Frequently Asked Questions
What's in it for me?
Quite simply, a significant reduction in your energy costs. Federal and State Governments are keen for people to install solar power systems. State Governments are introducing premium feed-in tariffs. These pay you more for the electricity you generate and export to the electricity grid than you pay for electricity you draw from the grid. (See Making The Most Of Your Clear Solar System). Once you have installed your solar power system we will create Renewable Energy Certificates. Clear Solar will buy these certificates from you, contributing to your cash back amount and further reducing the final cost of your system. The amount you are paid for your renewable energy certificates is boosted under the Federal Government Solar Credits scheme.
What is the Solar Credits scheme?
You can learn all about the Solar Credits Scheme on The Offer page.
Why do you offer Cash Back? Why not just reduce the up front price?
Our sensational prices are supported by the Government's solar rebate and the sale of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). These are only paid after installation, leaving a substantial capital cost to be financed. Most solar power companies require payment of the full cost of the system at the time of order. Because of our size, the good relationship we have with our bank manager, and careful attention to cash flow, Clear Solar is able to assist customers by financing most of the cost of a 1 kW system. However, by asking you to pay for some of the up-front cost, we are able to keep the final out of pocket cost even lower.
How does the bonus referral cash back work?
We like to reward our customers for their referrals. You and the person you refer will receive a bonus referral discount.
When you place your order, you will receive a customer number. Simply ask anyone you refer to Clear Solar to quote this number and your surname when they place their order. You will both be rewarded with $250 additional cash back, payable after both systems are installed.
You can refer as many people as you like, but total bonus cash back is limited to $250, which may be reduced by other discounts.
What is your Solar Cities Partnership Program?
The Solar Cities Partnership Program is available to companies, schools and community groups. It operates in a similar way to the referral cash back program. Each organisation will provide its employees, families, members, customers or anyone they like with a Partnership Code to quote when placing an order. If people are ineligible for the Government solar rebate, they can pass the code on to others to use. Anyone quoting a Partnership Program code at the time of order will qualify for a bonus $250 cash back payable with the standard cash back.
Clear Solar will pay non-profit organisations $250 per system ordered under their respective Partnership Program. In the case of corporate Solar Cities Partnerships, Clear Solar will donate $250 per system to a range of “good causes” such as tree planting, providing solar power to developing countries, and climate change prevention and adaptation programs. Non-profit organisations are also welcome to contribute part or all of their allocation, via us, to our favourite causes.
Can I claim both the referral and the Partnership Program bonus cash back when I order?
No. You can only claim one bonus $250 cash back at the time of order. That still leaves $1,250 of bonus cash back you can receive through the referral program.
I have been referred by three people and am eligible for two Partnership Programs. Whose code should I quote?
Sorry. We'll have to leave it up to you to decide who is most worthy.
What are Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)?
In response to climate change, and to encourage the development of renewable energy, wholesale buyers of electricity such as retailers are required to source a portion of their power from renewable sources. This is demonstrated by the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which must be surrendered to the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator.
One REC represents the generation of 1 MWh (megawatt-hour) of electricity. As the total electricity produced by your Clear Solar power system depends on the amount of sun that falls on your roof, the number of RECs created by your system depends on its size and a factor linked to your postcode. The sunnier your postcode, the more RECs you can create. On installation, you can create RECs equivalent to the anticipated amount of power that your system will generate over the next 15 years.
RECs can be sold through companies that are authorised to deal in them. Our base prices assume that you assign the RECs created by your system to us. We then sell them, and this reduces the out of pocket cost of your system.
Why would I want to keep my RECs?
If you do not create RECs for your system then wholesale buyers of electricity will need to buy RECs from elsewhere, so by keeping your RECs you may be encouraging further investment in renewable energy.
What is a kW and kWh?
kW stands for kilowatt, or 1,000 watts. It is a measure of power. Your Clear Solar power system is rated according to the number of watts it can produce in full sun.
kWh stands for kilowatt hour. It is a measure of energy. If you ran a 1 kW electric heater for one hour, it would use 1 kWh of energy. Electricity companies bill you a certain amount per kWh you use.
A typical Australian home will use about 14 kWh per day. A highly energy-efficient home will use about 4 kWh per day.
Why should I choose a 1.5 kW system when it will only produce part of my total electricity needs?
The Government Solar Credits scheme allows five times more than the usual number of Renewable Energy Certificates to be created on systems installed after 9 June 2009, but only on the first 1.5 kW of generating capacity. Above that amount, the normal number of RECs applies. Therefore, a 1.5 kW system provides the best overall subsidy in relation to the total cost of the system.
Can I choose a larger system?
Of course. To make the most of new feed-in tariffs, we recommend you install the largest system you can afford consistent with your state or territory regulations
Will a 1 kW system produce 1 kW of power?
The short answer is “no”.
Manufacturers of solar panels rate their output under standardised conditions, often referred to as Standard Operating Conditions (SOC) or Standard Temperature and Conditions (STC). This test is designed to be a convenient method of comparing the performance of panels under laboratory conditions. In the real world, solar panels perform differently and some panel manufacturers also provide figures for panel performance under Normal Operating Temperature and Conditions, sometimes referred to as NOTC.
The main influence on the output of a solar cell is its temperature. The standard test measures the output when the actual solar cell is at a temperature of 25oC and illuminated with 1,000 watts per square metre. The cells, being a dark colour, heat up in the sun. Typical operating temperatures are around 40oC, and at this temperature power output most cells produce around 20-30% less power than they generate at 25oC. Also, atmospheric conditions mean that the amount of energy falling on the cells will rarely be 1,000 watts per square metre. A 1 kW system installed at the top of a mountain with an air temperature of around zero might come close to matching Standard Temperature and Conditions.
Small losses of power also occur at the inverter (3-6%), and any dirt on the solar panels may also lead to a small additional loss. In the real world, a 1 kW system (as measured under Standard Temperature and Conditions) is likely to have a peak output of between 700 and 800 watts.
In line with world practice Clear Solar's systems are rated according the panel specifications determined under standard conditions. However, the important figure is how much electricity your system actually produces. Our calculation of the daily output of each system is based on real performance under conditions experienced in south eastern Australia. Higher performance can be expected in sunnier parts of Australia.
How much electricity will my system produce and how much CO2 will it keep out of the atmosphere?
The following table provides a guide for systems located in Melbourne. Higher performance will be achieved in sunnier locations.
| Size in watts | No. of panels | Daily output (kWh) Peak / Average | Tonnes of CO2 saved / year | |
| 1020 | 6 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 1.6 |
| 1190 | 7 | 9.4 | 4.7 | 1.9 |
| 1360 | 8 | 10.8 | 5.4 | 2.2 |
| 1530 | 9 | 12.2 | 6.1 | 2.4 |
| 1700 | 10 | 14.0 | 7.0 | 2.8 |
| 1980 | 11 | 16.0 | 8.0 | 3.2 |
| 2160 | 12 | 17.4 | 8.7 | 3.5 |
| 2880 | 16 | 23.2 | 11.6 | 4.6 |
| 3060 | 18 | 24.8 | 12.4 | 5.0 |
What is the value of the electricity my system will produce over its lifetime?
There are many factors that will influence this calculation: the cost of electricity, the level of feed-in tariffs, the size of your system, how much sun it receives and how much electricity you use during the day.
A Clear Solar 1 kW system installed in Melbourne can be expected to produce up to 1,460 kWh (kilowatt-hours) per year. At current prices of around 16 cents per kWh, that's a saving of $234 a year or $5,840 over 25 years. Electricity prices are expected to rise steeply in coming years and feed-in tariffs of up to 60 cents per kWh are about to be introduced. It is therefore quite realistic to expect the value of total electricity generated by a 1 kW system to exceed $20,000 over 25 years. Your solar panels may last for more than 40 years, providing an even bigger payoff.
I don't have a north facing roof? Is this a problem?
Greatest efficiency is achieved when panels are mounted on a sloping roof facing north. However, panels can be mounted facing anywhere from east, through north to west, and still provide excellent performance. If you don't have a suitable roof, panels can be mounted on frames in a sunnier part of the property. This is an additional cost, which needs to be quoted individually.
What about shading?
Electricity generation is directly proportional to the amount of sunlight falling on the panels. The longer the panels are in shade and the deeper that shade is, the less electricity they will generate and the lower your savings. Around 5% of homes are unsuited to solar power installation due to shading.
Do I need a new electricity meter?
Subject to an interconnection agreement with your electricity retailer, you may be able to continue to use your existing electricity meter. When your solar power system is generating more power than you use, your meter will spin backwards, offsetting the cost of power you have drawn from the grid. You will need a new bi-directional (import-export) meter if you wish to take advantage of the premium feed-in tariffs that are being introduced across Australia. See Making The Most Of Your Clear Solar System.
With such a low price, do you comprimise on quality?
Definitely not. We are certified to the international quality standard ISO9000:2000, and all solar power systems must meet strict quality criteria to qualify for Government rebates. Our panels come with a 25 year manufacturer's guarantee, and have an expected life span of up to 40 years. We supply quality inverters, and all installation team leaders are accredited by the Clean Energy Council (formerly the Business Council for Sustainable Energy – BCSE). At completion, the installation will be independently checked and certified by an independent inspector as a grid connected alternative energy system.
Are you systems resistant to storm damage?
Panels are designed to withstand exposure to the elements including rain, hail and wind. Your panels are more resistant to extreme weather than a standard tile roof.
The Federal Government rebate has already been extended. Will it be extended again?
No. After June 2009, the present Solar Homes and Communities plan will be replaced with Solar Credits, which offers less benefit to people who qualify for the present rebate. The good news is that Solar Credits won't be means tested. Households with higher incomes and small businesses will therefore gain a benefit for installing solar power after June 2009.
Do I need to remain connected to the electricity grid?
The present rebate is for photovoltaic systems that are connected to a main grid or are very close to a main grid. It is possible to install an off-grid system, but this is usually only practical for remote areas. Off-grid systems require expensive batteries and different inverters, substantially increasing the cost.
Are there any ongoing costs?
The only costs are replacement of any components that fail outside of the warranty period. Solar panels are guaranteed for 25 years. Inverters may have a shorter working life.
What happens if there is a power cut?
For safety reasons, grid-connected solar power systems must shut down within a fraction of a second of the grid losing power. This allows repairs to be made safely to the grid. Your system will automatically reconnect when power is restored to the grid.
Can I add further solar panels to my system in the future?
You can add further panels to most systems up to the capacity of your inverter. If you plan on adding more panels later, we recommend you install an appropriate inverter now.
Will my home and contents insurance cover my solar panels?
Yes, your system will be covered under your Building policy. Contact your insurance company to make sure your sum insured is sufficient to cover replacement of your home, including your new solar power system.
Does my grid-connected solar power system require batteries?
No. Excess power you generate is sent to the power grid and used by other consumers. You will be credited for this power. When you are using more power than you generate, power is supplied by the grid. In effect, the electricity grid works a bit like your battery.
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