Solar Readiness for Strata - Section 3 - Prerequisite Projects for Solar
You may want to watch a video on the Barriers to Solar.
Switchboard and Meterboard Upgrades
The switchboard and meterboard may need to be upgraded prior to a solar project. This could be because there is not enough space for smart meters which are larger than the existing analogue (spinning disc) meters. Another reason for upgrade is that ceramic fuses need to be replaced with Residual Current Devices (RCD's). This is a good project to do of its own accord to reduce risk of fire on the switchboard. Also, some older switchboards and meterboards have an electrocution risk and do not meet AS3000 compliance.
Switchboard and Meterboard Upgrades
The switchboard and meterboard may need to be upgraded prior to a solar project. This could be because there is not enough space for smart meters which are larger than the existing analogue (spinning disc) meters. Another reason for upgrade is that ceramic fuses need to be replaced with Residual Current Devices (RCD's). This is a good project to do of its own accord to reduce risk of fire on the switchboard. Also, some older switchboards and meterboards have an electrocution risk and do not meet AS3000 compliance.
New Roof Installation
If a strata building is installing a new roof, try to make it colorbond. Colorbond is a great roofing type to install solar panels on. Solar panels can also be easily installed on cliplock roofing.
Waterproofing
Water penetration is a major issue in residential strata. There are three or four different types of waterproofing from "blow-on" solutions to triple layer. The typical lifespan of waterproofing may only be 15 years. This is shorter than the expected lifespan of a solar system which is now 25 years.
If a strata building is installing a new roof, try to make it colorbond. Colorbond is a great roofing type to install solar panels on. Solar panels can also be easily installed on cliplock roofing.
Waterproofing
Water penetration is a major issue in residential strata. There are three or four different types of waterproofing from "blow-on" solutions to triple layer. The typical lifespan of waterproofing may only be 15 years. This is shorter than the expected lifespan of a solar system which is now 25 years.
Structural Engineering Report
A structural engineering report might be required on a tiled roof with wooden cross beams. The question which needs to be answered is whether the roof can hold the additional weight of the solar panels and racking system.
If the method of attaching a solar system on a concrete roof is going to be using ballast (concrete blocks) then a structural engineer may need to be engaged to assess the windspeed in the locality and determine the kilograms of ballast required for each row of solar panels. Keep in mind, it is very difficult to find an independent structural engineer who will work with a solar installer to do this. Big 3 energy companies tend to have structural engineers in-house, whereas smaller solar installers do not. After the decision on ballast or anchor points as the mechanism to affix the solar system to the roof, the structural/civil engineer signs off on Australian Standard AS-1170.
A structural engineering report might be required on a tiled roof with wooden cross beams. The question which needs to be answered is whether the roof can hold the additional weight of the solar panels and racking system.
If the method of attaching a solar system on a concrete roof is going to be using ballast (concrete blocks) then a structural engineer may need to be engaged to assess the windspeed in the locality and determine the kilograms of ballast required for each row of solar panels. Keep in mind, it is very difficult to find an independent structural engineer who will work with a solar installer to do this. Big 3 energy companies tend to have structural engineers in-house, whereas smaller solar installers do not. After the decision on ballast or anchor points as the mechanism to affix the solar system to the roof, the structural/civil engineer signs off on Australian Standard AS-1170.
If weight of a traditional solar system is an issue on an older wooden crossbeam roof, then you may want to explore the use of light weight, flexible solar panels. You may want to watch a video on lightweight, flexible solar skin.
Electricity Monitoring Device Installation
If you are planning a shared solar system for all the apartments in the strata, then you may be able to install an electricity monitoring device on the cable which has the aggregate load of all the apartments. This can help in sizing the right solar system for a community solar system. e.g. one which uses a solar sharing gateway from a company such as Allume Energy. You may want to watch a video on Allume Energy. You may want to watch a video on Wattwatchers case studies.
Battery
Some Battery providers operating in the Australian market started aggressively pricing their batteries in the final quarter of 2021 to the point that a $7,000 discount against the market leader opened up. In conjunction with increasing lifespans, where some batteries are now resilient enough to be charged/discharged over a 20 year lifespan and the introduction of additional income from Virtual Power Plant programs, the payback on batteries crossed the threshold where it is becoming viable in early 2021. Even if not installing a battery immediately, there is a business case for installing a larger solar system now, than what is needed for the current load, on the assumption that a battery could be added to the solar system in the coming 2-3 years. You may want to watch a video on Virtual Power Plants.
Electric Vehicle Charging Roadmap
Have you planned how many electric vehicles are going to be charging in your apartment building over the next 10 years? If you do, you may want to install a slightly larger solar system now which feeds-in a little more in the early years, but can charge electric vehicles when they arrive. You may want to watch a video on 10 different models for EV charging. An EV Readiness for Strata Training Course is available here.
Electric Heat Pumps for Hot Water
Replacing gas hot water system with highly efficient electric heat pumps will increase the electricity load on the building. However, the combination of solar photovoltaic generation and use of ambient air temperature to heat water through a heat pump is the most efficient hot water setup that a strata building can attain in a common hot water plant. You may want to watch a video on heat pumps for strata.
We are going through a period where we will complete the electrification of apartment buildings. A video on this is here.
Electricity Monitoring Device Installation
If you are planning a shared solar system for all the apartments in the strata, then you may be able to install an electricity monitoring device on the cable which has the aggregate load of all the apartments. This can help in sizing the right solar system for a community solar system. e.g. one which uses a solar sharing gateway from a company such as Allume Energy. You may want to watch a video on Allume Energy. You may want to watch a video on Wattwatchers case studies.
Battery
Some Battery providers operating in the Australian market started aggressively pricing their batteries in the final quarter of 2021 to the point that a $7,000 discount against the market leader opened up. In conjunction with increasing lifespans, where some batteries are now resilient enough to be charged/discharged over a 20 year lifespan and the introduction of additional income from Virtual Power Plant programs, the payback on batteries crossed the threshold where it is becoming viable in early 2021. Even if not installing a battery immediately, there is a business case for installing a larger solar system now, than what is needed for the current load, on the assumption that a battery could be added to the solar system in the coming 2-3 years. You may want to watch a video on Virtual Power Plants.
Electric Vehicle Charging Roadmap
Have you planned how many electric vehicles are going to be charging in your apartment building over the next 10 years? If you do, you may want to install a slightly larger solar system now which feeds-in a little more in the early years, but can charge electric vehicles when they arrive. You may want to watch a video on 10 different models for EV charging. An EV Readiness for Strata Training Course is available here.
Electric Heat Pumps for Hot Water
Replacing gas hot water system with highly efficient electric heat pumps will increase the electricity load on the building. However, the combination of solar photovoltaic generation and use of ambient air temperature to heat water through a heat pump is the most efficient hot water setup that a strata building can attain in a common hot water plant. You may want to watch a video on heat pumps for strata.
We are going through a period where we will complete the electrification of apartment buildings. A video on this is here.
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