It may well be that investing in a Solar Power system in Australia will never be cheaper.
Why ?
1. The world market for solar panels is hugely over supplied and as such many manufacturers are selling even below marginal cost of production - Read this link
2. Whilst generous Australian Government rebates are still in effect, this may not last.
The Productivity Commission has called on the Government to scrap support for solar (read here) and the recent review of the Renewable Energy Target (which forms the basis of support for solar) suggested potential reductions support.
SOLAR BLOG
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Why Micro Inverters are not a good option in Australia
A number of micro inverter systems have come onto the market over the past couple of months. However, at this stage only one has made it onto the Western Power approved list - the APS YC range (This is freely available on the wholesale market).
Infinite Energy has done some thourough research over the past 3 months into micro-inverters with a view to adding them into our range.
At this stage the overwelming conclusion was that micro-inverters are not a good option in most parts of Australia.
Our reasoning:
1. Most micro-inverters are only rated to 65 degrees. The temperature on a hot roof in most parts of Australia (under a solar panel) often gets a lot hotter than 65 degrees. This has two implications:
- the inverter will not function as it should
- it is a very harsh enviroment for an electrical device to operate for 15+ years
2. There are large number of failure points in the solar system (especially given the harsh enviroment described above)
3. Once a failure does occur, it can be very expensive to fix as access can be difficult.
4. Not one micro-inverter manufacturer we have come across will provide an "on-site" warranty - meaning either the customer will have to pay for the diagnosis to occur (on the roof), the unit to be removed from under the panel, returned to the manufacturer (freight) and then the replacement reinstalled. (Compare this to a simple swap out policy for an SMA inverter which is at ground level).
5. The MPPT voltage range is often quite high in relation to the voltage of a single panel meaning that in a lot of cases the panel may not be able to supply enough voltage for the inverter to work (this is exactly when the system should come into its own - for example when the panel is shaded).
6. Micro-inverters are currently very expensive - not withstanding the above, any potential upside is not justified by the increased cost of the system.
7. The technology is currently unproven at large scale particularly in a harsh environment such as in Australia.
Be aware there are a number of solar companies touting their micro-inverter solutions as unique (that's simply not the case - there is only one micro inverter on the Western Power approved list and it's widely available).
The major upsides of a micro-inverter (shade minimisation, reduced DC voltage, arc protection, increased energy harvesting) are available without the downsides through systems like Solar Edge and Tigo.
Infinite Energy has done some thourough research over the past 3 months into micro-inverters with a view to adding them into our range.
At this stage the overwelming conclusion was that micro-inverters are not a good option in most parts of Australia.
Our reasoning:
1. Most micro-inverters are only rated to 65 degrees. The temperature on a hot roof in most parts of Australia (under a solar panel) often gets a lot hotter than 65 degrees. This has two implications:
- the inverter will not function as it should
- it is a very harsh enviroment for an electrical device to operate for 15+ years
2. There are large number of failure points in the solar system (especially given the harsh enviroment described above)
3. Once a failure does occur, it can be very expensive to fix as access can be difficult.
4. Not one micro-inverter manufacturer we have come across will provide an "on-site" warranty - meaning either the customer will have to pay for the diagnosis to occur (on the roof), the unit to be removed from under the panel, returned to the manufacturer (freight) and then the replacement reinstalled. (Compare this to a simple swap out policy for an SMA inverter which is at ground level).
5. The MPPT voltage range is often quite high in relation to the voltage of a single panel meaning that in a lot of cases the panel may not be able to supply enough voltage for the inverter to work (this is exactly when the system should come into its own - for example when the panel is shaded).
6. Micro-inverters are currently very expensive - not withstanding the above, any potential upside is not justified by the increased cost of the system.
7. The technology is currently unproven at large scale particularly in a harsh environment such as in Australia.
Be aware there are a number of solar companies touting their micro-inverter solutions as unique (that's simply not the case - there is only one micro inverter on the Western Power approved list and it's widely available).
The major upsides of a micro-inverter (shade minimisation, reduced DC voltage, arc protection, increased energy harvesting) are available without the downsides through systems like Solar Edge and Tigo.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Trees A Green's New Solar System
Infinite Energy have just completed installation of a 10kw Commercial Solar PV System at Trees A Green in Wattle Grove.
It's a great looking system featuring Suntech 230W solar panels and an SMA Sunny Tripower 10000TL inverter with a remote online monitoring system and will deliver a investment return of over 24% per annum for Trees A Green.
It's a great looking system featuring Suntech 230W solar panels and an SMA Sunny Tripower 10000TL inverter with a remote online monitoring system and will deliver a investment return of over 24% per annum for Trees A Green.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Infinite Energy now stocks ET Solar
Infinite Energy is pleased to announce we now carry the ET range of Solar Panels.

ET is one of the world's leading Solar brands. Here are some highlights:
Ask one of our Solar Consultants for a quotation.

ET is one of the world's leading Solar brands. Here are some highlights:
- Photon Magazine's Top performing panel 2012
- Photon Magazine rated ET Solar's warranty as the best of any Chinese manufacturer, and the 4th best in the world.
- 25-year linear performance warranty
- 10-year warranty on materials and workmanship
Ask one of our Solar Consultants for a quotation.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Infinite Energy & UWA's Future Farm 2050 Project
Infinite Energy has completed work on the solar component of the University of Western Australia's Future Farm Australia 2050 Project.
The Project's vision is “to imagine the
best-practice farm for 2050, and do it now.” Details of the project are available on the UWA website at http://www.animals.uwa.edu.au/research/future-farm
As part of the initiative, UWA has purchased a farm site at Pingelly 150km south east of Perth. The solar component involves providing the new state of the art Farm Manager's residence with a stand alone Solar PV system which will supply 100% of the home's electricity needs.
The Solar Project was delivered as a partnership between Infinite Energy, UWA's School of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering, German Solar PV manufacturer Q-Cells and GreenSense.
As well as providing a 100% off-grid solar power solution to the farm manager's residence, the solar array will also form the basis of an on-going research project which will evaluate different Solar PV technologies in a real world environment.
About the Solar System
- The “off-grid” system is totally independent from the electricity grid (which is approximately 1km away) and will provide 100% of the energy requirements for the large modern farmhouse constructed at the site.
- The system’s energy is totally supplied by the solar pv system – no additional generators are used.
- The system has a 3 day redundancy meaning that electricity can be provided for 3 days if in theory the solar system did not produce any energy.
- The system features 2 x 5kw solar arrays (total 10kw) mounted on the ground together with a battery backup system.
- The system will be able to be remotely monitored via the internet in terms of energy produced and energy consumed via the GreenSense View platform.
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Components used:
o
1 x 5kw Solar PV system utilising 22 x 235W
Q-Cells Q-Pro G2 (Poly-crystaline) modules with an SMA SunnyBoy 5000TL inverter.
o
1 x 5kw
Solar PV system utilising 56 x 90W Q-Cells Q-Smart modules (Thin-Film) with an SMA SMC
5000A inverter.
o
3 x SMA Sunny Island 5048
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Clenergy Solar Terrace 3 Mounting System
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24 x Hoppecke 8 OpzV Solar.Power 1000 batteries
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Questions to ask when buying a solar power system
When purchasing a solar power system, there are four things you need to work out prior to making a decision:
1. Is Solar a good solution for me ?
2. If so, what size system is ideal based on my electricity usage (now and in the future) ?
3. What brand of components should I choose ?
4. Who should install my system ?
A good solar consultant should guide you through this process in a consultative way and help you arrive at the solar solution that is ideal for you and your home.
In order to help with this process, Infinite Energy has produced a guide to the questions you should ask any solar company. The questions are below, and also here and you can download a printable copy at:
Questions to ask a Solar Company (click to open)
1. Is Solar a good solution for me ?
2. If so, what size system is ideal based on my electricity usage (now and in the future) ?
3. What brand of components should I choose ?
4. Who should install my system ?
A good solar consultant should guide you through this process in a consultative way and help you arrive at the solar solution that is ideal for you and your home.
In order to help with this process, Infinite Energy has produced a guide to the questions you should ask any solar company. The questions are below, and also here and you can download a printable copy at:
Questions to ask a Solar Company (click to open)
Does the company sell products from manufacturers who have a significant presence in Australia?
It will be very difficult to make a
warranty claim against a manufacturer if they have no presence in
Australia. Many Chinese manufacturers will ask you to physically send
the panel back to China. Ask for the claim process on all components in writing.
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Are the Solar panels supplied and branded by a large reputable manufacturer?
Be aware of “self branded” panels where a
local solar company sources panels and puts their own brand on them.
You have no way of doing any research on the actual manufacturer, their
manufacturing processes or quality control procedures. This is often a
way of dressing up inferior low quality products.
Choose panels from large well known manufacturers where there is an abundance of information (and scrutiny) available.
If you can’t find a website on the panel, don't buy it.
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Do all the components that make up the system have brands and have information available on the web?
Ask for the brands and models numbers for all the components in the system (panels, inverter, mounting system).
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What Panel mounting system will be used?
The mounting system is a critical
component of a solar system that is often overlooked when choosing a
system – it should secure the panels for the life of the system.
Inferior mounting systems can pose a serious safety issue as time progresses.
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What electrical cables will be used in the system?
This is very important but an area where
many solar companies will cut corners by using 2.5mm cable or 4mm AC
cable (not DC cable). This can be a safety issue and greatly affect
performance of the system.
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Does the Solar Company have a physical that you can visit?
Be aware of “back yard operators” who work from home and only use a PO Box address.
Will these companies be around for servicing or warranty issues in the long term?
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Will the Solar company visit your home and provide a no-pressure consultation?
Purchasing a Solar system is a
significant investment and shouldn’t be rushed. Be very skeptical of any
company offering “today only” deals with high pressure tactics. Quality
systems from reputable companies will be available tomorrow. Be equally skeptical of any solar company
that won’t visit your home prior to making a sale. Ask yourself what
chance you have of getting them to resolve any issues on site after
you’ve installed a system.
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Does the Solar Company
run a significant operation with a dedicated in-house operations and
service team to deal with any issues pre or post sale?
Selling a system is the easy part,
installing to high standard and providing superior after sales service
is the part that many companies neglect.
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Can the Solar Company
give you accurate production estimates including financial projections
such as return on investment and payback periods?
Be skeptical about nice rounded production estimates like “the system will produce 8 units a day”.
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Does the Solar company provide on-site after sales service?
Purchasing a Solar system is a
significant financial investment which will only pay off if the system
produces as it should. Ask how the solar company ensures this happens
after installation. Also ask if they provide on-site issue resolution of
any problems.
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