Frequently Asked Questions
Solar 101: FAQs
Understanding solar doesn’t require an engineering degree. Here are straightforward, honest answers to the questions we get asked most by Sarawakian homeowners.
Let us start with very practical, real-world concerns about daily life, safety, and money.
🔌 How It Works (The Basics)
Ans: Not at all! The entire system is 100% automated. Your home will naturally use the free solar power generated by your roof first. If you need more power (like turning on multiple air-conditioners at once) or when the sun goes down, SESCO’s grid seamlessly feeds in the rest. You won’t experience any flickering, interruptions, or switches.
Ans: Yes, they absolutely can power your entire home—including heavy-duty appliances like air-conditioners, water heaters, and fridge systems. During peak hours, your solar panels generate a steady flow of electricity that offsets your active consumption.
🌧️Weather & "What If?" Questions
Ans: Yes! While solar panels work best in direct sunlight, they don’t need a perfectly clear sky to generate power. Light and UV rays still penetrate passing clouds and rain. Your system will continue to generate electricity on overcast days, just at a slightly lower rate.
Ans: This surprises a lot of people: No, your system will shut down during a blackout. Under SESCO’s safety regulations, grid-connected solar systems must automatically turn off within 2 seconds if the main power grid goes down. This “anti-islanding” safety protocol prevents your panels from sending live electricity back into the neighborhood lines, protecting SESCO technicians while they work on repairs.
Ans: Since solar panels need light to function, they rest at night. During these hours, your home automatically pulls power from the SESCO grid just like it always has. This is where your daytime solar export credits come in to offset that nighttime usage!
💰 Money, SESCO Credits & "The Catch"
Ans: It can get incredibly close! However, even if your solar panels cover 100% of your energy usage, you will still receive a tiny monthly bill representing SESCO’s basic connection service and meter charges. Think of it as a small “maintenance fee” to stay connected to the grid backup.
Ans: No, SESCO does not send you cash or checks. Instead, any excess energy your panels export to the grid is turned into 1:1 bill credits. These credits act as a “financial buffer” that carries forward to offset your future electricity bills.
Ans: Under SESCO’s NEM rules, your accumulated solar export credits are incredibly flexible—they roll over month-to-month and can be safely kept active for up to 2 years (24 months) before expiring! This gives you plenty of time to use up summer credits during the monsoon seasons.
Ans: Solar panels are incredibly durable because they have no moving parts. Most premium solar panels are designed to last 25 to 30 years, slowly retaining over 80% of their original generating efficiency even after decades of direct tropical sun exposure.
🛠️ Practical & Installation Concerns
Ans: Under the current SESCO Net Energy Metering (NEM) guidelines, battery energy storage systems are not allowed to be connected to the grid-tied system. Your excess energy must be exported directly to the grid for credit. This actually works in your favor initially, as it saves you from buying incredibly expensive home battery packs that need replacing every few years!
Ans: Not if they are installed correctly. Certified installers use specialized, weather-tight mounting brackets designed to secure panels tightly to your specific tile or metal roof profile without creating water entry points. SESCO requires that all installations be completed by an authorized, certified contractor to guarantee roof safety and quality.
Ans: Very little! Because Sarawak gets frequent, heavy downpours, our tropical rain does a fantastic job of naturally washing away dust and leaves for you. Usually, a quick visual check and a professional rinse once a year are more than enough to keep your system performing at peak capacity.