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Buying tips for photovoltaic power systems

1. Do your homework and seek professional advice where possible
2. Be aware that a solar system will be quite expensive, but may still be the best option in your circumstances
3. Apply energy conservation practices to reduce the load which has to be met by the solar system, remember "the cheapest kWh is the one you don't have to produce."
4. If it is a stand alone system determine the load and work backwards to determine the size of the battery bank, PV array and other balance of system components
5. In a stand alone system you should not aim for full autonomy in the middle of winter as the system will be very expensive and you will have excess generating capacity for the rest of the year
6. Remember that even extra low voltage electricity can be dangerous, so your system should be installed by a person accredited with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE)
7. There are Australian standards for the design and installation of stand alone PV Power systems.

If you want further information after reading the linked pages please email ray.prowse@anu.edu.au