FAQ

Check out all our questions below on solar for your home or business. Contact our solar experts if you want to know further than this regarding solar.

Which are the solar services are you providing currently?

Currently, we are extensively doing residential solar installation and solar maintenance services, which help you to save money every year. Aussie homeowners can opt for suitable service based on their roof size and requirements. Visit our service page for more details.

Why should I install a Solar Energy System on my home or business/ is it worthwhile ?

There are many reasons why you should install a solar system on your home or business. Over the past few years, the cost of installing a solar system has reduced and become more affordable.

What size system will I need?

That entirely depends on your energy usage. At Patel electrical, we work with you to design the ideal system & teach you how to make the most of and educate you how to get the best results from your new solar power system.

How do I choose right panel for my household?

You can rely on Patel Electrical for this. Base on our industry Knowledge we only use and recommended well known reputed old brands in the Australian market, Good history of warranty support, Support office in Australia, Proven performance and in TIER -1 List for consistent 10 years .

So from above We can supply- Trina ,Jinko, Canadian, Qcell, Longi in premium brands and in Ultra premium( 25 years product warranty ) Sunpower, Qcell G5+ model , REC, LG.

Are the Solar Panels & Inverters used by patel Electrical tested to Australian quality standards?

Of Course! All inverters installed by Patel Electrical are on the Clean Energy Council’s list of compliant inverters and power conversion equipment (PCE) suitable for installation under the Renewable Energy Certificate Scheme.

All photovoltaic (PV) modules (solar panels) supplied and installed by Patel Electrical are rated Fire Safety Class C, and can be used in both building applications and ground mounted applications, these are on the Clean Energy Council database listing,

Are all Solar Panels the same?

No, not all solar panels are the same. There are cheap lower quality panels on the market. Patel Electrical use only “Tier 1” quality solar panels that meet Australian Standards for use in the design and installation of Solar PV systems.

What Tier -1 of solar panels?

The Tier 1 ranking scale is orchestrated by Bloomberg New Energy Finance Corporation and is used to rank solar panel manufacturers in terms of their bank-ability or financial stability.

One may quite rightly make an assumption that a Tier 1 ranking has more to do with financial stability rather than product quality. But analyst who ranked it believes that the module manufacturer also meets criteria including: Manufacturing scale, Service and support, Vertical Integration, Durability and quality, Technical performance, Experience.

Patel electrical always recommend that non-solar experts buy Tier 1 panels – as it is a simple way to filter out the junk panel being sold as Top Quality.

What does PV stand for?

PV stands for photovoltaic. This is the technology whereby solar cells are used to convert sunlight into electricity.

Are all Inverters the same?

No, not all inverters are the same. There is a significant quality difference between inverters currently available on the market. Patel Electrical use only quality inverters that have been tried, tested and proven to work at a high efficiency.

Patel Electrical only installs inverters from trusted companies who can offer meaningful warranties and after sales support. Our favourite and major installed inverter is Austrian made Fronius and then Sungrow in budget segment.

What is the function of an Inverter ?

An inverter converts the DC power from the Solar panel to AC power; this is the same type of power as your mains power. It also exports any excess power back into the electricity grid. An inverter’s quality is partly measured by how efficiently it converts the DC electricity to AC electricity.

What is a micro inverter system?

Micro inverter system features a ‘micro-inverter’ on each panel which convert all the DC (direct current) power directly into regular AC (alternating current) household electricity. This avoids losses from shaded strings and maximizes a system’s power generation. In circumstances where one solar panel may be shaded, the rest of the string can still operate at full capacity. So if one panel goes down, or is not performing well, the rest of your panels can still be working at an optimal output. This is because each solar panel works independently.

Can I add Battery on my solar system in future?

Yes, all major inverter brands have this capability it’s called Ac coupled battery system. Good example of this is Tesla, LG Chem.

Can I increase solar panel size in future?

It is completely depended on the roof size and inverter capacity. You can also go for additional panel/system based on roof size availability. For more free assessment and guidance Contact Us here.

What is the best orientation of my solar panels?

The placement of panels will vary for each customer; this is dependent on which way your roof is facing, and if there is any shading or any other obstructions on your roof. At Patel Electrical we have all in-house CEC Accredited Designer, Installer, who will let you know the best placement for your panels to give you the most financial return at your property.

Does shading affect the performance of the panels?

Yes, shading definitely affects the performance of your panels. Shade from trees, roof ventilators, or antennas changes the flow of electricity through the panel, thereby reducing the performance. To maximise their performance PV panels must be in full sun from at least 9am to 3pm and must be kept free from shade, dust, and other impurities.

In homes where there are shading issues or panels have to be installed in different directions or roof orientation, we suggest you explore the micro-inverter range. Ask us if they are suitable for your requirements.

Patel Electrical will always provide you with expert solar advice, as we are Approved Solar Retailer we must adhere to the code of conduct which stipulates we must assess whether a roof is suitable for mounting a PV array. Taking into consideration what roof space is available, orientation and tilt of the panels (this affects the daily performance of how much solar energy your system may generate) and any shading which will occur and how it will affect the system performance.

Should I get my Solar Power System Serviced?

Solar PV servicing is an easy, affordable and important way to ensure that your solar power system remains safe and effective. At Patel Electrical, we recommend having a service and maintenance done at 3 year interval. Our service technicians will perform a comprehensive System Health Check and conduct a detailed clean on your system. To find out more or to book a service, Click here.

What is the environmental impact of Patel Electrical solar panels? Should I get my Solar Power System Serviced?

In Australia each kWh of electricity generated from conventional sources creates approximately 1kg of CO2. A 6.6kw solar system will produce around 8500 kwh a year which will save around 8.5 tons of CO2 emissions per year. Over its lifetime 6.6kw system will have a net saving of around 212 tons of CO2. Yes, it’s not just an environment impact but a social impact we are creating. Its helping is to go green and grow green in future.

How many years’ warranty I get for solar panel and Inverter?

The entire panels we use comes with a 25 year performance warranty, a 12-15 year manufacturer’s warranty in premium panel brand, Ultra premium panel comes with 25 years manufacturer’s warranty. We have proud in our quality installation so customer gets a 5 year workmanship warranty from Patel Electrical.

All of Inverter had 5 +5 Years manufacturer’s warranty. First 5 years customer covered for parts, installation, freight. After 5 years customer cover for parts only, installation and freight cost need to pay by customer.

How much time does it take for installation?

It may vary based on how long it takes to get solar Victoria approval but under normal circumstances, fastest timeframe is 1-2 weeks. Once all good to go, panel installation, depending on your size of your Solar PV System in most cases the installation will be completed in less than a day. For larger size systems or commercial installations, install time frame will be advised to you on the day of booking your installation date.

Why are there so much variance in the price of solar on the market?

The price variance often comes down to the quality of the products used in the installation. Cheaper products used can mean a cheaper system price and better-quality solar products will mean paying more for the system.

Prices can also be affected by the type of service a company can provide for you. Post installation service and support years down the track.

Even with same panel and inverter price is difference because of installation quality. Installation is more important part in solar rather than products. Patel Electrical proud on our quality installation.

What is the process from purchasing to being connected with my retailer?

Patel Electrical has a easy 6 step process from your solar consultation through to having your meter works completed by your distributor.

1) Initial Consultation with Patel Electrical CEC Accredited License Installer Directly.

2) Tailor A Solar System Design For Your Property By Our CEC Accredited Designer.

3) Review Consultation On Technical and Commercial Aspect Of Your Solar Proposal With Our Solar Installer.

4) Finalize Design And Application For Rebate.

5) Hassle Free Installation By Our CEC Accredited Installer, Electrician.

6) Paperwork for meter connection with relevant retailer.

What kind government rebates and incentive available in Victoria for solar panel?

In Victoria, Victorian solar home rebate and federal government incentive is available.

Victorian government solar home program give $1850 in rebate and same amount provide as a 4 year zero interest loan.

Federal government provide STC (Small scale technology certificates) incentive for installing solar panel. STC incentive is varies on location and system size. The number of STC’s you are eligible for is based on the amount of electricity your solar PV system will produce and this is recovered by Patel Electrical to help offset some of the costs of purchasing your solar PV system. . Every year on 1 January STC Incentive is reduced. This scheme is being phased out in 2030.

What is the QR code?

Once you’ve applied for solar rebate. Solar Victoria confirms your eligibility and emails you a QR code. A QR code is just an image that someone can scan like a barcode. The Solar Homes QR code acts as your eligibility number. Our installer need to scan it before they can start work.

What is the Victorian Government loan offer?

The loan the Victorian Government offers eligible solar homes participants are:

Administered by State Trustees, Not any fee and interest free, repaid by direct debit from your chosen account, over 48 months.

It’s paid in monthly instalments, starting 30 days after workers finish your installation. We won’t offer you a loan if you’re not eligible for one

What is a feed-in tariff (FIT)?

A FIT is a payment that you receive via your electricity retailer as a credit on your bill for the excess electricity that your solar system produces and that is fed back to the grid. The FIT is a rate that is set per kilowatt hour (kWh), and the eligibility criteria for FITs vary depending on the state you live in.