Solar power FAQs

  1. Why solar power?
  2. Why choose TRUenergy
  3. To purchase solar power from TRUenergy, do I have to be a customer?
  4. How does it work?
  5. What size system do I need?
  6. How much does a system cost?
  7. What happens at night or when it's cloudy?
  8. How much could I save?
  9. What happens to the power I don't use?
  10. What are feed-in tariffs?
  11. What rebates are available?
  12. How do I get solar power installed?
  13. Will I require a new meter?
  14. How much is the additional cost for a bi-directional meter?

 

1. Why solar power?
With a home solar power system you can:

  • Save money on your energy bills
  • Generate your own electricity
  • Get paid for any excess power you export back to the grid (if eligible)
  • Add value to your home
  • Reduce your greenhouse gas emissions

2. Why TRUenergy?
TRUenergy is one of Australia's largest energy companies, providing gas and electricity to around 2.5 million customer accounts.
As experts in energy, TRUenergy Solar Solutions offers:

  • Solar Specialists and a dedicated Australian call centre to answer your solar questions
  • A range of system configurations to suit your requirements, from 1.52kW to 5kW systems
  • Quality products: Trina and Suntech Solar panels with a 25 year warranty guaranteed at 80% power output
  • SMA Inverters – German technology, the world’s most popular grid connect inverters
  • Professional and simple installation process by a licensed accredited installer selected by TRUenergy or our contracted partner
  • Advice and assistance with arranging the installation of a new bi-directional meter


3. To purchase solar power from TRUenergy, do I have to be a customer?
No, our solar power systems are available to all eligible electricity customers within Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.

4. How does it work?
Solar panels on your roof convert sunlight into electricity. You can use this electricity in your home to power appliances. You can also be paid for any excess power you export back to the grid, earning you credits on your electricity bill.

5. What size system do I need?
This will vary depending on your energy usage and needs, a Solar Solutions Consultant can talk you through the options and find the right solution for you and your home. To benefit from the Transitional feed-in tariff in Victoria and the solar bonus schemes in Queensland and South Australia, you need a system no larger than 5kW. All TRUenergy's systems fall under this limit, meaning they're all eligible for the feed-in tariff rates (while available) once the appropriate bi-directional meter has been installed.

Visit our Solar feed-in tariff page for more information about available solar schemes.

6. How much does a system cost?
This can vary on the size of system you decide to install and on the rebates available to you.
Call our Solar Solutions consultants now on 1800 006 501 for more information to help find the right solution for you or leave your details to be contacted by one of our consultants

7. What happens at night or when it's cloudy?
When your solar system is not receiving direct sunlight it will typically not generate enough power to supply your household needs. At these times your power supply will automatically come directly from the electricity grid.

8. How much could I save?
Savings will vary depending on your energy usage. For more information on potential savings please visit the Clean Energy Council consumer guide to Solar PV: http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/resourcecentre/Consumer-Info/solarPV-guide

9. What happens to the power I don't use?
The power you generate but don't use feeds directly into the grid. You can get paid for any excess power you export back to the grid, earning you credits on your electricity bill when you have a bi-directional meter installed. This is called a 'feed-in tariff'.

10. What are feed-in tariffs?
If you have a bi-directional meter installed, then you may be rewarded for choosing to generate solar electricity through a solar feed-in tariff.

Solar feed-in tariffs credit you for the power your solar panels generate that is fed back into the electricity grid. When an eligible solar system generates electricity, it can earn you extra credits on your electricity bill. In most states, the State Governments have specific feed-in tariff schemes, which determine the rate you are paid.

Depending on the size of your system and the state you live in, TRUenergy may even pay you an additional amount on top of the government feed-in tariff. You may be able to maximise your solar bonus by improving the energy efficiency of your home to export more electricity to the grid. More details are available on our Solar feed-in tariff page.

11. What rebates are available?
To help you understand the various rebates on offer, we've broken them down into two categories. The first is the discount you can get at time of purchase when you assign your small-scale technology certificates or STCs to TRUenergy. The second is ongoing returns you'll get year after year - potentially for the life of the solar panels. Read more on our solar power rebates page.

12. How do I get solar power installed?
Call 1800 006 501 to talk to a TRUenergy Solar Solutions consultant. We will give you a quick free assessment and no-obligation quote over the phone, book your installation, complete the required paperwork for government rebates and assist you with organising installation of your bi-directional meter.

13. Will I require a new meter?
To access a feed-in-tariff, you may require a new bi-directional meter to be installed in order to measure both the incoming and outgoing electricity. Alternatively, you could just need your existing meter reconfigured. The new meter or the reconfiguration of your existing meter can only be done by an electricity distributor and may carry additional costs.

14. How much is the additional cost for a bi-directional meter?
There may be a charge from your distribution company for your new bi-directional meter and for the meter exchange. If you are a TRUenergy customer in Victoria this will appear on your next electricity bill from TRUenergy after the meter has been exchanged. Please note that costs for the bi-directional meter and exchange will vary depending on your distribution company, the State you live in and additional changes can apply. Please contact a TRUenergy Solar Solutions consultant on 1800 006 501 for further information.

   

TRUenergy supplies gas and electricity to residential and business customers. We retail energy in
Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, ACT and Queensland.