Solar Energy Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a red/orange/fault light coming on on my inverter, what does this mean?
Generally when this happens there is a problem with the system and you should contact us immediately.
Another possible reason could be dependent on what time of day this was happening, or what is the weather like.
- If it’s as the sun is going down it may just be that your system is shutting down for the day. We advise that you check it again in the morning when the sun is up to see if it is still showing the same fault light. If it is please contact us immediately.
- Is it an overcast/average sunlight day for example mid-winter? On very bad weather/low sunlight days you may find your system shuts down during the day. When light is sufficient it will start up again.
What is a feed in tariff?
A feed in tariff is what you are paid by your retailer for the excess power that your solar system has produced that you have not used within the power consumption. The State Governments set the minimum and is reviewed annually. For more information on your feed in tariff you will need to enquire with your retailer. We also suggest that this form part of your research when looking into a suitable retailer.
The State Governments set the minimum and is reviewed annually for more information on this you can refer to:
- Victoria - https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorian-feed-in-tariff
- NSW - https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
It is certainly to your benefit to compare electricity retailers every so often, say maybe every 2 years. This way you can ensure you are on the best rates for not only what you are paying for your power, but what they are paying you for your excess solar energy. And don’t forget to look at the daily supply charges as well.
To do this we recommend using only government sites, that way there is no bias involved and no one is getting paid a spotters fee/commission.
For NSW head to https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
For Victoria head to https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
However we would encourage you to look at our local electricity retailer. That’s right you can purchase and sell your electricity through Indigo Power. Indigo Power are community owned and operated, and located right here in North Eastern Victoria and the Border Region. Their prices are comparative, they are creating local jobs and investing in renewable energy project locally as well. AND when you ring them, you get to speak to someone local! To look at their prices you can head to https://indigopower.com.au/ or call them on 1800 491739.
What should I be getting paid for the solar that I am sending out to the grid?
The minimum Feed in Tariff is set by the state governments and reviewed annually. It can also vary depending on your retailer. For more information on your feed in tariff you will need to enquire with your retailer. We also suggest that this forms part of your research when looking into a suitable retailer.
The State Governments set the minimum and is reviewed annually for more information on this you can refer to:
- Victoria - https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorian-feed-in-tariff
- NSW - https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
It is certainly to your benefit to compare electricity retailers every so often, say maybe every 2 years. This way you can ensure you are on the best rates for not only what you are paying for your power, but what they are paying you for your excess solar energy. And don’t forget to look at the daily supply charges as well.
To do this we recommend using only government sites, that way there is no bias involved and no one is getting paid a spotters fee/commission.
For NSW head to https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
For Victoria head to https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
However we would encourage you to look at our local electricity retailer. That’s right you can purchase and sell your electricity through Indigo Power. Indigo Power are community owned and operated, and located right here in North Eastern Victoria and the Border Region. Their prices are comparative, they are creating local jobs and investing in renewable energy project locally as well. AND when you ring them, you get to speak to someone local! To look at their prices you can head to https://indigopower.com.au/ or call them on 1800 491739.
Should I notify my insurance company that I have solar?
Yes, it is advised that you let your insurance company know to assess if you need to increase your coverage. When looking at the cost of your solar system do not use the amount that you have paid out of pocket. You need to use the full retail value of the system. So full cost before rebates/incentives were deducted. You can refer to your invoice for this information or contact Bobbi and she will be able to assist
Who should I call if I have problem with my system?
You can contact any of the Solar Integrity team.
Brett Emo 0419 593224
Luke Fraser 0400 604237
Bobbi McKibbin 0418 293423
I haven’t noticed any change in my bill.
Firstly check your inverter to see that it is on and producing power. If your solar system is not working then contact us immediately.
If your solar is working you will need to refer to the graph on your electricity bill. Is it in alignment with the historical data/production? Could there be other factors that have seen your energy consumption increase i.e. kids home from uni? Normal heater broken so have been using another less efficient option? Have you bought something new that will add to your power consumption ie spa/pool? Have you been tinkering in the shed with something like a welder? It’s easy to subconsciously increase our power consumption.
If you still think your bill is higher than expected contact us, we will ask that you send your bill through for us to analyse.
What does net metering mean?
Net metering is the way in which your excess solar power is measured by your electricity meter.
It is when your premise will use the solar your system produces FIRST. Only the excess power that you are not using is sent out to the grid (powerlines). This excess power is then what you are paid for by your retailer.
OR if you have a hybrid system the excess power goes into your batteries first, once your batteries are full the excess then goes out to the grid and you are paid for the excess by your retailer.
What retailer should I use?
This is a decision only you can make. However we can certainly offer you a site to look at that is independent, and run by the State Government.
Things that you should consider when choosing a retailer are:
- Rate charged per kWh (kilowatt hour)
- Service charge (this is normally a daily charge)
- Feed in tariff rate
Be sure to factor in how much of your solar power you are going to use, as this will mean you are buying less kWh from your retailer.
However we would encourage you to look at our local electricity retailer. That’s right you can purchase and sell your electricity through Indigo Power. Indigo Power are community owned and operated, and located right here in North Eastern Victoria and the Border Region. Their prices are comparative, they are creating local jobs and investing in renewable energy project locally as well. AND when you ring them, you get to speak to someone local! To look at their prices you can head to https://indigopower.com.au/ or call them on 1800 491739.
My solar system drops out regularly during the day
Contact us, There could be a number of reasons for this but one possible one is that there is a voltage rise issue in the network, we would contact Ausnet Services to have that rectified.
Is my system battery ready?
This depends on a few things:
- who installed your initial system
- what inverter was used at the time
It is worth noting that not all batteries will work with all systems, the same can be said about inverters.
It's important to have this conversation with your installer so that you can understand exactly what your options are. We are sure that as the battery market increases things will become more flexible.
Batteries are still quite expensive. However in Victoria through the Solar Homes Program there is now a battery rebate (head to our rebates page for more information. Batteries may very well be viable for you now. For example if you have come off the 60c feed in tariff in NSW or the 25c feed in tariff in VIC it might be viable now. It also depends a lot on your lifestyle. We say it's always worth the conversation. We won't recommend a battery system for you unless it is viable, customer satisfaction is one of our highest values.
When should I look at adding batteries?
Batteries are still quite expensive. However in Victoria through the Solar Homes Program there is now a battery rebate (head to our rebates page for more information. Batteries may very well be viable for you now. For example if you have come off the 60c feed in tariff in NSW or the 25c feed in tariff in VIC it might be viable now. It also depends a lot on your lifestyle. We say it's always worth the conversation. We won't recommend a battery system for you unless it is viable, customer satisfaction is one of our highest values.
What size is my system?
This information can be found on your invoice.
I have just had a letter asking to audit my system, what does this mean? Should I do it?
Firstly don’t stress, this does not mean that there are any concerns with your system. Some government bodies that oversee the rebate/incentive schemes randomly conduct audits each year. This is to assess quality of installations on a national level and ensure that they comply in alignment to the requirements of their rebate/incentive scheme.
They will send an independent auditor, they will look over your system and ask you some questions. They will also ask to see any paperwork you received in relation to your installation. This is why we emphasise the importance of you keeping that rather large email that we sent you not long after your installation took place.
If they find anything with your system that has them concerned, you and the installer will receive notification of this. The installer then has a certain number of days to respond. We do ask that if possible, you send a copy of this letter to us for our records also, in case there is anything in there that we need to address internally.
Also, worth noting is that this audit is voluntary you do not have to participate if you do not wish to, it is entirely up to you.
I can’t find the email that you sent me with all the documents relating to my system, what do I do?
Email Bobbi at bobbi@solarintegrityaw.com.au and she will resend for you.
How often should my panels be cleaned?
This has many variables. Generally they self-clean by the rain. However, if here are a few scenarios that might see you needing to look at panel cleaning:
- Long periods without rain – dust and pollen can settle on them, reducing their output (production)
- Do you live on a dirt road?
- Do you live in a high traffic area where something like diesel from trucks could be present?
- Do you have a woodfire?
- Has there been a dust storm?
All of these can lead to panels needing extra attention and cleaning. We recommend you contacting a professional who can get on your roof to carry out the cleaning for you, this is not something that we recommend for the home handyman. Someone who specialising in solar maintenance will use the right cleaning products. Abrasives MUST be avoided, if used you risk irreversible damage to your solar panels and will not be covered under warranty.
Some network providers also recommend that a solar professional check over your system annually for safety purposes.
Solar Integrity offers a maintenance program that you can opt into. Every year you are scheduled for a system check where we will:
- Clean the panels
- Check all panel connections to ensure they are all secure
- Check the inverter connections to ensure they have not come lose
- Check inverter readings to see that your system is performing as intended
- Check to see if there is anything in the surrounds that might impair on your systems performance ie shading from trees
- Provide you with a full report of our findings and any recommendations
You do not have to have had your system installed by Solar Integrity to be added to our maintenance list.
How do I shut down and restart my solar system
There are instructions on the label on the front of your inverter, or you can look at our short video here.
- Solar only
- Hybrid system
- Standalone system
How can I see what my solar production is?
With the majority of today’s inverters you receive free system production monitoring via their app/portals. This is set up after you installation has taken place or at time of installation. You can also upgrade to include consumption monitoring so you can see how much power you are using. This is how you can get the full picture to your energy usage and can play around with getting the best out of your solar system. It can also help you plan when a battery might be suited.
We also have 3rd party products that can give you the full energy monitoring and some energy controls as well. For example turning traditional electric hot water systems, or water pumps on and off. For this we choose to use the Mondo UBI or Solar Analytics, depending on your needs. These options are also great for people with older solar systems that didn’t have monitoring. The Mondo UBI also has a connection to other UBI’s in your town so you can see the statistics as to how your town is performing as a collective. Don’t worry no one can see your individual data. This is how it comes up:
What constitutes an emergency? And when should I call the emergency number?
If there is a fire call 000 immediately.
Then call any of the Solar Integrity team:
Brett Emo 0419 593224
Luke Fraser 0400 604237
Bobbi McKibbin 0419 593224
If you notice sparks or a burning smell initiate the shut-down procedure immediately, it is located on your Inverter and call us, we'll call out as soon as possible to investigate.
There is a red/orange/fault light coming on on my inverter, what does this mean?
Generally when this happens there is a problem with the system and you should contact us immediately.
Another possible reason could be dependent on what time of day this was happening, or what is the weather like.
- If it’s as the sun is going down it may just be that your system is shutting down for the day. We advise that you check it again in the morning when the sun is up to see if it is still showing the same fault light. If it is please contact us immediately.
- Is it an overcast/average sunlight day for example mid-winter? On very bad weather/low sunlight days you may find your system shuts down during the day. When light is sufficient it will start up again.
What is a feed in tariff?
A feed in tariff is what you are paid by your retailer for the excess power that your solar system has produced that you have not used within the power consumption. The State Governments set the minimum and is reviewed annually. For more information on your feed in tariff you will need to enquire with your retailer. We also suggest that this form part of your research when looking into a suitable retailer.
The State Governments set the minimum and is reviewed annually for more information on this you can refer to:
- Victoria - https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorian-feed-in-tariff
- NSW - https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
It is certainly to your benefit to compare electricity retailers every so often, say maybe every 2 years. This way you can ensure you are on the best rates for not only what you are paying for your power, but what they are paying you for your excess solar energy. And don’t forget to look at the daily supply charges as well.
To do this we recommend using only government sites, that way there is no bias involved and no one is getting paid a spotters fee/commission.
For NSW head to https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
For Victoria head to https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
However we would encourage you to look at our local electricity retailer. That’s right you can purchase and sell your electricity through Indigo Power. Indigo Power are community owned and operated, and located right here in North Eastern Victoria and the Border Region. Their prices are comparative, they are creating local jobs and investing in renewable energy project locally as well. AND when you ring them, you get to speak to someone local! To look at their prices you can head to https://indigopower.com.au/ or call them on 1800 491739.
What should I be getting paid for the solar that I am sending out to the grid?
The minimum Feed in Tariff is set by the state governments and reviewed annually. It can also vary depending on your retailer. For more information on your feed in tariff you will need to enquire with your retailer. We also suggest that this forms part of your research when looking into a suitable retailer.
The State Governments set the minimum and is reviewed annually for more information on this you can refer to:
- Victoria - https://www.energy.vic.gov.au/renewable-energy/victorian-feed-in-tariff
- NSW - https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
It is certainly to your benefit to compare electricity retailers every so often, say maybe every 2 years. This way you can ensure you are on the best rates for not only what you are paying for your power, but what they are paying you for your excess solar energy. And don’t forget to look at the daily supply charges as well.
To do this we recommend using only government sites, that way there is no bias involved and no one is getting paid a spotters fee/commission.
For NSW head to https://www.energymadeeasy.gov.au/
For Victoria head to https://compare.energy.vic.gov.au/
However we would encourage you to look at our local electricity retailer. That’s right you can purchase and sell your electricity through Indigo Power. Indigo Power are community owned and operated, and located right here in North Eastern Victoria and the Border Region. Their prices are comparative, they are creating local jobs and investing in renewable energy project locally as well. AND when you ring them, you get to speak to someone local! To look at their prices you can head to https://indigopower.com.au/ or call them on 1800 491739.
Should I notify my insurance company that I have solar?
Yes, it is advised that you let your insurance company know to assess if you need to increase your coverage. When looking at the cost of your solar system do not use the amount that you have paid out of pocket. You need to use the full retail value of the system. So full cost before rebates/incentives were deducted. You can refer to your invoice for this information or contact Bobbi and she will be able to assist
Who should I call if I have problem with my system?
You can contact any of the Solar Integrity team.
Brett Emo 0419 593224
Luke Fraser 0400 604237
Bobbi McKibbin 0418 293423
I haven’t noticed any change in my bill.
Firstly check your inverter to see that it is on and producing power. If your solar system is not working then contact us immediately.
If your solar is working you will need to refer to the graph on your electricity bill. Is it in alignment with the historical data/production? Could there be other factors that have seen your energy consumption increase i.e. kids home from uni? Normal heater broken so have been using another less efficient option? Have you bought something new that will add to your power consumption ie spa/pool? Have you been tinkering in the shed with something like a welder? It’s easy to subconsciously increase our power consumption.
If you still think your bill is higher than expected contact us, we will ask that you send your bill through for us to analyse.
What does net metering mean?
Net metering is the way in which your excess solar power is measured by your electricity meter.
It is when your premise will use the solar your system produces FIRST. Only the excess power that you are not using is sent out to the grid (powerlines). This excess power is then what you are paid for by your retailer.
OR if you have a hybrid system the excess power goes into your batteries first, once your batteries are full the excess then goes out to the grid and you are paid for the excess by your retailer.
What retailer should I use?
This is a decision only you can make. However we can certainly offer you a site to look at that is independent, and run by the State Government.
Things that you should consider when choosing a retailer are:
- Rate charged per kWh (kilowatt hour)
- Service charge (this is normally a daily charge)
- Feed in tariff rate
Be sure to factor in how much of your solar power you are going to use, as this will mean you are buying less kWh from your retailer.
However we would encourage you to look at our local electricity retailer. That’s right you can purchase and sell your electricity through Indigo Power. Indigo Power are community owned and operated, and located right here in North Eastern Victoria and the Border Region. Their prices are comparative, they are creating local jobs and investing in renewable energy project locally as well. AND when you ring them, you get to speak to someone local! To look at their prices you can head to https://indigopower.com.au/ or call them on 1800 491739.
My solar system drops out regularly during the day
Contact us, There could be a number of reasons for this but one possible one is that there is a voltage rise issue in the network, we would contact Ausnet Services to have that rectified.
Is my system battery ready?
This depends on a few things:
- who installed your initial system
- what inverter was used at the time
It is worth noting that not all batteries will work with all systems, the same can be said about inverters.
It's important to have this conversation with your installer so that you can understand exactly what your options are. We are sure that as the battery market increases things will become more flexible.
Batteries are still quite expensive. However in Victoria through the Solar Homes Program there is now a battery rebate (head to our rebates page for more information. Batteries may very well be viable for you now. For example if you have come off the 60c feed in tariff in NSW or the 25c feed in tariff in VIC it might be viable now. It also depends a lot on your lifestyle. We say it's always worth the conversation. We won't recommend a battery system for you unless it is viable, customer satisfaction is one of our highest values.
When should I look at adding batteries?
Batteries are still quite expensive. However in Victoria through the Solar Homes Program there is now a battery rebate (head to our rebates page for more information. Batteries may very well be viable for you now. For example if you have come off the 60c feed in tariff in NSW or the 25c feed in tariff in VIC it might be viable now. It also depends a lot on your lifestyle. We say it's always worth the conversation. We won't recommend a battery system for you unless it is viable, customer satisfaction is one of our highest values.
What size is my system?
This information can be found on your invoice.
I have just had a letter asking to audit my system, what does this mean? Should I do it?
Firstly don’t stress, this does not mean that there are any concerns with your system. Some government bodies that oversee the rebate/incentive schemes randomly conduct audits each year. This is to assess quality of installations on a national level and ensure that they comply in alignment to the requirements of their rebate/incentive scheme.
They will send an independent auditor, they will look over your system and ask you some questions. They will also ask to see any paperwork you received in relation to your installation. This is why we emphasise the importance of you keeping that rather large email that we sent you not long after your installation took place.
If they find anything with your system that has them concerned, you and the installer will receive notification of this. The installer then has a certain number of days to respond. We do ask that if possible, you send a copy of this letter to us for our records also, in case there is anything in there that we need to address internally.
Also, worth noting is that this audit is voluntary you do not have to participate if you do not wish to, it is entirely up to you.
I can’t find the email that you sent me with all the documents relating to my system, what do I do?
Email Bobbi at bobbi@solarintegrityaw.com.au and she will resend for you.
How often should my panels be cleaned?
This has many variables. Generally they self-clean by the rain. However, if here are a few scenarios that might see you needing to look at panel cleaning:
- Long periods without rain – dust and pollen can settle on them, reducing their output (production)
- Do you live on a dirt road?
- Do you live in a high traffic area where something like diesel from trucks could be present?
- Do you have a woodfire?
- Has there been a dust storm?
All of these can lead to panels needing extra attention and cleaning. We recommend you contacting a professional who can get on your roof to carry out the cleaning for you, this is not something that we recommend for the home handyman. Someone who specialising in solar maintenance will use the right cleaning products. Abrasives MUST be avoided, if used you risk irreversible damage to your solar panels and will not be covered under warranty.
Some network providers also recommend that a solar professional check over your system annually for safety purposes.
Solar Integrity offers a maintenance program that you can opt into. Every year you are scheduled for a system check where we will:
- Clean the panels
- Check all panel connections to ensure they are all secure
- Check the inverter connections to ensure they have not come lose
- Check inverter readings to see that your system is performing as intended
- Check to see if there is anything in the surrounds that might impair on your systems performance ie shading from trees
- Provide you with a full report of our findings and any recommendations
You do not have to have had your system installed by Solar Integrity to be added to our maintenance list.
How do I shut down and restart my solar system
There are instructions on the label on the front of your inverter, or you can look at our short video here.
- Solar only
- Hybrid system
- Standalone system
How can I see what my solar production is?
With the majority of today’s inverters you receive free system production monitoring via their app/portals. This is set up after you installation has taken place or at time of installation. You can also upgrade to include consumption monitoring so you can see how much power you are using. This is how you can get the full picture to your energy usage and can play around with getting the best out of your solar system. It can also help you plan when a battery might be suited.
We also have 3rd party products that can give you the full energy monitoring and some energy controls as well. For example turning traditional electric hot water systems, or water pumps on and off. For this we choose to use the Mondo UBI or Solar Analytics, depending on your needs. These options are also great for people with older solar systems that didn’t have monitoring. The Mondo UBI also has a connection to other UBI’s in your town so you can see the statistics as to how your town is performing as a collective. Don’t worry no one can see your individual data. This is how it comes up:
What constitutes an emergency? And when should I call the emergency number?
If there is a fire call 000 immediately.
Then call any of the Solar Integrity team:
Brett Emo 0419 593224
Luke Fraser 0400 604237
Bobbi McKibbin 0419 593224
If you notice sparks or a burning smell initiate the shut-down procedure immediately, it is located on your Inverter and call us, we'll call out as soon as possible to investigate.