It’s a well known fact that the Sun is the all giving, energy life source for planet earth. It’s ever lasting energy can be harnessed day in and day out. It’s also well known that solar power can save you money off your power bill, but, did you know that you could make money from the sun?
Queensland is well known for its Sunshine, so it’s no surprise that the take up rate for Solar PV in our fine state is amongst the highest in the country. Another well know characteristic of the Queensland Summer, the summer storm, is making its comeback this month, with freak weather events including hail and torrential rain already prominent.
One of the primary questions potential purchasers of a solar electricity system have is what happens to solar panels in a storm, particularly if that storm involves hail.
Connect 2 Solar choose Hyundai PV Panels in their installations, and one of the reasons is that Hyundai Heavy Industries are well aware of the danger hail presents to their PV Panels. For this reason solar panels are fitted with a toughened glass surface. The toughened glass in solar panels is typically designed to withstand a direct vertical impact of hail up to 25mm (1 inch) in diameter. Larger hailstones are also unlikely to cause any damage due to the alignment of the solar array.
Concern about hail damage to expensive solar electricity installations is natural, but largely unwarranted.
Solar Array Alignment and How it Protects the Panels
To ensure maximum solar panel efficiency they are aligned to have maximum exposure to the sun. In Australia, this means solar panels are mounted on an angle to face the north. Fortunately severe hail bearing storms tend to approach with southerly winds in the southern hemisphere. The result is that the trajectory of the hail is such that it will hit the back of the solar panel or make a glancing blow only on the front surface of the solar panel.
The result is that even though the solar panel can withstand a direct hit from quite large hail stones, the glancing of hail off the surface of the panels means a much lower impact force. Therefore the solar panels are readily able to escape undamaged from hailstorms that are extremely violent and involve exceptionally large hailstones.
Swimming stars of the future are set to benefit from a new community partnership supporting the Brisbane club that produced greats such as Kieran Perkins and Sam Riley.
Solar Industry business Connect 2 Solar - a local renewable energy company – is launched its community partnership with the Commercial Swimming Club at the Brisbane Exhibition 2011.
The Commercial Swimming Club, based in Fortitude Valley has long been the breeding ground for some of the countries best known names in swimming, including Kieran Perkins and Samantha Riley.
Connect 2 Solar Director, Ty Kennedy said that they would be contributing a significant donation from the sale of solar power systems from the show.
“It is a little known fact that competitive swimming is expensive, and funding is not made available to elite athletes breaking into National competition,” he said.
“Some families have reported investing upwards of $40,000 a year in their young athletes”
"Solar power is the energy source of the future, and these young athletes are our source of future champions."
Commercial Swimming Club is excited about the opportunity to provide essential support to their members.
The funds will be used by the Club to engage professional coaches, strength trainers, purchase equipment and fund travel in some cases.
For more information, call 1300 022 765
Solar panels are now an affordable option for Australian households looking to reduce their power bills and generate their own clean electricity.
The use of solar panels has expanded quickly over the last couple of years and more consumers are looking for guidance so they can make an informed decision.
The Clean Energy Council has prepared a comprehensive consumer guide so that you can make smart choices about a system that is right for you.
At Connect 2 Solar we want you to be empowered, with the latest information on:
- Australian Standards
- what should panels cost?
- Warranties and guarantees
- Renewable Energy Certificates
and more! Download the full article here!
- Consumers Guide to Buying Solar (805 download)
The Gold Coast and northern NSW have emerged as one of Australia’s hottest spots for new solar power installations with industry experts forecasting continued strong demand.
New figures from the Clean Energy Council show four of the top 20 solar postcodes in Australia are now located between Ormeau and Ballina. And solar industry businesses say they expect the trend to continue because of the area’s abundant sunshine, the rising cost of electricity and the growing popularity of renewable energy solutions.