Electrification

Electrification Safety & Compliance

Safety and compliance is of paramount importance with any electrical work. In the process of Electrification, the electrical systems in your home or business may need to be adjusted. We are here to help you approach the changes of Electrification in a strategic way, working towards a safe, compliant and integrated solution.

Compliant Solar Installations

Solar collection is the key to Electrification

Electrification is based on the premise of using clean, renewable power. Solar is a great way to achieve this. Introducing a solar array into your home requires and experienced, capable team who are licensed and prepared to undertake the tasks associated with a solar project. Contact us to learn more about solar solutions. We provide a free consultation and quote, working with you to design a solar solution optimised for your energy needs.

Electrical Updates

In addition to updating the supply of energy to your home or business with a solar solution, there are a number of other changes that might be made in order to optimise the way you use energy. Talk to our team for assistance with a safe and compliant approach to Electrification including EV charging installations, cooktop updates, switchboard updates, rewiring, air-conditioner installations and servicing, hot water system upgrades, LED upgrades, or any other tasks or services.

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Discuss your electrical safety and compliance with our team today:

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Battery Benefits

Information SRC: qld.gov.au

Use more of the energy you generate

Batteries allow you to use more of the power your solar panels are producing. By installing a battery, you can store your solar-generated electricity from the middle of the day and use it later when you need it.

Reduce your power bills

Storing your excess solar-generated electricity can increase your energy savings. By connecting your solar panels to a home battery system, you may reduce the amount of electricity that you need to buy from the grid.

A battery’s high initial cost means that savings in energy bills may not be enough to recover installation and running costs within the system’s lifespan. See more details below on calculating the payback period.

Greater energy security

Grid-connected solar systems are typically designed to switch off during a power outage whether they have a battery or not. This is to protect those who are working on nearby electricity lines.

You can still have a working solar PV system during a power outage if you have batteries designed to provide a backup power supply. Some batteries come with built-in backup power capability, while others have the option to add that on for an additional cost.

Installations designed to provide backup supply can safely disconnect your house from the grid and continue to supply you with stored battery power. There are two types of blackout protection:

Whole-of-home backup batteries, which power everything in the house during a blackout but will drain quicker.
Essential load backup, which prioritises powering the essentials such as lighting and fridges and helps the supply last longer.

If you wish to design a solar battery system with backup, communicate this to your installer so they can design a system that suits your needs.

Solar Design for Peregian Beach Installation

If your home is impacted or damaged by storms, it is no longer safe to use your solar PV system or your solar battery system. Follow the shut-down procedures for each system, if it is safe to do so.

Environmental considerations

You may be considering a battery to help with climate change mitigation. A battery does not directly reduce the use of fossil fuels in the grid, but it does allow you to maximise the use of renewable energy that your solar system generates.

Solar and wind don’t always produce electricity when we need it, so it can be helpful to store any surplus renewable energy for use at other times.

Using stored solar energy from your solar system can help reduce your carbon footprint.

Calculating the payback period

The payback period is the amount of time it takes for the energy bill savings to equal the amount of money spent on the battery system. If the payback period occurs within the system’s anticipated lifespan, the system can be considered a positive investment.

Calculating the payback period involves a lot of factors including:

electricity consumption
location
energy and solar feed-in tariffs
warranty and life expectancy of your battery
the cost and performance of your system.

A very simplistic calculation is:

Upfront system cost ÷ projected annual savings in energy bills = estimated payback period in years

For a more accurate payback period calculation, you will need to include a range of additional factors such as the:

level of battery discharge over the course of the year, considering energy use patterns and solar generation
reduction of battery capacity over your battery’s lifespan
potential future changes in retail electricity prices
efficiency losses between solar, the battery and your appliances.

Several online calculators exist that can help you work out the payback period. Reputable suppliers can also assist in calculating the payback period for you.

More information

Learn More About Battery Solutions

If you’re interested in learning more about battery solutions or getting a quote, please contact our team. We service Noosa and surrounding suburbs.

Discuss a Battery Solution for Your Home or Business

Achieving Energy Independence

To be ‘energy independent’ refers to the situation whereby a home is no longer reliant on an external power source, such as a power company, for its electricity. An energy independent home produces, stores and consumes its own energy, creating a variety of benefits for home owners as well as the wider community.

In this article we take a look at energy independence for homes in Australia; what it is, where it has come from, and how to approach and achieve it.

Energy Independence Essentials

To become completely ‘energy independent’, a home requires an independent supply of power (such as solar power) and a means to store collected electricity (a battery).

Energy Independence Vs Electrification

Energy Independence and Electrification are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are different terms. Electrification refers to the process of using electrical appliances, machines and transportation that are powered by clean, renewable energy.

Energy independence, meanwhile, means not having to rely on anyone for energy, because you can collect and store your own. Energy independence is a state, whereas electrification is a process. These terms are often used together, because Energy Independence and Electrification overlap in many ways.

Energy Independence Technology

The technology used to create energy independence is evolving at a rapid pace, making it increasingly more accessible, more efficient and safer for everyday homeowners. This technology includes solar cells and inverters, energy management hardware and software, battery storage, EVs and EV charging capability. The advances of this technology are driven by parallel technology research and development, particularly in electric vehicle design.

Benefits of Energy Independence

Energy independence has benefits for the home as well as the wider community:

Benefits for the Home

No longer reliant on fossil-fuelled power
Free from energy price swings
Detailed awareness of carbon footprint
Cleaner internal air (no gas / combustion)

Benefits for the Community

The ability of Australia to achieve its goals of net zero emissions requires an ever-increasing uptake of Electrification and Energy Independence in coming years. Without having to rely on fossil-fuelled power for energy needs, energy-independent homes (and businesses) will help contribute to less emissions and a reduced carbon footprint.

Learn More About Energy Independence

If you’re interested in learning more about energy independence, please contact our team. We service Noosa and surrounding suburbs.

Discuss Energy Independence for Your Home or Business

Approaching Solar Energy

Foundational to the Electrification and Energy Independence journey is the ability to generate energy within your home. In Queensland and particularly on the Sunshine Coast we have some of the best solar production conditions in the world. In this article, we take a look at some of the important considerations when investing in solar: rebates, array size, array adaptability, and solar safety.

Solar Rebates

The government offers incentives for solar in the way of rebates which are cost reductions. These rebates reduce each year, towards the goal of concluding in 2031. Therefore, the sooner you opt into solar, the greater the amount of the rebate you will receive. Rebates depend on variables which we calculate for you at the time of purchase, and are automatically factored into your solar pricing.

Solar Power Creates Clean, Renewable Energy

Solar Solutions: Brands

Solar components are made by different companies around the world. Like all electrical products, some are made better than others – and when you’re collecting and converting electricity on your rooftop, you don’t want to use the cheapest option! We only work with high-quality products and reputable brands, ensuring that your solar installation will be safe, efficient and long-lasting.

Array Size

One of the main considerations with a new solar system is the calculation of the array size. How much energy do you need to collect in order to meet your energy requirements? We make this easier for you by reviewing your historical energy needs, and assessing your future energy objectives. This enables us to tailor your solar array to suit your home and lifestyle.

Emphase Microinverter Installation Noosaville

Post-Installation Adaptability

One way in which different solar systems can be compared is their post-installation adaptability. While many systems can not be easily modified after installation, some can. One such system is the Enphase system which is available as an option with Noosa Electric Co. This system enables post-installation adaptation, so additional panels can be added if your electrical needs change (for example, to support the addition of a new EV).

Customisation Assessment

Solar is customised to your home, and we believe a thorough process is the key to getting a great result. It goes beyond matching up the solar system to your energy needs – there are other considerations that should be taken into account at the time of installation. In addition to solar, our team is here to help you with battery storage (now, or in the future), energy management solutions, timers, and EV charging. While not everything may apply in every case, by assessing your needs thoroughly we can help ensure your solar solution is equipped to take you all the way into the future.

Single Inverter or Microinverters

Solar collection with Noosa Electric Co means choices. One of the main choices is whether you will opt for a single inverter or a Microinverter solution. Both avenues have different advantages. We can help you determine the best solar solution to suit your home. This is something we cover with you during our free consultation and quote.

Solar Safety

Safety should always be a primary consideration with electrical installations. With solar, safety can be optimised through the use of high-quality components, professional installers, adherence to best practices and uptake of new and safer technology. Noosa Electric Co has a reputation for safety, and we provide long-term support for all of our installations including solar. Talk to our team for a solar solution to suit your home or business today.

Battery Storage

In the case of an on-grid solar solution, the system draws energy from the power grid to meet your energy needs. With a battery in place, you have another option – using your own stored electricity. Batteries are an emerging solution. Whether your solution should include one will depend on your budget, home and energy objectives. Importantly, the capability of future battery compatibility should be determined at the time of installation – not all solar systems are battery-compatible.

How to Get Started

Solar installations require professional expertise. We are here to help. With 50+ years of service in the area, Noosa Electric Co are your local electrical specialists. We’re here to help with the assessment and consultation for your solar system, installation, and long-term support. If you’re like to learn more about solar, please contact our team.

Learn More About Solar

If you’re interested in learning more about a solar solution or getting a quote, please contact our team. We service Noosa and surrounding suburbs.

Discuss a Solar Solution for Your Home or Business

Reasons for Electrification

In this article, we examine the main reasons behind Electrification – a movement to change the way we collect and use energy. Electrification is driven by a variety of reasons. Today, we take a look at environmental concerns, energy independence, energy efficiency, technological innovation, economical benefits, and health benefits. Let’s check it out!

What is Electrification?

Electrification is the process of using clean, renewable electricity to power electrical appliances, machines and transportation. Electrification is a move away from fossil fuelled power sources. Read more about Electrification here.

Environmental Reasons

Australia has a goal to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. [SRC: dcceew.gov.au] The goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions comes from the relationship between greenhouse gases and global warming. [SRC: bom.gov.au]

Electrification Solutions: Local, National, Global

As greenhouse gases increase in the atmosphere, they have the effect of trapping heat which causes the earth to warm up. About 90 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions comes from the burning of fossil fuels – mainly for electricity, heat and transport. [SRC: csiro.au]

In the context of the environment, Electrification aims to replace fossil-fuelled energy with energy sourced from clean, renewable energy, towards the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the contribution that they make to global warming. This process is described at rewiringaustralia.org.

Energy Independence

Another important goal of Electrification is energy independence – becoming less reliant on the variables that bring electricity to your door: electrical providers, the global energy situation and energy price changes. As long as the sun is shining, with rooftop solar in place, a home can generate and (with a battery) store energy independently of changes that might otherwise affect power supply or pricing.

Energy Efficiency

Optimising energy use is another objective of Electrification. Towards this goal, Electrification involves processes of measuring and monitoring energy usage in order to determine the best way forward. Armed with this evidence, consumers can make small but significant improvements in the amount of energy they use and the associated costs for their energy. By minimising energy use and maximising outcomes, greater efficiency can be attained which on a large scale improves the overall energy usage footprint.

Technological Innovation

Energy collection and usage technology is undergoing a rapid evolution. While solar has been around for decades, new solar innovations are producing different and better ways of capturing and integrating solar energy into homes and businesses. Most importantly, prices are always improving, especially on technology such as batteries which are essential for an independent energy solution.

Economical Reasons

Energy is critical for all Australian households, and in the long term, there is always a strong imperative to utilise processes which make sense financially. Electrification involves initial investment and a changed approach, towards the goal of achieving better outcomes financially over the longer term.

Health Reasons

The health reasons for the Electrification switch are mainly in relation to atmospheric changes. There is the primary reason to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. There is also the matter of air quality. For example, with EVs replacing internal combustion engines on the roads, vehicle emissions will be reduced. Furthermore, by taking gas out of homes for cooking, health and emissions risks are reduced. [SRC: abc.net.au]

Why it Matters What We Do at Home

In our day-to-day lives, the non-renewable energy sources we use produce a large amount (42%) of Australian greenhouse gases. [SRC: Rewiring Australia ] These types of machines include: petrol cars, gas heaters, gas hot water and gas stoves, and fossil-fuel power plants supplying network electricity. The type of energy we use, and the machines we use, affect our carbon footprint. Converting these fossil-fuelled machines to electrical versions, and powering them from renewable energy sources is the primary goal of Electrification.

Learn more about how to make Electrification happen on this page.

More Information

Moving into the Future

The shift to a net-zero emissions future will require a large technological shift in Australia. We are here to support this shift with energy solutions for homes and businesses in and around Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. Contact our team to discuss an Electrification solution for your home or business today.

Discuss Electrification

Energy Management Solutions

To make sure your home or business is Energy Efficient, it is essential to have the capability of monitoring your energy usage. Whereas in the not-too-distant past we needed to rely on quarterly reports from energy providers, there is now a wide range of technology available to help consumers understand how they are using energy and how that usage can be optimised. This can be done in real time, enabling adjustments through the day to optimise outcomes.

How to Monitor Energy at Home

Energy usage can be monitored by the installation of monitoring technology between your incoming power source and your appliances. This is especially important for solar installations, since generating your own energy only makes sense if you are optimising the usage of the energy you are collecting.

*Note – all of our solar solutions come with an energy monitoring app so you can track and manage your energy. Learn more about our solar solutions here.

To give you an idea, here are some screenshots that come from our Enphase solar installation at Noosa Electric Co HQ at Noosaville:

Diagram #1

Diagram #1 Notes: This was an overcast day. This day began with the necessity to draw power from the grid [a] before the solar collection picked up [b]. Working with solar power means an increased awareness of weather and solar collection to optimise your power configuration in real-time. Towards the end of the day, solar collection reduced again and a combination of grid and solar power was utilised.

Diagram #2

Diagram #2 Notes: This day also began with overcast weather. However, grid power was rapidly overtaken by solar power. The uneven shape of this graph indicates solar power was coming and going through the day, due to overcast conditions. However, sufficient solar power was collected through most of the day to power our office and export some back to the grid as well.

Diagram #3

Diagram #3 Notes: This day began with rain. After the weather cleared, the rest of the day is in a perfect “football” shape, indicating great solar collection and export to the grid. You can see where our EV was charged later in the day, an event totally covered by solar power. It’s important to ensure this type of major event is covered by solar power.

Diagram #4

Diagram #4 Notes: This is a perfect day of solar energy collection. We did need to use grid energy at the beginning of the day, but that’s because we started work before the sun came up. After this period we enjoyed great solar collection with EV charging being undertaken through most of the day.

Diagram #5

Diagram #4 Notes: This is a perfect day of solar collection. This was a Sunday, so we weren’t using any energy today (apart from the bare minimum to keep things ticking along). Most of this energy was exported back to the grid.

In Conclusion

Solar energy is a fabulous way to collect energy independently, especially on the Sunshine Coast where we have an abundance of sunlight all year round. Making the most of solar energy requires a solar solution and energy management and optimisation. For assistance with your solar solution, please contact our team – we are here to assist.

Learn More About Energy Management Solutions

If you’re interested in learning more about energy management solutions or getting a quote, please contact our team. We service Noosa and surrounding suburbs.

Discuss a Battery Solution for Your Home or Business