Thinking About Going Solar For Your Home?

Solar PhotoVoltaics (PV) is the technology which converts light into electricity. Using semiconducting materials, a photovoltaic system employs solar modules, each comprising a number of solar cells, which generate electrical power.

Solar Power has specific advantages as an energy source:

• low cost
• zero-carbon
• low maintenance (no moving parts)
• modular

SolarShare’s comprehensive SolarSurvey is designed to take you through the process of sizing the optimum solar PV system to maximise solar electricity generation for the size of your roof, its orientation to the sun, and your average annual electricity consumption.

A SolarShare system, depending on your configuration, will typically consist of the following components:

• Solar PV panels, 6-18 (up to a max of 7kWp)
• An inverter, to convert DC electricity to AC (up to 6kVA)
• A battery, typically starting at 5kWh and expanding up to 15kWh and beyond

Solar PV panels typically have a design life of over 25 years. Product warranties are typically 12 years, with a linear performance warranty of 20 to 25 years, depending on the manufacturer.

Inverters have a design life of 10 to 20 years depending on the manufacturer. Product warranties are 10 years and up.

Batteries have a design life based on charge/discharge cycles which range from 5000 to 10000, with a time-based limit of 10 years usually applying. Depending on the manufacturer, the battery will be warrantied to have from 60% to 70% of its capacity after 10 years, but can be expected to continue operating after that.

When solar power is created, it must be used immediately, otherwise your unused electricity will spill over to the grid. To avoid spilling your excess electricity to the grid, a battery is needed. A battery stores excess solar electricity generated for use later in the day.