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Join the waitlist for the new Tesla Powerwall 3! Don’t miss the chance to enhance your energy independence. Learn More
Everyone has questions when it comes to their solar installation and at Think Renewable, we are more than qualified to answer those questions for you! Here are some of the most common questions we are asked as solar energy providers.
It depends on the system you get. Panels and inverters have their own separate warranties that can start anywhere between 10-15 years for the inverters and 25+ years for the panels from the manufacturer. We also offer a full 10 years for our workmanship warranty.
We have a wide variety of brands to offer from mid to high range, this includes brands like Tesla, Sungrow, Alpha etc.
All you need to do is call our number and we will speak to the manufacturer. We organise a warranty replacement for your system and the installation team will come back to replace this for you. This takes out the middleman (you).
If you want to be energy independent then yes. If you are looking for a good ROI, then we recommend your bills are over $500 with a working solar system or your bills are around $900+ without a solar system. If they are not this high, we do not recommend getting a battery.
All our systems include remote monitoring that is set up for you free of charge. We set it all up for you and send you your login details once the installation is complete. You can monitor your system from your phone no matter where you are as long as you have home wi-fi.
Yes, if you have a battery with back up protection capability. A normal system without a battery doesn’t have this capability.
There are many different forms of marketing out there that businesses use. We use door knocking as one of them as this is the easiest way to qualify if your home is suitable for a solar system or not, this saves time for both parties.
Yes, we have our own internal installation team across the country however, we also use qualified and trusted subcontractors all over the country that we have worked with for many years.
Think Renewable is the fastest growing solar company in Australia and although our goal is to stay in business for far longer than just ten years from now, we understand circumstances can change. Therefore, your workmanship warranty will be void however, all product warranties remain, and you will be able to go to the product manufacturer directly.
Our installers are approved individually which is not a common qualification that most companies have. We are also a part of the NETCC as a retailer, please see link below and type in "Think Renewable": https://www.newenergytech.org.au/find-an-approved-seller
We offer a 10-year workmanship warranty. If there’s any cause to your property due to an installation error, we will cover it and rectify it for 10 years post installation.
You will receive your first response 24hrs after your initial enquiry and regular updates. However, you will always be able to get in touch with us through our landline. We take our customer care very seriously so we will do our best to resolve your case as soon as possible.
It is dependent on the system you get as well as your bills, most systems will be paid off between 3-7 years.
This power gets sent back to the grid and your retailer will add credit for every kW you send back to them.
If your system has a fault or becomes non operational we will endeavour to rectify the issue if it falls under the relevant warranties. During the time your system isn’t functioning we will not compensate you for the loss of generation.
Most homes across Australia can benefit from solar power, though every house is different. To determine if your property is suitable for solar, your best option is to book a free site visit from our local electricians. We know what to look for, and we can help you understand what will work best for you.
This is another tricky question to answer, because every installation is unique. Solar installation prices can range from $3,000 to $12,000+, but that doesn’t mean that’s what you’ll pay. Government rebates, state incentives and interest-free loans or payment plans from private companies can all impact the price of a solar installation – even reducing up-front costs down to $0.
For a free quote specific to your property, give us a call.
Yes, it’s common for solar panels and battery storage to increase a home’s value. In fact, Domain research found that it could increase value by around 17.1% (houses), or 12.7% (units).
Learn more: Do solar panels increase your property value?
A single solar panel can take up around 1.6 metres-squared in roof space, and you might have 10 or more of those panels on your roof. The average roof in Australia is around 150-200 metres-squared or so, so most Australians will have plenty of space for rooftop solar.
Yes, solar panels still work on cloudy days. While the electricity output may be slightly lower, depending on the extent of the cloud cover, you should still be able to generate power even when the sun isn’t shining at its brightest.
The best way to continue to use free energy from the sun even at night is to get battery storage alongside your rooftop solar system. This will allow you to generate and store electricity during the day, to be used at night when the sun goes away.
Learn more: Adding battery storage to your solar system
No, solar panels are known for requiring very little maintenance. Depending on your local climate, you will typically need to clean them two to four times a year (to remove dust, salt or bird droppings), but beyond that there isn’t much to think about.
For maintenance tips specific to your system, talk to us during your installation and we’ll let you know what you need to do. Or, chat with us about our solar servicing and maintenance services – we may be able to handle it on your behalf.
Yes, you can stay with your regular electricity provider even after you install solar. Solar panels and grid power can be used at the same time, allowing you to continue to draw electricity to top up your solar system during periods of high usage, or if your batteries run out.
That said, you’ll need to inform your power provider as this could impact your billing.
Learn more: Can you use solar panels and electricity at the same time?
You’ll need to consider a few things to understand the right size of solar power system for your property:
A simple rule of thumb is to divide your daily power usage (in kilowatt hours, or kWh) by four. This gives you the size of the solar panel system in kilowatts that will likely be sufficient to meet your average needs. So, if you determine you use about 32 kWh per day in power, an 8 kW system will probably meet your needs.
Of course, determining what size of solar power system is right for you is part of the consultation process, so we can help you with this.
Yes, there are a few common types of solar batteries – though lithium-ion batteries, such as Tesla’s Powerwall, are the most common nowadays. You would have to go out of your way to get something different as lithium-ion is considered the modern standard.
To understand what size of solar battery you require, you’ll need to work out your average daily energy consumption. This will help you understand how much power you actually use each day, and therefore how much you might need to store for those cloudier days or evenings.
You can start working this out yourself with a few easy rules of thumb, which you can find here in our battery size guide. Or, talk to our team today and we’ll help you work out what battery will work best for your unique property.
Yes, solar batteries with blackout protection are designed to work when the grid goes down – helping to ensure you still have power when the grid fails. If this is a concern for you, let's chat about your options during your consultation.
This is partially up to you, though we’ll make some recommendations once we’ve viewed your property.
Some property owners store their solar batteries in their garage, as modern batteries like the Tesla Powerwall 3 are designed to be sleek and compact, fitting in anywhere they’re placed.
Batteries can also be stored outside if there’s no suitable indoor area, though they would need to be protected from harsh weather.
How long a solar battery can hold its charge depends on the battery, and the amount of energy being stored. We would expect most modern batteries to be able to hold their charge for several days, if not weeks, assuming low usage.
As for their lifespan, solar batteries should last several years to more than a decade (depending on usage, climate and maintenance, among other factors).
Yes, most modern solar batteries are stackable – allowing you to add more capacity over time. If you find that your battery isn’t holding enough power to keep your appliances running during evenings or periods of instability, talk to us about adding more capacity.
You won’t stop generating solar power just because the battery is full. If your solar battery reaches capacity, the extra charge will be diverted away from your property and ‘exported’ to the grid. In many cases, such as if you’ve joined a VPP network, you may be able to sell your excess energy back at a premium rate or receive a billing discount in return.
Solar panels are relatively easy to clean, especially if you do it regularly – at least two to four times a year.
All you need is a soft brush and some soapy water (using a mild soap). Brushing gently should remove most dirt, debris and bird droppings. Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive brushes. If you aren’t sure whether or not your soap is too harsh, err on the side of caution and clean without.
No, avoid using a pressure washer to clean your solar system – it could damage the sensitive cells inside your PV panels. If the panels are dirty and you can’t get them clean with mild soap and water, contact our servicing team for assistance.
Aim to get your solar panels professionally serviced at least every year or two.
If you discover damage, faulty equipment, notice a drop in performance or your rooftop system stops working entirely, contact one of our qualified electricians to come take a look. We’ll diagnose the issue, recommend repairs and get the job done fast.
Solar panels are designed to live outdoors, in all weather. In most cases, they should resist damage from bad weather, including hail stones up to the size of a golf ball.
If you ever notice damage after a particularly rare, powerful storm, contact the Think team as soon as possible to come take a look.
Faulty parts and problems with the installation would generally both be covered under your product warranty (from the manufacturer) and 10-year workmanship warranty from Think Renewable. The service itself would not be.
The benefit for a homeowner is simple: you turn your solar system into a money maker! It’s like renting out a room on air bnb for some extra income, but not having to deal with anyone staying over. Just join, and let the VPP software do the work for you!
For your community and Australia as a whole – it stabilises the grid, prevents blackouts, lowers electricity costs, and reduces the need for fossil fuel power plants.
Yes, you can connect to both a VPP and a grid provider at the same time. In fact, this is normally how it’s done.
Joining both allows you to continue to use the grid if solar alone isn’t enough, or if you generate solar excess power you can sell it back to the grid at a premium rate. Your participation in the VPP will eases strain on the grid during peak times, and helps ensure you still have power during outages.
It’s important to note, though, that any time you remain with a grid provider and add solar power to your property (VPP or otherwise), it can impact your billing. You’ll need to let your utilities provider know so they can talk to you about how it will change your plan.
You will continue to receive bills from your regular energy provider. Though, these bills will now reflect your participation in a VPP, which usually means seeing considerable savings each month - as you’re pulling a lot less from the grid.
Your VPP may also provide feed-in tariffs (energy export payments) or billing discounts, depending on your setup, further reducing your costs.
Your monthly power bill should shrink from the moment you switch on your solar power system and battery storage, and again when you sign up to a VPP.
VPPs can help bring down utility bills in quite a few ways, such as reducing your reliance on grid electricity, optimising your usage and providing feed-in tariffs or billing discounts.
To learn more about registering for a VPP, talk to the team at Think Renewable today and we’ll guide you on whether you’re eligible, and what to do if so.
When you join a VPP, the network provider will connect to your VPP-capable battery to take control of its charging and discharging cycles. This allows the provider to draw from your excess to send it to other users who need the extra charge, and to deliver someone else’s excess to you if you need the help. You are selling your battery power at a high price, and then even if you need to replace it with grid power later, you get that for a lower price. Long story short – if the VPP uses all your battery power that day, then you make the most money!
Joining a VPP can earn you money in the form of feed-in tariffs and billing discounts. By saving each month on your utilities bill, you should have more in your pocket for other things.
The best EV charger for your needs will vary depending on your property, vehicle and budget. For example, you might have the budget for the biggest, quickest EV charger on the market, but if your EV itself has only a slow Charging Rate then this may be overkill.
Other factors which will help you understand the most suitable EV charger include how ‘smart’ you want the charger to be, and whether your home’s electrical system can handle it.
We can help you understand all of these factors and more, just give us a call.
Yes, to install an EV charger at your property you’ll need a qualified electrician. We have fully certified experts across Australia, so give us a call to talk about your needs.
For most residential or simple commercial uses, you’ll be looking at either a level 1 or level 2 EV charger. Essentially, that’s the difference between how fast it can charge your vehicle, but also how much power it draws to do so.
Yes, you can charge most EVs without a dedicated EV charger by using a specialised cable (which comes with the car) to plug into a regular wall outlet. This draws power very slowly, and may not fully top up your vehicle even if left overnight.
Modern EV chargers are generally very efficient, able to add 40-100 km of range per hour of charging. A modern level 2 charger can top up an EV back to full within an hour, assuming just regular daily use. Though, the actual rate of charge for your vehicle will also depend on the vehicle itself and its Charging Rate.
Most modern home electrical panels can handle level 1 charging rates, but some older properties cannot handle level 2 EV chargers without overloading the system.
It’s highly recommended that you contact a qualified electrician (like our team here at Think) for assistance determining if your property can handle a dedicated EV charger.
We have 1000s of customers saving $1000’s annually on their energy bills across Australia. With our knowledgeable sales team, friendly customer service staff and SAA Electricians we have you covered from start to finish!
Click on the button below to connect with the team that will bring you savings and efficiency while taking the stress out of your solar energy conversion.
415/410 Elizabeth St, Surry
Hills, NSW 2010
1300 844 651
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Valley, QLD 4006
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WA 6000
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