Home solar power system guide: from installation to ongoing maintenance

Before installing solar: what you need to know

How does solar work? What components will you need?

A solar system is made up of solar panels, an inverter(s) and, optionally, a battery. Together, they convert sunlight into electricity to power your home:

1. Solar panels capture sunlight and turn it into direct current (DC) electricity.
2. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity to power your home. The DC needs to be converted into AC because in Australia the grid operates on AC and most household appliances are designed to run on AC.
3. If you get a battery, any electricity you’re not using when it’s being generated can be stored to use at another time, such as during the evening or on a cloudy day.

More: How do solar panels and solar power work?

How to get the right solar system for you

When choosing a solar system, it’s important to consider your current and future energy needs, your budget and the structure of your home.

A good solar installer will take the time to understand your circumstances and give you advice about your options. Together, you’ll consider:

• The size of the system, or how many solar panels you need. 
• Whether you'd benefit from a battery - they can be handy during blackouts if they have a back-up function
• The design of the system to fit your house, including the placement of the panels and inverter
• Whether you’re eligible for a solar rebate or interest-free loan.

Think about your plans for your home before speaking with an installer – are you planning to upgrade old gas appliances to efficient, electric alternatives? Are you thinking about an electric vehicle?

These kinds of changes will increase your electricity usage, so it’s important your solar system is big enough to cover any future upgrades.

How much does solar cost? What solar rebates are available in Victoria?

Depending on the size of your solar system, the brand you choose, whether you include a battery, and your eligibility for a Solar Victoria rebate, the cost of a solar system can range from around $3,000 to more than $25,000 for a large solar panel and battery system.

As a guide, a common size solar panel system is 6.6kW (around 15 panels). Without a battery, these systems often start from around $5000, however prices can vary depending on your installer. For example, RACV Solar offers 6.6kW solar systems from $3560*. 

Solar Victoria delivers the state government's Solar Homes Program, offering eligible households rebates on solar panels and solar hot water systems. 

More: Everything you need to know about solar rebates in Victoria.

For a battery, you can expect to pay around $1,000-$1,200 per kWh of storage. So, for example, a 13kWh battery might cost around $15,600. There aren’t any rebates available for batteries, but Solar Victoria offers eligible households an interest-free loan of up to $8,800.

During installation: how does solar installation work?

What to expect on the day of your solar installation

Most solar installations happen in a single day. If you’re getting a particularly large or complex system installed, it may take a couple of days.

Your solar installer will let you know what to expect in the days leading up to your installation. Some general things to be prepared for include:

• Your power will be disconnected - In most cases, this should only be required for a couple of hours.
• Have some spare roof tiles handy – If you have a tiled roof, it’s worth having some spare tiles on hand in case any crack or break on the day.
• Have your WiFi details and email address ready – If connected, your installers should help you set up your solar system’s monitoring on the day.
• Save your Solar Victoria QR code – If you’re claiming a Solar Victoria rebate, you’ll be sent a QR code to show your installer on the day.

How long does it take to connect a new solar system?

Once your solar system has been installed, your electricity retailer and distributor are responsible for connecting you to the electricity grid.

They’ll visit your home to complete a site inspection and, once complete, will connect your system to the grid. Overall, this process can take around 4-6 weeks and will generally cost between $50 and $200.

After your solar installation: solar warranties and maintenance

Solar panel cleaning and maintenance

Once your system is up and running, your solar panels will require relatively little maintenance.

Keep an eye on nearby trees that may need a prune to avoid excessive shading on your panels.

You may also need to clean your panels once every year or two, depending on where you live. This will wash off any build-up of dirt or debris that may impede solar production.

Monitor your solar system over time using your system’s monitoring app. If you notice an unexplained dip in solar production or any problems with your system’s performance, contact your installer.

Solar warranties

Solar panels come with product warranties, performance warranties and installation/workmanship warranties.

Solar panels are designed to last decades on your roof and generally come with performance warranties of up to 25 years or more. Product warranties vary and generally range from 12-30 years.

Inverters and batteries usually come with warranties of around 10 years.

Installation warranties vary between installers. Solar panels and battery installations from RACV come with installation warranties of 10 years.

Can I add more panels to my solar system? How do I make my solar system bigger?

Solar systems last decades on your roof, so you may find your energy needs change down the track. Perhaps your usage has increased and you want more solar panels, or you decide you’d like to add a battery.

You can generally add more solar panels or a battery to an existing system. Depending on your existing solar system, you may need to add a new inverter to accommodate the new additions. Your solar installer will work with you on this.

End of life: recycling solar panels

How long do solar panels and batteries last?

Solar panels can last 30 years or more, while solar batteries can last 5-15 years.

Batteries vary more than solar panels as their life span is impacted by how often they’re cycled – that is, charged and discharged. Batteries that are charged and discharged multiple times a day will degrade quicker than batteries that are only cycled once a day.

For the average household, most lithium-ion batteries can last ten years. You can check the battery’s warranty to get an understanding of how long the manufacturer expects the product to last.

Can you recycle solar panels?

Today, up to 90 per cent of a solar panel can be recycled. Solar Victoria recommends you contact an authorised solar system recycler and find out the location of your nearest collection point. 

When it comes time to remove or replace your solar system, make sure it’s done by an accredited solar installer or licensed electrician. Solar panels are classified as a type of e-waste, so it's important that none of their parts are disposed of in your general household rubbish.