Frequently asked questions - FAQs

Ecotech Energy is a member and approved Clean Energy Council Retailer.

The approved retailer program is a way for solar businesses to show their commitment to responsible sales and marketing activities and solar industry best practice. It is the only solar industry code of conduct authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. For more information on the approved retailer program, visit the Clean Energy Council website.

A feed-in tariff is a price that you will get paid for electricity you generate from your solar power system that is fed back into the grid, by your power supplier. The feed in tariff can differ depending on where you live and your electricity supplier. For instance, Victoria has a net feed in tariff and only applies to the excess electricity that you export to the grid.

All large retailers are required to offer their eligible customers both a standard and a premium feed in tariff. You can receive the feed in tariff by contacting your retailer once you have a solar power system installed with the correct metering in place.

Yes! We can install rooftop solar panels on most roofs including tile, colorbond and older tin. If your roof requires major repairs, we suggest that this is done prior to anything being installed.

The solar system size will depend on your energy use and where you live. A small system starts from around 2kW which will provide approx 20% of a small to medium household. If you have a larger household, a 5kW system will generally cover 100% of your power usage during the day.

The actual usage and solar production can vary considerably, depending on time of year, your power use and other factors. It’s also important to remember that any excess power will be fed back into the grid (this is called a feed-in tariff that your energy supplier will pay you for). If you use most of your power during the night, you will still be using grid power as your solar system won’t be generating any energy. 

Our energy experts can design and recommend a system to suit your household needs. Get in touch with us today.

Permits or approvals are generally not needed for rooftop solar systems. You may need approval if your house is heritage listed, just check with the appropriate government or council body.

If you live in a complex that has a strata or owners corporation, you will need approval from them before you install your solar system.

Our team design the system, including the location of the rooftop panels, to ensure your solar is generating the most power it can, and as efficiently has it can. 

The location and angle of the panels are a vital part of your system efficiency. If you have any concerns on where the panels will be, let us know and we can look at alternatives if need be.

The lifespan of a solar system can depend on a range of things, including the quality of the solar components.

Most solar panels have been tested and show that there is a small reduction in output after 20 years. This is mainly due to the glass surface on the panels ageing and reflecting more light. Our solar panels come with a 25 year performance guarantee so you can rest assured you will still be using sun power for a long time to come.

At Ecotech Energy, we only supply quality solar products from reputable global brands that have Australian warranties and guarantees. 

When your solar system is generating more power than you are using, it will be exported back into the grid. Your power company will pay you for this power, and is referred to as a feed-in tariff.

This export generally happens during the middle of the day when your system will be producing the most power. 

Yes, our expert installation team are fully qualified and licensed electricians.

We’re also a Master Electrician Member and accredited by the Clean Energy Council of Australia.

If you have a standard solar power system, then the system will shutoff and you will not have any power. If you have battery storage as part of your solar system, then you can use the power stored from your system for as long as it lasts. Once the power comes back on, your system will automatically turn back o and start producing power (if it’s during the day that is!).

In most cases you will be able to enlarge your system size to suit your change in lifestyle. Just ask your energy expert and we will ensure the design can accommodate a larger system in the future.

Yes! It is recommended that you update your policy inclusions with your insurer as soon as possible.

Like most things, regular cleaning and maintenance is required. Solar systems are considered low maintenance, and the only thing involved is giving your panels a quick clean once in a while.

You can read more about our recommended cleaning procedure in our news section.

Batteries or battery storage allows you to store excess electricity generated when the sun is shining and use it at other times when you need it. Because the value of excess electricity that you sell back to the power grid (feed-in tariff) is generally lower than what you are charged when you consume electricity, it is more efficient to store your own energy for later use.

We have years of experience in designing and installing battery storage systems for a number of uses. And with new technology rapidly growing, there are many options to choose from for just about any use. Speak with one of our energy experts about our battery storage options today.

Installation time will vary depending on the size and location of your system.

For a standard 5kW home solar system, on a single storey home, you can expect a 1-2 day installation time. For more complex residential projects, we allow 3 days for installation. Connecting your new system to the grid is the final step in the installation process. This is the responsibility of your electricity supplier and can take up to 4 to 6 weeks.

Our commercial project installation times differ dramatically, depending on the size of the system. Our team will guide you through the process and will provide an estimate on how long it will take to install.