Guide to solar panel installation

If you want to buy a rooftop solar panel system, there are two ways to go about it: you can contact an accredited Australian solar installer yourself or you can engage in a contract with a solar retailer. Your energy providers may offer this service as well, or you can shop around and see what else is on offer.

When choosing your installer, it’s important to check they have accreditation from Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA); this may be a legal requirement for installers in some states. If they don’t have this accreditation, you won’t be able to access the Australian Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) rebate.

You’ll also need to decide the type of solar inverter you want, whether you want a solar battery (and if so, what battery storage capacity you’ll need) and how many solar panels you need to buy. Luckily, if you get solar quotes from at least three solar installers and they do a physical inspection, they’ll be able to advise on what will work best for your property.

Even once you’ve decided on an installer, the installation process won’t be immediate. Your installer will probably set a date for installation to be completed by an experienced electrician, but in the meantime, you’ll need to make sure your property is ready for your new solar photovoltaic (PV) system. Some things that will need to be considered include:

• The roof orientation and shading
• The suitability of your roof
• If your meter and switchboard need upgrading.

Your solar installer may check all of these concerns when completing on onsite quote and recommend any repairs or updates your house needs before it’s ready for solar.

While the value of getting solar panels can depend on your personal circumstances, in many cases getting solar can be worth it. To fully take advantage of solar, you must be prepared to change your electricity habits to optimise your savings, such as running you high-energy appliances during the day as much as possible (if you don’t have a battery).

Solar panels can help you save on your electricity bills by reducing the amount of energy you need from the grid. Additionally, solar power is a renewable energy source and a great way to lower your carbon footprint and lessen the strain on the electricity grid.

If you have a solar feed-in tariff, you can also send the excess solar energy your panels produce back to the grid and receive a credit on your electricity bills. However, from July 2025, Australian solar customers will also be impacted by the ‘sun tax’. This tax means that you can be charged by your retailer for exporting excess electricity during off-peak periods. But you can get higher solar feed-in tariffs if you export during peak periods, if you can optimise your battery to export excess electricity during these times, in addition to powering your home.

There are three main types of solar panels that you may be able to choose from:

• Monocrystalline. Typically, the most expensive type of solar panel, but also the most energy efficient as they can capture the most sunlight of all the options. They also typically have the longest lifespan.
• Polycrystalline. Only a little less powerful than the monocrystalline, the polycrystalline solar panel is generally much cheaper. However, this type of solar panel is also more susceptible to high temperatures, giving it a shorter lifespan.
• Thin film. The easiest type of solar panel to produce, they can be better for your budget. However, in return for cheaper manufacturing, these solar panels won’t last as long as the other types. They also require a lot of space, so are often unsuitable for homeowners (though they could be right for commercial buildings).

The right system size for your household will depend on the size of your home and the suitable space available on your roof. It will also depend on how much of your roof receives direct sunlight.

By tracking how much electricity your home uses daily (ideally in kilowatt hours [kWh]), you can choose a system that covers this amount or more. You can typically find information on your daily usage on your electricity bill, or checking your account online or through the app (if you have a smart meter).

Another thing to consider is whether your energy usage will change in the future. For example, if you plan to start a family, are considering working from home, getting an electric vehicle or installing a pool, then you can expect your electricity usage to go up in the future. Anticipating your future energy needs can help you plan what solar system you need now and the size of the system required.

With a solar battery, you can take advantage of solar energy when the sun isn’t shining. A solar battery can help power your home with stored solar energy during the night or on days when it’s cloudy or raining.

Depending on the size of the battery, they can be a significant expense, so whether a solar battery is right for you will depend on your individual circumstances and how your household uses energy. You should also factor in the ability to earn credit on your power bill (although the amount will depend on the size or number of batteries you have) when you export electricity to the grid during peak periods. This is especially relevant with the introduction of the sun tax.

From time to time, there may be solar rebates or discounts available for a limited number of battery purchases, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any deals when you’re looking to purchase.

If your solar panels need cleaning, one way to do so is to turn to the experts. By hiring solar panel cleaning specialists, your solar panels can be cleaned by experienced hands. Additionally, most cleaners will have insurance in case your solar panel is accidentally damaged, and they can often do other system maintenance at the same time to check your solar panels are still running at their best.

If you feel confident taking on the task yourself, there are a few things you may need:

• Water combined with a gentle soap (although some soaps can leave streaks marks, so consider trying just water first)
• Soft bristle brush or mop made for solar panels (hard bristles could damage the panels)
• Dry cloth
• Window squeegee.

If you’ve decided to clean your solar panels manually, here are a few tips to help:

1. Turn off power to your solar energy system. This eliminates the risk of you, or your equipment, being damaged by an unexpected electric shock.
2. Wash your solar panels gently. Be careful with your solar panels; don’t scrub too hard and be sure not to step directly on the panels or they might break.
3. Makes sure there’s no soap marks after cleaning. One issue with using soap is that it can leave marks on the panels. To avoid this, you can just use water, rinse the panels with water after washing them with soap or use a squeegee to keep the panels clean.

It’s a good idea to clean your solar panels at least once or twice a year to keep them operating at full capacity. By not cleaning your solar panels regularly, they could become partially covered by dirt and debris and lower the efficiency of your solar PV system. If you choose to get them professionally cleaned, you can also get regular maintenance check-ups to make sure everything is running smoothly.