Solahart Brisbane Blog

Will My Solar Still Work on Cloudy or Rainy Days?

Did you know that Australia has the highest solar radiation per square metre of any continent on the planet? At 58 million petajoules per year, it’s approximately 10,000 times larger than our total energy consumption. Which is why for most Australians, using the abundant sunshine to power your home and heat your water makes so much sense.

But despite the growing popularity of solar (2.66 million smart Australian households already have solar panels or collectors on their rooftops!), there’s one question we’re often asked; “Will my solar system still work if the sun isn’t shining?”The short answer is yes. In this article, we will explore how solar still works to reduce your energy consumption and carbon emissions even on cloudy or rainy days. Let’s start with solar hot water before we move to solar power.

Does Solar Hot Water Work on Cloudy or Rainy Days?

A solar water heater will still deliver hot water on cloudy and wet days.

Anyone who has ever been sunburnt on an overcast day knows that it takes more than a few clouds to block out the sun. While clouds may filter out some of the brightness, the majority of sunlight still gets through. So if you have solar hot water collectors on your rooftop, rest assured, they’re still working to produce hot water even on those wet and cloudy days.

However, continuous days of cloudy weather can sometimes reduce the efficiency of your solar water heater. Fortunately, Solahart Solar Hot Water systems have a backup available to ensure you can still enjoy instant hot water when the sun isn’t shining.

All Solahart Solar Water Heaters come with an inbuilt electric booster. This means that as soon as the water temperature drops below a certain level, the booster element kicks in and heats the water to the correct temperature.

Solahart also has an optional gas-boosted model available where boosting only occurs when hot water is being used. When a hot water tap is opened, solar hot water flows from the solar water heater through a solar-compatible continuous flow gas water heater. Temperature sensors within this gas heater measure the incoming water temperature, and if the water temperature is less than a preset minimum, the gas heater ignites and immediately brings it up to the set level.

The choice of which booster is right for you will ultimately depend on key factors such as your solar hot water system, the climate where you live and your roof inclination.

Will My Solar Power Panels Work on Cloudy or Rainy Days?

Like solar hot water collectors, solar power panels still work on cloudy days. According to The Environment and Energy Study Institute in the USA, even in partly cloudy weather, solar cells could still operate at 80% of their maximum output. Because solar panels can use direct and indirect sunlight to generate power they will still work when the light is reflected or partially blocked by clouds.

Meanwhile, rainy weather can also help to keep your panels operating efficiently by washing away any dust or dirt. However, if it’s consistently cloudy for several days, the efficiency of the solar panels may be reduced as there are less particles of light available to create a high flow of electricity.

Many Australians are also choosing to add a home battery to their solar power and store the energy they’ve generated throughout the day, for use later on. It’s a smart way to offset your electricity costs and maximise your solar energy usage.

Why Solar Should be a Part of Your Next Renovation

Any home renovation is exciting. The anticipation of seeing the final result makes all the thinking, planning and work worth it. The ultimate goal of a renovation project, no matter how big or small, is to improve a home and see aspirational ideas come to life. This includes increasing its value, energy efficiency, and comfort, which helps us connect to our home on a deeper level.

Did you know that by going solar, you can tick all these boxes? In this article, we will explore some key reasons why solar technology should be part of your next home renovation.

1. Increase the Value of Your Home

According to research from realestate.com.au, installing solar products has the potential to increase a home’s value; and other than improving our lifestyle, adding value to our real estate, is a nice side effect to have when embarking on a renovation project. In fact, the survey positioned solar technology as top-of-mind when it came to green living.

Some of the findings were:

85% of Australians say that solar panels would add value to a home.
78% of Australians say that solar hot water would increase a home’s value.
Two in five renters would pay up to $10 extra per week for a home with solar.
Solar technology helps homeowners realise that certain aspects of their home, such as the roof, can be a great asset, especially when living in a country where sunshine is abundant.

2. Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

Going solar is an investment that would help you reduce your energy consumption by harnessing the sun’s free energy to deliver power and hot water for your home, instead of relying only on the grid.

This means that by considering a clean and green source of energy in your renovation plans, it could actually help you keep more money in your pocket over time, and protect you from increasing grid-energy costs.

Key stats:

A conventional water heater typically makes up about 25% of a household’s energy use in Australia. So, installing a solar hot water heater can help you make a big difference to your energy consumption. In fact, you could save up to 65% of your hot water energy use if you replace your current gas or electric water heater with a solar water heater.
2017-18 saw 23% growth in solar generation, indicating that there is a significant shift towards increased energy productivity.

3. Go Green and Help Save the Planet

Did you know that 60% of the electricity consumed by the average Aussie household is generated from coal? But there is a smarter way to power your home. Like using energy free from the sun.

Solar helps you make a significant contribution to the environment, as it uses a natural power source to deliver energy and hot water for your home. As a result, you are also doing your bit to reduce greenhouse emissions.

For example, a Solahart solar water heater can help you save up to 1.6 to 2.7 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. So, your next renovation is a great opportunity to make a difference.

4. Home Builder Grant

In June 2020, the Australian government introduced the HomeBuilder Grant. This scheme provides eligible owner-occupiers with $25,000 to complete a home renovation or new build.

The HomeBuilder Grant now provides eligible homeowners with the opportunity to add a complete solar package solution including solar hot water, solar power and battery storage to complement their renovation plans.

3 Ways to Save Energy Consumption as You Work From Home

The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of millions has been unimaginable. Our work and personal lives have been turned upside down, as we continue to come to terms with coping with such significant change.

One significant change resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the shift to working from home. As social distancing has become the norm, millions around Australia have adjusted to a new lifestyle, where home is the epicentre of work and social life in equal measure.

However, spending more time at home could mean higher energy usage. Going solar is a great way to reduce your energy consumption by harnessing the sun’s free energy to deliver power and hot water for your home. By going solar, you could reduce your reliance on the grid, which helps you keep money in your pocket during these uncertain times.

In this article, we will explore three key ways in which solar can help you significantly cut down your energy consumption, delivering peace-of-mind for you and your family.

1. Use Solar to Reduce your Hot Water Energy Consumption

It can be easy to assume that you would have to use less hot water to save on energy, i.e. having really quick showers. After all, conventional water heaters typically make up around 25% of a household’s energy use in Australia, which can translate to higher energy consumption as you spend more time at home with an increased need to constantly wash your hands.

However, there is a great source of free energy that we often overlook: the sun. Installing a solar hot water system is a great way to help reduce the energy you consume from the grid to produce the hot water you need; especially important now as hygiene is a huge focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Stay Cool this Summer Without the Huge Energy Bills

As the weather begins to warm up and the days grow longer, energy-hungry appliances such as air-conditioners and pool pumps will start working overtime, which could lead to high energy bills.

Solar power systems use solar panels with photovoltaic (PV) cells that collect the light from the sun and convert it to DC current.

By switching to solar power this summer, you can stay cool whilst reducing your energy bills, a real win-win for Aussie households!

3. Store Your Energy to Make the Most of your Solar System

You might be wondering: “How can we use power generated from the sun at night or when it’s cloudy?”

This is a good question. After all, it is often at night when our energy use goes up. The good news is that you can save even further by storing the sun’s energy in a home battery system.

Battery storage is a smart way to offset your electricity costs as you maximise your solar energy usage. Specifically, a battery stores unused power during the day for use later on, instead of having to rely on the grid when the sun isn’t available. Supplementing your solar power system with a battery allows you to use power at night or when the sun isn’t shining.

Another way to store your energy is by installing a Solahart PowerStore. Designed and built in Australia, Solahart PowerStore is Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater. Together with a power meter/Gateway, it captures the excess energy from your rooftop solar panels and uses it to heat your water gradually, for use at a later time. Like a battery, it stores energy (in the form of hot water), only it’s a lot more affordable.

5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Purchasing Solar Power

Before you purchase solar power, it pays to do your homework.

Installing solar power is a great way to cut your energy bills. But with so many “solar cowboys” out there, it’s easy to be taken for a ride.

The Future is Bright for Solar

Every day, more and more sun-loving Australians are turning to solar for their energy needs. With over two million rooftop solar systems installed on Australian homes, and an average of 9500 solar panels installed daily, solar is no longer the way of the future; it’s the way of now. Solar energy is good for the value of your home, excellent for the environment and great for your bank balance, so it’s easy to see why going solar makes so much sense.

The Rise of the Solar Cowboys

The growing popularity of solar has unfortunately attracted many dodgy operators whose high-pressure sales tactics, inferior systems, unreliable service, and unproven track records have left many solar customers stranded. Since 2011, almost 700 solar companies have gone bust or are no longer trading, leaving about 650,000 “solar orphans” without support or warranties.

With this in mind, choosing a solar company you can trust is more important than ever. To help you, here are five questions to ask before you invest in solar power.

1. Will your company be there for the long haul?

With so many fly-by-nighters out there, it’s important to choose a company with a proven track record. With over 65 years in solar and over one million solar systems installed, Solahart is the trusted name in Australian solar.

2. Will your company start with an on-site solar assessment?

Many solar companies are happy to give you a quote based on a satellite image. Solahart starts with a free on-site solar assessment. We’ll recommend the right system and the correct configuration that fits your budget and your energy consumption. Using a Solahart Savings Calculator, we’ll then estimate the savings you’ll make.

3. Is it a quality system?

When it comes to solar power, don’t lose sight of what really matters: quality, reliability, and trusted warranties. Solahart believes in the adage, “Buy well, buy once”. Every Solahart system uses world-leading inverters and high-efficiency solar panels that comply with strict Solahart specifications and are built to withstand harsh Australian conditions.

4. Is your system tested for performance and efficiency?

At Solahart, we’re famous for our thoroughness. Before a component is introduced to our range, it must meet strict quality standards. We test panels for optimum performance and efficiency using Solar Panel Flash test data and Electro-luminescence (EL) imaging. We only select panels that are proven to be resistant to Potential Induced Degradation (PID) and Light Induced Degradation (LID).

5. Who will install my new solar power system?

All Solahart Solar Power systems are installed by fully qualified, trained and experienced Solahart professionals. This means a trouble-free process and a system that will be connected safely and in accordance with industry guidelines. Every Solahart Solar Power installer is Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited and every Solahart dealer is part of the CEC retailer code of conduct scheme.

Since 1953, Solahart has been the trusted name in Australian solar. And because Solahart offers solar hot water, solar power, and battery storage, it’s your one-stop solar shop.