REA Power’s proprietary solar panels use glass on both sides to capture reflected sunlight for increased energy generation. Photo: REA Power.
A Canberra solar supplier has become the ACT’s exclusive distributor for cutting-edge Australian-engineered solar technology that can generate up to almost a third more average daily energy for households and businesses.
Huglo Solar has been hand-picked to join an exclusive group of REA ‘Power Partners’ and is the only one in Canberra to offer Renewable Engineering Australia (REA) Power’s innovative solar technology.
REA Power has engineered a “dual producing solar panel” that allows light to pass through, capturing energy from both the front and the rear of each panel, incorporating 440-watt cells with glass on both sides, typically adding 10 per cent more energy than conventional solar panels with opaque backing.
This panel power generation capability, combined with an inbuilt Enphase ‘micro-inverter’ attached to each panel, can boost energy production by up to 30 per cent more on average per day than set-ups using the traditional “string system” that connect all panels to a single inverter.
REA Power channel partner manager Justin Bull says these combined innovations effectively turn each panel into its own mini solar system, or what they call an AC Module (ACM) panel.
“The way the traditional system works is, the sun hits the panel producing DC power and that voltage runs down to the inverter, which sits somewhere, usually at the side of the house, and converts the DC energy to AC for you to use,” he says.
“Because it’s all running on a DC String topology to one inverter, as soon as the sun drops on some panels – say at a certain time of day when a shadow is cast – that affected panel will reduce all the panels on that string to the same DC output. String-based systems typically have fewer hours of operation a day. With an inverter inbuilt to each panel at the roof level, each one operates independently.”
There are also safety benefits that come with this arrangement.
“There’s a ‘set and forget’ mentality around solar systems, and a lot of people don’t realise what’s happening on their roof,” Justin says.
“With traditional string systems, high voltage power and cables run through your roof back down to the inverter. If cables are damaged or exposed to oxygen, this can cause DC arcing, which can pose a fire risk. Plus, most DC solar systems lack the necessary circuit protection for rapid shutdown.
“With the REA Power ACM, Enphase micro inverters convert DC to AC up at the roof level, offering built-in circuit protection and rapid shutdown in case of emergency.”
Inverters on each REA panel turn each panel into its own miniature solar system for improved efficiency, monitoring capability, longevity and safety. Photo: REA Power.
The proprietary panel technology, engineered right here in Australia, is now one of the highest-performing panels in the UK market after exports began about a year and a half ago.
Though the Aussie innovation attracts a slightly higher upfront outlay, the efficiency gains mean customers require fewer panels to meet their needs, and the ACM includes a 25-year warranty on the panel and microinverter.
In addition, due to the modular nature of the panels being plug-and-play, REA systems are future-proof.
“As technology evolves, as your lifestyle changes, your energy needs change as well. Whether due to home renovations, the addition of a pool, the move to an EV or installing a battery, the REA system can easily scale up,” Justin says.
“We hear from many homeowners who have outgrown their existing system after several years. The problem is, you can’t simply add onto those systems due to the limitations of a traditional single inverter string system.”
Importantly, the REA technology includes the Enphase Enlighten app, which monitors each individual panel’s performance to easily identify any problems and alerts users to any failures.
That means each ACM panel operates independently, generating and converting more energy without relying on the collective performance of other panels. This setup leads to greater efficiency with more hours a day of production, as shadows or dirt affecting one panel won’t reduce the energy output of the others. Should one panel or micro inverter fail, it can be easily replaced without impacting the overall performance of the system.
Offering higher returns over time, Justin says the REA Power ACM panel is “the smart investment”.
“With fewer panels needed and less maintenance, it’s the future of solar,” he says.
Interested in your own REA Power system? Contact Huglo Solar.
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