Solar Power Systems
Solar panels
Over 100,500 Queensland homes and small businesses have already done the bright thing by installing solar panels on their roofs.
The electricity generated through the panels is used to power electric appliances in homes - and if the appropriate wiring is in place, any electricity not used can be fed into the electricity grid.
Do the bright thing - help us build a virtual solar power station for Queensland
By installing solar panels, you'll be helping build a virtual solar power station for Queensland. Street by street, we've already doubled Queensland's use of solar energy in less than two years - more than three years ahead of schedule.
What are the benefits of installing solar panels?
Using solar power can significantly reduce electricity costs and associated greenhouse gas emissions, as the electricity generated through the panels is clean, green energy from the sun.
Installing 1.5 kilowatt solar panels on your home could save you money on your energy bills and help Queensland to build a virtual solar power station.
How do solar panels work?
Solar panels (known as solar photovoltaic panels or solar PV) capture the sun's rays and convert the sunlight into electricity.
Sunlight charges electrons in the panels - then the energised electrons move through the panels and flow into a wire, creating an electrical current.
An inverter changes the electricity to a current that's suitable to use on household appliances and for export to the electricity grid.
Homes and businesses that use a net electricity meter can export their excess electricity to the grid and participate in the Solar Bonus Scheme.
View an animation of how solar panels work
What is the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme?
The Queensland Government's Solar Bonus Scheme pays households and other small customers for the surplus electricity generated from roof-top solar panels that is exported to the Queensland electricity grid. Homes with net electricity metering are eligible to participate in the scheme. Net metering measures energy exported to the grid after household consumption, whereas gross metering measures everything the system generates.
What are Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)?
All solar hot water, solar PV and small wind and hydro systems installed on or after 1 January 2011 create Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) rather than Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the Australian Government's Renewable Energy Target (RET).
STCs are a form of currency that can be earned when households install renewable energy equipment such as solar panels. Once created, STCs can be traded, purchased or sold, making a solar system installation cheaper for the owner.
Various companies or government bodies may be interested in buying STCs or buying the right to create them. Some solar power system retailers may offer cash for STCs while others may offer discounts on products. For example, when installing solar systems it is common for owners to transfer the right to create STCs to their solar power system retailer in return for a discount on the upfront costs.
For further information about STCs and Solar Credits that will help lower the upfront cost of installing a solar power system, visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator website www.orer.gov.au
More information
Think harnessing the sun's energy at your home is a bright idea?
- Find out about how you get paid for excess electricity you feed into the grid
- Find out how to get solar panels installed on your home or business
- View an animation of how solar panels work
- Download a printable version of this information
Contact Us
You can contact us on our hotline, 13 GET SOLAR or 13 438 76527.
Last updated 4 August 2011
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