Making sure that your solar power system is designed and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia, formerly Clean Energy Council (CEC), accredited installer will ensure the performance and longevity of your investment. SAA accredited installers and designers undergo significant training and must follow strict quality standards and procedures. However, not all ‘installers’ are SAA accredited nor do all installers care about you or the quality of the system that they are selling you… Here are 12 rules that your installer should follow to ensure you are getting a quality system.  1 – Panels should NOT be hanging over the ridges or gutters of your roof Most solar mounting manufacturers do not allow the panels to be installed over the ridge and gutters and the very few that do, require extra mounting points and independent engineering approval for that specific building. Having the panels mounted incorrectly over the gutters and edges can weaken your roof, affect the structural integrity of the panels and void the panel manufacturer’s warranty.   A SAA accredited designer should be able to provide information about the type of mounting system that will be utilised in the installation.  2 – All frames need to be engineer approved If your installer is using a frame that hasn’t been engineered approved you can run into a variety of issues, including: Increased pressure on the panels, can affect their structural integrity. Increased risk of the panels and/or roof being ripped in gusts of wind.  The majority of the solar mounting frames that SAA accredited installers supply already come with engineering approval and specific installation instructions. However, if you have made one yourself, bought one second hand or have been supplied one without engineering approval, you will have to get an engineer to approve, and potentially redesign the frame – this process can be very costly. 3 – The panels need to be installed as per the manufacturer’s instructions Every solar panel manufacturer (for example REC , Phono, SunPower, Aiko) have different installation instructions that need to be followed by the installers. These instructions outline how to safely mount the panels, including clamping zones (how far from the ends of the panel the clamps can go).   If these instructions are not followed by your installer, your warranty may be voided which could leave you in a world of hurt if you need to call on that warranty in the future. Your accredited installer should be able to provide you with this documentation on request. 4 – A SAA accredited installer must be present on site It’s easy for a company to claim that their systems are  ‘installed by a SAA accredited installer’ ,  BUT  what many people don’t realise is that the licensed installer who signs off on the installation needs to be physically on-site. Not just at the job set-up (beginning), but also mid-installation (during), and testing and commissioning (end). As the homeowner, you should be asking to see the SAA accredited installers license on the day of installation. If the system is installed without the licensed person on site, you run the risk of  NOT being eligible to claim Small-scale Technology Certificates ( STCs AKA the ‘government rebate’ )  meaning your system cost would be much higher. 5 – All people working on the roof should be trained in height safety It may seem like common sense, but not all companies take the time and effort to properly train their employees, who work on the roof, in height safety. For example, at Electrical Sensations,  W orking Safely at Heights training is mandatory for every worker who steps foot on a roof.  Do some research on your installers. Find out what certifications/qualifications they have – if they haven’t done any height safety training, this is a definite red flag. The last thing you want is for an accident to happen at your own house…  6 – The inverter must be installed with the correct clearance Similarly to the panels, every inverter manufacturer has a list of rules that the installer has to follow; one of these is the clearance around the inverter. Having the recommended clearance ensure adequate heat dissipation and  prevents it from overheating and failing – or worse, catching fire.  This is why it’s super important to check these details with your installer. For example, the SMA Sunny Boy Inverters require a minimum of 100mm on either side, 300mm above, 500mm below and 50mm in front, as seen below. 7 – All the cabling should be supported and installed correctly There are different cabling rules for each system: Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC). In a DC system, the conduit has to be compliantly installed and adequately supported. For example, glued, secured and labelled. Heavy Duty (HD) conduit should be used for optimal protection. Having your cable installed and labelled correctly prevents damage from rodents as well as accidental damage/removal. For an AC system, the cabling may not need to be in conduit but has to be installed correctly according to the AS3000 (electrical wiring rules). 8 – Not all inverters can be installed outside – Check your inverter! While most inverters are okay to be installed outside, some are not. Some inverters are just not built to withstand the Australian outdoor climate and need to be installed undercover, for example, inside the garage. Most inverter manufacturers also suggest that the inverters be installed out of the direct sun. This often means that they should not be installed on the north or west exterior walls of a house unless there is some sort of shading. To check if your inverter can be installed outside or not, you need to look at the  IP rating . The IP (Ingress Protection mark) rating indicates how well the inverter seals to prevent water, dust and other foreign particle ingress. A higher IP rating indicates that it’s more suitable to be installed outside. However, keep in mind that even though it has a high IP rating, if it is not installed correctly, this will greatly affect the longevity of the inverter. 9 – All cabelling through the roof should go through DekTites or similar leak protection materials DekTites (as pictured below, left) are used to protect against leaks and water damage in both tile and tin roofs. They stretch over the penetration through your roof and seal tight – preventing water from getting inside . They may be small, but they are mighty – withstanding temperatures between -50°C to 200°C! That’s something that standard liquid silicon sealant can’t compete with! 10 – Any conduit exposed to the sun should be UV rated The Australian sun can be very harsh, so all equipment installed exposed to the sun should be UV-rated. UV rated simply means that the conduit is protected from UV rays. UV-rated conduit can last 100+ years, however, if you use NON-UV rated conduit they can start to degrade the first year! Having your installer use high quality, UV rated conduit will prevent it from becoming brittle, breaking down over the years and creating a multitude of issues. If the conduit were to fail, moisture could enter, creating a potentially hazardous situation for you and your property. Some of these dangers include: creating a fire, water ingress into buildings and other water damage to the building. 11 – The direction of the panels should be personalised Three main things need to be considered when deciding the direction of your panels: when you consume the most electricity, shading and the physical size and design of your house. While panels installed facing north will usually produce the most kWh of power per day, installing panels in other directions may be more beneficial for your specific energy needs. For example, for people who use a lot of their power in the afternoon and some in the morning, installing a system with panels facing west (produce later in the day) and some east (produce in the morning) would be more beneficial than a north facing system. Shade is also another thing that needs to be considered and can majorly impact the efficiency of the system. No matter what inverter, optimizer or microinverter you have installed, shade should always be avoided. The location, physical size and design of your roof is a major factor in deciding what direction the panels should be installed.  12 – Panels should be transported safely If transporting the solar panels by truck, trailer, etc, panels should be strapped down securely to avoid movement and possibly breaking the glass. Panels can typically be transported on pallets IF packed and secured adequately. Over-stacking can add stress to the module and cause the panels to break and should be avoided – most panel manufacturers do not recommend stacking more than 2 pallets on top of each other. #SolarAustraliaAccreditedInstaller #rulesforsolarinstallers #Solarpowersystem #solaraccreditationAustralia#repairsolarpower #toowoombasolar #toowoombasolarpower About the author of this blog: Nigel Phillips is a qualified electrician in Queensland with over 30 years experience in the electrical industry. Nigel is Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA and previously Clean Energy Council CEC) accredited in Grid Connected (Solar) PhotoVoltaic systems (GCPV), Grid Connected Battery Storage (GCBS) and Stand-alone Power Systems (SPS).

Inverters are an essential component of any solar power system. The inverter's basic function is to invert Direct Current (DC) from the solar panels, into Alternating Current (AC) that can be used to operate your household appliances. The excess electricity that is not used in your home is then fed into the grid or stored in a solar battery (if you have batteries installed – this is a whole other topic that will be covered in a later article). With inverters being the main point of failure in most faulty systems, you must be getting a dependable, quality inverter. Two main types of inverters are used in residential solar, Micro-Inverters and regular, string inverters. Each with its benefits and downfalls. Here’s how electricity flows through a standard solar panel  A standard solar panel has 60 cells. The electrical current passes through each of these cells before it exits the panel, as shown in the pictures below by the red path. The blue lines at the bottom of the panel represent diodes. Most panels have three diodes. When one of the cells is shaded or has debris/leaves on it, the diodes provide an alternative path for the electricity to ‘bypass’ the shaded cell. This process, known as  bypass diode , is shown in the last two pictures below. As a result, the solar panel’s voltage and power output will be reduced by one-third in this case. The purpose of this is to allow the affected panel to still produce electricity, rather than the entire panel producing nothing at all. This information becomes important when comparing string and micro-inverters, in terms of output and efficiency. String Inverters For example, SMA & Fronius A string inverter (about the size of a briefcase) is installed on a wall and all the solar panels connect to it. For residential solar, typically only one string inverter is needed per system. If your panels have little to no shading and do not face multiple different directions, a string inverter system is a cost-effective, proven solution. But what is a ‘string’? What does it mean? A string is a group of solar panels that are connected in a series. The current flows through a path that goes through all of the panels. However, this means that if something is restricting the current in one panel, all of the panels in that string will also be restricted. Therefore, if one panel is shaded/dirty and is only operating at 66.6% (2/3 capacity), the output of all of the other panels will be reduced (as seen below). If shading is not an issue on your roof and your panels are positioned ideally for solar, output reduction is typically not a major concern. In this case, a string inverter is a reliable, durable and affordable solution. Saying that string inverters are evolving and starting to incorporate new technology to reduce the effects of shading. For example, SMA Sunny Boy Inverters now include built in ‘ShadeFix’ technology.  SMA ShadeFix is a software-based shade management system that increases the energy production of a solar power system under light to medium shading conditions. If you have a little bit of shade, this can be a very effective solution without having to pay for Micro-Inverters. Micro-Inverters For example, Enphase MicroInverter (about the size of an A5 piece of paper) is installed on the back of, or beside each solar panel. This means that usually, the number of solar panels = the number of microinverters needed. Micro-inverters are usually used for more complex installations, where there may be partial shading, tilted panels at various angles and/or panels facing multiple directions. What makes micro-inverters different from string inverters, is that because each solar panels is connected to its own Micro-Inverter, if one panel isn’t performing well, it does not affect the performance of other panels in the system. This means that the system will be more efficient and able to generate more electricity, in situations when part of the system may be shaded or something is obstructing the sun from the panels. Micro-inverters also allow you to individually monitor the panels. This can make troubleshooting, servicing and maintenance quick and easy. Micro-inverters also produce a much lower voltage than a system with a string inverter. This means that the risk of overheating and potentially starting a fire is greatly reduced. However, Micro-Inverters have a premium price tag. The additional upfront cost of Micro-Inverters is justified for some installations for the added monitoring and production benefits.  What are the benefits? String Inverters COST:  Based on a 6.6kW Solar System with 19 x 350kW Premium LG NeON2 panels, installing a SMA 5.0 Sunny Boy string inverter was approximately $2,800 LESS compared to installing 19 x Enphase Micro-Inverters (as seen in the graph below). These figures are just an estimate and will vary depending on the quality and size of your system. HIGHER YEILD (IN LITTLE TO NO SHADE): When there is very little shading on your roof, string inverters are very efficient.  LOWER NUMBER OF ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS: As well as a lower system cost, having less electronic components means that inverter troubleshooting can be easier because there is only one point of failure. Micro-Inverters SUITABILITY FOR CHALLENGING INSTALLS: Micro-Inverters are a great solution for roofs that have shading or panels on multiple roof pitches and facing different directions. LONGER LIFE SPAN: The average life span of a Micro-Inverter is up to 20 years (Solar Calculator, 2020). ADDED MONITORING: As each panel has it’s own Micro-Inverter, this allows you to individually monitor the performance and yield of each panel.  HIGHER YEILD (WHEN THERE IS SHADING):  Microinverters operate independently, so each panel performs to its fullest (Enphase, 2021). If one panel is shaded or dirty, it won’t affect the rest of the system. What are the downfalls? String Inverters LESS EFFICIENT IN SHADE: Whether it’s a tree casting a shadow onto your roof or your panels are dirty, when some of the panels are shaded regularly, the entire system will be less efficient and will produce a lower yield. Realistically, this means that you will sell less back and your system will take longer to pay off. SHORTER LIFE SPAN: The average life span of a string inverter is 8 to 12 years – that’s 8 to12 years less than Micro-Inverters (Solar Calculator, 2020). Micro-Inverters COST: Micro-inverters are more expensive than traditional string inverters – especially for larger systems. When installing micro-inverters, accessories (such as an AC Cable coupler) are also needed which adds to the cost of the system. MORE POTENTIAL POINTS OF FAILURE : More electronics on you roof means that there are more points of potential failures. Tips, Brand Recommendations and Advice Installing a reliable, quality inverter is vital to ensure the longevity and performance of your solar system. It’s really important to realise that a long-lasting, reliable system is the product of BOTH the panels and the inverter. In my opinion, there’s no point in spending big on quality solar panels if you don’t have a dependable inverter to match. It’s like putting a lawnmower motor in a Lamborghini body… The type and brand of the inverter is not something that you want to gloss over. If your installer is very vague about what specific inverter you will be getting or does not mention a brand at all = BIG RED FLAG. You are investing a lot of money, you need to know the size, brand and model of the inverter you are being sold. If your roof is ideal, or close to ideal, for solar and no or little shade, it is debatable whether paying a premium price for Micro-Inverters is worth it. I would highly recommend discussing with your installer/designer about the inverter and getting them to explain why they have suggested that specific inverter for you – if they can’t justify why and back it up, that’s another red flag… Recommended brands for string inverters: The best inverter manufacturers in terms of reliability, performance and longevity in my opinion are SMA and Fronius . The inverter that we install the most and prefer to use is the SMA Sunny Boy/Tripower. SMA is a trusted, European company. With German engineering and design and ShadeFix technology, SMA has been renowned for producing quality, reliable solar inverters for close to 40 years. Fronius is another premium brand of inverters that has a proven track record of reliability and an outstanding reputation within the solar industry. With a maximum efficiency of 98.1% (Fronius, 2021), Fronius inverters performance and reliability are undeniable. Recommended brands for Micro-Inverters: Enphase is one of the leading Micro-Inverter manufacturers in Australia and is the brand that I choose to install when Micro-Inverters are the best solution. I prefer to use the Enphase IQ 7A Micro-Inverter to achieve the greatest yield from the solar system. I have done up a quick side-by-side comparison of two inverters: The SMA Sunny Boy 5.0 (string inverter) and the Enphase Micro-Inverter IQ 7A. In terms of performance, reliability and manufacturer support, these are two of the inverters that I choose to install and have great confidence in. Please also be aware that this article is solely comparing micro-inverters and regular string inverters. There are other methods, such as DC optimisers and smart panels , that also can be used to minimise the effects of shading and maximise output. It’s important to consider all your options to get a personalised, efficient and long-lasting Solar Power System.  If you have any questions about the different types of inverters, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. Our office number is 4637 2744 or you can find us at 57 Gipps Street, Drayton (Toowoomba) QLD. #Fronius #microinverter #Darlingdownssolar #Enphase #StringInvertervsMicroInverter #Solarpowersystem #SolarToowoomba #solarpowerToowoomba #EnphaseMicroInverter #SMA #SMAInverter #StringInverter #toowoombasolarpower #FroniusInverter About the author of this blog: Nigel Phillips is a qualified electrician in Queensland with over 30 years experience in the electrical industry. Nigel is Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA and previously Clean Energy Council CEC) accredited in Grid Connected (Solar) PhotoVoltaic systems (GCPV), Grid Connected Battery Storage (GCBS) and Stand-alone Power Systems (SPS).

What’s normal : If there is a blackout, it’s completely normal for your solar power system to shut down. It should turn itself back on once the power is back on. It’s also normal for your system to be producing significantly less than usual when it’s very overcast in the lead-up to the storm.  What’s NOT normal : Error lights on the inverter after a storm OR the inverter not turning itself back on after the power is back on.  When you should get your system inspected by a professional : If you have been through a nasty storm with large hail, it is best to get your system inspected, even if it is still producing power. There is a chance that there has been physical damage to the glass on the panels or even micro-cracks in some cases.  “ How do I prepare my solar system for a storm?” Solar panels are built and installed to withstand extreme weather. There isn’t really anything you can do to prepare your panels for a storm, other than turning the system completely off.  Power outage (blackout) In a blackout, your system will turn itself off and it won’t be producing at all. This is completely normal and is nothing to worry about. When the storm passes, power comes back on and the sun comes out again, the inverter should turn itself back on.  Depending on the brand of the inverter, you may also receive an email from the manufacturer saying something along the lines of ‘one or more line conductors and/or the neutral conductor had not been connected…. recommend checking the grid connection by an electrically qualified person.’  Again, this is normal and is nothing to panic about if there has been a blackout or the electricity has been turned off. You typically don’t need to get an electrician out unless there are other issues such as error lights on the inverter.  Error lights on the inverter after a storm I f there are error lights on your inverter after a storm, this is a clear sign that something isn’t right. It could be something really simple that can be fixed over the phone, or it may require a professional to inspect the system and repair any damages.  What we would recommend our customers do: Step 1 –  Wait until the next day. Very often, the system will sort itself out without any intervention needed. If the error lights are still on after 24 hours, proceed to Step 2.  Step 2 – Turn the system off, wait 15-30 mins and then turn the system back on. Instructions on how to perform a system shutdown are usually on the front of the inverter. If the error lights come back on, proceed to Step 3.  Step 3 – Contact an accredited installer and let them know what has happened. Describe what colour the light is, how long it has been on, if it is flashing or not and if you have a screen on your inverter, the error code. From there, they can get to the bottom of what’s causing the problem and work out what action needs to be taken.  If you are able to see an error code on the inverters screen, the links below may he helpful.  Click Here - Fronius state (error) codes Click Here - SMA SunnyBoy error codes The inverter not turning back on after the storm If there has been a blackout, it’s normal for your inverter to turn itself off. It should automatically turn itself back on once the weather has cleared up and the power is back on. However, if the inverter does not turn itself back on after a blackout, this could mean that something has been damaged during the storm. When there are no error codes or lights on the inverter, it can be difficult to determine what is causing the issue and usually requires a CEC-accredited installer to go out and inspect the system. During situations like this, we always suggest waiting 24 hours before taking action, just in case the situation sorts itself out, which is often the case. After that, contact an accredited installer to get to the bottom of the issue.  If there hasn’t been a blackout, but your system has shut down during the storm, we recommend contacting a local, accredited solar installer the day after. Again, because there are no error lights or codes, it makes it harder to know exactly what’s causing the issue and a professional will likely have to inspect the system to find out what the problem is.  Hail  If you have been through a nasty storm with significant large hail, there could be damage to your solar panels. It can be difficult to determine whether there has been damage to your system or not. Sometimes the glass on the front of the panel appears perfectly fine, but the cells underneath have micro-cracks or the backing sheet has rips or tears etc. Here’s what we recommend you do if you have been through a hail storm: CALL YOUR HOME AND CONTENTS INSURER! T hey will typically advise that a CEC-accredited installer would need to go out and inspect the system and do a report. It doesn’t have to be the original installer and most insurers will let you choose who does the inspection, report and repairs. If you have the choice, we always recommend choosing a local , experienced CEC accredited installer/electrical contractor that you know is going to do the right thing by you. If you are unsure whether there has been damage or not, still give your insurer a call and let them know what has happened. They will either send their own electricians out to do an inspection or ask you to find a local installer to do the inspection.  Please keep in mind that if micro-cracks are ignored, they can create low output issues down the track. This is why it is important to claim soon after the hail storm, and even if the insurance disallows the claim at the time, in 12, 24 or even 48 months time, if the system has reduced output and is riddled with hotspot, the customer has a chance to refer back to the initial claim.  How big does the hail have to be to cause damage? A good rule of thumb is if you’ve had hail over 25mm, it is best to get your system checked out. Better to be safe than sorry!  Solar panels are built to withstand hail. All panels that are approved to be installed in Australia are required to pass a specific test (MQT 17) to verify that the panel is capable of withstanding the impact of hail. During the test, the panels were hit with 11 ice balls at different parts of the panels. The MINIMUM requirements of ice balls are: 25mm in diameter, 7.58g in weight and shot at 23.0m/s. To pass the test, there must be no visual defects or cracks and the power output must not be affected. Other things you can do after a storm: Check for debris on your solar panels and safely remove it. Always use proper safety harnesses and seek professional help if you have a steep or high roof. Check your solar system monitoring and see whether it is producing as normal. At Electrical Sensations , we are qualified electricians and CEC-accredited solar installers. If you are concerned about your solar system after a storm, we can work with you and your insurer to find a solution. Please don’t hesitate to contact our office on (07) 4637 2744.  #Solarpowersystem #SolarToowoomba #solarpanels #haildamage #solarpanelstoowoomba #solarinstorms #hail About the author of this blog: Nigel Phillips is a qualified electrician in Queensland with over 30 years experience in the electrical industry. Nigel is Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA and previously Clean Energy Council CEC) accredited in Grid Connected (Solar) PhotoVoltaic systems (GCPV), Grid Connected Battery Storage (GCBS) and Stand-alone Power Systems (SPS).

Solar Power | Battery Storage | General Electrical | Electrical Sensations is a multi-awarded electrical contractor in Toowoomba specialising in high-quality solar power systems. Solar & Batteries Electrical EV Charging Solar, Batteries and Electrical Toowoomba Specialising in premium, high quality solar power and battery storage systems. ENQUIRE ABOUT SOLAR & BATTERIES → Electrical Sensations are Toowoomba's Solar Power, Battery Storage & Electrical Experts. Electrical Sensations provide reliable solar, battery and electrical services to customers in the Toowoomba region. Our highly skilled electricians can install, repair and maintain the electrical wiring and components in your home or business. We also specialise in installing, upgrading and repairing solar power and battery storage systems for both home and business, as well as the design and installation of commercial energy efficiency projects. By researching and selecting components that are well proven in terms of quality, performance and reliability, you can be certain that a solar power and/or battery storage system installed by Electrical Sensations will go the distance for you. You deserve to have the best products available, installed to industry best practice standards and delivered with outstanding customer service. We offer innovative, cutting edge, quality solar products and technology backed by a global network of suppliers. We do not subscribe to the "one size fits all" theory for energy efficiency projects, and our solutions are designed specifically for each business, to save them the most money on their energy bills. Our goal is to ensure that our energy efficiency projects are cash flow positive in the shortest possible time frame, usually from day one. Competitive project finance packages makes funding energy efficiency initiatives easy, with terms up to 7 years, $0 deposit and no on-going fees. By choosing the highest quality solar products with the best support network, the solutions we provide are easy and worry free for our clients. Whether you are looking for a new solar power or battery storage system or your existing system is in need of repair or maintenance , Electrical Sensations will be happy to help. Call our friendly team today to find out more about how solar power and battery storage will help you. More About Us → Solar & Batteries Save money on your electricity bill and help future-proof yourself from the rising costs of electricity. We sell, install, repair and maintain quality solar panels, inverters and batteries. Read More → Electrical Services We provide reliable electrical services to customers in the Toowoomba area. Our highly skilled electricians can install, repair and maintain electrical wiring and components in your home or business. Read More → EV Charging With an increasing number of EVs on the road, it is important for businesses and homeowners to be able to conveniently charge their vehicles. We install high-quality EV charging systems such as EVSE and SolarEdge. Read More → Awards + VOTED TOOWOOMBA’S TOP ELECTRICIAN 2020 The Chronicle, Toowoomba + UNDER 30KW GRID CONNECTED PV POWER SYSTEM (NATIONAL DIVISION) WINNER 2019 Clean Energy Council + EXCELLENCE IN INDUSTRY CATEGORY & DIVISION WINNER 2018 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards + DIVISION WINNER 2018 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards + PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY WINNER 2015 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards + BUSINESS TRADE CATEGORY WINNER 2015 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards + DIVISION FINALIST 2014 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards + DIVISION WINNER 2013 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards + DIVISION WINNER 2012 Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards DIVISION WINNER 2013 Toowoomba Business Excellence Awards DIVISION & CATEGORY WINNER 2018 Toowoomba Business Excellence Awards UNDER 30KW SOLAR DESIGN WINNER Clean Energy Council (CEC) 2019 Reviews Follow us on Instagram @electricalsensations Load More

Trying to cut down your monthly electricity bill? Thinking of an alternative power source? Check out Electrical sensations hybrid solar batteries. Call us! Solar batteries we choose to install Reliable. Efficient. Independent. Batteries are a logical extension of solar power systems and are increasing in popularity at an incredible rate thanks to the Federal Government's Cheaper Home Battery Program (CHBP). The main purpose of solar batteries is to store excess solar power so you can use it at night time, buy less power from the grid and pay less money to your electricity retailer. Sigenergy SigenStor Residential/light commercial, 5.2 - 48kWh per "stack" Efficiency: 96-98% Warranty: 10 yr product Battery chemistry: LFP (LiFePO₄) Country of Manufacture: China Blackout Protection: Yes, 0 ms switchover Easily expandable SunWiz data shows Sigenergy holds the largest home battery market share in Australia in 2025. Australia's most installed home battery. SigenStor Datasheet BYD HVS, HVM and HVL Residential/light commercial, ~5–66+ kWh Efficiency: ≥ 96% Warranty: 10 yr product Battery chemistry: LFP (LiFePO₄) Country of Manufacture: China Blackout Protection: Yes (when paired with compatible inverter) Highly scalable capacity Compatible with major premium inverter brands including Fronius, SunGrow and Selectronic. BYD Datasheets Fronius Reserva Residential/light commercial, 6.3–15.8 per tower; up to 63 kWh Efficiency: > 90% Warranty: 10 yr product Battery chemistry: LFP (LiFePO₄) Country of Manufacture: Austria Blackout Protection: Yes (when paired with a compatible inverter) DC-coupled design maximises solar use. Compatible with Fronius Gen24 PLUS inverters. Reserva Datasheet Sonnen sonnenBatterie Evo Residential, 10 kWh Efficiency: 94–95 % Warranty: 10 yr / 10,000 cycles Battery chemistry: LFP (LiFePO₄) Country of Manufacture: Germany Blackout Protection: Yes — Black Start + backup German-engineering + robust Battery Management System Evo Datasheet Sungrow SBR Residential, 6.4 – 25.6 kWh Efficiency: 89–97% Warranty: 10 yr product Battery chemistry: LFP (LiFePO₄) Country of Manufacture: China Blackout Protection: Yes (when paired with a compatible inverter) Compatible with both single phase and 3 phase SunGrow Hybrid inverters. Cost-effective modular stack best suited for home storage. SBR Datasheet Sungrow SBH Large residential/commercial, 20–160 kWh Efficiency: 89–97% Warranty: 10 yr product Battery chemistry: LFP (LiFePO₄) Country of Manufacture: China Blackout Protection: Yes (when paired with a compatible inverter) Compatible with both single phase and 3 phase SunGrow Hybrid inverters. High capacity particularly suited to large residential and small commercial storage stystems. SBH Datasheet

Electrical Sensation is a local, family-owned business specialising in premium, high-quality solar systems in Toowoomba and Darling Downs region. Solar Services Experts in installing solar power and battery storage systems. We've been installing Solar Systems in Toowoomba since 2008.. Over the past 21+ years in business, Electrical Sensations has built a strong reputation in Toowoomba for installing high-quality, reliable solar power (and battery storage) systems. We pride ourselves on our down-to-earth approach in dealing with customers and providing outstanding customer service. We also promise no pushy salespeople! We choose to install Sumec Phono Quasar and Aiko NeoStar solar panels teamed with quality inverters from Fronius, SunGrow and Selectronics. Our customers are loving SigEnergy (Australia's most installed home battery in 2025), SunGrow, Fronius, BYD, SonnenBatterie and SunGrow batteries. Our local Toowoomba based team of Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited designers and installers has done the hard yards of researching and comparing the multitude of products available. We're completely confident in the performance, reliability and longevity of every product we choose to install. When you're investing in a solar power or battery system, you need the system to perform well for you, for as long as possible, without giving you any headaches. There are literally hundreds of different solar products on the market and it can be hard to distinguish between them. When it comes to solar, the old adage “You get what you pay for” rings very true! We will only install products that we would be happy to have installed on our own property. We deliberately don't choose the cheapest products just to save a few dollars, but risk compromising the entire system. We choose the products that we are most confident in, to give the best long term performance and bang for buck. Residential Solar Systems Our team of licensed electricians and solar designers/installers (NOT pushy salespeople) will create a system that best suits your goals, budget and electricity usage. Electrical Sensations prides itself on it’s premium products, high-quality workmanship and good old fashion customer service. Solar Carports Solar carports and car parks are an innovative way to turn an ordinarily passive, mundane structure into an electricity generation system that works for you. Solar carports are the best of both worlds – shade and protection from the elements and free electricity generated from the solar panels! Relocation of Solar Panels If you’re getting your roof painted/repaired or need to relocate your solar panels, Electrical Sensations can safely take the panels off and reinstall them correctly. We take great care in our work to ensure that no panels are damaged in the process and everything is working as it should before we leave. Commercial Solar Systems Year after year, solar energy saves businesses money and improves profitability. By examining a client’s energy profile and listening to their financial goals, our team is able to calculate the size of commercial solar power installation most appropriate for the client. Solar System Repairs Nothing lasts forever and from time to time things will go wrong. If you notice that your system isn’t working as it should or something has damaged your solar system, please call us on 4637 2744 and we'll work with both you and your insurer to help find the issue and repair it. Solar System Inspections / Reports If you're not sure whether your solar system is working properly or not – give our friendly team a call and we'll go through some simple checks over the phone. From there we can arrange for an electrician to inspect and test your system to determine the best plan of action. Solar System Upgrades Looking to get a bit more production from your solar power system? Upgrading your solar power system can be a great idea to get the most out of your investment. When upgrading, its important to consider how much roof space you have, if you want to keep your current feed-in-tariff and how old the original system is. Inverter Replacements Electrical Sensations specialises in inverter repairs/replacements and can help you get back on the grid, whether you’re an existing customer or not. If your solar installer has left you in the dark, you can rely on Electrical Sensations to assess your situation and get your inverter repaired or replaced quickly and safely. Solar Panel Cleaning Solar power systems are low maintenance, there isn't a lot of upkeep required. We do however recommend regular cleaning of your panels to keep them performing at their best. Over time dirt, debris and dust can build up, creating a barrier that prevents the sun from reaching the solar panels. As a rule of thumb, once every 6-12 months is usually enough. Things to Consider. About the Manufacturer How long has the manufacturer been in existence and producing that particular product? How financially stable is the manufacturer? Do they have an Australian office to handle any potential future warranty issues? What is the manufacturer’s product warranty? This is very different to, and much more important than the output performance warranty. What is the warranty claim/failure rate? Is the factory automated? Panels produced in fully automated factories are typically higher quality and more reliable. About the Panel Itself What is the physical size and wattage of the panel? With roof space becoming a valuable commodity, lower wattage panels are an inefficient use of space and can make upgrading or expanding the system in the future difficult. Generally, panels below 440W are outdated and "old school". What is the temperature coefficient of the panel? This is an indicator of how the performs in hot weather. The lower the temperature coefficient percentage per degree Celsius, the better. Do the panels have glass both front and back i.e: "dual glass"? Dual glass construction greatly minimises the change of water ingress and improves longevity of the panel.