We’re so excited for our upcoming field trip to Uganda later this year as part of our Platinum Foundation. We are extremely thankful to partner with NECA Victoria and Schneider Electric to supply and install a much needed solar system at Kristina Health Clinic (KHC) in Uganda. KHC is located in Otuke, a rural community in northern Uganda currently in the process of overcoming poverty after decades of civil war. This remote community struggles with poor electricity supply, so installing a solar system will allow mums and bubs to receive the best possible care.

The impact

Kristina Health Clinic (KHC) currently delivers an average of one baby per day. The clinic is building a stand alone maternity ward facility to cope with the demand. The closest public hospital is 72km away, which unfortunately finds itself with babies in humidity cribs that are not switched on due to lack of power and no backup system. Installing solar power at KHC will allow them to run ultrasound machines, x-ray machines and all necessary medical equipment.

We will be taking a team of 6 young electricians from Victoria, Australia on a 10 day trip to Uganda to fully install the solar system.

What a privilege to use our skills and resources to bless this community.

It’s a beautifully clean and simple process. The sun’s light travels through space to the earth, where solar panels absorb the packets of energy that the sunlight contains and converts them into electricity.

Producing no emissions and with no cost other than the solar system itself, solar is an inexhaustible supply of free natural energy that’s beginning to rival other forms of energy production as solar panels are becoming more affordable.

Here we take a look at what solar energy is, the types of solar panels on the market and the process that enables them to convert solar energy into usable electricity.

What is solar energy?

The sun is like a giant nuclear reactor which shoots out tiny packets of energy known as photons. These photons travel the 93 million miles to earth, where they are experienced as both light and heat from the sun.

Solar power production is the conversion of the energy packets contained in sunlight into electricity, using either of two methods; concentrated solar power, using lenses and mirrors, or photovoltaics (PV), where sunlight is converted into an electric current via the photovoltaic effect. Put simply, when the photons hit a solar cell, they knock electrons loose from their atoms and these are captured by the solar cell in an electrical circuit.

What are solar panels?

Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are collections of solar cells which are made of silicon. These solar cells have a positive and a negative layer, which together create an electrical field.

There are three main types of solar panels on the market;

• Monocrystalline panels – the most efficient of the three types where solar cells are created by taking slices from larger silicon crystals.
• Polycrystalline panels – here the silicon is poured into moulds rather than being cut from crystals.
• Thin film panels – a layer of silicon is sprayed onto a surface (this makes it cheaper to produce but also less efficient than the other two types).

In Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline solar panels, silicon wafers are infused with impurities to create a semiconductor. This converts sunlight into electric current which then travels via electrical contacts from one solar cell to the next.

In Thin Film solar panels, a thin layer of flexible material such as glass, stainless steel or plastic has a series of layers applied to it to form the solar cell, with an oxide layer forming the electrical contact.

How solar panels evolved

The first solar collector was invented by 18th century Swiss scientist Horace-Benedict de Saussure, who created a solar oven able to reach temperatures of 110 degrees celsius.

However, the real step forward came in 1839 when French scientist Edmond Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect when he exposed an electrode in solution to sunlight and it generated an electrical current.

By 1953, solar cells were no longer experimental and the world’s first silicon solar cell was created by Bell Laboratories. From that moment on, advancements in photovoltaics saw the technology improve at a steady pace as energy efficiency increased and production costs slowly decreased.

How do solar panels work?

Solar panels work at an atomic level. When photons from the sun hit a solar cell, they jar electrons loose from their atoms. As these electrons move around randomly, the cell’s positive and negative electrical conductors capture them and guide them to move in the same direction on a circuit, resulting in an electrical current being formed.

Multiple solar cells make up a solar panel and multiple solar panels can be wired together to form a solar array; the more being used, the more energy that is generated.

The drawback with this is that the energy being created is direct current (DC) electricity (where the electrons flow in one direction around a circuit). To be useful electricity, it needs to be converted into alternating current (AC) electricity (where the electrons periodically reverse direction) and that’s where an inverter, the other key component of a solar panel, comes in.

An inverter turns the DC electricity into useable 240-volt AC electricity and also provides ground fault protection (earthing) for the solar system. An inverter can also provide a range of useful statistics for monitoring the system, including the voltage and current on AC and DC circuits and the amount of energy that is being produced.

While central inverters have been the traditional inverter used since the beginning of solar, the invention of micro-inverters provided the industry with another big step forward. Rather than one inverter for the whole solar system, micro-inverters are small inverters which optimise each solar panel individually, helping to improve the overall performance and efficiency of the entire solar array.

Solar panels today can provide up to 22% energy efficiency and last as long as 25 years, losing only 0.5% efficiency per year. With production costs now cheaper than they’ve ever been, solar power is becoming an economically viable energy source that’s within the reach of the average household.

So if you’ve been thinking about switching to solar, be sure to contact the team of experts at Platinum Solar for a free consultation.

How effective is solar power? Is it worth the investment to power your home? If you’re considering going solar, these are important questions to think about. After all, solar power is a free and renewable source of energy.

How solar power works

The sun releases energy – light and heat – called radiation. It can be harnessed by using solar panels that contain photovoltaics (PV), which absorb the radiation and convert it into electricity. The sun only emits radiation during the day and is affected by elements like cloud cover, so it has to be combined with a method of energy storage.

Do you want to obtain solar power? Consider installing a solar power system for your home. You can get your local electrician to personally install your solar panels for you.

Now, let’s take a look at the 8 benefits of using solar power.

8 benefits of using solar power for your home

1. Affordable solar powersystem prices

The prices for solar power systems have come down significantly, costing about 40% less to install in 2018 than they did in 2012. For example, the average price for a 5kW system in 2018 is $5,880 compared with $12,290 in 2012.

2. Increase in average system size means better value for money

As prices have come down, the average size for solar power systems has increased. Today, you’ll find most homes installing 3kW to 10kW systems compared with 1kW to 2kW systems several years ago. And the larger systems almost always offer better value for money than the smaller systems.

3. Shorter payback periods and better internal rate of return

It’s important to choose a solar power system that’s the right size for your home, so you can use at least 30% of the energy it produces directly. If you install a 5kW system and have a self-consumption rate of 30%, you can expect a payback time of less than 6 years on average. And your internal rate of return (IRR) for the first year would be 30% on average.

You can further reduce your payback period and maximise your returns by:

• Increasing your rate of direct solar energy consumption, eg use electricity during the day when the system’s producing electricity.
• Reducing your energy use, eg buy energy-efficient products and turn off lights and electrical equipment when not in use.

4. Increase your home’s value and sell more quickly

The more solar panels you have on the roof, the higher your home’s value will be – you can expect an increase of almost $6,000 per kW of solar power. So if you installed a 5kW system, your home’s value and desirability will increase accordingly

What’s more, everyone needs electricity and if the cost of using electricity is greatly reduced with a home that has a solar power system installed, people will view your home favourably when it’s up for sale. This means you could sell your home faster by up to 20%.

5. Reduce your energy bills

If you don’t plan on selling your home, you can enjoy the benefit of future savings. Over the years, you’ll get to save thousands of dollars on your energy bills and the savings made will recoup the cost of installing your solar power system.

6. Make your home go off-the-grid

Traditional electricity relies on limited resources like coal and natural gas, making energy prices high. But if you invest in a solar power system and use solar electricity, you’ll reduce your reliance on the grid. This means you can protect yourself from continually rising energy prices and enjoy cost-effective electricity every day.

7. Reduce electricity transmission loss

Solar panels increase electricity efficiency in terms of the short distance it takes to transmit electricity to your home, as the electricity is generated and used in the same place. What’s more, a solar power system is durable so there are less chances of service interruption.

8. Improve power grid security

Every house that has solar panels and batteries installed has an increased resilience in unexpected power circustances and the more houses there are using solar power, the greater the power grid security will be. So whether a natural or human-caused disaster occurs, you’re less likely to experience a blackout or brownout.

Ready to install your own solar power system? If so, it’s time to start planning.

How to plan your solar power system

Here’s what you should do when planning to power your home with solar power:

• Investigate your electricity use and consider efficiency upgrades – Find out where your home is losing energy. You might have to switch to energy-efficient lighting, appliances, and electronics.
• Assess the potential amount of solar power that can be produced at your home – Consider nearby trees that could shade your system and if your roof needs to be replaced due to old age. You’ll have to work with a certified electrician who can accurately assess your solar potential.
• Consider your options for using/going solar – You could buy or lease a solar power system, or host a solar power system via a purchase power agreement (PPA).
• Estimate how much solar electricity you’ll need – Look at your energy bills to determine your annual electricity needs and consider any planned changes to your home that could increase or reduce your electricity needs. This’ll help your solar installer provide recommendations for your system’s type and size.
• Find a solar installer – Obtain three quotes for the installation and choose a licensed or certified installer. There are professional electricians who can assist you with choosing the right system size and installation.
• Explore all solar financing options – You could use your savings or borrow money from a lender. Solar rebates and other financial incentives are available.
• Work with your installer and electricity provider – Your installer will ensure the system is placed correctly and oriented to effectively capture solar energy to be used by your system. Also speak with your electricity provider about billing, net metering, and any extra utility fees you have to pay.

So, is solar power an effective way of powering your home?

The effectiveness of solar power depends on a variety of factors, such as your location, shading, energy use, system size, and installation. And since solar power is an intermittent energy source, it must be stored if you’re not going to use it immediately. You can use rechargeable batteries to store the excess electricity. If you’re able to harness solar power smartly, this’ll help reduce your energy costs and ensure electricity is readily available, making it worth the investment.

If you’re thinking about switching to solar power, contact the experts at Platinum Electricians. We can help you choose the right solar power system for your home, as well as install the system in a way that effectively powers your home.

Solar energy is one way to power your business while reducing your carbon footprint. Utilizing solar panels will result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower energy costs, and provide your business with a more responsible image, making you stand out from other companies.  

3 reasons you should use solar power for your business

1. Reduce your electricity bill by 75%

Solar panels are far more affordable these days with government incentives and a decrease in solar equipment costs. On average, a solar energy system installation will cost around $10,000-$150,000 with the government rebate. If you’re a business owner, now is a good time to invest in solar energy.

Besides the short-term financial benefits, solar panels deliver long-term energy and cost-efficiency. Solar panels will significantly reduce and even eliminate your business’ electricity bill. According to EnergySage marketplace data, the average commercial property owner will reduce their electricity bill by 75% after switching to solar energy.

In this report, the average commercial property owner paid $1,950 in monthly electricity bills before going solar. Once solar panels were utilized, they were paying just around $500. Having a solar system installed is the equivalent to prepaying for almost 40 years of energy but at the fraction of what you’re currently spending on your traditional power bill.

A great return in investment, the priciest part about solar panels is the installation – after that, it will require little to no maintenance at all. Most solar energy systems carry a 25-year warranty and guarantee you a quiet and clean energy source for that entire length of time.

On top of this, you can currently get tax incentives for your solar panels, claiming them as a capital improvement if you own your premises. If you lease your premises, you can claim your solar panels as a leasehold improvement.

For optimum performance and systems safety we recommend a 3 year programmed service, inspection and test.

2. Reducing carbon footprint

‘Carbon footprint’ along with greenhouse gases, and the greenhouse effect are all terms referring to our impact on the environment. Carbon dioxide emissions are released into the atmosphere through man-made activities such as electric cooling & heating, driving, and burning of fossil fuels. These harmful emissions trap and hold heat in the atmosphere by absorbing infrared radiation.

This increase of heat in the earth’s atmosphere leads to global warming, which negatively affects the earth’s climate and weather patterns. As a business, you can greatly affect change and make an impact by switching to solar energy by reducing your carbon footprint.

Solar energy is classed as green energy partly because of its ability to generate power without producing harmful emissions. Climate change is a major talking point at the moment and is an issue of critical importance to businesses large or small.

Understanding your company’s carbon footprint will help you to identify the major source of greenhouse gas emissions, allowing you to effectively measure and reduce it. Since the bulk of energy use in a commercial business is during daytime hours, solar panels are a perfect solution since your business can reap the full benefits of energy generated by the sun.

By utilizing solar energy during the day, you are buying significantly less power from the grid and effectively reducing power costs significantly.

3. Differentiate yourself from the competition

Sustainability isn’t only beneficial for the earth’s environment, but for the status of your business too. By harnessing greener energy alternatives such as solar panels, your business can express its participation in the battle against climate change. This not only serves as a great PR and marketing tool but also gives your business an overall responsible image.

Customers can believe in your services more if you demonstrate your responsibility and awareness toward global social issues such as the environment. Many customers and communities are more likely to invest in the services of a business who are environmentally-conscience.

It’s been stated that 30% of consumers plan to increase their spending at socially-responsible businesses. People like businesses that show some ‘heart’, as it makes them more accessible to customers and tells them ‘they care for the environment, so they will care about me too!’

Improve the energy efficiency of your business

If you’re an owner of a business, investing in solar panels is a more efficient and environmentally-conscious option for running your overhead expenses. Not only are solar energy systems more affordable now than ever, but they are also a great investment in improving the image and carbon footprint of your business.

Need a commercial electrician for your business? Receive the most thorough and best possible service with the experts at Platinum Electricians.