“Caring for Creation Through Solar” is a program run by The Justice and Peace Office as part of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney.

The program seeks to increase the uptake of solar throughout Church organisations and parishioners.

Harbour Energy has been vetted as one of a few select solar system installation companies to provide services as part of the program. We’ve been fortunate to work on a number of projects to help bring solar to churches, parishioners and even church leader residences.

To learn more about the Caring for Creation Through Solar Program follow this link.

Four reasons to install solar on your business now

1. It’s cheaper than grid power

Electricity costs have risen astronomically in recent years – in fact, costs have doubled for some businesses. Solar power is clearly cheaper than grid power so if you have some roof space – even if it will only offset 20% of your usage, you’ll be able to reap the benefits.

2. Tax incentives & rebates

Upfront rebates valued at up to $60,000 are still available for business owners when installed by an accredited installer. On top of this the cost of the solar or repayments may be eligible for special tax treatment.

3. Cash flow positive

If you pay cash for your business solar system you can expect the investment to pay back in around 3-6 years. If you finance your solar system you will be able to see immediate benefits. This is because the finance costs can be tailored to be less than the savings.

4. Improve your environmental footprint

For many businesses, electricity consumption from fossil fuel generation may be their largest environmental impact (eg. retail, medical, services even some manufacturing). Well installed solar systems using good quality components will create clean energy for decades.

If you’re looking to undertake a new build or a renovation, considering how solar power fits into the design is a must. 

There are few other non-essential “add-ons” to your new build will save you thousands of dollars over the course of its life whilst also improving your environmental footprint.

4 Key Considerations

1. Roof Real Estate

Where possible, you’ll want to ask your architect, designer or building to optimise the roof area and orientation for solar power. This means ideally facing the roof north and reducing gables and complicated roof areas.

2. Location for a inverter and battery

Unless you opt for micro-inverters, you solar PV system will have a single inverter normally located close to the main (or sub) board.

We advise customers to go big on solar first before considering a battery but it’s always a worthwhile idea to consider a location for the battery in a garage or protected outside area. Strict rules apply to the location of batteries – not all garages are deemed acceptable. Get in touch if you would like clarification

3. Get a solar design done early

Getting an accredited solar electrician involved right at the beginning of the design or build will often enable a better designed system and possibly reduce costs.

Roughing in or pre-wiring the solar PV should really be done by an accredited solar electrician (if your builder offers to include a rough-in in the build ask them if the electrician is CEC accredited).

An experienced solar sales consultant can give you tips on:

• Optimum roof design
• Location of the inverter
• When to pre-wire the solar
• Location of a battery

4. Get 3-Phase electricity supply

If your house doesn’t already have 3-phase supply ask your builder for the cost of installing 3-phase. This simply means your electricity supply will be beefed-up!

Why do you need this when you’re planning on installing your own clean-energy solar generator?

Because 3-phase supply will enable you to add 3x as much solar power with no fuss (and export the excess solar). You might also be able to install a larger battery and down the track your Electric Vehicle will be able to be charged quicker!

Building photo created by freepik – www.freepik.com

1. Ensure you select quality components (panels/inverters)

If you are a bit confused in assessing panels and inverters, SolarQuotes has a great, easy to understand review here with a scale of panels and inverters. Our range of panels include a mix of some good quality value options all the way to our preferred top of the line.

When it comes to the inverters (the heart of the system), we only select high quality products such as SolarEdge, Enphase and Fronius.

2. Ensure the installation will be undertaken professionally

Quality of installation is the most important consideration. 1 in 5 solar systems are deficient primarily from poor installation. Even a system using budget components installed properly will perform better than the top-of-line panels installed roughshod. That’s why we have install our solar systems ourselves!

See some reviews from our residential customers here.

Get a quote now.