Frequently Asked Questions

No matter your current level of understanding,
our team is devoted to empowering our clients through education

A solar system consists of the following components:

Solar Panels which absorb the sunshine and convert it into DC electricity
Inverter which converts the DC power into AC power so that it can be used in your home.
There are different types of inverters; grid connected inverter, a micro inverter (multiple smaller inverters attached at panel level) or a hybrid inverter (connected to a battery).
Optimiser – The latest technology systems that utilise an optimiser on each panel allow the system to isolate individual panels to reduce the effects of issues such as shading.
Cabling and mounting equipment

There are numerous reasons why we are the No1 on the Gold Coast for all solar and battery solutions. Installing for over 15 years, our mission is to educate, advise and deliver premium renewable energy products and services that enable people to own their power and take advantage of a new era in home power management. ESC is accredited with the Clean Energy Council who are the peak governing body for the clean energy industry in Australia, ensuring the quality, safety and reliability of the solar industry, therefore you know you are safe with us. We also have a one-of-a-kind showroom and education centre in Nerang where we educate our clients, offer advanced assessments and design as well as showcase many of our top tier products.

PV stands for Photovoltaic cells which convert light from the sun into electricity. They come in various sizes. They are made from materials such as silicon and convert photons from the sun’s rays into electrons which then produce an electric current. The individual solar cells are connected to form a module, also known as a solar panel. Once the sunlight hits the panels and is absorbed, electricity is generated.

This is a modern solar energy system that is connected to an electricity grid as well as a battery energy system. This means it has the ability to produce energy from the sun and store that energy for use when there is no sunshine. This enables you to maximise the use of the available solar energy, instead of exporting unused solar energy to the grid (often for a very low feed-in tariff). It can also be used for backup power during a blackout. Find out more on our Battery Solutions page.

An off-grid solar system is an energy system that is completely separated from the electricity grid. Apart from solar panels, off-grid systems usually include additional means of energy generation in the form of a diesel generator and sometimes a wind generator. A battery bank is almost always included in an off-grid system, in order to store and use excess solar energy for loads that are needed when there is insufficient sunlight. For further information see our off-grid page.

We hear this all the time and it’s why we built our technology and education centre. Being in the industry for over 15 years we understand exactly what our clients need. It can be very confusing trying to make the right decision, so we make a point of educating our clients first and foremost, to give them a good understanding of how their energy system works. With thorough site inspections and designs using state of the art software tools, we don't leave anything to chance. Book your ESC Experience today and empower your decisions tomorrow!

Yes, this is a goal that we have helped some of our clients to achieve. It is not a simple process as there is so much consideration needed. While our off-grid solutions are capable of avoiding grid power during optimum weather conditions, there are times where we have consecutive rainy or overcast days, in which case you will need either the grid or a diesel generator to top up the batteries and continue supplying power to your loads. It is worth considering the cost of purchasing and running a diesel generator though, as this is more expensive than continuing to pay for the grid connection which may be required on occasion. Find out more on our off-grid page or give our off-grid specialists a call to discuss the best options for you.

This usually refers to a large grid-connected system that differs from residential systems, in terms of size, complexity and functionality. Strict measures for the protection of the grid are mandatory and our expert commercial team formulate an in-depth proposal for you after an on-site assessment of your commercial space. Your energy system will be based on power consumption, location, business structure and operational times while also projecting future needs and your business objectives.
For further information see our Commercial page.

This will depend on a few factors. The installed components will need to be matched to current equipment (panel wattage and inverter capacity); You will need to reapply to connect additional panels (kW’s) to the grid. This may impact your current feed-in tariff rate; If the system is older it will need to be brought up to the current electrical standard. Generally, it is more cost-effective to install an additional system if you wish to generate more power.

If you have excess solar electricity, you can send it back to the grid in return for a credit (known as a Feed-in Tariff or FiT) on your power bill. Not every energy retailer offers FiTs, so we recommend you speak to your retailer in advance to negotiate your rate. Feed-in tariffs are set to be changing and possibly being removed altogether soon which is why we recommend installing battery storage with your solar system. See our Battery Solutions page for more information.

The quality of the solar components is critical to system performance and how long it will last. ESC only installs premium solar products. We are not the cheapest solar provider, because we don’t believe in installing crap solar or cutting quality or service corners. Instead, when you buy from us, we’ll guarantee a high performance, long-lasting solar system that delivers on the promises we make to you. Our brands are amongst the world’s most credible, no product makes our list without passing stringent quality assurance. Most products we supply have a 15-25 year warranty plus we offer a 10-year workmanship guarantee and a 5-day product replacement commitment in the event of product failure – in addition to manufacturer warranties.

The amount your power bills will reduce by going solar depends on a number of factors, including:

- Your energy consumption and the size of your solar energy system – if you use more power than your system is capable of producing, your savings will be less. It’s important to choose the right-sized system for your needs.
- Your feed-in tariff – this is the amount your electricity retailer pays you for any excess power your solar panels generate.
- Your usage patterns – solar panels can only generate electricity while the sun is shining. This means that households that use a lot of power during the day may attract greater savings than those that consume most of their power at night. However, you will still receive a feed-in tariff for any excess electricity you generate during the day. Where you live – some areas of Australia receive a lot more sunlight than others.

A solar energy system is custom sized to your individual property. Many factors must be considered when deciding on the correct size and design for your system. For example, the size of your roof area, your electricity usage and your expectations from the solar system are vital in deciding the right system for you.

We encourage those who need more guidance to book in to have one of our experts take you through The ESC Experience, where we will create custom designs for you with multiple revisions, conduct a thorough site inspection, take you through an education session in our showroom to ensure you receive not only the correct product and price information but also set your expectations accordingly. Visit The ESC Experience Page for more details.

Yes. Shading definitely affects the output of the entire string to be reduced to virtually zero for as long as the shadow sits there. Depending on the type of system installed, shading on a single cell could reduce the output of the panel and in turn the entire string.
There are solutions to shading, however. SolarEdge DC Optimisers will increase the energy output from PV systems by constantly tracking the maximum power point of each module individually achieving the optimal output.
Enphase Micro-Inverters operate independently, so each panel performs to its fullest. One shaded or dirty panel won't affect the rest of the system. See our Inverters page for more information.

Microinverter systems feature a ‘micro-inverter’ on each panel which convert the DC power directly into usable AC household electricity at the panel. This avoids power loss from shading and maximises a system’s power generation. In circumstances where one solar panel may be shaded, the rest of the string can still operate at full capacity. This is because each solar panel works independently. Find out more on our Inverters page.

Once your deposit is paid, ESC will submit any required preapproval paperwork to your distributor. The installation will take place within 1-4 weeks. Installation paperwork is to be signed and completed by the electricity account holder and final payment is made. An independent inspection is booked and once completed the inspector will sign the certificate of electrical safety and send a copy to ESC. All paperwork is submitted to your retailer and distributor to reprogram your meter to be bidirectional to begin your feed-in to the grid.

This is a great question as there are many fly-by-the-night solar companies out there which makes it hard to know who to trust. There are a number of reasons to feel confident in choosing ESC.
We have been installing quality systems since 2005, we are an accredited member of the Clean Energy Council who is Australia’s peak body for the clean energy industry in Australia.
We partner with only the best manufacturers in the business and believe in educating our clients so that they truly understand their investment.

Energy Solution Centre offers a 10-year installation warranty on top of the product warranties, and our focus is on quality, longevity and exceptional customer service. Discover more about The ESC Advantage here.

Frequently Asked Questions

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