The Best Solar System You Should Buy In 2023

The Best Solar System Available In Australia

There is always a lot of hype around the world’s most efficient solar panels, and rightly so. Advancements in solar panel technology have global significance because with increased output more and more households will be able to become self-sufficient, especially now that solar storage is available.

So it is with much excitement that REC Alpha Pure R panels have hit the Australian market and are now available for installation by Solaray Energy.

But is a high-efficiency panel the best option for your household?

Well, that depends on what you are trying to achieve.

Most of our customers are looking for a combination of quality, performance, reliability, and longevity, and then choosing a solution that offers value for money at a price point they are comfortable with. The ‘best’ solar system, therefore, will not be the same for everyone. Some people pay more for quality, others want a faster return on their money.

With this in mind, let’s have a look at some of the best solar systems available in 2023 for homes in Australia.

Judging The Best Solar Panel For Efficiency

The efficiency of a solar panel refers to the output divided by the size of the panel. As the size of a residential solar panel is typically standardised at 1.7m by 1m, high-efficiency panels will output more power from the same sized panel. For example, the REC Alpha Pure R panel is rated at 410W and is approximately the same size as a standard 300W panel.

Using high-efficiency panels means fewer panels for the same output and so less roof space is needed for a certain size system.

However, a 6kW system with high-efficiency panels will output the same amount of power as a 6kW system with standard efficiency panels, it will just do so with fewer panels. This is an important point because a lot of people wait for advances in technology when they already have more than enough roof space for the solar system they need.

Furthermore, efficiency is only a measurement of output, not quality. Typically, high-efficiency modules from the leading brands are going to be well made, however, it should only be one factor of many when considering solar panels, with the others being quality, longevity, heat tolerance, and output in low light conditions.

It is important to clear up this point because when we are talking about the best panels available, we are not only looking at the panel’s efficiency, we are also considering performance, reliability, longevity, warranty support and efficiency with (you guessed it) – the price!

Panels at the top end of the efficiency scale are generally going to be more expensive than standard panels, however, there is also a huge price range between the panels at the top, so it is important to find a panel that is going to offer good value as well as performance.

REC Solar Panels Powered by Enphase

Microinverter technology allows each panel in a solar system to work independently from the other panels, ensuring the maximum output of clean energy for your household or business. Microinverters help to avoid common roadblocks that stop a solar installation on many houses such as patchy shade and small roof areas.

An Enphase Micro Inverter system uses a small DC to AC inverter under each panel. This means that each panel’s performance does not affect any other panel’s performance –  this is of particular use when there are shade issues, or when you need to face panels in two or more directions.

The 7th Generation IQ 7A microinverters are now available and are fully compatible with higher-wattage panels such as the REC Alpha Pure. Packed with the world’s most advanced microinverter technology, the IQ 7 range have an incredible efficiency rating of 96.5%.

Built on the 7th-generation platform, the Enphase IQ 7 range is smart grid ready and integrates seamlessly with the Enphase Envoy-S, and the Enphase Enlighten monitoring platform.

Increased Output

An Enphase Micro Inverter is attached to the mounting kit underneath each panel. The micro inverter uses state-of-the-art electronics to convert DC to AC underneath each panel. This allows each individual panel to output power independently from the other panels, significantly increasing system output.

According to Renewable Energy World, shading of as little as 9% of a solar system connected to a central inverter, can lead to a system-wide decline in power output by as much as 54%.

The below image is a great example of how micro inverters can significantly increase output. In this image, the panels to the left will be working at near maximum output despite the patchy shade on the right of the image, because each panel is independent of the rest of the array.

String Inverter

One of the biggest limitations with standard string inverter systems is that the panels are installed in series, meaning that the system will always perform at the rate of the worst-performing panel. This means that partial shade on just one panel can have a large impact on the output of a system.

It’s not just shade from trees that can affect solar output. Bird droppings and dust, as well as chimneys and power lines, can all affect solar output. Additionally, solar panels have a +- tolerance during the manufacturing process. For example, REC Alpha Pure R panels have a +5W tolerance, so they will range in output from 410W to 415W. Your system won’t be able to take advantage of this unless each panel is outputting power independently from the other panels.

Introducing Outstanding Energy Management – The Enphase Envoy

Enphase is revolutionising renewable energy in Australia and Solaray is proud to be at the forefront of this incredible wave of smart solar and energy management technology.

Integrated, efficient and reliable, the Enphase storage solution combines solar generation, storage and load management technologies into one solution that is about to hit Australia’s shores over the coming months.

The Enphase Envoy-S communications gateway delivers solar production and energy consumption data to Enphase Enlighten monitoring software for comprehensive, remote maintenance and management of the Enphase System.

With production metering and consumption monitoring options, Envoy is the platform for total energy management and will integrate with the soon-to-be-released Enphase Energy Storage System.

• Consumption monitoring for total energy insight
• 99.5% accuracy – miles ahead of what we have seen previously
• Bi-directional communications let the Envoy adapt to future utility requirements
• Flexible networking options with integrated Wi-Fi
• Ready for plug-play cellular networking
• Connects up to 600 microinverters

Interested in more information? If you don’t have a solar system installed the first step is to submit an online quote for an Enphase Micro Inverter Solar System. Of course, you can also call The Solaray Team on 1300 525 451.

All New Enphase IQ8HC Microinverters - 15-Year Limited Warranty‌

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