Lester's quick tips for solar success
Installing solar panels is just the first step. Lester advises paying attention to every detail before and after solar panel installation to help make the most of your savings.
Do your homework: Not all retailers, tariffs, or metering setups are same. "The right retailer, metering, plan and tariffs for your state/region/homes usage is another step to get right after solar [or battery] is finalised," he adds.
Talk to the experts: Consult with solar experts and installers before making any significant changes, as their knowledge is invaluable. At AGL, you can request a no-obligation chat with a solar expert to learn about your electrification options.
Consider adding a battery: While Lester is yet to add a battery to his solar PV system, he reveals it's the next step. "If you are a working household, and most power use is before and after normal 9-5 work hours, you really need solar and a battery to make a worthwhile difference," he says. If you are out during the day, you may consider a battery to help maximise your solar.
Through AGL's Virtual Power Plant (VPP), battery owners may even be able to share excess energy with their local community. By utilising a small amount of energy from each battery, the VPP creates a large pool of energy that can be shared during periods of peak demand.
That way, you can support your neighbours and help take reliance off the grid.
Small changes, big impact
Since becoming solar savvy, Lester believes small-scale renewable energy is the key to a cleaner future.
Rather than focusing solely on large-scale renewable projects, residential solar power is equally important.
"I believe doing it on a more micro scale with residential, small commercial/industrial rooftop solar is a good thing," he says.
"[It] seems more viable than huge solar or wind, especially if a fair, equitable system of feed-in returns can be balanced, and people's excess generation can help the grid cope and other consumers on the grid.
"Community batteries or power sharing type ability [too] have a big future to help all consumers."
"If we aren't willing to burn our quality coal to give us cheap, reliable power, then I feel we should not be sending it to other countries for them to burn for their cheap energy," he notes.
"It just seems hypocritical to make our efforts here such a moot point, and for an indiscernible difference is any world climate benefits."
From coal stoves to solar power
Renewable energy wasn't something Lester thought about growing up, as it seemed as feasible as flying cars.
"As a child, we had a huge coal stove for many years up to nearly teens, power supply/power pricing back then was just something that was near the bottom of anyone's thoughts or concerns," he said. It's safe to say he's come a long way since the humble cooker.
Today, Lester is a strong advocate for environmental change, encouraging Australian households to take the first step towards solar energy. The local energy hero may even be around to answer any questions his peers may have.
”All the best to…anyone taking the solar [or] battery leap and maybe [I’ll] see you on the [AGL] Neighbourhood forum," he adds.
