A decade ago, you might have noticed a couple of houses around with solar power systems installed on their rooftops- what exists today is vastly different. Solar panels are found everywhere and it isn’t just a passing fad… it really is the way of the future.
As the technology becomes more affordable and the panels increasingly efficient, energy costs are rising,making solar power a very attractive option for Australian residents to power their homes.
Renewable energy retailers such as Sky Solar Energy, an Australian solar distributor, now offer a variety of solar options to suit different consumers needs such as residential, commercial and battery storage systems. Sky Solar Energy also offers incentives such as $ 0 upfront to get your solar system installation underway.
The Basics on Solar
In case you didn’t already know how solar works or need a refresher on your solar knowledge, solar systems work by converting sunlight into electricity at a molecular level. Solar panels capture billions of sunlight particles called photons that hit the earth and use them to create energy by stimulating electrons.
Similar to a battery, solar cells are made of two layers- negative and positive, generally made of a silicon-like material. When the photons reach the cell, the silicon molecules and stimulated and release electrons, letting them move from positive to negative.
This movement or flow of electrons is what we know as electricity in a DC (Direct Current) which is then converted to an AC (Alternating Current) for safe use in homes.
Adoption in Australia
Approximately one in seven homes around Australia have a solar energy system installed on their roof, with over 20 per cent of home in South Australia reaping the benefits of their own system.
As the number of people conscious of the issue we are facing with greenhouse gas emissions increases, solar power systems are being seen on more and more homes.
The Australian Government is also encouraging solar energy adoption, with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) unveiling their plans for a $92M investments in 12 plants throughout the country. The said projects are expected to unlock $1B of commercial investment and produce the amount of energy required to power 150,000 Aussie residencies.
Thinking about going solar?
If you’re questioning if it’s worth converting to solar energy, the answer is yes. Whether we like it or not, renewable energy is the way of the future.
Recent investment in renewables development and research puts it at the forefront of the electricity market for the coming years.
With technology advancing and prices dropping, the return on investment is becoming even more exciting.
By 2030, it’s expected that 50 per cent of Australian homes will be able to power their own homes without the grid. This is bad news for traditional power sources such as coal-based, which will cost increasingly more to run.
If you’re thinking about investing, the time is now. Over the past decade electricity bills have doubled on average for Australian home and it’s only going to get worse.
Figures show that by making the switch to solar power, homeowners will save around $1000 a year. The quicker you make the transition to solar power, the quicker you’ll start saving. To compare solar panel prices and companies today, head to Australian Solar Quotes for three free quotes.
IMAGE via Andreina Schoeberlein.
