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What are the benefits of installing solar panels?· Renewable energy: Solar energy is a clean energy source that comes from the sun, which is effectively inexhaustible. · Electricity bill reduction: Solar energy can help reduce your electricity bill and protect you from rising electricity prices. · Low maintenance: Solar panels are easy to maintain and can last for many years. · Reduces carbon footprint: Solar energy reduces your environmental impact by using less electricity from the grid, which is often generated from fossil fuels. · Adds value to your property: Homes with solar panels can be more valuable.
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Why do solar retailers usually sell 6.6kW, 10kW and 13kW solar systems?We commonly offer 6.6kW, 10kW, and 13kW solar systems due to a combination of regulatory guidelines, optimal system performance, and the typical energy needs of households and businesses. Regulatory Guidelines and System Oversizing: In Australia, regulations permit solar panel installations to exceed inverter capacity by up to 33%. This means a 5kW inverter can be paired with up to 6.6kW of solar panels, a practice known as oversizing. Oversizing allows systems to maximize energy production, especially during peak sunlight hours, ensuring that the inverter operates at its optimal capacity more frequently. Energy Consumption and System Sizing: 6.6kW Systems: 24 kWh per day, which aligns well with the average daily electricity consumption of Australian homes. 10kW Systems: Suitable for larger households or small businesses with higher energy demands, 10kW systems offer increased energy production to meet these needs. 13kW Systems: Designed for large homes or businesses with substantial energy consumption, 13kW systems can produce between 52 to 60 kWh of electricity per day, depending on factors like sunlight exposure and panel positioning.
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Is there still a solar rebate available for installing solar energy systems?Yes, there are still solar rebates available for installing solar energy systems, and Makn Energy can help you take full advantage of these incentives. Households and small businesses that install a small-scale renewable energy system (solar, wind or hydro), or hot water system, may be able to receive a benefit towards the purchase cost. Installing an eligible system allows the creation of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) with a value that can be redeemed by selling or assigning them. When you install or upgrade a rooftop solar system, we will normally apply for the STCs and sell them on your behalf. You will see the value of the STCs included in your quote as a discount on the cost of rooftop solar system. The federal solar rebate in South Australia can reduce the cost of solar panels by around 30%. The amount of the rebate depends on the system size, location, and how soon the system is installed.
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Inverter Battery sizing and what to getA 5kW inverter can only output a maximum of 5 kilowatts of power at a time, while a 10kW inverter battery can output double that amount, meaning it can power larger appliances or more devices simultaneously; essentially, the higher the kW rating, the greater the potential power output of the battery. Key points about discharge and inverter batteries: Deep discharge capability: Unlike regular batteries, home batteries are designed to handle frequent deep discharges without significant damage to their lifespan. High Amperage rating: These batteries usually have a higher Amperage rating, allowing them to deliver large bursts of power needed to run an inverter. Suitable for off-grid systems: Due to their discharge characteristics, they are commonly used in solar power systems or other off-grid setups where consistent power is required. Choosing the right inverter size: Calculate power needs: Add up the wattage of all the appliances you want to run simultaneously to determine your total power requirement. Consider surge power: Some appliances like refrigerators might have high startup power (surge), so factor that into your calculations. Battery capacity: The size of your battery bank will also influence the inverter size you need.
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If my bill is $600/quarter and I'm paying 50c/kWh and the Feed In Tariff is 4 cents, how much solar do I need?To determine the appropriate solar system size to offset your quarterly electricity bill of approximately $600, given a consumption rate of 50 cents per kWh, a feed-in tariff (FiT) of 4 cents per kWh, and a self-consumption rate of 30%, we can follow these steps: Calculate Total Quarterly Energy Consumption: Your quarterly bill of $600 at a rate of $0.50 per kWh indicates a total consumption of: 600÷0.50=1200 kWh per quarter600 \div 0.50 = 1200 \text{ kWh per quarter}600÷0.50=1200 kWh per quarter Determine Daily Energy Consumption: Dividing by the number of days in a quarter (approximately 90 days) gives the average daily energy consumption: 1200÷90=13.33 kWh per day1200 \div 90 = 13.33 \text{ kWh per day}1200÷90=13.33 kWh per day Calculate Required Solar Generation for Desired Self-Consumption: To achieve a 30% self-consumption rate, you would need your solar system to generate enough energy so that 30% of it matches your daily consumption. Therefore, the total daily solar generation required is: 13.33÷0.30=44.44 kWh per day13.33 \div 0.30 = 44.44 \text{ kWh per day}13.33÷0.30=44.44 kWh per day Estimate the Required Solar System Size: Assuming Adelaide receives an average of 5.5 peak sun hours per day, the necessary system size would be: 44.44÷5.5=8.08 kW44.44 \div 5.5 = 8.08 \text{ kW}44.44÷5.5=8.08 kWTherefore, an 8 kW solar system would be appropriate to meet your energy needs with a 30% self-consumption rate. Potential Savings with a 10 kWh Battery: Adding a 10 kWh battery priced at $10,000 can increase your self-consumption by storing excess solar energy for use during non-sunny hours, thereby reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid at higher rates. Daily Savings: If the battery allows you to use an additional 10 kWh of your solar generation daily instead of exporting it at the FiT rate, your daily savings would be: 10 \times (0.50 - 0.04) = $4.60 \text{ per day} Annual Savings: Over a year, this equates to: 4.60 \times 365 = $1,679 \text{ per year} Payback Period: The payback period for the battery would be: 10,000÷1,679≈5.95 years10,000 \div 1,679 \approx 5.95 \text{ years}10,000÷1,679≈5.95 years Conclusion: An 8 kW solar system is suitable for your energy consumption and desired self-consumption rate. A 10 kWh battery could save you approximately $1,679 per year, leading to a payback period of around 6 years. Keep in mind that actual savings can vary based on factors such as changes in electricity rates, your specific energy usage patterns, and battery efficiency
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How many solar panels do I need?The amount of solar depends on several factors including your electricity usage, the rates you are charged, and the location of the panels. Electricity usage - To determine the optimal size of the solar system to install, several factors are considered. We primarily use your daily average energy usage, which can be found on your electricity bill. Alternatively, we can access a detailed load profile from your energy retailer for a more accurate interval analysis. If you're building a new home then we consider the amount of people in your home, when people are home - day or night and the size of your property. Size of the system The table below shows the average solar production for Adelaide, this is a typical no shading, north facing roof; Electricity prices in South Australia have reached historically high levels, with feed-in tariffs averaging around 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. The introduction of time-of-use (TOU) smart meters has made it more challenging for households to save, as electricity is typically cheaper during the day—when solar energy is being generated—and significantly more expensive during peak usage times in the evening when most people are home. To address this, installing a solar system that generates sufficient energy during daylight hours to offset night-time usage is essential. When calculating the system size, the focus is on self-consumption. Since most households are not home during the day, only 20–30% of the solar energy produced is typically used on-site, with the remainder exported to the grid. As a result, solar systems generally reduce annual electricity bills by about 80%. To achieve greater savings or eliminate your bill entirely, adding a battery system is necessary to store excess energy for evening use.
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Are batteries worth it?Yes and No. Solar panels don't produce electricity at night so when the sun goes down you will need to buy power from the grid. The retailers are now charging close to or above 50 cents/kWh in peak times. A battery will charge during the day with free solar from the sun and then you can use that as the sun goes down in the night. If you have bills over $650 per quarter we have some great deals. Makn Energy can give you a quote to see how much you can save with a battery to determine if its the write choice for you. There are things to consider when buying a battery; Return on Investment - ROI. A typical solar system may have a payback period of around 3 years depending on the upfront cost. Most battery systems these days may see the payback period around 6-10 years. Most battery warranties are 10 years. Blackout Protection - Keeps the lights on when there's a blackout or move towards becoming off-grid. Virtual Power Plants (VPP) Most retailer's can give you a larger price to sell back to the grid at peak times and buy or use your solar to charge when its cheap. Amber Smart Shift is not a VPP but gives you access to the wholesale market and many of our customers use them. You can also get a rebate of up to $2050- Ask us how Price security - If you can install a decent system in the beginning then you know what electricity is going to cost you for the next 7-10 years Upfront Cost - Most battery system are a little more than a $1/watt so a 10kWh battery is around $10,000 depending on the system setup. We do offer Brighte Green Loans for pay as you save investment. Environmental Impact: By storing and using your own solar energy, you reduce reliance on grid electricity, thereby decreasing your carbon footprint. While the financial return on investment for solar batteries in Adelaide may currently be limited, the non-financial advantages, such as energy independence and environmental benefits, can make them a worthwhile consideration for many homeowners. It's essential to assess your personal priorities and energy usage patterns when deciding whether to invest in a solar battery. We do site inspections for all battery systems and are happy to discuss your needs and find the perfect system for you.
Our Services
Solar Power Solutions
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Proudly SA based, SA Owned
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New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) Approved Seller.
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Every Installation Matters! Experienced installers backed by our 15 years in the solar industry.
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Leading Warranties to ensure our customers have peace of mind when choosing our service.
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10 Years Workmanship Guarantee ensures that our customers receive the highest quality service.
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Trusted brands & Quality Products that are built to last with at least 10 years inverter warranty and up to 30 years panel warranty to ensure reliability.


Commercial Solar Solutions
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Tailored solar solutions for commercial properties.
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Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality solar installations and exceptional customer service to businesses of all sizes.
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By using solar energy to power your business, you can take control your operating costs and reduce your carbon emissions, making your business more environmentally friendly.
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Contact us today to schedule a personalized consultation and find the commercial solar system that's right for you.
Explore Our Work
Our Solar Projects
Aaron, Burnside
Thank you for the solar installation! I'm thrilled with Paul and his team; they did a fantastic job. My energy bills have dropped to almost nothing, and I couldn't be happier!
Lena, Virginia
Paul did an excellent job! I'm really pleased with the solar and battery installation.
Harold, Mitcham
Makn Energy upgraded my existing system by adding an extra 10kW, which means we no longer have any bills. I'm very pleased!