When building a new home, it’s an ideal opportunity to design it with energy efficiency in mind and enjoy low power bills with a modern feel and look.

Queensland is facing approx. 13% increases in power prices each year with no reprieve in sight, therefore more and more people are searching for solutions. A solar power system for your new home is the answer. It is cheaper to generate one’s own electricity than buy power from the grid already without any further price increases.

Before going to contract with a builder is the time to discuss lighting options, hot water systems and pre-wiring for solar power. Most builders allow “exclusions” which generally save the home owner and offers good benefits.

Pre-wiring for solar is not expensive and makes for a very neat installation. Once the roof has been installed and before the walls are sheeted is the time Evolution Solar’s accredited electrician runs conduit and wiring. After painting is when our team return to hang the inverter, install the panels and commission the system.

Solar power is only connected to tariff 11 (normal tariff) and it is important to remember that one will always pay for power at night. As a result, it’s important to use the power generated by the solar power system during daylight hours thereby offsetting your power bill as much as possible and have energy efficient lighting and appliances that one uses at night. Washing machines, clothes dryers and so on should run during the day so as to use the solar electricity.

Hot water systems can be installed on a timer, so they run or boost during the day and use your solar electricity and not at night when it would use expensive electricity from the grid. Energy efficient swimming pool pumps should also have a time and be set to run during the day as well.

Lighting is very important! Cheap halogen lighting is costly to run – LED or energy efficient fluoro lights pay for themselves in a few years as they cost very little to run.

While it is true that a solar system with north facing solar panels generates more power, with a 3kW system and above it’s wiser to have the solar panels installed on two different facing. This means you benefit from the early morning sun (so your system is generating electricity to cater for your morning routines) as well as the afternoon sun (when air conditioning is being used and cooking is usually taking place).

With “feed in tariffs” slashed its only worth installing a system to cater for your own needs. Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast is happy to advise you what size system would best suit your needs. Choosing a good quality system is also important – Check out our tips on installing solar wisely.