Frequently asked solar questions.

Yes. Solar panels generate from light, not heat, so they still produce electricity in cooler weather and under cloud. Output is usually lower when less sunlight reaches the panels, which is why annual and seasonal production matter more than a single sunny-day figure.

There is no single correct size for every home. Start with your electricity use, when you use it, available roof space, shading, export limits and any future loads such as an EV or electric hot water. Our solar and battery calculator can provide a starting point.

No. A larger system can make sense when you have high daytime demand, a battery, future electrification or useful export capacity, but oversizing without a purpose can leave more generation being exported at a lower value than electricity you avoid buying from the grid.

kW is a rate of power; kWh is an amount of energy. Think of kW as the flow rate from a hose and kWh as the amount of water delivered over time.

Not necessarily. Batteries can be useful when you regularly have surplus solar and substantial evening or overnight demand, or when backup is important to you. The financial case depends on your usage pattern, tariff, battery cost, usable capacity and charging opportunities. See the battery guide.

No. Backup requires a compatible inverter, suitable backup hardware and an electrical design that supports the circuits you want to run. Ask exactly which circuits will stay powered and what maximum backup power is available.

Some systems can, if the inverter, battery settings and installation allow it. Whether it is worthwhile depends on the electricity plan. Victoria's Midday Power Saver is one example where scheduled grid charging may matter.

Often, yes, but the best approach depends on the existing inverter, system age, battery compatibility, switchboard and whether the battery will be AC-coupled or integrated with a compatible hybrid system. It should be assessed from the actual equipment already installed.

Depending on the system, surplus may charge a compatible battery first and any remaining electricity may be exported to the grid, subject to your connection settings and export limits. Exported electricity earns the applicable feed-in tariff.

It is the credit your electricity retailer pays for eligible solar electricity exported to the grid. The highest advertised feed-in tariff does not automatically mean the cheapest plan overall; usage rates and supply charges also matter.

Eligible Victorian households may be able to access the Solar Homes PV rebate and an optional interest-free loan, while eligible solar systems also receive federal support through Small-scale Technology Certificates. Battery incentives are separate. See our Victorian solar rebate guide and battery discount guide.

Solar Victoria recommends confirming eligibility before accepting the quote in writing or paying a deposit. If a deposit is paid earlier, it should be fully refundable. Always check the current Solar Victoria process before committing.

Not always. Many credible retailers can prepare an initial quote using satellite imagery and accurate information about the property. A physical visit becomes more useful when shading, roof condition, access, switchboard details or equipment locations cannot be confirmed remotely.

In Victoria, solar and battery installations are prescribed electrical work and must pass an independent inspection before they can be energised. Energy Safe says this inspection should occur within 8 business days, which can be close to two calendar weeks once weekends are included. See the inspection guide.

Look beyond price. Check operating history, written workmanship protection, technical capability, reviews, after-sales support, who will actually install the system and how problems are handled. Our installer guide explains these checks in more detail.

Not automatically. A stable subcontractor network can provide continuity and a known workmanship history. What matters is accountability, credentials, quality control and who is responsible if something goes wrong. The retailer's responsibilities do not simply disappear because installation is subcontracted.

Photons in sunlight transfer energy to electrons in the solar cell. The cell's internal electric field helps separate charge, producing DC electricity; the inverter then converts it into AC electricity for the home. Our simple science guide explains it with analogies.