Modern Solar FAQ

How does it work in conjunction with 'solar heating' inside my home?

• Your Modern Solar Grid Connect Photovoltaic system will provide solar power to your home. This solar electricity can be used by any appliance in your home so it will work together, with your solar hot water service to reduce your reliance on mains supply and reduce your electricity bills too

• No, if your home has gas heating or a gas stove, your Modern Solar Photovoltaic system just assists you even more by reducing even further, your existing electricity bills . There are no additional set up costs

• Solar Panels can be placed just about anywhere there is a constant source of sunlight with no shade. That is why your roof is often the best place to put the solar panels. The solar panels should be angled so that they face the sun for as much as possible during the day. That is why the North facing side of your roof is ideal. Of course, solar panels can be mounted on pergolas, sheds and verandas too, so long as they can support the solar panels safely and it is a sunny spot with the solar panels can be angled towards the sun

• You still need electricity from the mains because your solar panels may not produce enough electricity to supply your household's needs every day. This obviously depends on the size of solar system you choose and your consumption of electricity. In addition, even if your solar system can generate enough power for you during the day, because the system only generates power when the sun is shining, you will need mains supply electricity whenever there is insufficient sunlight. For example for supply of electricity at night

• Installers who sign off on the finished installed solar system must not only be qualified electricians but must also have solar Power Grid Connect Photovoltaic System qualifications endorsed by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). Modern Solar use only accredited installers for this job to ensure the job is carried out to the highest Standards.
• Modern have been in the roofing business for over 20 years. Therefore, Moderns experience is second to none and you can be sure, that the Modern Solar Photovoltaic system you choose, will be installed to the highest professional Standards

• Every person and every household contributes to the problem of global warming and climate change, but every person can reduce their carbon footprint on the environment too. When individuals take action, together, we CAN make a difference. Every kg of greenhouse gas you save going into the atmosphere with your new Modern Solar system is helping the environment and helping to save the planet.
• More and more people like yourself are taking action, and making a difference, every day TOGETHER WE CAN REDUCE GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE

• Pools are usually heated with solar hot water panels. These are like hot water systems and the water runs through the solar panels and is heated by the sun. If you want your pool to be heated by a Modern Solar Photovoltaic system, you will need your pool heated by electricity and you can use your new Modern Solar system to provide that electricity

• Solar Power Grid Connect Systems are proven throughout the world to be one of the most effective actions individuals can take to make a significant reduction in their household greenhouse gas emissions by directly offsetting their coal fired energy consumption.
• This is especially the case for Australians who have about twice as much sunlight as Germany, for example, who have the highest number of installed systems. Individuals know their energy is green by becoming green energy producers themselves.

• Our Solar Consultants will bring you the application forms and help you fill in the Pre-approval Federal Rebate document which we will send to the Australian Greenhouse Office in Canberra on your behalf. They will write to you, the homeowner, and inform you when the work is approved for installation. Our Solar Installers will assist you to complete the Installation Report form after the job is complete which we will also lodge to Canberra.
• The Solar Consultant will also advise you of other cash back initiatives such as RECS (Renewable Energy Receipts).

• The electricity generated by a Modern Solar energy system works just like the electricity delivered by your local utility. After passing through a component called an inverter, the direct current (DC) electricity generated by solar photovoltaic panels is converted to alternating current 240 Volts (AC), the type of electricity that you normally access through the outlets in your home or business facility. This AC electricity is either fed into your home for your use, or is fed back into the electricity grid if you are generating more than you are consuming.

• Depending on your energy consumption and the size of the solar system you decide to put on your roof. In most cases, a solar system can be appropriately sized to meet all of your electricity needs, but it is not necessary for a solar system to cover all of your needs in order to be cost-effective. Our Solar Consultant will assist you in deciding what size solar system is best for your home.

• The amount of solar electricity generated obviously depends on the number of panels on your roof, weather conditions, any shading or dust which may settle on your solar panels (before being washed off by rain) . These factors can all reduce performance of the solar panels. Our Solar Consultant will go through these factors with you to assist you to understand.

• Solar Photovoltaic panels require sunlight to produce solar electricity, no solar system will produce electricity during the night. With a Modern Solar Grid Connect system, your local utility will continue to supply your electricity at night.

• Since solar photovoltaic (PV) technology requires sunlight to produce electricity, the bulk of your solar electricity production will take place in bright sunny conditions. The amount of solar electricity produced by your panels is directly proportional to the amount of sunlight available at any given moment. Solar Systems can still generate around 50 % of their peak output under bright overcast conditions but heavy clouds which significantly reduce brightness during the day will reduce performance of the solar panels even further

• Modern Solar have a limited warranty on solar panels of 25 years

• Modern Solar modules typically last for more than 25 years, provided proper maintenance tasks are carried out as specified. Electrical equipment such as the inverter will typically have to be replaced during this time period.

• Modern Solar systems are very durable. Our solar panels have passed very strict performance standards and criteria to protect the solar panels from strong winds, hail damage and environmental exposure. After all, they are designed to be installed on roofs, and built tough to withstand the harsh Australian environment. That is why we can offer a 25 year warranty on the solar panels.

• There are no ongoing costs after the initial purchase price of the solar system except replacement of components outside the warranty period. The solar system generates free, clean electricity from the sun with minimum maintenance required (wash solar panels occasionally)

• A Feed-in tariff is a premium rate paid for excess electricity fed back into the electricity grid from your Solar Power Grid Connect Photovoltaic system. Although feed-in tariffs are legislated in many countries around the world, Australia , is only just now in the process of introducing legislation in various States which would allow homeowners of Solar Power grid connect PV systems to enjoy the benefits of this 'Premium' buy back rate of electricity. In Canberra, for example, feed - in tariffs have been proposed at 3.88 times the current purchase price of electricity
• Feed-in tariffs, when implemented, will make it even more cost effective to own a Modern Solar Photovoltaic System

• No. Solar hot water uses heat from the sun to heat your water. Your Grid Connect Modern Solar Photovoltaic System generates free electricity directly from the sun providing a renewable and clean energy source.

• In Australia, we have an abundance of sunlight ready to be converted into solar electricity unlike many parts of the world such as Europe which is blanketed in clouds most of the year. Therefore, your Modern Solar system is very efficient, generating free solar electricity, whenever the sun is shining.
• Your solar system will generate more electricity than a comparable solar system installed in Europe, for example where sunlight levels are much lower than in Australia. For example, Germany has an irradiation level of 751 KWh for every square meter per year, and Canberra's irradiation level is 1386 KWh of sunlight for every square meter. Germany has around 250,000 Solar Power Grid Connect Systems installed, whereas there are only approximately 3000 solar systems installed in Australia. Our abundance of sunlight is there waiting for us to utilize! Lets harness this renewable and clean energy source!

• The average household in Australia generates about 14 tonnes of greenhouse gases each year. Every kWh ( kilo watt hour ) of electricity you purchase from a traditional coal fired electricity utility provider pumps about 1kg of Carbon Dioxide into the air we breathe.
• A MOD2000 Solar System will save almost 3 tonnes of Greenhouse gas Carbon Dioxide being pumped into the environment whilst saving you money on every kWh produced

• No, excess solar energy generated on your roof is automatically fed back into the electricity mains via your inverter. Your solar system also automatically sources electricity from the electricity grid when you are not generating sufficient electricity from your solar panels. Therefore, you effectively are using the grid as your battery.

• Yes. As long as you have notified your energy retailer of your solar system (some retailers require an interconnection agreement) . Your energy retailer will need to organise installation of a 2 way meter however, you enable them to read how much solar electricity you are producing, exporting to the grid ( for a credit on your account ) and how much electricity you are importing, or using from the grid. This is particularly important when feed-in tariffs are introduced as excess solar electricity you export to the grid will be credited to your account at a higher rate

• Yes. Most Solar Power Grid Connect systems can be upgraded with additional solar panels installed depending on which solar system size you choose and the capacity of the inverter. If you wish to increase your solar system significantly at a later date it is better to install a larger inverter now. Your Solar Consultant will discuss the options with you so you can make an informed decision

• Yes. Modern Solar recommend that you contact your insurance provider and get the Solar Photovoltaic system added to your policy.

• Yes. All solar photovoltaic panels have been extensively tested & will withstand a 25 mm hailstone at terminal velocity. They are very resistant to storm damage. The tiles on your roof are more likely to be at risk of damage before the solar panels are.

• By law, any solar electricity system without generator backup must shut down until utility power returns in order to assure a safe working environment for utility line workers. Therefore, your solar systems will switch off until mains electricity is restored