some questions
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
To help our customers understand the value of solar and how it all works, here are answers to some common questions.
1. How much does solar cost?
The Clean Energy Council – the regulatory body for the solar industry – have a helpful price guide on their website under ‘Costs and Savings’. Below is a screenshot of the table. Costs are the actual out-of-pocket purchase price after the government rebate. There may be other factors that effect cost including metre box upgrades, etc. But the below chart gives a fair indication.
2. Can I purchase solar for $0 up front?
Yes! How cool is that?! The vast majority of installations that we do this is exactly the deal that our customers take advantage of. In this scenario, the savings provided by the solar system will cover the payments on the system over 60 months. So our customers are generally cash-flow positive from Day 1! That means more $$ in your bank account straight away.
3. How much is the government rebate I keep hearing about?
The rebate depends on the size of the system being installed – the larger the system, the larger the rebate. Typically it will range from $3k up to about $7k.
4. What’s the life expectancy of a solar system?
The minimum warranty on any component on our solar systems is 10 years. The panel warranty is 25 years PLUS a 25 year guarantee on their performance. So the life expectancy of the panels is 25 years while other components like the inverter may need to be replaced if they fail after 10 years.
5. Is there a guarantee on savings or performance?
Yes! Top House Solar offers all of its customers a ‘Power Production Guarantee’. Meaning that if your solar system does not produce within 10% of what we’ve agreed with you that it’s going to, we’ll pay your power bills for 12 months!
We cannot however guarantee savings because this depends on a customers’ chosen electricity provider and the rates for the plan they choose, as well as how they decide to use their electricity once solar is installed. We can provide a fair indication on the savings they can expect based on the best plan available and how they have been using their power, but if customers decide to double or triple their power consumption following having solar installed, that obviously changes up their savings and that we have no control over.
6. Do your solar systems come with a battery?
Yes, they can and often do.
With electricity prices at an all-time high we are installing solar + battery systems every week.
There are loads of benefits to installing a home battery. Reach out anytime to discuss further with us.
7. Can weather damage my solar panels?
Yes. However it is unlikely. Hail would be most likely of any weather to damage the panels, but the hail would generally have to be severe enough to destroy concrete tiles if it’s also going to destroy solar panels. Of course that type of weather can happen, luckily it’s not very common. In the unlikely event that your panels or any part of your system are damaged by weather, your home insurance will cover it.
8. Does a solar system require maintenance / cleaning?
We recommend organising a professional clean and thorough inspection of your solar system every couple of years.
Need more information? You can reach us on [email protected], or via the Contact link at the top of this page.
Things To Consider When Going Solar
- There is a federal rebate available for homeowners to install residential solar systems. The rebate declines at the start of every year, but it is available until 2032.
- All solar panels we install come with a 25 year warranty and 25-year performance guarantee. Meaning that over a 25 year period they will perform to at least 83% efficiency from where they started on Day 1. Which is one incredible lifespan!!
- The products we use are suitable for installation anywhere in Australia. Meaning they are resistant to effects of heat and humidity as well as weather-related damage. In the unlikely event that weather causes damage to your solar system, your home insurance provider will cover the cost of replacement. (In most cases adding solar to your policy does not impact on insurance premiums.)
- Maintenance is recommended every 18-24 months. The cost for this is usually between $200 – $400 dependent upon system size.