Installing rooftop solar panels is one of cheapest and most effective ways most of us can tackle climate change, and it saves us money at the same time.
Our surveys of roofs in Bouddi shows that adding solar panels to two-thirds of all houses here is a viable option, while only 18% are too shaded.
Did you know that if we took advantage of this solar opportunity we would generate about the same amount of green elecricity each year as the entire Bouddi community uses, but at a fraction of the cost?
It would be the same as building a 6MW solar power station but avoiding the need to use up 10 hectares of land.
To help Bouddi residents to reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions, we have put together the following resources to help you install a new or expanded solar system.
The following lists some of the solar installers located on the Central Coast, together with some of their relevant details*.
These installers have been used and recommended by local residents, and have agreed to the Electrify Bouddi Solar Installers Code of Conduct.
We have chosen to list only local service providers at this time, but there are many others with regional coverage that will service our area. Additional information on local and other providers can be found here
You can also find customer reviews of each provider on this site.
We recommend that you discuss your requirements with several service providers and obtain at least 3 quotations before proceeding.
| Supplier | Location | Services | EB Code Of Conduct | Years In Business | Action | |||
| Solar Panels | Inverters | EV Chargers | Batteries | |||||
| MJJ Solar And Electrics | Morisset |
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12 | Learn More |
| SEA Solutions Australia | Berkeley Vale |
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17 | Learn More |
| Tru Blu Solar Co | West Gosford |
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4 | Learn More |
If you are supplier or customer and believe that any information on this page is inaccurate, we would welcome you letting us know.
Do you have recent experience getting a solar system/household battery quote or installation?
We’d love to hear from you. Take our survey and tell us about your experience. You’ll also have the option to add a review of your chosen installer.
Going solar has never been easier. Following these steps to cut energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Are you not sure you can afford to go solar, or make your home more energy efficient?
Read our guide to finance for solar and energy.
One of the main advantages of solar panels is that they reduce your electricity bills. As soon as the panels are installed, they will generate electricity and lower your power bill. You will get paid by your electricity company whenever you export excess energy from your panels back to the grid. You will negotiate a feed-in tariff for the electricity generated and exported and the amount is credited to your bill.
The cost of installing solar has fallen considerably and the technology and efficiencies have improved. In Bouddi, the majority of solar PV systems will pay back within 3-7 years. This is done through the savings on your electricity bill from your reduced consumption of energy from your retailer and from any credit to your bill from the feed-in tariff.
Solar energy is one of the cleanest sources of energy, and it’s an extremely effective way of making your household more efficient and sustainable. The installation of a 6.6kW solar system will reduce greenhouse emissions by over 250 tonnes CO2 in its lifetime and bring down our collective dependence on fossil fuels.
We live on the driest continent on the planet, and we run the risk of running out of fresh water in the future. A coal-fired power station use thousands of litres of water a day to cool generators, and to process, refine and transport fuel. Generating power through solar panels, however, uses no water whatsoever. The only water needed is rainwater to naturally clean the panels when they get a bit grubby!
Solar homes can sell for more than homes without PV. Studies show that solar homes are more attractive/valuable to purchasers and attract premium prices. Estimates suggest that a 5kW solar PV installation could add around $30K to the value of a house.
When you buy a new solar system in Australia, you will receive a solar panel rebate that will reduce the cost of your purchase.
Solar power reduces your reliance on the grid, particularly when used in combination with a battery so that power generated during the day can be used at night.
Solar power can help our community to prosper by creating sustainable local jobs for installers and by giving us all more money to spend in our local economy.
Your roof-mounted solar panels contain photovoltaic cells, also known as solar cells. When sunlight falls on the cells they convert the sun’s energy into DC (direct current) power. Inverters then convert the DC power into AC (alternating current) required to power your home.
Inverters are devices that convert the DC electricity that the solar panels produce into 240V AC electricity, which is required for everything in your home. Inverters are the component most likely to fail in a solar power system as they have an average life of 10-15 years. This is because they are functioning full-time. It is more cost-effective to buy a quality item.
There are different inverter configuration options:
Microinverter and optimizer systems have some benefits over string inverter systems, mainly around design flexibility for awkward roofs. It has been stated that they handle shady sites better than string systems, but high-end string systems have advanced algorithms that these days that perform as well in most shade situation.
The following numbers are indicative of most household power requirements:
If you can afford it, consider installing more solar panels than suggested above to generate additional solar power for potential future requirements, i.e. to store in a household battery and use when the sun is not shining, to replace gas appliances and charge an electric car.
In our experience, nobody ever regrets putting on too big a system, only that they installed too small a one! It is worth remembering that you may wish to have sufficient solar power in the future to store in a household battery, replace gas appliances and charge an electric car.
Currently most households may not export more than 10kW, although it is more if you have 3-phase electricity and it is possible to gain an exemption. You should discuss these limits with your electricity provider.
No, you can’t run the system without batteries. The inverter needs the grid to stay active. Batteries are needed to ensure power supply matches demand if you’re not on the grid.
That depends on what meter you currently have. A bi-directional smart meter is needed to support solar. This is a measurement device calculating the power you use as well as the power you do not use that sent back to the grid. In most cases, a new meter will need to be installed as part of your solar installation. The solar installer will organise this.
The individual installing the system needs a personal electrical licence as well as accreditation to install solar from the Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). Note SAA accredits people not companies. The design of your solar system must be done (and signed off) by a SAA accredited Designer. Ask for the design document with this signature.
Under good weather conditions (no dew on the roof in the morning, no rain all day, no strong winds) a typical system can be installed from start to finish in one day. Sometimes installers will install a small system in the morning and make a start on another system in the afternoon, then return the next day to complete it.
There is more flexibility than previously believed about the directions and angles at which panels must be installed to make solar systems efficient. The basic principles are:
Because panels are now less expensive, they can be installed at various angles. For example, you can install both east and west panels to maximize the length of the day. Even south facing panels produce only 28% less than north facing panels. Your installer will calculate the best angle and directions to maximise your solar power production.
The installer will prepare your roof to ensure that the roof shingles and/or tiles are properly attached and secure. They will then set up the electrical wiring that will connect your panels to the general power system. Once wiring is complete, the racking to support your panels will be attached to the roof. The racking will be the only element that will be physically attached to the roof. The solar panels will be placed on to the racks. The final step is to connect the micro-inverter(s) to the panels so they can convert the DC energy generated by the panels to AC energy which is used to power home appliances.
The Federal Government is developing an national stewardship program for PV panels, batteries and peripherals, however in the meantime Electrify Bouddi is working with our installers and a recycling company in Sydney to ensure that waste material is recycled.
Once your solar PV system is installed, it will likely require very little maintenance. Typically, solar panels do not even need to be cleaned.
Typically most modern solar panels will last 25 years, maybe more. The very best panels come with a 25 year warranty.
Inverters may last for 10-25 years depending on their type and quality.
A solar system without a battery will have a payback time in the range of 3 to 8 years. The broad time range is totally dependent on your ability to meet most of your energy needs during the day. However, even if it takes 8 years, this is still a 12-15% return on your investment.
Solar power is generated while the sun is shining. So, for systems without batteries, the rationale is to consume as much of your energy requirements during the day, with the unused surplus energy to be exported (fed-in) to the grid at a price (the feed-in tariff).
It is more profitable for you to consume your self-generated energy than to export it. This is because you are paying energy companies somewhere between 35c and 40c per kW for the energy they provide, but they will only pay you somewhere 5c and 12c for the energy you export to them.
A change of household behaviours may be required to maximize your financial outcome. For example, run washing machines and dishwashers during the day. Power-up all your devices during the day. Run hot water systems during the day, not at overnight off-peak rates. Where possible, set up timers to run appliances if you are not usually at home during the day.
It will exported to the electricity grid where, depending on your retailer and tariff, you may be given a credit towards your electricity bill.
This is the rate at which you are paid for exporting excess electricity generation back to the grid. The price is set by each retailer.
Solar power sharing is a relatively new concept in energy retailing. It allows householders to have greater control over the source and price of their electricity.
It can, for example, facilitate:
Powertracer
The only electricity retailer in NSW offering a solar trading scheme is Energy Locals, using the Enosi Powertracer application, to enable peer-to-peer trading of excess self-generated solar power to other customers on the same scheme.
This enables those who don’t have solar power to lower their carbon footprint and those with solar panels to possibly sell their excess power for a higher feed-in tariff than offered by the electricity retailers. Power sharing is a vital component of what is known as a ‘virtual power plant’, in which all renewable energy and batteries resources are shared throughout the community.
Electrify Bouddi are taking part in a pilot study to help understand how power sharing might work in practice, and the financial implications.
Download our PowerShare Pilot Factsheet to read more about how power sharing works and find out how you can take part in the pilot.
You don’t have to do anything. Your solar installer will take care of the rebate and it will be included in the estimated cost for installation of your solar panels.
