What hardware is included in a solar system?

As part of your UPowr digital quote, you’ll see a list of the hardware that makes up your recommended solar system.

We include everything required to install and run your system. The cost of these items is included in the ‘full cost’ of your solar system, along with all design, project management and installation costs. 

Panels

Example: 22 x QCell - 330W QMAXX 60 Cell

This item covers the number and type of panels that will be required to make up the size of the recommended system. The panels that we use are generally black, with the number of ‘cells’ per panel listed in the name (above as 60 cell).

The term ‘PERC’ is an acronym for Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell which is a technology that enables higher efficiencies than standard solar cells. The term ‘Poly’ is an abbreviated form of ‘Polycrystalline’ which is the type of silicon the solar cells are made of. The solar panels are the basis of the system and convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. 

Inverter

Example: 1 x SMA 6kW Inverter

While the panels create electricity from sunlight, the electricity only becomes ‘usable’ through an inverter as it turns the energy from a variable direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Once it is in this form, you can either use it in your home or export it back to the grid. 

For most residential systems, you’ll only need one inverter, with the size of it (measured in kW) being determined by how many panels are in your system, and what the solar export limit is in your network area.

While your panels are installed on your roof, your inverter is generally installed on a wall. 

Accessories

The items listed under ‘accessories’ are all the remaining pieces that are required to mount the panels on your roof and have them connected to your inverter. Depending on the size of your system, you’ll likely see some of the following items in your digital quote: 

Mounting kit

Example: 6 x Clenergy Mounting Kit

A mounting kit is the aluminium hardware that mounts the solar panels onto the roof. Depending on your roof, the kit will include brackets, rails and clamps to secure your solar panels. The amount of mounting kits is determined by the number of panels in your system. 

Mounting kits are made up of:

• L-feet or tile brackets are secured to the roof purlins
• Rails are then fixed to the L-feet or tile brackets
• If the panels are in a long row, they are connected together with splice kits
• Panels are then mounted to the rails using clamps (mid/end) 

AC Breaker

The AC breaker (short for circuit breaker) is a switch that is installed within the switchboard and connects the inverter to your electrical loads and the grid. Breakers have a current rating that is the maximum amount of electrical current that can flow through them. If the current exceeds this amount, they ‘trip’ (turn off) to protect the cable and devices (the inverter being one) connected to it from damage. 

Meter Isolator

Example: 1 x Meter Isolator

If your system is "export limited", a separate meter will need to be installed to control the output of the inverter. Export limiting means that the network that provides the poles and wires in your area has decided that the grid is not capable of absorbing the full output from your inverter. 

In residential areas, the export limit on a single-phase connection is generally about 5 kW. The export meter is installed in the switchboard and measures the energy that is flowing to and from the grid. If too much energy is flowing into the grid from your solar system, it will communicate with the inverter to reduce its output and limit the grid export. 

Label Kit

Australian Standards require a number of things in a solar system to be clearly labelled so that they can be identified in order to operate them. For example, the DC isolator at the inverter must be labelled so that people know which switch to use when they want to turn off the power coming from the panels. Other labels included safety warnings about DC voltages, and a reflective green PV sticker on the switchboard so that emergency services know that a solar system is installed at the property. 

DC Isolator & Casing

A DC isolator is a switch that is capable of turning off a DC current, and the casing is the housing that protects the isolator from the elements. In your solar system, there is a DC isolator on the roof adjacent to the array, as well as next to the inverter at ground level. The isolator at the inverter may also be included within the inverter (as opposed to secured to the wall). 

Balance of Systems

Example: 1 x Balance of Systems (BOS)

The Balance of system includes all of the little bits and pieces that are required for an installation but don’t fall into any other categories. This includes electrical cables to connect the panels to the inverter and the inverter to the switchboard, conduit and saddles to protect the cable, and cable ties to secure the cables under the inverters. 

Export Meter

When your solar system is producing electricity, it will first go to your home to power your lights, heating, cooling, and other appliances. However, if you are producing more solar energy than you can consume, the excess will then flow into the grid. In this situation, you are providing power for other people who are consuming power from the grid, and you will be paid a solar export tariff by your energy retailer. 

In order to measure how much energy you are sending to the grid, your meter must be upgraded or reconfigured to measure both the energy that you consume and the energy that you export. In some cases, if your meter is new, it may already be capable of doing this and all that is required is for us to tell your energy retailer that a solar system is installed. If it is an older meter, we will have to organise this to be replaced through your retailer.