Most solar panels are made of silicon crystalline cells (which are called photovoltaic cells) and are created in two forms: monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Monocrystalline cells are made from a single crystal, while polycrystalline cells are made from many different crystals. These cells are then on a plastic back-sheet and supported within an aluminium frame, topped with a front glass plate for protection.

Solar panels produce the photovoltaic effect, which is the process by which solar cells produce electricity when exposed to sunlight. Photovoltaic cells do this by allowing photons – light particles – to free electrons from atoms, which generates electricity.

The savings you can achieve with solar depend on your system size, energy consumption patterns, roof orientation, and how much electricity you use during daylight hours versus evening.

A typical Lake Macquarie household with a 6.6kW solar system can expect to generate 9,000-10,000 kWh of electricity per year. If you currently pay around 30 to 35 cents per kWh for grid electricity, using solar power during the day rather than drawing from the grid represents significant savings on your energy bills.

For households that add a home battery to their solar system, the savings can be even more substantial. By storing excess energy produced during the day and using it during peak evening hours when electricity rates are highest, some families achieve up to 90% reductions on their electricity costs.

The upfront cost of a solar installation is offset by:

• Immediate reductions in your electricity bills
• Government rebates that reduce your initial investment
• Feed-in tariff payments for excess energy exported to the grid
• Protection against future electricity price rises

Lake Macquarie City Council has been recognised as a leader in sustainability, and residents across the local council are following that example by investing in renewable energy for their homes. Installing solar panels in New South Wales is available through affordable packages and attractive government incentives that significantly reduce your upfront costs.

1.Federal solar rebate (Small-scale Technology Certificates)

The primary incentive for solar installations is the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which provides rebates through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). When you install an eligible solar system, you receive STCs based on the expected energy output of your system over its lifetime until 2030.

For a standard 6.6kW solar system installed in the Newcastle area (Zone 3), this currently equates to approximately $2,000 to $2,400 off the purchase price. This discount is typically applied at the point of sale, meaning you see the reduced price on your quote.

These rebate values decrease each year as we approach 2030, so acting sooner means securing a larger rebate.

2. Battery storage rebates

If you’re considering adding battery storage to your solar system, there are additional incentives available:

• Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program – Provides approximately 30% off eligible battery installations (around $55 per kWh of usable capacity)
• NSW Virtual Power Plant (VPP) Incentive – Offers up to $1,500 for connecting an eligible battery to a Virtual Power Plant network

While solar panels do require regular cleaning to remove dirt, dust, or debris, they should run well with minimal technical maintenance over their 25-year lifespan. Should you require technical assistance after your solar panel installation, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

Generally speaking, natural rainfall should take care of most dust or dirt. However, if you live in an area with less rainfall or if significant buildup on the panels is noticeably affecting your generation performance, such as bird droppings or grime, then a cleaning might be in order. If you don’t wish to do this yourself, most companies will offer a maintenance service.

If you want to do it yourself, pick a cool time of day (very early morning would be best) and DO NOT use any high-pressure equipment. Your garden hose should suffice, or some gentle soap and water with a non-abrasive sponge (like you would use on your car, so as not to scratch it) will do the trick for tougher build-up.

No, solar panels do not generate electricity at night. However, many households use solar batteries to continue benefiting from producing their own electricity at night.