Solar

Transcript

So... how does solar work?

Sunlight powers your panels. Your solar panels soak up the sun and generate DC (direct current) electricity.

Your inverter does the magic. It converts the DC electricity into AC (alternating current) electricity, which your home can use.

Extra solar goes back to the grid. Any unused solar energy is exported to the distribution network.

You use grid power when needed. If your solar isn't generating enough, you'll automatically draw power from the grid.

At night, you buy power. Once the sun sets, you'll use electricity from the grid - unless you have a battery to store your solar energy.

Learn more on our website: ergon.com.au/retail

1. Make sure you've done your research – is solar beneficial for you?

Before jumping in, here are a few important things to think about:

• Electricity bills: Keep in mind that having solar doesn’t always mean you won’t receive an electricity bill.
• Personal usage: Every household is different. The appliances you use and how energy-efficient your home is will determine your savings, so compare your options based on your own energy data, not someone else’s.
• Cost vs. savings: Consider how long it will take for your energy savings to cover the upfront cost, factoring in rebates and feed-in tariffs.
• Usage patterns: Knowing your current electricity usage patterns will help you determine the financial benefit from a solar system - the more usage you have during the day, the more you can directly consume the energy from your system (you can use tools like My Account to see your usage patterns). There can also be big differences between seasons. To get started, grab your latest electricity bill or log into My Account, and check your average daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage. My Account offers lots of analysis tools to help you understand how you use electricity if you have a smart meter. To access these great features, log in or register for My Account today. Don’t have a smart meter? Request one using our easy online form.
• Roof compatibility: Check if your roof is sturdy enough and free from obstructions like trees or buildings that could block sunlight.
• Sunlight exposure: The size, angle, and direction of your roof affects how much solar energy you can generate. Ideally you will have unshaded, north-facing (with some west-facing) roof space. Relatively little shading of your solar panels can result in a disproportionately higher reduction in output from the whole solar array.
• System size: Will the system you’re considering cover most of your energy needs and help reduce your bills?
• Shop around: Get multiple quotes to ensure you’re getting the right system at the best value.
• Incentive schemes:  Sometimes state or federal governments have incentive schemes available so check out government schemes available in your area to see if one is available for you.
• Future plans: How long you will likely stay at your property will also help determine if solar is right for you, as payback on the system generally takes 3-5 years.  Also consider any major appliances you might be adding or taking away (e.g. pool pump, air conditioning).

Important note: Find out more about if solar is the right decision for you via the New Energy Tech Consumer Code’s guide to installing solar.

Have you thought about factors like the size of your roof, shaded areas, your electricity usage, your budget, and any government schemes available in your area? To get started, grab your latest electricity bill, and check your average daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage. It’s also helpful to consider when you use the most electricity - during the day or at night. For easy access to your bills, simply log in or sign up for My Account today.

Also visit our tariff page to check the current solar feed-in tariff for regional Queensland. Before making a decision, it’s important to weigh up the benefits and potential impacts on your electricity bill.

2. Find a solar retailer

It’s always a good idea to compare quotes from trusted solar retailers, as prices for solar PV systems can vary. Make sure you know the right questions to ask before making a decision. The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) website is helpful to find an approved seller that meets consumer protection standards and has lots of easy-to-understand information on new energy technologies and how to choose them. Check the Solar Accreditation Australia website for your installers' accreditation.

A transparent quote ensures you get the best value from your solar investment! Learn more via the NETCC website.

Talk to your solar installer about how a Dynamic Connection may help you increase your exports from your solar system. Learn more about dynamic connections on the Ergon Energy Network website.

3. Select your tariff

We have a range of tariffs which may be suitable depending on your usage and requirements. Our tariffs are set by the Queensland Competition Authority. Check out our tariffs page to learn more. You can also check out My Account, where we offer our Tariff Comparison Tool. This tool calculates the tariff best suited to you based on your last 12 months of usage. Check it out by logging in or registering for My Account today. The solar feed-in tariff regional Queensland is also set by the QCA, and you can find information and the latest rates on our solar feed-in tariffs page.

4. Apply for connection, receive approval, and sign the contract

Once you accept a quote, your solar retailer or installer will provide you with a contract. They’ll typically also handle the application with the network provider to connect your new system to the grid. For more details on the connection process, visit the Ergon Energy Network website.

5. Install your solar PV system

After accepting the connection offer from your network provider, you’re ready to schedule your solar installation! Make sure your system is installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installer. You can ask to see their accreditation card or check if they’re listed on the Solar Accreditation Australia website.

6. Don't turn on your inverter

One final important step before you switch on your solar! Your installer must leave your system switched off until your meter has been replaced or programmed to measure solar exports. Before turning it on, chat with your installer about how to do this safely. If the system is switched on too soon, your electricity bill may be estimated based on last year’s usage instead of actual solar generation.

You’re almost there - just this last step, and you’ll be ready to start using your solar power!

7. Connect system to the electricity grid

Your solar installer will coordinate with the network provider to complete your solar PV system connection. If needed, they’ll arrange for your electricity meter to be replaced with a bi-directional meter, which may require a short power interruption.

Once your new meter is installed, check with your solar installer before switching on your system.

After everything is set up and your meter is compliant, look for ‘Queensland Solar Scheme’ details on your electricity bill to ensure everything is correctly recorded.

8. Check and maintain your system

Your solar installer should give you a maintenance schedule to keep your system running smoothly. In most cases, it’s as simple as having a solar installer or qualified electrician regularly service the system. Your service can include panel cleaning as you should only allow a qualified person to clean your panels (to avoid damage and ensure your safety). It can be dangerous to clean your own panels. For more tips, check out the ‘Already got solar’ section on this page or visit the look after your solar system page on energy.gov.au

9. Ensure safety during bad weather

Severe weather like storms, cyclones, or floods can damage your solar PV system, making it unsafe. To keep yourself and your home safe, be sure to check Ergon Energy Network’s solar power safety webpage for important guidelines.

It’s also a good idea to review your insurance policy or check with your insurer to make sure your solar system is covered.

Transcript

Hi, I’m Jodie from Rockhampton, and I’m an Energy Specialist at Ergon Energy Retail!

So, you’ve got solar installed – what a fantastic choice! It feels great to be part of the energy transition, doesn’t it?

We’ve put together a super helpful online tool in My Account so you can easily track how your solar exports are performing. Plus, we’ve got solar export alerts to keep you informed every step of the way!

If your solar system hasn’t exported to the grid within a certain timeframe, you’ll get a notification. And guess what? You can even send these alerts to multiple mobile numbers or emails.

First things first, you’ll need a smart meter installed in your switchboard. Not sure if you have one? No problem! Just log in to My Account and check for the 'Smart Meter Features' button. If you see it, you have a smart meter! From there, just click “Smart Meter Features” on your dashboard, go to the “Alerts” tab, and select “solar export”. From here, you can choose how many days without export you want to be notified about, which premises it relates to, and whether you’d like alerts via email or SMS.

Plus, with Smart Meter Features, you can track your exact solar export amounts on regular basis! Head over to the usage tab, hover over the energy graph, and see your solar exports by the hour, day, month, or quarter. You can even export the data into a spreadsheet.

It’s all about staying on top of your energy use—how easy is that? Set up your solar export alerts in My Account today!

Take control of your solar usage today with solar export alerts.

Log in or register for My Account at ergon.com.au/myaccount.

We’re Ergon Energy Retail, your local energy experts.

How does solar work?

Solar panels on your roof capture sunlight and turn it into electricity for your home. During the day, they power your lights, appliances, and more. If you generate more solar energy than you use, the extra goes back to the grid - and you might even get paid for it! It’s a smart way to save on bills and make the most of Queensland’s sunny weather.

Is solar worthwhile for me?

Find out if solar is the right decision for you via the New Energy Tech Consumer Code’s consumer guide to installing solar power.

How do I find a quality system and reputable installer?

The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) offers helpful advice on choosing a solar retailer and finding NETCC approved sellers that meet consumer protections. You can also check your installer’s accreditation via Solar Accreditation Australia. Solar retailers will help you find a solar system suited for your home, and electricity retailers (like us) will help you connect to a solar feed-in tariff.

Do I need to also get a battery once I have solar?

No, you don’t need a battery to benefit from solar power but adding one can offer extra advantages depending on your energy goals. With solar panels alone, your home uses electricity as it’s generated during the day. Any excess power is typically sent back to the grid. However, without a battery, you’ll draw power from the grid at night or during cloudy periods. Introducing a battery storage system allows you to store surplus solar energy for later use, such as in the evening or during power outages. This can enhance your energy independence and potentially reduce electricity bills.

What’s the best tariff for me once I have a solar system installed?

The optimal electricity tariff for your household after installing a solar system depends on your energy usage patterns, the type of meter you have, and your ability to shift electricity consumption to different times of the day. Check out our solar feed-in tariffs.

How do I export and get credits for my exports?

Once your solar system is set up and approved, any extra power you don’t use goes back to the grid — and you’ll earn credits for it. These show up as credits on your electricity bill. Learn more about understanding your bill.

What further support is there if I’ve got solar, but still receive a high bill?

If your household usage is still higher than expected, you can complete our household appliance calculator or contact us to help you with some additional support options.

If you are having issues with your NETCC approved seller, please contact NETCC, Solar Accreditation Australia or the Office of Fair Trading as they will be able to provide you the most appropriate assistance.

Why hasn’t my bill reduced as much as I expected since having solar installed?

Solar power generation can be impacted by many factors. Here's some things to consider:

• Has there been any interruptions to your power supply recently?
• Has there been rainy or cloudy weather?
• Does your solar system require maintenance?
• Check the status lights on your inverter and the display panel for any drastic changes in your solar output
• Check your solar system is generating the recommended amount of power each day.

It’s also important to maintain your solar system to ensure it’s performing at its peak. For example:

• Trim trees to ensure there’s no shade over the panels
• Service your solar system regularly

My solar system is generating the expected amount, why am I still needing to pay a bill?

Here's some things to consider:

• Are your appliances using more power than anticipated during the day? This could be exceeding the amount of solar being generated
• Have you introduced new appliances to the premises? For example, purchasing a new fridge that is larger. Find out more about appliance running costs via our calculator here.
• Have you considered that you need to pay for the power you use during the night?
• Have you set appliance timers for the most optimal times?
• Are you running appliances at the same time? It may be beneficial to stagger your appliance usage.

Have there been any changes within the household that could cause an increase in the energy being used? For example:

• Has another person moved into the property?
• Have you recently had a baby and are home more often?
• Changes to work schedule – are you working from home or on shift work?
• Consider the season and weather conditions for the billing period.

Summer periods have longer daylight hours to generate solar power, while also having increased rain and cloud cover that can reduce the system’s ability to generate.

Why can't I see solar on my bill?

Do you have the solar tariff displaying on your bill? (Queensland Solar Scheme)

If not, we may be waiting for your electrician’s paperwork to be submitted to enable a solar capable meter to be installed.

You may need to follow up with your installer to see if they have submitted all the required paperwork to the network provider.

How can I pinpoint the cause for my high bill when I have solar?

You can take daily readings from your solar inverter and track your export via My Account to understand how much solar energy is being generated, used by the property and exported to the grid.

1. Read your solar inverter (total power generated by panels)
2. Read electricity meter (tariff register and solar export register).

Use this calculation to determine what your total energy is for your property:

1. Solar generation (shown on your inverter) - solar export (from your meter) = how much solar the household used first
2. Solar consumed (as per step 1) + tariff reading on your meter (exclude solar tariff) = Total energy used.
3. (24-hour generation from solar inverter – 24-hour solar export to the grid = 24-hour solar power used by your home).

Contact us to request a copy of your interval data if you have a smart meter.

I believe that my 44c FiT has been incorrectly removed. What do I do?

You will need to contact Ergon Energy Network and ask for the Solar Review Team. They will investigate if your 44c feed-in tariff can be reinstated.

Why does my solar bill say it was based on an estimate?

If your solar inverter is switched on before you have a bi-directional meter installed, you may receive an estimated bill. The estimated bill is likely to be based off your usage from the same time last year. These calculations are based on AEMO Metrology Procedures.

Access to the meter may have been restricted when the meter reader attended. These reasons could include dogs, locked gates and severe weather events.

If you have a smart meter, there may be varying reasons why you have received an estimated account, please contact us to find out more.