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E L E CT R I C AL CONNE CT I ON
S P R I NG 2 01 5
SOLAR INSTALLATION
10 dumb myths of solar installers
I
’ve been arranging the installation of a
number of solar systems lately. And I like
to do them big (the efficient option); I
like to get them for the lowest price (within
reason, because I want a good job with
reasonable quality components); and, I like
to make sure the economics are understood
and that customers are maximising self-
consumption while recognising economic
value for their exports.
But most importantly to me, I really want
the environmental outcomes that come with
installing as much solar as possible, displacing
both fossil gas burnt on-site and coal and gas-
fired power generation from the grid.
In pursuing those aims, I’ve run up against
a fewmyths I get from solar installers that,
frankly, have me flummoxed.
I want to buy product off them. I’ve
worked out the solution and then I’m told, ‘no
you can’t’. In almost every instance – with
much hard work – I’ve managed to convince
them it’s just not true, got the system I
wanted installed and, ultimately, proved the
myth wrong.
Here’s my list of the top 10 solar installer
myths. It’s not complete but it covers the
main myths.
1) THE ‘SOLARGEDDEN’ IS COMING
BECAUSE THERE ARE ALL THESE
DODGY INSTALLATIONS OUT THERE
FROM FLY-BY-NIGHTERS
Now, I’ve heard of all these dodgy
installs but haven’t really come across too
many. I know that in my case I haven’t
had anyone try to sell me a stupidly
built solar system. My problem is the
opposite: installers are foregoing revenue
and profits because they won’t sell me a
perfectly good solar system even though
I’ve modelled it up using the same software
they use and I understand exactly how
the production will pan out and can relate
that to the demand profile of the customer
(which I also know).
2) YOU CAN’T INSTALL PANELS
FACING EAST AND WEST
This one’s a goody, installers vying to
sell north-facing panels only. Fortunately,
it’s mostly been solved. With the self-
consumption of solar generation paying
three times more than exports, the light
bulb has switched on that losing 10-15% of
annual production to gain even more in self-
consumption is worthwhile.
3) THERE MUST NOT BE SHADING OF
THE SOLAR PANELS
OK, say a systemmight experience some
shading for some section of the day, say the
afternoon – what’s the consequence? Some
derating with reduced power output, but the
system doesn’t blow up and isn’t damaged. If
the shaded panels are facing north the
derating could be as high as 15% and the
amount of power output would still be as
good as an unshaded west or east facing
systemwhich installers, for the most part,
now thankfully happily sell.
Obviously, if you can give a customer a
good sized systemwhile eliminating shading
or minimising it, that is a first preference. But
then again you don’t want to plunk the
panels lazily in the middle of the roof, which
might crowd out the roof space so the
customer can’t add more panels in the future.
The solar installation industry
is rife with legends and
stories, many of which are
unfounded.
Matthew Wright
of Zero Emissions dispels 10
of the most common myths
surrounding the industry.