connect systems – cost effective and efficient.

Which panels work better in hot weather?

It depends on the quality of the panel, but monocrystalline panels are well suited for all weather conditions in Australia so long they are sourced from a quality company.

Do I get the RECS or does Todae Solar?

We claim the RECS on your behalf to save you money upfront.

What’s a REC?

A renewable energy certificate – the vessel of the MRET (mandatory renewable energy target)

When will my system be connected to the power grid?

You will be connected to the grid after your solar panels have been installed. A Gross meter is ordered for you once your panels have been installed, and when the Energy Provider releases the meter, our electricians will perform the upgrade.

How will my Feed-in tariff show on my bill?

This will depend on who you are buying your electricity from. The general rule is that you are provided with a cheque every quarter along with your energy bill. You can call your retailer for other options, such as direct debit or to be deducted from your bill.

How do I know if my system is working properly?

The first thing to do is to have a look at your gross meter. You should see the numbers ticking over every day. Do some research and ask your sales rep for some figures on how much a system of your size should be producing and compare. Keep daily records and compare different times of the year so you know what to expect.

If I am locked into the 60c Gross Tariff, can I add more panels later?

Unfortunately, no. Once you are locked into the FiT under a specific capacity, you cannot increase the nominated capacity.

See why you should choose Todae Solar here.


Get a Quote