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WattMateWattMate

Western Australia's solar and battery platform. Free and independent.

Fighting dodgy deals and bill shock, one rooftop at a time.

0459 742 134
admin@wattmate.com.au

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Back to learning hub

Learning hub

Solar basics

Learn the fundamentals of solar energy and how it can power your home with clean, renewable electricity.

WattMan, WattMate's rooftop and quote-truth guide — a WattForce brand character
Explained by WattMan, WattMate's rooftop and quote-truth guide
About WattForce expertsAn illustrated WattMate expert persona — a brand character voicing our team's real WA solar experience, not a real person.
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Not sure where to start? Get a free home energy assessment — or see a sample report first.
How WattMate checks its facts

More from the learning hub

Solar panel orientation guide

North, west or east: which roof face and tilt suits your tariff.

Solar financing options

Cash, green loans, the WA battery loan, and leases compared.

STCs and solar rebates explained

How federal STCs and WA battery rebates stack, worked example included.

How solar works

Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic cells made of silicon. When photons from sunlight hit these cells, they knock electrons loose, creating an electric current.

Key points

Photovoltaic cells are made from silicon semiconductors
Sunlight creates an electric field across the cell layers
Direct current (DC) electricity is produced
An inverter converts DC to alternating current (AC) for home use
Excess electricity can be fed back into the grid

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Solar basics - understanding solar energy | WattMate