Your Solar System

Power Breeze install a range of equipment as part of your new solar system including solar panels, a solar inverter, circuit breakers and racking/railing. Learn more about each component, how they work together, and the kind of savings estimate you can expect.

Solar panels convert sunlight instantly into DC electrical power.

The inverter converts DC power into standard household AC power for use in the home, synchronising with utility power whenever the electrical grid is distributing electricity.

An existing electrical panel distributes solar electricity and utility power throughout the house.

The utility meter actually spins backwards when solar electricity generation exceeds house electricity consumption, sending power back to the electrical utility for full credit at the retail rate it charges you.

Utility power is automatically provided at night and also during the day when your demand exceeds your solar production.

Light energy is converted into photons into direct current electricity.

Solar cells generate electricity when sufficient light energy falls on the surface in the form of photons. Most common types of solar cells are:

• Monocrystalline
• Multicrystalline / Polycrystalline

The location of solar panels is a mostly fixed array - roof mounted. The angle chosen influences production and varies according to the roof profile and orientation of your house to the path of the sun.

The inverter is a critical component of the system as it converts the solar energy Photovoltaic (PV) into alternate current (AC) for household use and to be fed into the grid. Your energy retailer will purchase everything you feed back into the grid.

Micro inverters convert each panel's energy separately into AC, which is advantageous for houses with a lot of shadowing. These inverters are typically located in a high traffic area or close to the switchboard. The micro inverters are located on the rooftop, securely with the panels.

The function of the AC and DC circuit breakers are for system maintenance, customer's choice and emergency situations. These are possible to be switched on and off with a lever. They are usually mounted next to the inverter. In the case of micro inverters it will be placed next to the switchboard (depending on the installation).

These railing or racking systems are mounted to the roof to secure your solar panels and other relevant equipment to it. These rails are designed to withstand the elements and securely hold the weight of the solar system.

Some systems are ground mounted and will still be secured to these raking systems and the tracking/railing is secured to either roof or ground to installer discretion.

The structural integrity of a roof and the point of attachment may need to be verified by a structural certification and/or building approvals.

When you look at your first solar bill you will notice a new item on this bill: Renewable Energy. To understand how this works you need to understand that the credit per unit (a rebate at around 9 cents per unit) is not the only financial benefit you are receiving. Your meter is not able to calculate what you consume before it reachers your meter.

You can do this by using the following calculation:

• E-Total - total exported = savings before rebate
• 2100 kWh - 1000 kWh = 1100 kWh

Now you need to remember that you would have paid the normal rate for what you now saved. Therefore:

• 1100 kWh x 24 cents = $264

So you save before rebate and you can add that to your total savings.

If you're interested in taking advantage of the benefits of solar power, click the contact us button below for a no-obligation free quote.