How much does it cost to add more solar panels in Perth?

There’s no hiding; finding an installer willing to add more solar panels can be challenging for modern solar energy systems. Accountable for 90% of solar energy systems in Perth, WA, solar panels within a string inverter system must be matched for similar electrical characteristics, assisting uninhibited electrical flow throughout the solar array. Coupled with generational solar panel dimension and characteristic changes, adding more solar panels to your existing solar energy system can sometimes be more complex than first thought.

In a short period of research, you’ll identify that most solar installation companies want to avoid adding more solar panels to your existing solar energy system and will often default to recommending an entire system upgrade. Yet you have a perfectly functioning system that seems ridiculous to remove and discard based on your commitment to greener energy outcomes.

Indeed, there is a market for adding more solar panels to existing solar energy systems globally, but is it viable in Western Australia?

Image: Perth Solar Warehouse technicians add more solar panels to an existing system.

A defection among installers of adding more solar panels to your existing system exists in two forms:

1) The cost of adding more solar panels vs current market new system options due to available subsidies.

2) Electrical characteristics (mismatch) among newly available solar panels since you installed the original solar energy system.

3) Scarcity of previous-generation solar panels for ideal compatibility.

Within, we’ll explore what has changed since you installed your solar energy system and the current market prices of adding more solar panels vs removing and replacing with an entirely new solar energy system for the greater Perth, Western Australia region.

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Consider the output of your current solar panels. Standard previous-generation solar panel sizes on Perth homes are 250W, 275W, 330W, 370W, 390W, and 415W. Finding a similar-output solar panel is essential if adding it to a string [inverter] solar system. As the more affordable solution, these account for approximately 90% of solar installations in Western Australia.

Power output is one of many considerations systems designers need to make. Irrelevant to the brand, solar panels have vastly different electrical characteristics depending on their cell architecture (60 cells, 72 cells, 120 half-cells, 144 half-cells, shingled, etc.). The internal solar cell foundation (poly or mono) and configuration (architecture) are important aspects affecting two essential string inverter design elements, Isc and Voc.

Isc: Short Circuit Current
Voc: Open Circuit Voltage

These two figures are essential to a string’s solar panel compatibility. The closer the better for optimal system performance when matching: Brand (if possible) and cell architecture.

In short: If similar solar panels can’t be sourced, adding more solar panels to your existing string-wired solar system could have minimal to negative benefits.

Image: Perth Solar Warehouse technician adds more solar panels as part of a system upgrade.

Your previous solar energy system may have been installed according to prior electrical standards. When a technician alters the existing system, they must notify with an Electrical Safety Certificate that the alteration/addition meets current electrical standards. Their personal and company licencing ensures your property is insured, and the statement must be correct. It will be considered a significant alteration for notifiable work (an increase of power class), and the system it incorporates must meet the current standards.

In short: The cost of adding more solar panels becomes elevated when an existing system upgrade is required.

When adding more solar panels, there are different warranty layers of obligations to consider, as the last person who worked on the system will always choose to absolve themselves from warranty ownership of the existing system if it is within a particular warranty period. We’ll always encourage building your energy ecosystem alongside a proven local installer to ensure your original installation warranty remains uncompromised. It is recommended that you consult the prospect of adding more solar panels with your original installer first.

Perth Solar Warehouse compliments future system upgrades and improved warranty assurance with 20 years of business operational history and one of the most proven local guarantees.

In short: Adding more solar panels to an existing system may affect the original installer’s warranty.

Discover hassle-free solar. We’re a proven local WA company measured x time. Google & SolarQuotes 4.9/5.

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Does the existing system qualify for the current solar rebate (if available) to aid the reduced cost of adding more solar panels? The Small Technology Certificate (STC) subsidy is determined by the ability of your sustainable energy system to offset carbon emissions effectively. If your existing solar energy system doesn’t meet the current Australian and local standards, the cost of adding more solar panels will become 100% reflective of the actual price.

Further complicating layers to subsidy qualification, the existing system’s inverter must be on the current approved CEC list of inverters. Past approvals don’t qualify. The new solar panels must also be on the current CEC list of approved solar panels.

Should the existing system qualify for the current period Small Technology Certificates (subsidy), adding more solar panels can often be calculated at a cost-per-watt, better assisting with normalising residential solar energy system costs.

As a gauge, the cost to add more solar panels to an existing string-wired solar system in the greater Perth region of Western Australia ranges from $1 to $2 per/Watt.

Example: On the more economical end of the spectrum, a 440W solar panel upgrade will likely cost $440 after qualifiable subsidy discounts at the point of sale. Always seek a site-specific quote for accuracy. We can assist.

Remove and replace your existing system with Perth Solar Warehouse starting from $.50c per/Watt. 6.6 kW Solar ›

Sunwiz Awards 2024: Perth appreciates Perth Solar Warehouse’s customer-centricity, local public knowledge base and high-quality outcomes. Best solar company (Australia) by customer satisfaction data [2023,24].

1) Avoid the subsidy: It’s an option, but specific standards for energy generation supply equipment must still be adhered to. As a guide, the cost of adding solar panels with the subsidy applied often offsets the panel cost. The price is likely to be similar.

2) Remove the current system. Go new. It’s now the most popular method towards expanding a solar energy systems capacity in Perth, Western Australia. Starting from 50c per/Watt, what should be the seemingly more expensive option can often cost less while improving user-system experience, performance and function with more modern technology.

3) Add a new system alongside your existing system. If choosing this option, try to match inverter brands where possible. Matching like-for-like inverter brands should simplify system monitoring through the one performance monitoring portal. Due to the current subsidies and reduced cost of high-power inverters, this option may prove similar to removing the current system and starting fresh.

No matter your preference for adding more solar panels to increase the overall solar system generating capacity, consider Perth Solar Warehouse, the researched shoppers’ choice for solar and batteries, with our renowned no-hard-sell guarantee. After all, that’s how you found this post. One of Perth’s few no-pressure-to-buy installers, follow the path of least resistance that thousands before you have experienced and enjoyed. We can assist you with the best direction for adding more solar panels. It costs nothing to ask.

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Sunwiz Awards 2024: Top 5 WA and a Best Rated Solar Company Australia

Sunwiz Awards 2024 with Derek McKercher in the foreground standing infront of a room full of people with arms crossed and smiling. Sunwiz Awards logos featured in the top left corner

Each year, market intelligence firm Sunwiz compiles solar market data to identify trends better and assist in improved decision-making content from an arbitrary position. Eliminating as many bias points from the methodology as possible ensures a respected annual awards event of significant credibility among industry peers, known as the Sunwiz Awards. Perth Solar Warehouse’s photovoltaic installation performance data from the 2023 calendar year is now available for customer/investor research and review.

Perth Solar Warehouse a Top 5 installer by SPV data—Photovoltaics (Western Australia)
Top 20 Best Rated installer (Australia) - more than 150 reviews [319], 4.85 average
Improved battery appeal reduces photovoltaic market share Q3 & Q4
Top 10% Tesla Powerwall installer (Australia) 362% YoY growth Q3 & Q4

Source [Sunwiz]: PSW is A Top Volume Solar Retailer & Best Rated for 2023 ›

Market share of Solar Panel Verification data reduced from July 2023 due to Perth Solar Warehouse’s limited in-house installation capacity and increased market share of energy storage systems . Nevertheless, Perth Solar Warehouse registered a Top 5 overall traded volume of Small Technology Certificates combining residential and commercial installations, proportional to the total generation capacity of registered photovoltaic modules installed to the grid.

Complementing a voluminous accolade is a 4.85/5 customer satisfaction rating from two key review platforms with more than 150 experiences over the last 12 months. Perth Solar Warehouse ranked 12th overall in Australia—a tricker position for companies to hold with a larger cross-section of customers. Superior customer satisfaction x leading volume is a testament to the PSW customer-centric process that ensures excellent outcomes along the journey. There are over 4000 solar companies nationally, most of whom don’t service Western Australia, so to get into the Top 20 nationally is quite an accomplishment.

Learn about the people behind Perth Solar Warehouse’s success. About ›

A testament to the digitalisation of internal workflow, Perth Solar Warehouse appeals to a wide demographic of local consumers with a multifaceted Sunwiz Award 2024 sweep that complimented high volume and superior customer satisfaction.

Measurement (2023)	Performance	Award
Installation Volume, Solar Panel Validation data	4th Overall Combined Residential & Commercial (WA)	Top 5 Solar Installer Combined, Western Australia
Customer Satisfaction	12th (Australia) Greater than 4.85/5 over 150 reviews	Best Rated Solar Installer Most Popular, Top 20 Australia

Numbers are outstanding visual elements. The great news is that Sunwiz, as a market intelligence provider, is renowned as a source of SPV (Solar Panel Validation) data access. SPV data is based on each solar panel serial number submitted for claiming Small Technology Certificates (subsidy) and is issued to the Australian government’s Clean Energy Regulator to track the scheme’s progress. Perth Solar Warehouse cumulative SPV data by month:

Even though photovoltaic implementation (SPV registration) falls away from first-half trends, in the second half of 2023, energy storage adoption replaces [Perth Solar Warehouse’s] photovoltaic growth with a consecutive Q3: 363% and Q4: 362% Q4—2023 YoY growth in Tesla Powerwall installations (kWh not represented in Sunwiz data). Australia’s Top 10% Tesla Powerwall volume: Tesla Performance Excellence Award ›

Best-rated reports are a little more proprietary. However, as opposed to singular platform (website) customer satisfaction data, Sunwiz measures customer satisfaction data from at least two platforms to better discern patterns over the calendar year. Two platforms where Perth Solar Warehouse customer experiences are measured extensively are Google and SolarQuotes.com.au.

In 2023, Perth Solar Warehouse accumulated 115 SolarQuotes.com.au customer experience with an overall 4.88/5 review average. Delving deeper than most, SolarQuotes.com.au further discerns alternative layers of customer satisfaction. In four alternative layers of customer satisfaction recorded on the SolarQuotes.com.au website, Perth Solar Warehouse customer average scores were evaluated as follows:

Category	Score
Value for money	4.87
Quality of System	4.93
Installation	4.84
Customer Service	4.91

Summary: PSW Eenrgy, Perth Solar Warehouse customer experience summary on SolarQuotes.com.au in 2023.

SolarQuotes.com.au: An overall 4.88 customer experience is considered Legendary with only 10 companies Australia wide attaining such position.

Deeper insight: Using a zoomed-in approach, we understand areas of refinement for future customer experience.

Reviewing Google is always a little more interesting when comparing companies. Take them with a pinch of salt, as anyone can leave reviews. Most importantly, look for variables/comments that make a company appear real—including responses to dissatisfaction. It’s also becoming more apparent to distinguish AI Chatbots in a business’s customer replies (they are often over-evaluated and emphasised; we’re sticking to keeping it personal in 2024). Perth Solar Warehouse attained an average 4.81/5 review rating from 204 Google reviews in 2023. Not all of these reviews were purchasing customers; they also included inquiries. A leading local company, PSW is exposed to up to one hundred daily inquiries for which we always try to assist.

Real companies have real scores.

There is no such thing as a unanimous review score when a significant cross-section of the population is surveyed. We’re consistently improving for the ideal balance of company security, competitive options, premium local support and outstanding customer satisfaction. We’re monitoring satisfaction to a standard. Exceeding customer expectations is our goal, yours is long-term energy security with an established, leading local company more assured of being there for your energy future. With established business roots in Perth, we’re invested as much as you are.

Ahead of the Smart Energy Conference 2024 and before a decorated awards ceremony presented by John Grimes, Smart Energy Council, and Warrick Johnston, Sunwiz, Perth Solar Warehouse’s preliminary awards were confirmed.

23rd February 2024: Sunwiz – Advisor to Solar Businesses, announced on LinkedIn:

Sunwiz Awards 2024: Top 5 Installer Western Australia and Best Rated Installer Australia

Congratulations Perth Solar Warehouse [and PSW Energy] on winning two SunWiz Top Solar Company Awards. Your efforts propelled you into the Top 5 retailers for solar installations of all sizes in Western Australia.

It’s amazing to install that much solar in one year… it’s even more incredible when those customers leave such extraordinary reviews. Congratulations on also being in the Top 20 Most Popular Solar Companies in all Australia.

SunWiz is Australia’s pre-eminent market analyst, and has been awarding the leading solar companies since 2015. Our awards are open to everyone, are 100% objective & unbiased, and prestigious. As part of our Best Rated solar company award, SunWiz gathers every solar company’s customer reviews in 2023, from the five most-used review sites. It isn’t difficult to achieve a 5-star average from a handful of reviews; it is harder to maintain such high customer satisfaction in every review. Best Rated solar companies achieved a weighted-average rating above 4.8 stars from 50 reviews in 2023. Of these, Most Popular solar companies garnered more than 125 reviews.

Once again, well done on being both a Top Volume WA and Most Popular Best Rated Australia Retailer!

We look forward to congratulating you at the SunWiz Top Solar Company awards ceremony at the 2024 Smart Energy Conference.

Derek McKercher commented on Sunwiz’s Facebook, acknowledging the Sunwiz awards, “I’m a fan of any award structure that remains impartial and distinguishes accolades based on accumulated broad industry data. Outstanding work SunWiz and congratulations to all Awardee’s”.

In collaboration with Australia’s Smart Energy Council, the 2024 Sunwiz awards provide one of the most respected solar installer award structures for customers seeking to differentiate a solar company’s industry standing. When Australia’s number one solar company by volume (SPV data) occupies only 3% of the national market, many options exist. Therefore, customers need an impartial data-backed measuring stick. The Sunwiz Awards 2024 summarises data for investors seeking organisational past performance insight deserving acknowledgement.

Sunwiz Award 2024. Ensure a hassle-free quote by a Sunwiz awarded Top 5 Western Australian installer.

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The 2024 Sunwiz Awards is the second year Perth Solar Warehouse has partaken in the event. In 2023, Perth Solar Warehouse qualified as a Top 10 Best Rated Solar Company (Australia) when analysing customer review platforms. Achieving a Top 5 Western Australia combined volume ranking plus a 12th position in the Best Installer rankings is significant. But we’re not resting. There’s room for improved performance in 2024; we look forward to the 2025 results.

Extended references: McKercher Corporation, PSW Energy.

Best of Sunwiz

QCells turns the lights out on Australia amidst a tricky landscape

QCells facility with half lights on at dusk for QCells solar panels Perth updating Australia exit

Since supplying Australia in 2009, QCells has called time on the local Australian market, citing ‘extreme competition’ that makes the down-under subsidiary’s business no longer viable. This is good news for existing QCells system owners, as they shouldn’t be in the lurch regarding warranty assurance. QCells’ parent company (Hanwha) has committed to supporting warranty obligations in the foreseeable future. But should you commit to buying a QCells solar panel system despite this news?

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QCells announced the cessation of Australian operations in February 2024
Support remains for existing stock and installations
Guarantee responsibilities shift in the absence of any manufacturer
Use a timeline to exercise individual caution for warranty
Good reputation solar panel brand remains supported internationally

Qcells cited an overly competitive landscape in a year that has seen many competing manufacturers selling below the cost of manufacture to maintain market share. And it’s a fair call: There is little point in being in business if you can’t make a profit. Therefore, what does that mean for those who have chosen or are choosing QCells solar panels as part of a system?

Recently installed QCells solar panels come equipped with a 25-year product warranty, ensuring overall product integrity (if installed to manufacturer specifications). With QCells no longer occupying an Australian base, manufacturer warranty resolution falls back to QCells, South Korea. The good news is that Hanwha QCells is a stable company that is better positioned than most to be around in 25 years. However, dealing with foreign companies [generally] in a warranty scenario is painful for an end-user.

The good news is that due to Australian consumer law, local warranty support remains available without manufacturer presence:

Both parties are responsible for ensuring that the QCells solar panels you purchased in Australia are of ‘merchantable quality’ for the intended period. However, vendor establishment and trust are crucial when depending locally, and your risk exposure timeline becomes more poignant.

Previous QCells Q.Partner. We know good technology & what’s required to support it.

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Short-term (0 to 3 years): Consider your level of warranty support with QCells solar panels, which is strong among all parties in relative terms—manufacturer, distributor, and installer. In a warranty scenario, it is highly likely to receive responsive after-care.

Medium-term (4 to 10 years): One of three parties with QCells warranty responsibility will likely cease to exist. However, Hanwha QCells is a leading manufacturer internationally. In the absence of one local link, it may take a little longer to resolve. Nevertheless, warranty assurance should be available.

Long-term (10 to 25 years): The likelihood of local support begins to thin if you do not choose an established supply partner/channel. Unless QCells decides to return to Australia, warranty resolution will occur between you, the end-user and QCells in South Korea. Be prepared, as this will take time.

When a manufacturer abandons Australia, we’ve learned to sunset the product, regardless of product integrity/quality. A solar energy system is an energy investment for a nominated period. It’s more of a liability and exposure question over time and volume. At the end of the day, “We’re invested as much as you are” but multiplied. From experience, dealing with internationally headquartered companies for warranties can be more fun, something not overly compelling for new business propositions. 25 years is a long time with a lack of investment and definition in a local support structure at scale. Still, we’ll always support our past customers no matter the scenario.

Would you like to know what we recommend as an alternative to QCells? Perth Solar Warehouse staff are equipped with knowledge of the highest solar panel specifications locally. We can assist you in finding the ideal solution with Perth’s largest online solar range.

QCells Solar Panels

Top 2%: Tesla Premium Certified Installer 2024

Tesla Certified Premium Installer 2024 - PSW Energy, Perth Solar Warehouse

You know you want a Tesla Energy product, but how do you select the ideal local installer? An installer with in-depth Tesla product knowledge is a must, especially when spending significantly on an energy investment. After all, your product warranty from Tesla is void if the installation fails to meet Tesla’s strict quality implementation requirements irrelevant to an individual’s accreditations. A Tesla Premium Certified Installer assists in narrowing down ideal installer selection criteria.

Perth Solar Warehouse recognised as a Tesla Premium Certified Installer 2024
Premium installers among Top 2% of Tesla Certified Installers (Australia)
5 year Tesla Energy collaboration: Tesla Premium Certified Installer 2022,23,24
Tesla internal audit: Customer satisfaction rating of 4.8/5

For the third consecutive year, Perth Solar Warehouse gained Tesla Premium Certified Installer recognition. Like all Tesla Energy premium installers, consecutive streaks ensure your local Tesla installer is aligned with Tesla’s mission [of providing high-quality, sustainable energy performance] to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Congratulations on your selection to be part of the Tesla Premium Certified Installer Program for 2024!

Perth Solar Warehouse has been selected to be a Tesla Premium Certified Installer based on your fulfilment of the following criteria:

Exceptional installation quality
Deep product knowledge and understanding
Distinguished customer experience
Longevity of relationship with Tesla
Alignment with Tesla’s mission

Perth Solar Warehouse staff are committed to ensuring a superior Tesla energy experience. Driven by a local team effort concerned about long-term performance: sales, administration, applications, projects, installation and aftercare implementing one of the most advanced sustainable energy products for home and business.

As a business, it’s a privilege to be a part of the process and, most of all, on the journey with a Tesla end user. For an enduring period, we are the customer’s local support base. Genuine assurance from a local business with a 20-year history in energy.

An essential measurement. How does Tesla monitor this? For the Tesla Premium Certified Installer qualification, installers must upload all critical points of the installation overview. Tesla then remotely assesses the local installation and ranks the installation based on relative standards. Non-premium installers are not required to submit this level of internal auditing.

2023: Perth Solar Warehouse scored 95% in all jobs assessed.

Tesla Powerwall 2, Lynwood, WA

Perth Solar Warehouse co-hosted the inaugural Tesla Energy Tech Talk (Perth) on 22nd November 2023 at the Tesla Motors Showroom, Osbourne Park. Presenting deep Tesla product suite knowledge, Perth Solar Warehouse Director Derek McKercher was invited back as a keynote speaker for round two, February 2024.

2023: Tesla identified a 362% YoY (year-on-year) growth from Quarter 4 2022 to Quarter 4 2023—Tesla Performance Report: PSW Energy, Perth Solar Warehouse.

Tesla Energy Tech Talk, Osbourne Park, November 2023.

Tesla Premium Certified Installers submit projects for internal Tesla auditing. Beyond compliance, auditing journeys include ‘customer experience’ after the point of sale. However, if you need further convincing toward the ideal Tesla installer: Ranked as one of the best solar companies in Perth, WA by review ›

2023: Tesla identified a 4.8/5% customer satisfaction experience with PSW Energy, Perth Solar Warehouse.

It’s free to inquire. Get a quote from one of Tesla’s top 2% most trusted installers in Perth, Western Australia.

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We value relationships with innovative brands that deliver high customer satisfaction results. Tesla remains one of the most advanced energy storage systems in 2024. There is a reason it is popular, and we’re facilitating this on a level with an equally popular service. Tesla Energy customers expect a high-quality local representation and installation service to match their sustainable energy product investment. We understand what’s required.

5 years of Tesla and Perth Solar Warehouse: 2 years Tesla Certified (2020-2021), 3 years Tesla Premium Certified (2022, 2023,2024).

We’ve been implementing sustainable energy systems on a service level for 20 years. Tesla’s mission to ‘Accelerating the world’s adoption of sustainable energy’ is more than aligned with Perth Solar Warehouse’s focus of ‘improving sustainable energy adoption through digitalisation’. Everything is energy; electron energy transfer is our most efficient energy supply towards sustainability. Through a collaborative lens, we’re building the future mix.

2024: 9 years energy services, 11 years energy retail/services. Q4, 2023: Perth Solar Warehouse receives the Tesla Energy Performance Excellence Award.

Derek McKercher (Director), 2013.

Tesla Energy Australia have nominated two local and two national Tesla Premium Certified Installers for the greater Perth region (Western Australia) in 2024:

	Premium Certified Installer	Service Areas
	Perth Solar Warehouse	WA
	Clean NRG Solar	WA
	Solargain PV	WA, SA, VIC, NSW, ACT, QLD
	Natural Solar	NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA, ACT

Source: Tesla.com

Achieving and maintaining Tesla Premium Certified Installer recognition is a recognised quality standard in Australia among installer networks. Perth Solar Warehouse celebrates all businesses with Tesla Premium Certified Installer status as quality local ambassadors of Tesla energy products.

Reference: McKercher Corporation

Powerwall Solar Batteries Tesla

Tesla Energy Performance Excellence Award, Q4, 2023

Kate Rutherford - Tesla Energy Performance Excellence Award

The world’s most recognised energy storage innovator has a relatively straightforward mission—accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. However, for rapid adoption to succeed, high-value local collaborations for implementation are required in diverse global regions. On February 1, 2024, Perth Solar Warehouse received the Tesla Energy Performance Excellence Award (Australia). Here’s what that translates to for you.

Greater adoption through proven customer outcomes that rank. You only become one of the world’s most iconic technology brands by knowing the numbers contributing to success. Therefore, implementing a measurement strategy for product implementation makes sense. While most manufacturers are concerned to the point of sale, Tesla aims for results, including installation satisfaction, to assist in long-term brand integrity.

With knowledge of implementation data, Perth Solar Warehouse surpassed the estimated growth in Q4, 2023. Achieving a company milestone of 362% YoY (Year on Year) growth, further complimented by a customer satisfaction rating of 4.8/5 and audit performance of 95% to support the achievement.

In the final quarter of 2023, Perth Solar Warehouse outperformed market growth by 165%, ranking among Australia’s Top 10% of Tesla Powerwall installers.

Via LinkedIn: We’re invested in your energy security as much you are. 𝙋𝙎𝙒 is Perth’s local Tesla Premium Certified Installer 2024 and Performance Excellence Award-Winner Q4, 2023.

Tesla Certified Installers receive a Tesla Performance Review at regular intervals. Customers can request to view this information from their preferred shortlist of installers for comparison. The following key metrics summarise Perth Solar Warehouse’s 2023 organisational performance (including PSW Energy):

	2023 Classification Criteria	Performance
	Installation Volume Ranking	Top 10% (Australia)
	Market Growth	Outperformed by 165%
	Company Growth Milestone	Q4 Year on Year growth 362%
	Customer Satisfaction	4.8/5
	Audit performance	95%

Monitoring certified installer performance provides improved guidance on which Tesla allocates Premium Certified Installer status. Tesla’s Top 5% of certified installers. Based on these figures, Perth Solar Warehouse was recognised as a Tesla Premium Certified Installer 2024 for the third consecutive year.

Tesla Energy Australia awarded three Tesla Certified Installers for individual outstanding performances in Q4 of 2023 via their Powerwall Certified Installer Newsletter Q1 2024:

Performance Excellence Award – Perth Solar Warehouse, Western Australia

Perth Solar Warehouse (PSW Energy) is the deserving winner of the Q4 Performance Excellence Award. Due to the renewed marketing focus on Powerwall and off the back of a highly successful customer event, Perth Solar Warehouse achieved a phenomenal 362% YoY growth for Powerwall sales in Q4.

Congratulations to the entire team at PSW for this fantastic achievement and we can’t wait to see what milestones are achieved in 2024!

Customer Service Excellence Award – Jet Solar, Victoria

Jet Solar are the winners of our Q4 Customer Service Excellence Award. Their clients home in Heathcote, Victoria, had a limited supply from a S.W.E.R line that was incapable of charging their Tesla vehicles. Jet Solar installed three Powerwalls, 14kW of Solar, and a Wall Connector, allowing the customer to enjoy using uninterrupted power, day and night and even in a black-out. Installed in December 2023.

Installation Excellence Award – Australia Wide Solar, New South Wales

Australia Wide Solar installed nine Powerwalls alongside 100kW of solar at Kalinya Estate, a luxury accomodation and events venue located one hour from Sydney. The team and Kalinya Estate were looking for a way to massively reduce their carbon footprint, and can now host tourism guests, private events and weddings, all powered by the sun.

All awardees performed exceptionally within their nominated categories and are justified as local industry-leading implementors of Tesla Energy products. Perth Solar Warehouse could only have achieved the Tesla Energy Performance Award through its staff. You are the fabric of this organisation. Thank you for committing to this shared belief of improved global outcomes.

And to our loyal PSW community of Tesla Powerwall owners, you see the benefits daily. Continue to share your energy independence story enabled through Powerwall and PSW, further assuring the long-term vision of self-sustaining energy independence.

Tesla Premium Installer. Ensure a quote by one of Tesla’s top 5% most trusted certified installers.

Tesla Quote

Extended resources: McKercher Corporation, PSW Energy

Powerwall Solar Batteries Tesla

Featured: Over the Horizon, Just Another Solar Podcast #52

Over The Horizon - Just Another Solar Podcast with Derek McKercher

What’s over the horizon of global sustainable energy innovation? Direct and raw, this is precisely the subject that fuels Perth Solar Warehouse Director Derek McKercher. Perth Solar Warehouse customers access some of the world’s most advanced technologies with outstanding customer success from a less-than-conventional approach to technology adoption. It’s time to make sustainable energy less of a proprietory space to expedite improved adoption, and from Derek’s perspective, it started with Perth Solar Warehouse.

Just Another Solar Podcast, Episode 1, 2024
Battery cell price reductions
Queensland's grid connectivity and metering issues
The secret behind Perth Solar Warehouse
Into the mindset of Derek McKercher, Perth Solar Warehouse Director

Featured on the first episode of 2024, Just Another Solar Podcast hosts Luke Beatie, Karl Jensen, and Nigel Morris delved into the latest industry topics, including the potential of battery cell price reductions, electric vehicle fires and Queensland’s state-based grid connectivity and metering issues. However, more occupying of the 43 minuet recording was the deep dive into the mindset behind Derek McKercher’s unique business approach that had the hosts curious.

Extended streaming links:

‘Over the Horizon’ begins with a discussion of the above topics providing various opinions of direction and insight. Beyond the initial 15 minutes of industry discussion, Luke Beattie [host] shifted the focus to Derek McKercher, seeking deeper insight into the enduring journey and competitive advantage Perth Solar Warehouse provides its customers, now reinforced with a series of highly commendable awards over 2023.

Prefer to read the full episode? Just Another Solar Podcast Episode 52: Over the Horizon with Derek McKercher ›

In 2011, after providing electrical services to various retail solar and energy companies for seven years, Derek had accumulated a library of frustration as part of the customer journey. Most elements of frustration had a level of commonality. They were avoidable and seemingly human error-related. With a knowledge of interpreting software, Derek formed Perth Solar Warehouse creating an all-encompassing online purchasing experience through online technologies that minimised human error within conventional solar company models and improved internal efficiency through digital processes.

However, it’s not one element that caught the curiosity of the Just Another Solar Podcast hosts. Perth Solar Warehouse consumer satisfaction across critical reviewing databases for customer research trends in alignment identifying consistency in both high pool depth (e.g., SolarQuotes.com.au) and low pool depth (e.g., Solar Choice) platforms. Such consistency from a Top 10 volume company in Western Australia (Sunwiz data 2023) has the professional community wondering how customer success follows a relatively lean business compared to many—efficiency through digitalisation.

Emphasised from a competitive business perspective, “In the digital space, If you are looking at what we [Perth Solar Warehouse] are doing, you are already behind, what you’re seeing today has already occurred. It’s in the past. A little bit like the sun you see on the horizon, which in reality, already occurred five minutes prior. We’re already looking at what’s next and implementing these revelations behind the scenes.”

The solar industry is never a stable place and is extremely competitive, “We need to remain agile and pivot as required…We’re consistently evolving as a leading sustainable energy provider” mentioned Derek.

Atmospheric refraction. Source: timeanddate.com

Travelling to sustainable energy-related conferences relative to Australian energy supplies, Derek grasps significant insight into future trends shaping the energy landscape. considered a crystal ball method. Fortuitously, Perth Solar Warehouse customers benefit from the most advanced product options on the market while acquiring knowledge shared directly from industry insight holders. Such a level of foresight has put Perth Solar Warehouse on the national map as a business to watch in 2024.

What is the benefit of revealing potentially proprietary insights with competitors? Derek believes in more significant positive consumer sentiment towards sustainable energy adoption. “if we allow businesses to learn from our model that experiences high customer satisfaction at scale, consumer sentiment shifts and more encourage technology leaps through positive outcomes.” Furthermore, “We [PSW Energy, Perth Solar Warehouse] aim to assist growth in energy supplies that are more sustainable for humanity to thrive. We can’t do this alone, and the more businesses that invest in long-term customer outcomes, that’s a fantastic space to exist. We must encourage positive competition.”

A layer not conveyed during the recording, Derek McKercher later revealed on Linkedin:

I never said anything. The meter reader mauled to death in QLD while working in 2022 and discussed in this latest podcast was my best friend from East Kenwick Primary School – Kane Minion. On reflection, I found it fitting that we were reunited unintentionally in a certain way yet again as my journey on this pale blue dot emerges into the spotlight on this podcast.

Thank you, Luke Beattie, Karl Jensen and Nigel Morris, for continuing the discussion on personnel safety and improvements through technology to prevent reoccurrence. It was a tremendous coincidence, and you did not know my relationship. After the recording, I was even more grateful that progressive debate continues in 2024.

Your life touched many. Rest in peace, my friend

Image: Kane Minion (left), Derek McKercher (right). Circa 1996. Source LinkedIn

The team at Perth Solar Warehouse would like to dedicate this post to Kane and his family, who had an early life impact on shaping what exists at Perth Solar Warehouse today. Thank you, Kane. Your memory lives and continues to inspire positive global change.

Derek McKercher Just Another Solar Podcast

Tesla solar panels make way for a one-brand energy solution

You have the electric vehicle, Tesla Wall Connector and potentially even the Tesla Powerwall home energy reserve, but what extra benefits do Tesla solar panels offer your home energy ecosystem? To be honest, very little if residing in Australia, as there is no specific roadmap for Australians seeking a complete Tesla one-brand energy solution. However, if you’re still interested in how the current US variations of Tesla solar panels compare in 2024, here are the specifications of what you may or may not be missing out on.

Due to the hype surrounding the Tesla solar panels available in the US market, it’s only natural for Australian energy investors to consider the world-renowned brand when shopping for an energy investment. However, locating an installer who can supply any variety of Tesla solar panels can prove challenging. In fact, non-existent. Neither Tesla Solar Roof nor Solar panels are available in Australia. An outcome that may or may not happen in 2024 and beyond.

Nevertheless, 99% of solar panels are simple static energy generation devices with no complex communicative/computing components—outputs of merely Voltage and Current to generate a nominated DC (Direct Current) power. Fortunately, Tesla solar panels have the same intrinsic function, rendering the critical differences only in aesthetic design, brand value and (likely) cost—aspects of measurable capacity against what is available today.

Two Tesla solar panels exist for unique reasons. One named ‘Tesla Solar Panel’ is in a format similar to a typical residential solar panel from most BNEF Tier-1 listed manufacturers. It is an all-black design with similar visual characteristics to a conventional monocrystalline solar panel while providing the most significant energy efficiency per square meter out of the Tesla solar panel range.

The building-integrated ‘Solar Roof’ is the Tesla solar panel format for those seeking superior aesthetic appeal. It is less protruding, and due to the reduced dimensions of each panel, the Tesla Solar Roof can maximise a nominated roof face where pitches are less accommodating.

	Model	Power	Efficiency	Temp COEF (°C)	Weight	Download
	Tesla Photovoltaic Module	405 W	20.6%	-0.34%	23.5 kg	Datasheet
	Tesla Solar Roof Module	58 W	Not listed	Not listed	Not listed	Datasheet

Tesla Photovoltaic Module T400H (395W – 405W): The Tesla solar panel for superior energy density per m². Even though it lacks the building-integrated appeal of the ‘Solar Roof’ module, the Tesla Photovoltaic Module improves conventional solar panel design with a proprietary Zep Groove for a more seamless aesthetic appeal with Tesla Zs mounting components and array skirting.

Tesla Solar Roof panel (58 W): Promoted to be more durable than conventional roofing materials, the Tesla Solar Roof offers arguably the most visually appealing photovoltaic design. Seamlessly rooftop integrated, the ‘Solar Roof’ provides up to 58.47 W from its 381 mm x 1143 mm dimensions.

Discover the savings—Alternative leading solar panels that work great with the Tesla ecosystem.

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If there’s one thing we know, Tesla doesn’t build technology by halves. Therefore, the Tesla energy ecosystem is simpler than alternative solar technologies yet broader towards a genuine one-energy ecosystem solution with feature-rich qualities. Tesla products cater to a target energy market and user. Similarly, Apple appeals to a large segment of the portable smart device market. Above all, the Tesla energy ecosystem’s true strength is its software, which enhances the usability and control of energy. Here’s what to expect from the Tesla energy ecosystem beyond solar panel options in 2024.

Model	Attribute	Advantages	Download
Powerwall 2	AC coupled energy storage for 99% of existing solar	Store excess solar energy for later use. Provide blackout protection.	Datasheet
Powerwall 3	All-in-one AC coupled energy storage and solar inverter	Converts solar generated energy (DC) useable energy (AC). Store excess solar energy for later use. Provide blackout protection.	Details ›
Wall Connector	Electric vehicle charging	Intelligently charge your electric vehicle with excess solar energy without exporting to the grid (Powerwall 2 or 3 required).	Datasheet
Tesla App	Real-time & historical energy centre for the Tesla Energy ecosystem.	Online visual gateway to advanced energy insight, management and control.	Discover ›

Powerwall 2: Tried and proven, the Tesla Powerwall 2 will continue to exist alongside Powerwall 3 due to its retrofit design compatibility with 99% of existing solar-only systems and is expected to be the most cost-effective Tesla Powerwall with an equal 13.5 kW storage capacity to Powerwall 3. Single-phase with three-phase limited compatibility.

Powerwall 3: An all-in-one solar inverter and energy storage solution designed to accommodate new Tesla Energy ecosystems from the start. With added components for solar conversion if required. Single-phase with three-phase limited compatibility.

Wall Connector: The advantages of Wall Connector have yet to be comprehensively realised by the masses. As mentioned earlier, Tesla’s real strength is its software. Even though potential hardware limitations may exist at face value, Tesla products can be upgraded remotely through software. When incorporated with the greater energy ecosystem, the Tesla Wall Connector offers unparalleled greatness in a simple format at an undeniable value. Rumours have it that bidirectional charging is not out of the question.

Tesla App: When comparing energy hardware in 2024, consider which companies invest the most into software because your user experience is now digital. Tesla App offers user control of the entire energy ecosystem through one convenient and beautiful web portal. Tesla App provides one of the better options for user experience towards energy insight.

Tesla Premium Installer. Ensure a quote by one of Tesla’s top 5% most trusted certified installers.

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Aligning with most BNEF Tier-1 listed module manufacturers from 2024. Tesla Solar panels offer a 25-year product and performance warranty with relative degradation for a monocrystalline solar cell format.

If factoring ‘Solar Roof’ as an integral part of your structure, photovoltaic effect aside, what other building material is equipped with a 25-year manufacturers guarantee?

	Model	Product warranty period	Performance warranty period	1st year degradation ¹	Annual degradation ^1,2	Download
	Tesla Photovoltaic Module	25 yrs	25 yrs	2%	0.5%	Warranty
	Tesla Solar Roof module	25 yrs	25 yrs	– ³	0.5%	Warranty

Warranted maximum power output degradation within a nominated period at Standard Test Conditions.
Annual warranted maximum power output degradation at Standard Test Conditions beyond year 1 for the remaining performance warranty period.
Calculated based on array size.

This information should be interpreted alongside the full Tesla solar panel warranty document.

Made in the U.S.A., Tesla solar panels are produced at the Giga New York factory in Buffalo, New York. It was Solar City before becoming the Tesla Giga New York factory. Tesla acquired Solar City in 2016 to commence a complimentary solar module suite.

Given that there is no current supply of either form of Tesla solar panels to the Australian market, there is no available cost guidance [Jan 2024]. Given Australia’s aggressive solar panel pricing structure at severely reduced rates compared to the rest of the world, comparing alternative markets would offer no insight into relative cost comparisons.

Final chance. Your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.

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If you were to pair Tesla solar panels with an ideal energy conversion technology, effectively, one item reigns supreme for a one-brand energy ecosystem. However, if you would like to broaden your battery options beyond the Tesla energy ecosystem suite, a couple of alternative great options exist.

Tesla: Powerwall 3 is Tesla’s answer to an all-in-one solar and battery inverter solution most likely to work seamlessly with Tesla’s solar roof and Tesla’s Photovoltaic Module. Australian arrival, late 2024.

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Innovative: Equipped with award-winning software, SMA’s new hybrid inverter range is potentially the next best contender as an energy ecosystem leader, with its new range of hybrid inverter technology arriving in mid 2024.

Review: SMA solar inverters maximise energy production with one huge feature

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Trusted: Fronius has undoubtedly earned a reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted inverter brands and is equipped with a comprehensive energy ecosystem for superior solar optimisation.

Review: Is a Fronius inverter worth the extra expense

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It depends [subheading] on which Tesla solar panel option you prefer. If the more conventional Tesla Photovoltaic Module is appealing, waiting will have a minimal advantage given that a Tesla Photovoltaic Module is a similar format to most readily available solar panels on the market today with similar all-black aesthetics. With no guarantee that the Tesla Photovoltaic module will make it to Australia, waiting is lost energy savings with minimal gain should the Tesla Photovoltaic module arrive down under.

However, the Tesla solar roof is unique. It certainly isn’t cost-competitive per kW compared to a conventional solar array. But that’s not why you’re investing in it. The Tesla Solar Roof can be considered a building-integrated solar energy collector that seamlessly compliments the roof line on which it is installed. Especially important when the external facade is a significant priority. Given that the Tesla Australia website has the Solar Roof listed, waiting for this option, compared to the alternative roof-integrated options (solar tiles), could prove worthwhile. Reassess this release in six months (mid 2024).

Tesla solar panel options will indeed grab the attention of many. With no software or communicative compatibilities, a Tesla solar panel is simply a static solar energy generation device with a certain ‘Tesla’ design appeal. For some, this could well and truly be worth the wait. For most, the sun shines each day and each day of waiting is lost energy savings. At Perth Solar Warehouse, we have leading solar panel options available today that complement the Tesla energy ecosystem wonderfully and with a similar streamlined aesthetic appeal. Explore your energy-saving potential in style with Perth Solar Warehouse and PSW Energy.

Solar Panels Tesla

How do Canadian Solar panels compare to alternatives?

Canadian Solar Panels Perth WA by PSW Energy

With a good product quality reputation and being one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers, Canadian Solar panels are undoubtedly a West Australian favourite choice. However, there are considerable differences between the Canadian solar panels Perth customers can access. Avoid the outdated tech. Within, we’ll fast-track you to the only Canadian solar panels Perth customers should consider in 2024 and how they compare against comparative industry heavyweights.

Top 5 volume globally: BNEF Tier-1 Q2 2024
N-Type TOPCon module options
Established 2001
Longstanding Australian presence (2011)
Powering: Mornington, Longreach, Oakley, Gunnedah solar farms (Australia)

Canadian Solar panels have been powering Perth’s rooftops since 2011, longer than many solar manufacturers have existed. They have a history dating back to 2001. Still, we’re more concerned about how Canadian Solar’s modules perform in real-world West Australian conditions over time while providing superior value for the ‘best available’ specifications.

From 2024, considering anything less than N-Type TOPCon or greater (HJT; Hetero-Junction Technology or BC; Back Contact) seems like stepping back to 2022. We’ve evolved, and so should our solar panel technology, to use the least surface area while providing the most yield.

Residential suitability: (order) Most ideal to least.

	Model	Power	Efficiency	Temp COEF (°C)	Weight	Download
	TOPHiKu6	440 W	22.5 %	-0.29%	21.3 kg	Datasheet
	HiKu6 Mono PERC	550 W	21.3%	-0.34%	27.6 kg	Datasheet

1. TOPHiKu6 (440 W): Residential candidates, choose this one! It’s the current highest-specification Canadian solar panel available and has extraordinary value for the technology. The specifications vs. cost make it excellent value compared to other leading brands. A -0.29% Temperature Coefficient means it performs well in hotter temperatures. We love this panel, and you should, too.

2. HiKu6 Mono PERC (550 W): This is an example of where bigger isn’t always better. At a beefy 27.6 kg, this monster suits industry buildings with abundant support and surface area due to its lower efficiency and commercial-level (reduced) 12 and 25-year warranty.

Research: Avoid installing certain higher-power solar panels on your home (475W+). Here’s why ›

The TOPHiKu6 (440 W) has a better warranty when suitably matched with the ideal environment. Each Canadian Solar panel warranty is summarised below for its intended purpose. More extended warranty periods now support Residential [intended] products from most leading brand Australian-invested solar panel manufacturers, including Canadian Solar.

Reduced warranty periods accompany Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solar panel specifications. Typical among leading solar panel brands due to the competitive space for Residential-grade solar panels, where the environments range from some of the most diverse on earth. A classic solar storey where bigger doesn’t always mean better.

	Model	Product warranty period	Performance warranty period	1st year degradation ¹	Annual degradation ^1,2	Download
	TOPHiKu6	25 yrs	30 yrs	1%	0.4%	Warranty
	HiKu6 Mono PERC	12 yrs	25 yrs	2 %	0.55%	Warranty

Warranted maximum power output degradation within a nominated period at Standard Test Conditions.
Annual warranted maximum power output degradation at Standard Test Conditions, beyond year-1 for the remaining performance warranty period.

This information should be interpreted alongside the full Canadian Solar warranty document.

Perth’s Canadian Solar Pro’s and locals you can trust. Google & SolarQuotes 4.9/5

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Different plants internationally contribute to the vertical integration of Canadian Solar’s manufacturing process. North America and China are the primary assembly locations for Canadian Solar panels. In contrast, alternative strategic locations in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and Brazil manufacture integral components such as ingots, wafers, solar cells, and other products.

Due to Australia’s geographical location, we receive modules from Canadian Solar’s robotic Gigafactories in China. Many module manufacturers are now strategically deploying replica [automated] facilities internationally for improved adoption on demand. Canadian Solar’s North American customers are more likely to receive Canadian-made (Ontario) or US-made (Texas) Canadian Solar panel variants. Fortunately, quality assurance and manufacturing lines are the same.

Canadian solar panel options resonate with premium customers seeking good technology value. A BNEF Top 5 [Q2, 2024] manufacturer globally, all currently produced Canadian Solar panels must push innovative boundaries or remain on trend to compete with similar high-volume manufacturers. However, you’re purchasing more than a solar panel and investing in a brand that is more likely to have warranty assurance for the intended period. Expect competitive value for the technology inside.

After the current zone 3 STC subsidy (Perth & Bunbury region), the average costs for a grid-tie solar-only Canadian solar energy system are as follows;

	Model	Sample System Size	Average Cost per kW ¹	PSW Price
	TOPHiKu6	6.6 kW	$756	Discover
	HiKu6	6.6 kW	$908	n/a

1. Average cost per kW installed (after STC value deducted as a point-of-sale discount), considering average inverter cost compatible with the sample system size, and based on values relevant within 30 days of the article post date.

Ensure these Canadian Solar panels and their nominated prices are our best. Get your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.

A 6.6 kW system is an example of the most common small-scale system size (residential). Considering all inverter types, the average cost divided provides an Average Cost per kW. The Average Cost per kW is multiplied by any nominated system size for general system cost guidance. This content is not a substitute for a quoted price.

Quick links: Alternative system size prices: 3 kW, 10 kW or 13 kW. OR build your ideal Canadian Solar panel and inverter combination with online installed prices on PSW Energy: Canadian solar package – variable sizes ›

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It’s one thing to know which Canadian solar panels to consider; this is only half the question. Some know precisely their inverter or battery preferences. However, for those seeking further inspiration, try these popular product pairings for an assured future-ready energy system.

Standard Inverter: Goodwe DNS-G3 or SDT-G2. It’s hard to ignore Goodwe as an inverter consideration. It may be at the more affordable end of the spectrum, but it just works. Great software, outstanding local support, and a solid reputation—unquestionably, Goodwe builds dependable solar inverters.

Review: How good is a Goodwe for your project

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Hybrid Inverter: The most advanced hybrid inverter solution we’ve ever seen. Start here, and add on essential elements as you need. Sigenergy’s Sigen Inverter become ‘Sigenstor’ when you add battery modules. Bonus: Up to 25 kW DC (bidirectional) EV charging capabilities available. Mind-blowing!

Review: Sigenergy’s ‘SigenStor’ is a game-changer for Australia

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European inverter: Fronius GEN24. When you occupy 20% of the Australian inverter market share, there’s a reason. Over the last decade, Fronius has earned a reputation for building dependable solar inverters, leading the way in energy ecosystem development with the new release of the Fronius GEN24 range.

Review: Is a Fronius inverter worth the extra expense

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When selecting the ideal solution for your home, with cutting-edge specifications, each Canadian Solar panel within the range will undoubtedly have a best-case scenario—we’ve compared variants stocked and available in Perth, Western Australia, at the time of writing. For most Perth Solar Warehouse turnkey energy solutions, the ideal Canadian solar panel will be the TOPHiKU6 with its n-type TOPCon solar module technology in a 440W format as the perfect system multiplier for customers looking to maximise their solar rebate within most system size categories (without batteries), for example: 3.9 kW, 6.6 kW, 10.5 kW, 13.2 kW and 19.8 kW.

Are you seeking a specific Canadian Solar product? As one of Perth’s proven Canadian Solar panel installers for end customers, we can facilitate your ideal solution with frontline West Australian product knowledge developed over 20 years. Contact Perth Solar Warehouse sales support for a Canadian Solar-certified installer servicing the Perth and Bunbury regions of Western Australia.

Canadian Solar Solar Power

SMA solar inverters maximise energy production with one huge feature

In reality, it’s [headline] more likely to be 42 years of ingenuity and the combination of all assembled aspects working in perfect harmony for the unrivalled energy conversion experience many have come to expect from Germany’s most regarded sustainable energy innovator. However, it’s 2023, and the world of innovation isn’t immune to reverse engineering to achieve similar outcomes in competing products. With the competition always so close, what’s the edge SMA solar inverters possess to validate your investment?

Perhaps the most undersold feature within an SMA solar inverter is yet to be visualised at the module level to determine actual value. In a world of marketing hype, it’s often challenging to discern good features from the great. However, one SMA solar inverter feature is exceptional, and we’ve yet to visualise another string solar inverter perform similarly.

Through proprietary means, SMA solar inverters can outperform similar string inverters when sunlight becomes obstructed. It’s the mechanism that allows an SMA string inverter to perform similarly to a module-level optimised system. More outstanding, it does this for a fraction of the investment. Shadefix. And it’s far more than marketing hype.

Footage of this feature using Tigo module-level monitoring-only units (TS4-A-M) identifies improved array performance in the event of a partially shaded scenario. Fluctuactuating independently and visualised as Watts per panel, when the shade imposes an effect on the solar array, only the solar panels affected by shade output reduces significantly until virtual isolation of an individual solar panel. All this while other solar panels perform at their peak Power potential as the timelapse captures the western afternoon aspect with output figures from 250W (approximately) until the entire array output diminishes with a setting sun.

Common among all SMA inverters are the key features that define SMA solar inverter advantages when comparing options away from specific model features. These will become essential when comparing different inverter brands.

Shadefix works like an optimised system improving output
Arcfix improves DC circuit safety should a fault occur
Smart Connect mitigates unknown system down time
42 years of accumulated inverter manufacturing knowledge (1981)
Germany's largest solar brand

Every SMA solar inverter in 2023 comes equipped with Shadefix. But with exceptional performance features, prices increase significantly from base models. Therefore, purchasing the ideal SMA solar inverter to suit your power supply and intentions is likely to be more beneficial. The good news is that there’s an easy way to refine which SMA inverter to choose.

Do you have a single-phase or three-phase power supply? How to identify a single-phase or 3-phase power supply ›
Are you planning a Tesla Powerwall or a BYD/SMA battery? Knowing this will save money. If planning Tesla Powerwall, then an SMA solar-only inverter is suitable while costing significantly less than their hybrid counterpart “Smart Energy” models. Is Tesla Powerwall worth it? Lifespan, cost, warranty, features ›

Model	Power	Inverter	DC Battery compatibility	Download
Sunny Boy AV-41	3, 5 kW (1 phase)	Solar	n/a	Datasheet
Sunny Boy Smart Energy	5 kW	Solar & DC battery (hybrid)	• SMA Home Storage • BYD HVS/HVM	Datasheet
SMA Sunny Tripower	5, 8, 10 kW	Solar	n/a	Datasheet
Sunny Tripower Smart Energy	5, 8, 10 kW	Solar & DC battery	• SMA Home Storage • BYD HVS/HVM	Datasheet

SMA Sunny Boy: Single-phase solar inverter. Proven design, ultra-high performance. The solar-only inverter for single-phase power supplies offers proven reliability for DC solar to AC grid-tie energy conversion—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall.

SMA Sunny Boy “Smart Energy”: Single-phase solar and battery inverter. The next-generation SMA inverter for DC solar and DC battery (hybrid) to AC grid-tie inverter—is compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall. The Sunny Boy Smart Energy model also provides SMA Battery compatibility (DC battery).

SMA Sunny Tripower: Three-phase solar inverter. Proven and dependable three-phase inverter technology. The solar-only inverter for three-phase power supplies offers proven reliability for DC solar to AC grid-tie energy supply—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall.

SMA Sunny Tripower “Smart Energy”: Three-phase solar and battery inverter (requires modification for Australian release). Comprehensive specifications for hybrid three-phase inverter technology. DC solar and DC battery (hybrid) to AC grid-tie inverter—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries, including Tesla’s Powerwall. The new SMA STP Smart Energy offers one of the best (by specification) three phase hybrid inverters to work with selected DC batteries.

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Beyond internal feature enhancements within SMA solar inverters, external communicative product compatibilities provide what’s now known as “the ecosystem”. An insular world where all expansion options communicate and operate as one harmonious energy ecosystem for a technological advantage. Now providing a DC-coupled HV battery option, the SMA energy ecosystem is perhaps the most comprehensive. It remains one of the more expensive solutions when coupling additional ecosystem features, although that’s the lesser factor when purchasing SMA. Delving into the SMA energy ecosystem, it’s an investment in sustainable energy refinement.

Model	Attribute	Advantages	Download
Energy Meter	Energy monitoring & signalling	View energy import and export from the point of supply within SMA Energy App. Provides surplus energy signalling/control to ecosystem connected devices.	Datasheet
Home storage	DC coupled energy storage for SMA Smart Energy inverters	Store excess solar energy for later use. Provide blackout protection: Additional installation costs.	Datasheet
EV Charger	Electric vehicle charging	Intelligently charge your electric vehicle with excess solar energy without exporting to the grid (SMA Energy Meter required).	Datasheet
Energy App	Real-time & historical energy portal	Online visual gateway to advanced energy insight, management and control.	Discover ›

Energy Meter: Multi & single-phase versatility in one device is an ideal design, although that unfortunately comes at a higher price for single-phase power supplies. The SMA Energy Meter is mounted within a switchboard to provide energy consumption and export data to the SMA Energy app when used alongside an SMA solar inverter.

Home Storage: Solar array design flexibility is enhanced through DC-coupled solar batteries, and the SMA Home Storage is assured to be one of the more -refined energy storage solutions. Considering future compatibility with the SMA Home Storage, the SMA Smart Energy hybrid inverter range (1 or 3-phase) is essential.

EV Charger: The SMA EV Charger has been exhausted in Australia 2023. A 2nd generation SMA EV charger is anticipated for Australia in 2024.

Energy App: Software is how sustainable energy ecosystems communicate with us for enhanced user experience. The new SMA Energy app enhances user experience across all device formats while delivering the essential energy night for actionable decision-making, assisting in more significant bill reduction and control.

SMA inverter specialists. Ensure a solar quote by a proven and local SMA PowerUP Partner.

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Upon activation, a dependable 10-year product warranty is provided if you purchase an SMA solar inverter through a certified SMA PowerUP partner such as Perth Solar Warehouse. Like similar 5+5 (10-year) inverter warranties, the activated additional five years excludes service cost liability from the manufacturer (SMA Australia).

However, a silver lining exists when purchasing through selected SMA PowerUP partners such as Perth Solar Warehouse. SMA solar inverters installed and activated within installed packages are assured a comprehensive ten-year warranty. PSW Life Support covers the service portion of selected product warranties, including all inverter warranty extensions. Your benefit is comprehensive local technical support endorsed by SMA.

Even though the sound of a 10-year warranty provides comfort for most, it’s essential to understand the limitations set within every nominated product warranty. SMA solar inverter limited factory warranty ›

	Model	5 years	10 years
	Sunny Boy AV-41		when registering
	Sunny Boy Smart Energy		when registering
	SMA Sunny Tripower		when registering
	Sunny Tripower Smart Energy		when registering

Depending on the model, SMA solar inverters are made in Germany and China. However, these should be considered more assembly locations from similarly automated production lines with the same composite of materials. More strategic than anything else, the split of geographical region SMA production facilities provides improved global distribution of selected models where specific variants have greater uptake. Nevertheless, when purchasing SMA, you’re investing in German-designed technology built to German quality standards. Take comfort in the reputation of the SMA badge.

Beyond the assembly origin of selected hardware, SMA solar inverters continue to surpass expectations with a less than 1% failure rate. As manufacturing lines become significantly automated, lessening manufacturing origin deficiencies of a previous era, the more poignant question in 2023/24 relates to cyber security and where your data is stored/used. You can tell a lot from energy data. If embedding an energy consumption monitor or alongside a solar inverter, the data produced becomes habitual.

SMA is proving to be a leader in the cyber security space, shaping secure information protocols beyond recognised standards for improved peace of mind.

Download: Technical Information – PUBLIC CYBER SECURITY

Regarding SMA, the best value is enjoyed when purchasing the specific technology for your needs. If you buy a hybrid inverter ‘just in case,’ it has little rewards, expediting return on investment as an economics device. As most onboard features and software functions are standard across models, the simplest method to improve the affordability of an SMA inverter solution is to have a general idea of future battery choices (if any).

If no battery or an AC-coupled battery such as Tesla Powerwall, SMA Sunny Island or SMA Home Storage is a preferred storage solution, a simplified solar-only inverter will improve project/system feasibility.

Model	Sample System Size	Average Cost per kW ¹	Unit cost 5 kW ²	PSW Price
SB: AV-41	6.6 kW	$877	$1890	Discover
SB: ‘Smart Energy’	6.6 kW	n/a	n/a	Discover
STP: AV-40	6.6 kW	$983	$2590	Discover
STP: ‘Smart Energy’	6.6 kW	n/a	n/a	Discover

1. Average cost per kW installed (after STC value deducted as a point-of-sale discount), considering average inverter cost compatible with the sample system size, within 30 days of the article post date.

2. Component cost within 30 days of the article post date. Ensure these SMA inverter prices are our best. Get your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.

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Average SMA inverter prices within this product focus are calculated using the new generation LONGi Hi-MO 6 solar panels as an AAA-rated Tier-1 bankable brand and a mid-level price point. However, SMA system affordability is improved when integrating similarly regarded solar panels by reputable manufacturers such as Risen Energy, which powers the high-performing Merridin Solar farm.

Although, when nothing less than the best shall compliment your chosen SMA solar inverter, consider the Intersolar Award-winning REC Alpha Pure R series for unmatched performance in hot conditions.

Reputation: Risen Energy has a reputation in Australia as a preferred solar panel brand incorporated within utility-scale projects such as the Merredin solar farm. A 2023 Bloomberg Tier-1 Top 10 manufacturer (volume)

Review: Risen solar panels: 5 things you need to know before investing

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Innovative: LONGi Solar now offers one of Australia’s most innovative solar panels, the Hi-MO 6, incorporating a new generation Hybrid Passivated Back Contact cell design. This release will be one of LONGi’s most popular solar panels beyond 2023.

Review: The LONGi solar panels you can’t afford to ignore

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Trusted: ‘Better, not bigger’ is the REC phrase to catch bloated panels marketed as superior off-guard, and we couldn’t agree more. Just because a solar panel has a higher power class doesn’t mean it’s better. Precisely why many researched investors highly value the multi-award-winning brand for innovation. Built in Singapore.

Review: Are the benefits of REC Solar panels worth the cost?

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From a Perth Solar Warehouse perspective, reputation and word of mouth are everything. Therefore, SMA’s Smart Connect is a feature we can honestly say is unmatched by any solar inverter brand. Smart Connect provides an automatic and free remote fault detection service for all SMA solar inverters connected to SMA Energy (the internet). We’ve experienced scenarios where SMA has pre-organised warranty replacement prior to the customer’s awareness of a fault state occurring rescuing lost yields under warranty.

Likelihood of yield improvement over 10 years: 10%

Factors 4 significant points of disturbance at 3 months average before regeneration of energy yields.

How advantageous Shadefix will be in your scenario depends on how much light is restricted from reaching the solar panels at any time. The following video offers greater insight if you are still curious about how SMA solar inverters convert more energy through Shadefix.

Likelihood of yield improvement over 10 years: 5 – 30%

Compared to conventional string inverters with no nominated MPP tracking enhancement.

The new frontier in energy storage is open communication with third-party appliances such as Air conditioning systems and hot water heat pumps to operate when solar power begins exporting to the less rewarding grid. Communicating with alternative storage devices provides an inexpensive complement to lithium battery storage for improved solar energy utilisation. The only drawback is that residential utilisation of this feature remains some time away. SMA’s ennexOS is an Inersolar Award-winning software system for innovation for this potential.

Likelihood of improved yield utilisation over 10 years: 10%

Considers export energy improvement for 5-years beyond year-5 utilisation.

Overall, three intrinsic features incorporated on a 42-year foundation of German innovation provide up to 25 to 50% greater solar energy utilisation over a ten-year warranty period.

Likelihood of yield improvement over 10 years: 25 – 50 %

For outstanding performance and a feature-rich sustainable energy product suite, SMA solar inverters are classed as a highly recommended and popular inverter range in Australia.

Looking to incorporate SMA solar inter options within your next solar project? A proven SMA PowerUP Partner based in Perth, Western Australia, we can assist.

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How good is a Goodwe inverter for your solar project?

There’s a very good reason you’ve found yourself here. A Goodwe inverter solution for your solar energy system is now on the radar, and that’s good. To be honest, it’s great. However, it’s essential to choose wisely to ensure your particular Goodwe inverter will likely meet or exceed expectations as your sustainable energy journey unfolds.

We’ve learnt over time that Goodwe provides some of the most adaptable inverter technologies in the market. As a technology trend unfolds, Goodwe is one of the more innovative to adapt and evolve as consumer sentiment shifts. An action that is either outstanding foresight or a measured response to change but positions Goodwe inverter owners at the forefront of adaptable technology as we ascend into more innovative energy solutions.

Believe it or not, your solar inverter will become the hub of your new sustainable energy ecosystem. So choose wisely. Selecting a Goodwe inverter from the beginning is a great start, but with Goodwe inverters, you have ideal options for your power supply or varied intentions.

Model	Power	Inverter	DC Battery compatibility	Download
DNS-G3	3, 5 kW	Solar	n/a	Datasheet
EH+	5 kW	Solar & DC battery (locked)	Lynx Home F	Datasheet
SDT	5, 8, 10, 15 & 20 kW	Solar	n/a	Datasheet
ET+	5, 8, 10 kW	Solar & DC battery (unlocked)	Lynx Home F	Datasheet

Goodwe DNS-G3: Single-phase solar inverter. Proven and capable. The solar-only inverter for single-phase power supplies offers proven reliability for DC solar to AC grid-tie energy conversion—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall.

Goodwe EH: Single-phase solar and battery inverter. The next generation of Goodwe is DC solar and DC battery (hybrid) to AC grid-tie inverter—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall. The EH Plus model offers a reduced entry point (cost) with a battery activation fee applied if installing a DC battery such as a Goodwe Lynx Home F. Nonetheless, the EH Plus provides outstanding value with expanded future options.

Goodwe SDT: Three-phase solar inverter. Two generations of dependability. The solar-only inverter for three-phase power supplies offers proven reliability for DC solar to AC grid-tie energy supply—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries such as Tesla’s Powerwall.

Goodwe ET: Three-phase solar and battery inverter. The next generation of Goodwe is DC solar and DC battery (hybrid) to AC grid-tie inverter—compatible with AC-coupled solar batteries, including Tesla’s Powerwall. The Goodwe ET offers a full-cost and unlocked solar and battery inverter ready to work with selected DC batteries, such as the Goodwe Lynx Home F.

Insight

Goodwe EH+ solar inverters provide an economically viable single phase hybrid ready solar inverter option providing an accessible solar and battery inverter unlocked by a fee incorporated with a DC battery purchase.

Discover the savings. Your copy of the latest catalogue.

Catalogue

Goodwe has become one of the most comprehensive sustainable energy ecosystems available. High product functionality, reliability and improved user experience (software) assist continued product faith for an ideal one-energy ecosystem solution. That’s your power supply connected, reportable and actionable at the moment.

Model	Ecosystem attribute	Advantages	Download
HomeKit	Energy monitoring & signalling	View energy import and export from the point of supply within SEMS portal. Provides surplus energy signalling/control to ecosystem devices.	Datasheet
Battery	DC coupled energy storage (HV)	Store excess solar energy for later use. Provide blockout protection when installing additional circuitry.	Datasheet
HCA Charger	Electric vehicle charging	Intelligently charge your electric vehicle with excess solar energy without exporting to the grid (HomeKit required).	Datasheet
SEMS portal	Rea-time & historical energy portal	Online visual gateway to advanced energy insight, management and control.	Discover

HomeKit: WiFi connected and ready to install without additional cabling required between the inverter and the electrical switchboard is a bonus for installation ease assisting affordability. The Goodwe HomeKit is mounted within a switchboard to provide energy consumption and export data to the SEMS portal. Advantageously, the Goodwe HomeKit can be used without a Goodwe inverter for general energy monitoring purposes through its WiFi communications protocol.

HCA Charger: Goodwe have taken time to release this HCA charger to selected global regions to ensure superior quality control with the rollout, and it’s shaping up to be a worthy solution at a competitive price point. The Goodwe HCA electric vehicle (level 2) fast charger has all the features one would expect from a solar-optimised charging option boasting an individual style to match your new EV. Available in single phase up to 7 kW or three-phase up to 11 or 22 kW.

SEMS Portal: Software is how sustainable energy ecosystems communicate with us for enhanced user experience. Goodwe’s SEMs portal has become more seamless while delivering critical insights for actionable decision-making and energy utilisation.

Goodwe inverter specialists. Ensure a solar quote by a proven and local Goodwe partner.

Goodwe Quote

Goodwe residential range solar inverters installed with packages all accompany a 10-year warranty when installed by Perth Solar Warehouse. Product activations for the extended five years in a 10-year warranty are often required. We do this for Perth Solar Warehouse Goodwe inverter systems in the range of a stable WiFi access signal on the installation day.

Goodwe inverters for collection or delivery may have varied warranty periods. View the attached Goodwe inverter warranty document to determine a specific Goodwe inverter out-of-the-box warranty.

Warranty Download

A Bloomberg New Energy Finance world top 10 inverter manufacturer, Goodwe inverters are built in the Guangde, Anhui province of China. A modern (2022) newly-built 46,000 m² automated manufacturing facility producing precision inverter outcomes at scale.

Expect great value from Goodwe for the outlay required (cost). We’re converted, and as voted by Australian installer groups, Goodwe inverters possess a reputation as some of the most reliable in Australia. What’s most convincing is a residential single-phase and three-phase solar inverter option within each category of solar only or battery hybrid.

Model	Sample System Size	Average Cost per kW ¹	Unit cost 5 kW ²	PSW Price
DNS-G3	6.6 kW	$725	$1490	Discover
EH+	6.6 kW	$801	$1990	Discover
SDT-G2	6.6 kW	$801	$1990	Discover
ET	6.6 kW	$953	$3490	Discover

1. Average cost per kW installed (after STC value deducted as a point-of-sale discount), considering average inverter cost compatible with the sample system size, within 30 days of the article post date.

2. Component cost within 30 days of the article post date. Ensure these Goodwe inverter prices are our best. Get your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.

Final chance. Your copy of the latest Perth Solar Warehouse catalogue.

Latest Catalogue

Pairing a Goodwe inverter with the ideal solar panel is often the next consideration. Although, different people have specific preferences towards the perfect module selection. The following three options are popular with a Goodwe inverter due to particular characteristics and appeal common among Goodwe purchasers.

Reputation: Risen Energy has a reputation in Australia as a preferred solar panel brand incorporated within utility-scale projects such as the Merredin solar farm.

Review: Risen solar panels: 5 things you need to know before investing

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N-Type module: More than a new era n-type module, the Jinko Tiger Neo combines superior durability and performance for assured energy investment. Jinko reins as one of Australia’s favourite solar panel brands with over 1,000,000 Jinko Tiger Neo 440W n-type solar panels shipped (Aug 2023).

Review: Which Jinko Solar panels should you consider?

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Most innovative: LONGi Solar now offers one of Australia’s most innovative solar panels, the Hi-MO 6, incorporating a new generation Hybrid Passivated Back Contact cell design. This release will be one of LONGi’s most popular solar panels beyond 2023.

Review: The LONGi solar panels you can’t afford to ignore

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Understanding your power supply is the best place to start. Determine if you have a single or 3-phase power supply at your property. As listed on your electricity bill, gauge your required system size from your average daily consumption.

Once you’ve determined your power supply and ideal system size, your property’s ability to accommodate a set number of solar panels combined with budget factors will assist with the ultimate Goodwe inverter-powered energy solution.

Seeking a custom Goodwe inverter solution? A proven Goodwe reseller based in Perth, Western Australia, we can assist.

Goodwe Solar Inverters

Contents

Size matters

Past installation standards

Warranty

Subsidy qualification

What does it cost to add more solar panels?

Alternative options

Contents

Key statistics 2023

Sunwiz awards 2024

Top 5 solar installer report

Best rated solar installer report

Official announcement

Key points

Our consideration on QCells solar panels

Contents

Key points

Installation quality

Product knowledge

Customer experience

Longevity of relationship

Alignment of mission

Perth's current Tesla Premium Certified Installer list

Contents

Key statistics

Performance report

Official announcement

Contents

Key points

Stream: Over the horizon with Derek McKercher

The journey

The advantage

The benefit

Contents

Key points

Which to consider?

The Tesla energy ecosystem

Tesla solar panel warranty

Manufacturing origin

What do they cost

Pairing options

To wait or not to wait for Tesla solar panels

Contents

Key points

Which to consider

What is the warranty

Where are they made

What do they cost

Pairing options

Which is ideal for you

Contents

Pros & cons

Key features

Which to consider?

The SMA energy ecosystem

SMA inverter warranty

Manufacturing origin & cyber security

The cost between models

Different panels to pair with SMA

How much more energy can SMA inverters convert

Contents

Key points

Which inverter to consider

The Goodwe energy ecosystem

Goodwe inverter warranty

Where are they made

What do they cost

Pairing options

Which is ideal for you

What's your cost? It's free to ask

What's your cost? It's free to ask

What's your cost? It's free to ask

Your interest-free solar price in a few questions.