THE ALL GREEN SOLAR GUIDE
Understand the choices behind a good solar system. Clear explanations, practical quote checks and useful illustrations — all in one place.
EXPLORE THE GUIDE
Read the section you need, then use the checklist to discuss your property with our team. Illustrations explain the principles; your actual design and expected output need a site-specific assessment.
01 · YOUR ROOF
The direction your panels face changes when they produce most of their energy. In NSW, north-facing panels generally favour overall generation, while east- and west-facing arrays can help spread production into the morning and afternoon. The best layout also depends on when your household uses electricity.
Shading from trees, neighbouring buildings and roof features changes through the day and across the seasons. A design should consider those patterns, available roof area and how panels are grouped. Panel-level electronics may help with some shading conditions, but they cannot replace sunlight that never reaches the panels.
These original All Green illustrations explain sun angle and seasons. They are conceptual guides, not forecasts for a particular roof.
02 · SYSTEM DESIGN
The panel array’s rating is measured in kilowatts of DC power. The inverter has its own AC output rating. It can make sense to connect a panel array with a larger rated capacity than the inverter because real-world panels do not spend all day at their laboratory-rated peak output.
A 6.6 kW panel array with a 5 kW inverter is a common example. The right combination for your home depends on the inverter’s approved inputs and the complete design.
When the array could produce more than the inverter can convert, output may be limited. Assess the overall energy result, not just a brief peak.
Manufacturer requirements, connection approval, export limits and incentive eligibility all need checking. There is no single oversizing ratio suitable for every system.
Start with your electricity use and when it occurs, then consider roof space, future loads and budget. An EV, electric water heater or battery can change the design conversation. Ask the quote to distinguish system capacity from any export limit.
03 · REAL-WORLD PERFORMANCE
Kilowatts (kW) describe power at a moment in time. Kilowatt-hours (kWh) describe energy generated or used over a period. A useful system estimate explains expected energy across the year, rather than implying the panels will produce their rated power whenever the sun is out.
Orientation, shade, daylight, cloud and seasonal conditions affect the energy reaching the panels.
Panel temperature, inverter conversion and electrical losses affect the energy the system can deliver.
Monitoring helps spot changes. Soiling, faults or changes to nearby shade may need investigation if performance falls unexpectedly.
Compare actual output with the system’s expected performance for the same season and conditions. A few cloudy days, or a generation reading taken at a different time, are not enough to establish a fault. Your installer can help interpret monitoring data.
Panel efficiency relates to how much of the available sunlight a panel converts to electricity. A product warranty addresses specified defects; a performance warranty sets model-specific output conditions over time. Check both documents rather than assuming every panel has the same term or retained-output percentage.
04 · PANEL COMPARISON
Two panels with the same wattage can differ in size, technology, warranty terms and service arrangements. The most useful comparison is between the exact models quoted and how each fits your roof. A higher panel rating does not automatically mean more useful energy from the final layout.
Look at rated power, physical dimensions, efficiency and temperature information. Ask how many panels fit, where they go and whether the proposed layout leaves appropriate access and clearances.
Review product and performance warranties, exclusions, the claim process and who handles service locally. Keep the quote, invoice, model numbers and handover documents together.
05 · INVERTER OPTIONS
The inverter converts the panels’ DC electricity into AC electricity used by the home. String inverters, optimisers and microinverters approach that job differently. Comparing them starts with the roof layout, shading, monitoring needs and future battery plans.
Groups of panels feed a central inverter. The design needs to account for panels with different orientations and shading conditions.
Panel-level optimisers work with a compatible central inverter. They can add individual-panel control and monitoring where supported.
Conversion occurs at individual panels. This can suit some complex roofs or mixed exposure, with equipment and support requirements of its own.
A hybrid inverter can combine solar and compatible battery functions, but battery compatibility and backup operation remain model-specific. Ask for the proposed inverter model, monitoring features, warranty and expansion pathway.
Brand comparisons should use current models and a common set of assumptions. An older brand-score graphic may compare equipment that is no longer offered. We’ll explain the actual options in your quote, including what is included, what can be added and how support works.
06 · ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
Homes can have single-phase or three-phase electrical supply. The inverter and battery arrangement must suit that supply and the connection requirements. A qualified assessment of the meter and switchboard is the starting point.
Installing a single-phase battery on a three-phase property does not automatically provide backup across all three phases. Identify the circuits that matter during an outage and confirm how the proposed system serves them. Monitoring that shows a net energy balance is not the same as physically supplying every circuit.
07 · CONNECTED EQUIPMENT
A grid-connected solar system usually shuts down during a grid outage. Backup requires a supported configuration with appropriate isolation. The design must specify backed-up circuits, power limits and whether solar recharge works in an outage.
The grid meter records imports and exports. Inverter monitoring records generation, while compatible consumption monitoring can show energy used within the home. Ask which views are included and who coordinates any meter change.
08 · BUYING WELL
A lower price may reflect a different panel layout, inverter, warranty or installation scope. Ask each installer to show the equipment and work included so you can compare like for like. Projected savings should state the electricity-use, tariff and generation assumptions.
Exact panel and inverter models; panel count and layout; any battery and backup equipment; monitoring; expected generation and the assumptions behind it.
Switchboard and meter work; roof access; removal of old equipment; warranties; service responsibilities; payment terms; and which incentives are included in the quoted price.
Be cautious with guaranteed savings based on another household’s bill. The amount of solar you use on site, electricity rates and system performance all affect the result.
09 · INSTALLATION QUALITY
Before work begins, the installer should assess roof condition, access, mounting, cable routes and the switchboard. The design and installation need to follow the applicable requirements and the equipment manufacturers’ instructions.
Understand the agreed layout, access arrangements, expected interruption and any additional work identified during assessment.
Leave roof access, electrical work and mounting decisions to the qualified installation team. Raise changes to the agreed scope before they proceed.
Ask for commissioning and safety documentation, equipment details, warranties, shutdown instructions and access to monitoring.
Your handover should explain how to use the system, who to contact for a fault and what maintenance is recommended. Roof-level inspection or electrical testing should be handled by suitably qualified professionals.
10 · ROOF MOUNTING
Tilt frames change the angle of the panels relative to the roof. They may suit some low-pitch or commercial roofs, but the extra equipment, spacing and structural demands need to be weighed against the expected energy benefit.
A mounting assessment should consider wind loading, roof structure, waterproofing, panel spacing and potential shading between rows. Tilting panels can reduce the number that fit on the roof, so an improved angle does not always produce the best overall result.
We compare practical layouts and use a suitable mounting system for the property. The decision should come from the complete roof and system design, rather than a blanket statement that tilt frames are always good or always unsuitable.
11 · KEEP RESEARCHING
Use the questions in this guide to discuss your property and compare proposals. Our team can explain the equipment we recommend and the assumptions behind your design.
YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED
No. Consider your roof, budget, electricity-use pattern and connection requirements. Future appliances or a battery may justify a different size, but the design should explain why.
No. Compare the exact panel model, roof layout, inverter, warranty and installation scope. The useful energy from the complete system matters.
Often, but the pathway depends on the inverter and proposed battery. If future storage is important, ask your installer to explain compatibility and any later equipment changes.
Not necessarily. Product ranges and specifications change. Use the current model documents and a site-specific design when comparing options.
Yes. Contact our team with your property address and energy needs for an assessment across the Central Coast, Sydney, Newcastle and Maitland/Hunter. Your proposal should explain the equipment, installation scope and assumptions used for the design.
Researching solar installers on the Central Coast, in Sydney, Newcastle or Maitland/Hunter? Use this guide to compare equipment and ask better questions about your proposed system. All Green can discuss the roof layout, electricity-use pattern, connection requirements and future loads at your property.
Explore our regional solar installer pages for Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle. For Maitland and the Hunter, contact our team with your suburb.
The original graphics are retained here for reference. These include historical product comparisons and installation illustrations: model ranges, warranties, prices and design assumptions may have changed. Use the written guide and current model documents for buying decisions. Installation work is carried out by suitably qualified professionals.
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