THE SKY’S THE LIMIT
Did you know that heating up water for bathing and cleaning the dishes accounts for up to 30 per cent of the average household’s total energy consumption?
This is where solar energy may just be the answer to combating those horror electricity bills.
What is solar hot water and how does it work?
In basic terms, solar hot water takes heat from the sun to provide hot water throughout your home. Solar hot water systems use roof-mounted solar collectors to absorb energy from the sun to heat water which then flows to the storage tank.
Benefits of Solar Hot Water
By using the sun’s energy to heat water: ● The average household can reduce its annual hot water costs by 85 per cent (when compared to a traditional electric system)
● Depending on the climate in which you choose to build your home, solar hot water systems can provide up to 90 per cent of your hot water for free
● Reduced energy consumption results in fewer greenhouse gases produced.
What are solar PV systems?
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system is a system comprised of one or more solar panels combined with an inverter that converts sunlight into electricity. Most Australian homes are connected to the electricity grid, which uses alternating current (AC), while the electricity generated by solar panels uses direct current (DC). From this, an inverter is used to transform the DC electricity into AC electricity which is then suitable for ordinary household needs. It should also be noted that houses with solar systems use solar power first before sourcing electricity from the grid.
The average daily production of a solar PV system
The power output of a solar PV system depends on its efficiency, size and location, but the typical Australian household uses around 18-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day. This means that a 1-2 kW system could displace 25-40 per cent of your average electricity bill.
A quality solar power system ensures that you are on your way to cutting costs on your electricity bill, all the while improving your green footprint.