Six questions to ask before installing solar at home

Luke Stratford’s family-owned company, Quality Energy, has been operating in the energy sector for more than 35 years. Here, the managing director shares his experience to help Australians looking to make the switch.

How has solar technology evolved over the past € years?

“In the early days, solar panels were much less efficient and a lot more costly. While they’ve come down in price and are now higher quality, energy prices have risen and the demand for residential solar has dramatically increased. A solar power system is really attractive for homeowners wanting to reduce their energy costs, especially with batteries now at a reasonable price point.”

What’s important to know about installing a solar power system?

“When you’re picking a supplier and installer, look for a company with longevity in the industry. You want the company you choose to assess your current and future energy needs accurately and you want to buy a system that you can expand down the track if required. Finally, warranties on solar panels are generally  years or more but that guarantee is worthless if the supplier has gone out of business, which is why choosing a reputable company is vital.”

Should solar panels be paired with a battery?

“For residential solar energy it makes sense, as most electricity usage is in the evening when the sun’s not shining. It’s really important to be able to generate power with solar panels during the day and store it in a battery system for when you need it. LAVO recognises this by including a high-quality battery as part of its total home energy solution. I’m sure that, in the future, all household solar energy systems will have a battery included, no matter what.

Adding batteries to residential solar will be a big part of Australia’s energy transition.”

Is an EV charger necessary?

“While some customers don’t have an electric vehicle (EV) yet, they’re definitely coming so LAVO includes EV chargers as part of its package. Bidirectional power will be another big part of our energy transition in the next few years – that’s where energy stored in EV batteries can be pushed back into the home.”

How does a solar power system look once it’s in place?

“LAVO has focused on making sure its systems look great, have all the technological advancements and are built to withstand Australia’s harsh environments. The inverter and battery are designed as an all-in-one unit, which is really slick – unlike older systems where they’re separate components. The design is also dedicated to safety, with minimal cabling, and has real-time monitoring of battery health that’s accessible through an app.”

What does an installer look for in a solar energy system?

“The all-in-one inverter and battery module – like the one offered by LAVO – makes installation neat, fast and seamless. My company’s installation crews love working with them. The other thing that’s appealing is the modularity of the system because people’s needs change over time. If your energy usage goes up, you can add more batteries in the future without needing to do a major upgrade. LAVO has thought about every detail. It has designed its solar power systems with so many in-built efficiencies for both residential clients and installation teams. This has enabled it to reduce the price point, making it an attractive proposition for homeowners.”