COMMERCIAL SOLAR

Solar Power FAQs:

How does solar power work?

Solar power harnesses the energy of the sun to generate electricity for your business. Here’s how it works:

1. Energy Collection: Solar panels absorb sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity.

2. Energy Conversion: An inverter then transforms this DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what powers your home or business.

3. Energy Usage: During the day, you will use your own clean, free solar power first. A smart meter then accurately calculates any power you import from or export to the grid, ensuring your bill reflects these adjustments correctly.

Often, your solar panels will produce more electricity than you need. When this happens, the excess power is sent back to the grid. In return, you receive a feed-in tariff (FIT) of approximately 3-10 cents per kWh, depending on your energy provider. This results in a credit on your electricity bill, offsetting a portion of the electricity you draw from the grid.

Adding a solar system can significantly reduce your power bill, especially as businesses generally run only during daylight hours.

To maximise your savings and minimise reliance on the grid, consider adding a battery to your solar system. This allows you to store excess power generated during the day for use during peak rate times and provides blackout backup protection, which can be crucial for your business operations.

What incentives “rebates” are available for Commercial Solar?

There are two incentives that will be applicable and they are conpletely dependent on the size of the system:

STCs for installations under 100kW:

"The payoff from an STC is immediate and tangible"

STCs, or Small-scale Technology Certificates, are a government scheme in Australia that incentivises the installation of renewable energy systems, such as solar panels <100kW. When a solar system is installed, it generates STCs based on the expected amount of renewable energy it will produce over a set period. These STCs can then be sold to liable entities (commonly large polluters), who use them to meet their obligations under the government's Renewable Energy Target (RET).

STCs are generally applied as a point of sale discount by your chosen solar installer however you may choose to sell your own STCs by registering to do so and trading on the open market. To make the STC creation and selling process easy, customers transfer the rights to the STCs to us in exchange for a direct discount on our tax invoice, and we then sell them on your behalf. This means you can recoup a portion of the upfront cost of installing a solar system immediately, making it more affordable.

LGCs for installations over 100kW:

"LGCs act as a supplementary source of revenue for businesses, and can drastically increase their return on investment"

LGCs are something that must be accurately tracked, reported and claimed each period.

LGCs are generated by solar energy systems sized >100kW. A certificate is created per MWh (megawatt hour) of solar energy produced, and the total amount of certificates created is calculated per month using a formula by the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Regulator. If the presented figure is deemed acceptable to the Clean Energy Regulator, an LGC is created and awarded to the producer. This LGC is also added to the Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) registry. LGCs can be claimed on a yearly, quarterly or monthly basis.

Understanding LGCs (Large-scale Generation Certificates) may be complex at first. If your business plans to install a system larger than 100 kW, we've got you covered. Our team will guide you through the entire LGC process. We'll help you set up, create, calculate, and submit your first LGCs to the Clean Energy Regulator, ensuring compliance and maximising the benefits of your clean energy project.

Feed In Tariff (FIT)

Worth mentioning here also is the Feed-in Tariff (FIT). This is where your electricity retailer compensates you with credits on your bill for any surplus electricity your system generates but your business doesn't consume, which is then exported back to the grid. While Eco Sparky is more than happy to provide you with valuable tips, it's essential to shop around and compare FIT rates and general kWh usage rates. This way, you can secure the best FIT rate and overall kWh usage rate that aligns with your specific business circumstances.

Why Choose Eco Sparky?

• Eco Sparky’s owner, Adam Woodbine, is a Clean Energy Council accredited designer AND installer.

• We only supply premium products that we are prepared to use in our own home.

• All installations and services are personalised to your premises and carried out by the Eco Sparky team themselves.

• We work in with your budget and your time-frame.

• Our experienced team are dedicated to completing all jobs safely, neatly, legally and with attention to detail.

• Eco Sparky provides a 5 year WHOLE OF SYSTEM Solar/Battery Guarantee on workmanship, operation and performance. Other NSW Statutory contractors warranties of course apply.

• We are annually audited by the Clean Energy Regulator to ensure we are maintaining industry standards of quality & safety.

• We are Cm3 Safety certified.

Are You Ready To Contact Eco Sparky?

Contacting Eco Sparky is simple, click here to fill out our Enquiry Form and discover how we can help you with your energy efficient electrical needs for your home or business.  If you would like to talk to Eco Sparky’s Owner Adam directly, please don’t hesitate to call him on 0466 696 616.