FAQ
Solar Power
How does solar power work?
The sun shines on the solar panels generating DC (direct current) electricity.
The DC electricity is fed into a solar inverter that converts it AC (alternating current) electricity – The AC electricity is used to power the appliances in your home.
Surplus electricity is fed back into the main grid.
Why is solar energy such a good option in Australia?
Australia has the highest average solar radiation of any continent in the world. This means our solar industry has the greatest potential to lead the world. Solar power is a zero-emission electricity source. One megawatt hour (MWh) of solar-derived electricity avoids approximately one tonne of carbon dioxide. For everyday homes, a well-designed, well-installed system can deliver a considerable return on investment. This means that over time, your system will pay for itself. State and federal governments offer various schemes and incentives for households that install solar power and solar hot water. However, in order to qualify for government incentives, your solar power system must be installed by a professional accredited with the Clean Energy Council – such as Leda.
Why is solar energy so important?
According to the Clean Energy Council, ‘Australia’s stationary energy sector, which includes electricity derived from coal-fired power, is responsible for around 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions. When it comes to climate change, our heavy reliance on traditional energy puts Australia’s environment and long-term economic security at risk. It also means your home could be spending much more on electricity than you need to – particularly into the future. Fortunately, Australia has several sources of renewable and environmentally-friendly energy at our disposal. This, of course, includes solar energy.
Will Solar Power really protect me against rising energy costs?
Solar Power gives you the option of producing your own energy right where it is needed rather than taking all of your electricity from the grid. This gives you a high degree of protection from rising electricity costs.
Environmentally friendly: Solar Panels are environmentally friendly, harnessing the sun’s natural power to produce electricity. Solar Panels can contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and help you reduce your environmental footprint.
High solar production: In Australia, our dry climate and our latitude gives us a high potential for solar energy production. Your Leda Solar expert can advise on the optimum system to suit your needs, where you live and the orientation of your home.
Sell your excess power: If your Solar Panels produce more Solar Power than your home requires at any point in time, you may be eligible to feed this excess power back into the electricity grid and receive payment from your electricity provider.
What size system will I need to run my home?
When deciding what solar PV you need, our solar power specialists will look at the following things:
Your energy bills to see how much energy your home is currently using
When you consume the most energy (in the mornings, during the day, in the evenings or a combination)
Number of people living at home
Roof size and orientation
Shading
Geographical location
If you’d like to know more, we recommend speaking to one of our solar power specialists who will be able to provide recommendations on system sizes, costing and so forth.
How are Leda Power Systems designed?
Leda utilises a team of highly qualified electrical engineers and installers all of whom are certified and accredited by the Clean Energy Council of Australia (formally know as BCSE). Each Leda Solar Power System is individually designed and approved under Australian Standard 4509 and then installed under the safety regulations stipulated by the Clean Energy Council and AS5033.
How much roof space do I need?
Each Leda Solar Power Panel is about 1.0m wide and about 1.7m tall with a footprint of 1.7m2. So, for a 6 panel 1.5kW Solar Power System the space required about 10m2. Don’t have the space? Not to worry, just call a Leda consultant on 1800 697 652 for a free evaluation and we can design a system that suits you.
How much does it cost to install solar panels?
Over the past few years, the price of solar systems has dropped significantly making it an increasingly attractive option for many WA households.
The cost of your solar PV system is affected by a number of different factors, including:
Government incentives and support schemes available
Contractor installation costs
The type and number of solar panels, which in turn affects the output of your system in kilowatts (kW)
The type and size of the inverter (the part of the system that converts the electrical output of your solar panels into AC electricity for use in your home or business)
Type of framing equipment and other system components
Height and accessibility of your roof and whether it is tiled, metal or concrete
After-sales service agreements
However as a rough guide, the total cost of getting a home solar system up and running by MySolar is between $2,500 (for a small 2.12 kW system) and $5,000 (for a 5kW system). At MySolar, we can customise solar packages to suit your needs and budget. You can get a FREE quote at any time by clicking here.
How much money will I save with solar panels?
The amount of money your household will save on power bills by going solar is affected by a number of factors, including:
Your energy consumption and the size of your solar power system – If you use more power than your system is capable of producing, your savings will be reduced. This can be avoided by choosing the right-sized system for your needs.
Your feed-in tariff – The amount your electricity retailer pays you for any excess power your solar panels generate.
Your usage – Solar panels can only generate electricity while the sun is shining. This means if your household uses a lot of power during the day, you may attract greater savings than if you consume most of your power during the evening.
Where you live – Some areas of Australia receive a lot more sunlight than others. Perth is one of Australia’s sunniest cities, with an average of 8.8 hours of sunshine a day, so it’s no wonder more and more people are switching to solar to power their homes!
How long will it take to get a Solar Power System installed?
Most standard installations are completed within 3 to 5 hours which includes wiring up your panels, grid connection and inverter installation. If there is a hold up for any reason, our consultancy team will keep you informed.
Once installed, when will my system start working?
Your system will start working as soon as your new solar PV system is installed and the meter is changed/ reprogrammed and connected to the grid.
Can I keep track of the Solar Power System’s performance?
It’s easy to check up on your Solar Power System at any time. Our inverters have a built in display that gives you live data on how much power your system is creating. Most systems will even give you historical data on how your system has been performing over a period of time.
Do solar panels work when the weather is overcast?
Yes, solar panels will still work on an overcast/ cloudy day. However it’s important to note they will not generate as much electricity for your home as when the weather is clear and sunny.
Do solar panels work when it's raining?
Yes, your solar panels will still work even when it is raining. Rain can actually help to keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt.
Do solar panels work if my roof is partially shaded?
A little shade doesn’t render your solar panels completely useless. Though the output will be reduced, solar panels will still work in the shade – just at less capacity due to lower sunlight exposure. Though the numbers will vary depending on how much shade the panels are facing. This is something we will assess and discuss with you when organising a solar PV system for your home!
Do solar panels work at night?
No, solar panels do not generate power at night. Once the sun goes down, your home will begin to draw power from the main grid or from your battery storage system if you have one installed.
What is a solar inverter and why is it so important for my solar power system?
People in the market for solar will often ask what type of solar panels they should install on their roof, as they believe this is the most important component of their solar power system. Although high quality solar panels do play a part, it is in fact the solar inverter that is the most important element of your solar power system.
A solar inverter converts the variable direct current (DC) output of a photovoltaic (PV) solar panel into alternating 240V current (AC). This AC electricity is then fed into your home to operate your appliances.
A high quality inverter is the key to a long lasting solar power system and will ensure you get the most out of your investment into solar. When enquiring about your solar power system, your MySolar solar power specialist will discuss which inverter is best based on your needs and budget.
Do you have a Module Performance Guarantee?
Yes, our manufacturers performance warranty will ensure panels remain within 90% of their performance capability in the first 10 years and within 80% over the next 15 years. This ensures that the panels perform exceptionally well for at least 25 years though the system should last years longer.
Can I add panels later?
Yes, if you plan ahead adding panels is quick and inexpensive. Things to consider if you do think that you would like to expand in the future include the capacity of your inverter and how much roof space you have left over. Simply tell your consultant that you may expand the system in the future and we will provide some options to future-proof your current system.
How much roof space do I need?
Each MySolar solar sower panel is about 1.0m wide and about 1.7m tall with a footprint of 1.7m2. So, for a 6 panel 1.5kW solar power system the space required about 10m2.
Don’t have the space? Not to worry, just call us on (08) 6270 6420 for a free evaluation and we can design a system that suits you.
What if I have a flat roof?
Our design and installation team will create a framing system that is right for you. Simply provide your building plans or get an onsite assessment and we will do the rest.
Is solar energy the right choice for you?
If you’re ready to make the switch to Solar Power – and start saving on your home’s energy bills – give the expert team at Leda Solar a call on 1800 697 652. One of our qualified experts will be able to inspect your home, and provide recommendations based on your home’s unique orientation, the size of your roof, and your location.
What is a small-scale technology certificate (STC)?
STCs are government incentives that help reduce the upfront cost of installing your solar PV system. The value of STCs your system receives differs depending on its size and location.
For more information on Government rebates and incentives please call us directly on (08) 6270 6420.
Can I resell electricity back to Synergy?
Yes, this is known as the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme or a Solar “Feed In” Tariff (FiT). This is only applicable if you are WA residential customer at the premises from which the qualified Feed-in Tariff customer wishes to receive the subsidy rate. A residential customer can generate and sell electricity to Synergy under the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme contract.
You can get 0.07c back for every unit (kW/hr) you feed back into the grid.
You are only entitled/ eligible to this as long as your inverter doesn’t exceed 5kW.
For more information please call us directly on (08) 6270 6420.
What should I do if my solar PV system stops working?
Call us directly on (08) 6270 6420 and speak with someone from our warranty and maintenance team who will be able to assist you with getting your system fixed ASAP.
What after-sales care do you offer?
We work with all of our customers to ensure a prompt and reliable service before, during and after your solar power system has been installed.
We have a dedicated, in-house service department who will be there for you should you encounter any problems with your solar PV system. For all service and warranty enquiries please call us immediately on (08) 6270 6420 and ask to speak to someone from our warranty and maintenance team.
Is my solar PV system covered by warranty?
Yes it is! All MySolar solar power systems come with the following warranties:
Solar panels – 25 year performance warranty (your panels performance will not drop below 80%)
Solar panels – 10 year product warranty (e.g. if product gets stolen, damaged etc.)
Grid-connect inverter – minimum 5 year warranty
Roof mount frame – 10 year warranty
Installation on site – 1 year warranty
However, please note we stock a variety of brand so this is a general guide on our warranty – Warranty specifications will differ from product to product so please call us on (08) 6270 642 to confirm the warranty on your product.
Do you offer finance and payment plans?
No, unfortunately at this stage we do not offer any payment plan options.
However please call us (08) 6270 6420 to speak with one of our solar power experts who will work with you to find a solar power solution based on a budget you’re comfortable with.
Solar Hot Water
What if there is not enough sunlight?
All Leda Hot Water Systems are fitted with a gas or electric booster. If the water temperature cools, a thermostat detects this change and automatically engages the booster. This means you can make the most of the sun’s energy while it is there, but you always have hot water when you need it.
What if my roof doesn’t face directly north?
The Leda Hot Water Collector uses a high performance selective coating that will ensure adequate performance up to 90º from true north. Talk to your Leda consultant to get a free evaluation to see if your home is right for a Leda Hot Water system.
What if I have a flat roof?
To get the most out of your Leda Hot Water System, it should be tilted up to face the sun. However, Leda’s installation team can install a custom frame to give your system the lift it needs. Your Leda consultant will find a solution that suits you. Inquire now for a free assessment and quote.
What size is right for me?
Your system’s required performance will depend on what your own requirements are. Some useful considerations to make include:
How many bathrooms you have.
The number of occupants and the amount of hot water they use.
The local climate
Your everyday water usage.
Larger tanks make sure you have hot water even when the weather is not favourable or if you have an increased hot water requirement in the future.
How long will the installation take?
Leda installers can complete most standard installations within 4 hours. Connecting mains water and power will require the water or electricity to be turned off for a short period but we will keep you informed so that you won’t be inconvenienced.
What if I have an existing system?
It is recommended that you install a complete Leda Hot Water System to get the most out of incentives and your energy bill. We will even dispose of your old hot water system for you.
What are the financial benefits?
Your individual savings will vary depending on your hot water usage, the system you install and the climate. The average savings from 340L gas boosted Leda Hot Water System versus a traditional gas storage hot water system are around $500 per year in household energy savings. (Data from Department of Natural Resources)
What is the payback period for a Leda Hot Water system?
Individual payback periods vary depending on the usage, the incentives you’re eligible for and the climate. However you could expect your investment to pay itself off in approximately 5 years. After this point, your savings will be generating a profit as compared to your existing non-solar system.
How long does a Leda Hot Water unit last?
Due to the quality construction and manufacture of each Leda Solar Hot Water unit which is manufactured in strict accordance with Australian Standards, our systems will normally last for 12 to 15 years without issue in standard conditions and when serviced as per the owner’s manual.
What is the warranty period for Leda Hot Water Units?
Leda Hot Water Units have an industry leading 5 year product warranty on collectors and tank and 1 year warranty on the components and installation.
How much will a Leda Hot Water unit benefit the environment?
An average household with a Leda Hot Water Unit installed will save around 3 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. This is roughly equivalent to taking a car off the road for a whole year.
What is the difference between Leda Hot Water and Leda Power systems?
Leda Hot Water Units use the heat energy from the sun to heat water while Leda Power Systems use the sunlight energy to generate electricity. You save money with Leda Hot Water Units by using the suns free heat energy instead of buying gas or electricity to heat your water. You save money with Leda Power Systems by getting your own free electricity from the sun rather than buying it from your power company.
Do the savings in greenhouse gas emissions really make a difference?
Yes, absolutely. Taking one car off the road for a year may not mean much if only one person is doing it, but you’re not alone. Leda Hot Water Systems come as standard for some of Australia’s largest home builders so you’re not alone in wanting a cleaner, greener more energy efficient future for us all.
Battery Storage
What are the advantages of a solar battery?
You can store your solar power to use when you need it most, meaning you are less dependent on grid power, which makes you more self-sufficient. Some batteries, such as the Tesla, can also protects against blackouts, which can be a big concern for some people.
For most homeowners, there are three main benefits of storing energy:
Maximise energy savings by being able to store solar energy and thus use it more effectively.
Offset consumer feed-in tariffs by being able to avoid using the grid at peak times when electricity is more expensive
Provide continuity of supply particularly if the site has unreliable grid supply.
How does a home solar battery storage system work?
Solar panels convert sunlight to DC (Direct Current) electricity.
Any surplus DC electricity charges the battery.
The inverter converts the DC electricity to AC (Alternating Current) for use in the home.
You’ll only send electricity back to the grid when your battery is fully charged, and you’ll only draw electricity from the grid when your battery is depleted.
Here is how a typical solar battery storage system will store energy throughout the day:
MORNING
Minimal energy production, high energy needs.
At sunrise the solar panels start to produce energy, though not enough to cover the morning energy needs. A battery will bridge the gap with the stored energy from the previous day.
MIDDAY
Highest energy production, low energy needs.
In the daytime the energy generated from the solar panels is at its peak. But since nobody is home the energy consumption is very low so that most of the generated energy is stored in the battery.
EVENING
Low energy production, high energy needs.
The highest daily energy consumption is in the evening when the solar panels produce little or no energy. The battery will cover the energy need with the energy produced in the daytime.
How big should my battery be?
Every household is different. In the same way that you match the number of solar panels to your household’s energy requirements, your battery storage capacity also needs to be matched to your needs.
To determine the size of the battery you will need, we will look at your electricity usage and solar generation for the past 12 months. We will review how much power you’re using across the different seasons and how much power you’ve been exporting back to the grid – Because that’s what you’ll be using to charge the battery.
If you do have excess solar that will sufficiently charge the battery, we also want to know if you are going to consume this energy when the solar is not producing (i.e. early in the morning or at night after work). If you find yourself importing power from the grid regularly, then having a larger battery charged by excess solar will allow you to significantly reduce the amount consumed from the grid, therefore reducing your energy bills!
Typically, residential battery storage systems range from 3 to 12 kilowatt-hours (kWh) in size. The kWh size of your storage system will be influenced by the following:
Your budget
Where you live, your house orientation and type of house
Your average household energy consumption
The time of day when household energy consumption occurs
The size of your solar panel installation and the energy generated by those panels
Weather conditions
Customer feed-in tariffs available to you
How you intend to use your battery (i.e. to supplement your energy supply, or to allow you to become entirely self-sufficient).
Can I add a solar battery to my existing solar power system?
Yes, as home battery storage systems in Australia are becoming more and more affordable, we are seeing more homeowners are adding batteries to their existing solar power system!
A home battery enables you to access and store the solar energy generated during the day for use any time. During the day, the sun shines on your solar panels, charging your battery. At night, your home draws electricity from your battery, powering your home with clean, sustainable energy 24/7!
There are several things to consider when adding battery storage, including the current size of your solar power system, what inverter you have, your budget and more. One of our solar power specialist will discuss the different battery options with you in detail.
If you’d like to know more about our battery storage options, click here.
Does my home have single phase or 3 phase power supply?
Generally most homes in Australia will have single phase, whilst newer homes, larger homes, and homes under construction will have three phase.
To work out what power supply you have, check your main switchboard. If the main switch is in a row of 3, your home is using three phase power supply. If there is only 1 switch, it is single phase.
Can I install a battery if my home has 3 phase power?
Yes, however in some cases, such as installing as Tesla battery, the addition of a three phase adaption kit is needed. Your solar power specialist will go into more detail with you when discussing your power supply.
How many different components do you need for a battery?
If you already have your solar panels and an inverter, then all that’s left to install is the battery. If you do not have solar panels and an inverter installed, our specialists will work with you to find the best solar power options for your home based on your needs and budget.
Should the battery be installed outside or inside?
Ideally your battery should go in a covered area, like your garage or shed. You should have it close to the electricity switchboard too. It can be installed outside, however we do not recommend this as the sun shining on the battery can cause it to heat up. Most batteries, such as the Tesla Powerwall, can be be mounted on the floor or on the wall.
How long does it take to install?
Unless the site is particularly complicated, a battery installation takes approximately two to three hours.
Once your battery storage system is installed, the installer will provide you with basic information about how it operates and how to interpret critical system health information so you can recognise if your storage system needs attention.
What brands of batteries do you stock?
At MySolar, we pride ourselves on offering the best quality products at the most competitive prices for our customers.
We stock a variety of brands to suit your needs and budget, including:
Tesla Powerwall Battery
LG Chem ESS Battery
Enphase AC Battery
Sonnen Battery
If you’d like to know more about the best solar battery for your home, the quickest and easiest way is to request a free quote.
Do you come out to repair my battery if there are any issues?
We are the first point of contact for any services and warranties. We work with all of our customers to ensure a prompt and reliable service before, during and after your battery system has been installed.
We have a dedicated, in-house service department who will be there for you should you encounter any problems with your battery. For all service and warranty enquiries please call us immediately on (08) 6270 6420 and ask to speak to someone from our warranty and maintenance team.
What after-sales care do you offer?
We work with all of our customers to ensure a prompt and reliable service before, during and after your battery storage system has been installed.
We have a dedicated, in-house service department who will be there for you should you encounter any problems with your battery. For all service and warranty enquiries please call us immediately on (08) 6270 6420 and ask to speak to someone from our warranty and maintenance team.
What is the warranty period for batteries?
In Australia, the warranty period for most batteries is 10 years – This is the industry standard. If you would like to know more about battery warranty, contact us on (08) 6270 6420 and ask to speak to someone from our warranty and maintenance team.