Solar Energy News, Northern Territory

Why you should choose Arafura Solar

Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:04:30 GMT

Arafura Solar – originally known as Arafura Electrical – was born out of a long-standing local electrical business whose team saw the value and potential of embracing renewable energy.

Now everyone seems to be on the bandwagon! But solar isn’t some trendy fad. It is here to stay and it is the perfect choice for an energy reliant place like the Territory with its beautiful sunny days and balmy nights.

At Arafura Solar, our team are highly experienced in solar installations and have been accredited in design and installation since 2006. That’s right; we didn’t just turn up yesterday. We’ve been designing and installing solar energy solutions for the Northern Territory for almost 15 years.

It’s not just our experience that makes us the right choice. Here are some other great reasons why you should choose Arafura Solar for your solar installation.

We are 100% NT-owned

We are not a satellite-branch of a national corporation or a shopfront for a company from down south. We are 100% Territory owned and committed to serving our community. We have a commitment to training and upskilling young Indigenous people to help them access technical skills to become the tradies of tomorrow. When you choose us, your money stays here in the Territory, supporting our economy.

We are Clean Energy Council accredited

We have been accredited with the Clean Energy Council since 2006 for both design and installation of grid connection systems. This makes us one of the first Territory businesses to hold this accreditation and means we work to the highest industry standards.

We have the technical knowledge and the education to back it up.

Our Director, Greg, has been on the tools for more than 20 years and understands the practicalities of working with electrical and renewable energy in the Northern Territory. But what you might not know, is that Greg also has an Environmental Science degree, so he knows the impact of electrical and renewable energy on the environment.

With experience and theoretical knowledge, you get a specially tailored designed and expertly installed system that will meet your needs long into the future.

We only use the best and most reputable products

We don’t install anything that we think is sub-standard. All the brands we sell and service are top-shelf brands with excellent warranties and the most advanced technology. Think Fronius, Solaredge, Jinko, LG, Tesla, LG Chem and Selectronic.

We offer a five-year comprehensive warranty on our workmanship

As well as manufacturer’s warranties on products, we offer a five-year comprehensive warranty on our workmanship. We are good at what we do and we know it, so we’re happy to put our money where our mouth is and give you peace of mind.

We offer an obligation-free quote

Thinking about solar but not sure of the cost? Our experienced and accredited installers can come to your home, discuss your energy needs and recommend a system that will work for you. They can even tell you about the great government rebates that are available and how to apply for them.

How to prepare your home for solar in the NT

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 12:22:28 GMT

So you’ve decided that it’s time to embrace renewable energy and get a specially designed and installed solar energy system for your home! Congratulations on making a great choice. The savings are just around the corner, but first, you have to get ready for solar.

Just like you wouldn’t put brand new tyres on a car that doesn’t run, you need to make sure your home and your block are physically prepared for the install. Just as important though, is knowing about your energy needs and what you need your new solar panels to do.

Here are a few things to sort out before getting solar installed:

Roof condition

What condition is your roof in? It’s important that your roof is in good condition and able to withstand the weight of a number of solar panels, weighing in at around 18 kg each. Your accredited installer will be able to tell you about any areas of concern with your roof as part of your obligation-free quote and can recommend a roofing service in your area to do the work.

 The good news is, once your roof is in tip-top shape, the solar panels will not damage the roof and will actually protect that section of the roof from the wear and tear of the elements.

Trees and shade

Solar panels work on direct sunlight, so shading can be an issue. In most cases this can be overcome if you use a system that has panel level management such as a Solaredge system which optimises the output of each panel independently so some shade on your roof won’t be a huge issue. However, if large trees permanently block light from getting to your solar panels, they won’t be effective.

Your accredited installer will talk to you about the best placement for your solar panels based on the sun and any shade from surrounding buildings or infrastructure. They will also let you know of any trees or plants that need to be trimmed or removed to ensure you’re getting the best out of your solar panels.

Know your energy usage

Do you know the times you use the most energy? It might be at night when the family is home and dinner is being cooked, or it might be during the day when you are running your business from home. Maybe, you have vital health equipment that must be powered at all times for an elderly or ill family member.

If you’re not sure, take notes during your week. What appliances are always on? What needs to be powered and at what times? Can you change your schedule to better use power in the off-peak periods? Your energy needs will be the most useful information for your installer so they can recommend the best system for you.

Do you need storage and monitoring?

Depending on your needs, investigating solar battery storage and in-home or remote monitoring may be beneficial to you. There are a heap of different options in both storage and monitoring that can make the most of your solar panels and provide you with useful information about your energy usage.

Your installer can talk to you about your options, the likely costs and how it can help you keep your home powered without the big power bills.

If you’re not sure about any of these things, our accredited installers are more than happy to help. Arafura Solar offers a free, no-obligation quote so you can talk through your options.

We also offer a 5-year comprehensive warranty on our workmanship so you know you’re getting the real deal.

Give us a call on 08 7918 0806 or email us at info@arafurasolar.com.au to organise your obligation-free quote.

Mythbusting Solar Power

Fri, 08 Nov 2019 12:22:28 GMT

Everybody’s talking about solar power but for every good thing people have to say, there’s a myth that needs to be busted.

At Arafura Solar, we don’t want you to miss out on the amazing benefits of solar because of a few pesky myths.

Here are five of the myths we’ve heard and the real truth about solar.

Myth 1: It’s expensive

Sure, the installation of solar is a big investment but it is one of the few investments you’ll make where it actually pays for itself really quickly. For most residential solar energy systems, they begin paying for themselves within three to seven years. Solar technology gets better, cheaper and more effective every day so you’re getting more bang for your buck with the current systems then you did even one year ago.

If you consider the added value to your home of having solar panels (studies have shown a 4% increase in home value) then in most cases, they’ve paid for themselves straight away.

There are also some great government rebates available that make it even more affordable for you to be cool and comfortable and in charge of your power bills.

Myth 2: It only works in direct sunlight

This is one of the most common myths surrounding solar power. While it is true that direct sunlight provides the best energy yields, solar panels still produce energy even on a rainy day. You can enjoy those cooling rains while your solar panels do their thing.

Panels that are shaded entirely by trees, buildings or other structures will not be effective. Your installer can advise you on the best placement of your panels to maximise their effectiveness.

Myth 3: It won’t save you any money

It absolutely will! You know how we know? We have installed hundreds of solar energy systems to homes across the Northern Territory and seen the change in power bills with our own eyes.

The Northern Territory has the highest feed-in tariff in the country at 26.05 cents per kW hour. That means, for every kW hour your solar panel produces, you get 26.05 cents off your power bill, whether you use that power in your home or feed it back into the grid.

Think about those lovely days of 10+ hours daylight here in the Territory and how much that could be saving you in power costs.

Myth 4: It’s not powerful enough

With the right system installed, your home can run just as it does now at a fraction of the cost without having to sacrifice air cons or pool filters or even the old beer fridge. There’s no need

The team at Arafura Solar can design a system that will meet all of your energy needs based on the size of your household and how much energy you need. Our workmanship comes with a 5-year comprehensive warranty so you know you’ll get the right system for you, installed perfectly every time.

Solar energy really is good news for all of us. If you want to see how solar can deliver all your power needs at a fraction of the cost, give Arafura Solar a call and book in an obligation-free quote .

Five reasons why you should go solar with Arafura Solar

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:22:28 GMT

Everyone seems to be talking about solar and how it will change the world. The talk is right; solar and renewable energy are not just a fad. They’re here to stay and they’re here to make everyone’s lives more comfortable.

We’ve all opened a power bill after a long rain-free stretch of the build-up and had that sinking feeling as we look at the number. But you don’t have to choose between the fan and the weekly groceries. With solar designed and installed by Arafura Solar, you can be cool, comfortable and in charge of your energy costs.

Here are five great reasons why you should think about going solar with Arafura Solar.

1. You can save money on your power bill

If you’re too scared to open your power bill, and when you finally do, the number is shocking, then solar is a great option. Every day renewable power technology gets better and more affordable with most systems paying for themselves in as little as four years.

As our resources get more scarce and our belts have to get tighter, wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about a power bill? With generous feed-in tariffs, you have the potential to actually make money from your solar energy installation.

2. You can increase your property value

You may not have thought about it, but installing solar into your property can increase the value of your home. Estimates indicate home values can increase by up to $6000 per kilowatt. Get a 5kW system and there’s potentially $30,000 more added value.

Why the increase in value? Well, it’s the difference between buying a house with an unfinished renovation and buying a newly renovated home. All the work has been done for them; they can start saving money on their power bills which is a huge plus for home buyers and you can take your extra money to the bank.

3. There are great rebates available from the government

Right now, there are great rebates available from the government to help with the costs of buying and installing solar energy systems. This not only reduces the amount you have to pay but it means you can start saving money on your energy bills even faster.

Imagine getting free money from the government so you can pay lower power bills. Crazy, but true!

4. You can help the environment

Deep down, we all want to do what’s best for the environment but when it’s hot, it’s hot! We want to be cool and comfortable in our homes first and foremost. With solar, you don’t have to choose. You can power all your cooling systems, pool filters and the beer fridge while also helping reduce your reliance on coal-powered power stations.

Your emissions decrease, your bills decrease and the environment is much happier!

5. Arafura Solar have years of expertise

The team at Arafura Solar have more than 20 years of experience in working with household and commercial electrical installations including renewables and solar. We can design, build and install the most effective system for you and your property with your budget in mind.

Arafura Solar Director, Greg, has a degree in environmental science, decades of experience in the Territory, and knows the enormous benefits Territorians – in all locations – can get from investing in solar.

The team can even do the ongoing maintenance, servicing and talk to you about monitoring and solar battery storage to make the most out of the sun’s free power.

If it’s time for you to stay cool and in control of your power bill, it’s time to talk to the team at Arafura Solar about how you can benefit from a solar energy system designed and installed just for you.

Give us a call on 08 7918 0806 or email us at info@arafurasolar.com.au