What Are The Different Types of Solar Roof Mounting Systems?
The solar roof mounting systems method is one of the most interesting developments of solar innovation. Mounting systems are a key component of solar arrays—they secure solar panels to the roof or the ground—and are likely the most competitive solar product market. To help new installers get a handle on installation, we go over the basic categories of roof-mounted solar systems.
Sloped roof mounting systems
Solar panels are frequently found on sloped rooftops in home solar installations. There are several solar roof mounting systems alternatives for these angled roofs, the most common of which are railed, rail-less, and shared rail. All of these solutions necessitate some roof penetration or anchoring, whether it’s to rafters or directly to the decking.
Rails attached to the roof support rows of solar panels in a typical home setup. Each panel is connected to two rails and is normally positioned vertically/portrait-style. A type of bolt or screw secures the rails to the roof, with flashing added around/over the hole for a waterproof seal.
Rail-less systems are self-explanatory—instead of attaching to rails, solar panels link directly to hardware attached to the roof bolts/screws. The rail is essentially the frame of the module. Rail-less systems require the same amount of roof attachments as a railed system; however, eliminating the rails lowers manufacturing and shipping costs, and having fewer components reduces installation time. With a rail-free system, panels are not restricted by the direction of rigid rails and can be positioned in any orientation.
Two rows of solar panels are ordinarily attached to four rails, but one rail is removed in shared-rail systems, and the two rows of panels are attached on a shared middle rail. Because one complete rail length (or more) is removed, shared-rail systems require fewer roof penetrations. Panels can be positioned in any direction, and if the rails are precisely positioned, installation is quick.
Flat roof mounting systems
Large flat rooftops, such as those found in big-box stores or manufacturing plants, are often used for commercial and industrial solar applications. Although these roofs may have a modest incline, it is not nearly as severe as sloping residential roofs. Ballasted flat roof solar roof mounting systems with few penetrations are common.
Flat roof mounting solutions are simple to install and benefit from pre-assembly because they are placed on a broad, level surface. The base component for most ballasted mounting systems for flat roofs is a “foot”—a basket- or tray-like piece of hardware with a tilted design that rests on the roof and supports ballast blocks in the bottom and panels along the top and bottom edge.
Flat roof mounting systems are available in a range of designs. While aluminum and stainless steel systems are still common on flat roofs, numerous plastic and polymer-based systems are becoming increasingly popular. Installation is simple and quick, thanks to their lightweight and moldable features.
Read MoreA brief guide to Solar Power Systems
Any device or technology that runs on sunlight is referred to as a “solar power systems.” This is usually self-contained and renewable on a global scale. A solar energy environment that is steadily expanding, currently producing 81 gigawatts of clean green solar power.
Main components of a solar power system
- Photovoltaic cells
- Solar panels
- Inverter
- Battery
- Racking and mounting systems for solar panels
- Solar accessories
The easy understanding of solar power systems: What are solar panels made of, and how do they work?
Silicon, a chemical element having conductive properties, is used to make solar cells. When silicon is exposed to light, its electrical properties change, resulting in an electric current.
A cell is a tiny silicon square with electrical contact surfaces on both sides. A grid of these cells is laid out on a protective back sheet and covered with glass on the front to make solar panels.
Numerous panels are needed to generate power for homes or businesses. An array is a collection of panels in your system. A string of panels is a group of panels connected to the same inverter.
For example, a system with two inverters supporting two strings of 10 panels each might support a 20-panel array when combined.
Tied to the Grid, or Off the Grid:
A solar power system is intended to be a self-contained source of eco-friendly energy. You can use the system in a variety of ways as a result of this.
Off-grid solar power system: This system is not connected to any other normal power source (like utility companies). Off-grid solar power systems are more expensive because they rely on higher-wattage solar panels and batteries to generate enough solar energy to power all of your needs (during the day and at night). As a result, they’re best suited to rural locations with limited grid connectivity or areas with regular power outages (due to earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.).
Grid-tied solar power systems: Property owners in areas with good grid connectivity are more likely to stay connected to the grid because they use their solar power system as an alternative energy source. This enables you to work with less solar panels and without a battery, reducing the initial cost. When the sun is shining, you utilize solar-powered energy, and when the sun isn’t shining, you use conventional electricity provided by utility providers. You can also scale up or down your solar power system, depending on your budget.
Residential and commercial types of solar power systems
Each year, on a quick pace the solar power system industry grows by leaps and bounds, bringing cutting-edge technologies to the public.
Residential solar system: Individual homeowners can install residential solar systems. The system is primarily intended to meet the demands of a single household. Again, they can be off the grid, grid-tied (without batteries), or net metered.
Commercial Solar system: Businesses and commercial buildings can use commercial solar power systems. Apartment complexes, restaurants, hospitals, and parking lots are all examples of this.
Read MoreHybrid Solar Systems in Australia For Residential Use
Hybrid solar systems in Australia allow you to store solar power and use it while you’re at home in the evening or night when electricity prices are generally at their peak.
After you’ve installed solar panels, you’ll need to convert the energy they generate into power for your home. You can do this in a few ways: stay connected to the grid, go entirely off-grid, or use a hybrid system.
When your solar panels are connected to the grid’s power lines and have a backup battery system to store excess power, you have a hybrid system. The solar panels absorb the sun’s energy, which is then converted into useful electricity via an inverter. So, then the electricity either goes to your home, to your battery storage system, or the grid.
The best thing about a hybrid solar system is that you will always have power, regardless of the circumstances. The extra energy generated by your solar panels (but not used by your home) will be saved in a backup battery. The battery will then offer electricity during the night, system blackouts, or inclement weather when the sun isn’t shining.
If the power in your battery runs out, you can draw power from the grid with a hybrid solar system.
A hybrid solar systems in Australia works by sending solar energy to an inverter, distributing the electricity to your home. The extra energy can be stored in your home battery that is not used to power your home.
When your solar panels are not producing energy, this battery can provide power to your home. If there is still energy left over after all of these stages, it is returned to the grid.
Advantages of having hybrid solar systems for your home in Australia:
- The hybrid Solar systems store solar energy and low-cost electricity.
- The use of solar energy at high/peak usage times is made possible.
- They can be used for advanced energy management.
- Enables energy independence.
- Hybrid system is the best way to reduce power consumption from the grid.
Hybrid solar systems are grid-connected and have a backup solar battery for storing excess energy.
After federal incentives, a 6kW hybrid solar system costs around $12,654, but it will require a battery, which costs around $8,000 on average.
Since hybrid systems have battery backups and grid support they are more preferable to off-grid systems to help with power outages.
Disadvantages of using hybrid solar panel systems for your home in Australia:
- It has a higher cost than grid-solar
- It has a battery life of 7-15 years.
- Hybrid solar power systems can limit the number of electrical appliances you run at one time. They totally depend on the hybrid solar inverters and its capacity.
A hybrid system is an excellent approach to keep your power supply under control. With solar panels and a backup battery, you may be your own energy supplier with the additional safety of being linked to the power grid.
Read More2 ways for solar storage systems in Australia
What is solar storage?
Solar storage, also known as energy storage, is essential for the future of the solar business and how people use and consume energy. When a household chooses to go solar and installs solar panels, they also can install solar batteries. With a solar + storage system, homeowners can select how they use the energy generated by their solar system, whether storing it for use later in the evening, to avoid peak-energy charges (time-of-use pricing) or in the event of a power outage. Homeowners gain peace of mind by taking control of their energy by backing up their entire home or specific key loads.
How does it work?
During the day, the solar system generates electricity, which is used to power your home and charge the home solar storage battery. Solar storage systems in Australia can be utilized to reduce the amount of electricity drawn from the grid in the evenings when the solar system isn’t producing electricity. In the case of a power outage, solar storage can provide power to appliances and electronics. With a solar plus storage system, you can generate your electricity and then utilize it when it’s most convenient for you.
Solar storage systems in Australia
Homeowners can use a photovoltaic solar power system to generate solar electricity. With a PV solar power system, there are two main ways to store energy.
- Battery Banks
- Grid Inter-Tie
Using a battery bank to store the electricity generated by a PV solar power system is one way of solar power storage. A battery solar power storage system is used in both grid-tied PV systems with battery backup and stand-alone PV systems.
The significant components of a battery solar power system are:
- Charge Controller
- Battery Bank
- System Meter
- Main DC Disconnect
A grid-tied PV system is the third type of PV solar power system. The grid can be used as a solar energy storage system in this system. This can be done by using Net metering.
When you use net metering, you transfer extra solar electricity to the grid, which causes your electric meter to roll backward. Later, when your system is not producing electricity at night, you can draw electricity from the grid, and your electric meter will roll forward. You’re essentially using your solar energy on the grid!
Solar Thermal Storage
There are three solar heating applications.
- Solar Space Heating
- Solar Water Heating
- Solar Pool Heating
Solar Thermal Energy Storage is used differently in each of these solar heating applications. The two basic techniques of storing solar energy in solar space heating systems are thermal mass and water tanks.
- Thermal Mass
- Water Tanks
Solar energy is stored in water tanks in solar water heating systems. Water tanks are used in both passive and active solar water heating. A heat exchanger is used in active indirect systems to transfer heat from the heat-transfer fluid. Other solar water heating systems use household water and do not require a heat exchanger or a water tank.
Read MoreBest home battery for 2021: Top backup battery solar system for homes
Having an appropriate battery backup system for your home office or workplace has several advantages if you lose electricity frequently or want to live off the grid.
You’ll need backup power from a battery system or battery backup unit if you have a power outage that looks like it’ll last for an extended period.
You can use an air-cooled home generator powered by gasoline or propane to keep your lights on for a few hours, or you can invest in a much more expensive liquid-cooled generator that will keep your lights on for much longer.
However, if power outages are common in your area, you might want to consider installing a set of backup batteries to provide you with electricity while you’re off the grid.
Tesla Powerwall
13.5KWh battery backup system
The Tesla Powerwall battery backup systems for solar home, the market leader in battery backup systems, comes with all the bells and whistles to make switching to backup battery power as simple as possible. Solar PV panels can be used to recharge, and the stored solar energy can be used when you’re off the grid.
You can connect up to 10 Powerwalls to ensure you have the right-sized backup batteries for your home. They also suggested using the Tesla Powerwall with a solar panel system. To aid costs, a Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit is available in some jurisdictions, such as WA (22%).
Tesla just announced that to purchase the Powerwall, you must buy Tesla solar panels too.
Vottery Powerwall
The home energy storage system
With a 120Ah battery capacity and a 5kW inverter, the Vottery battery backup systems for solar home energy storage can store up to 6KWh. If you need more than 6 KWh, you can connect up to ten of these systems in parallel to deliver up to 60 KWh.
YiY
5.12KWh battery system
The YiY wall-mounted lithium-ion battery can convert AC and DC or store energy from your solar panel system. When your electricity goes off, you can use it as a backup power source. Ten packs can be connected in parallel and managed by a single battery management system.
MeritSun
10KWh power wall
The MeritSun is a solar storage battery with sizes ranging from 5 to 10 KWh. If you have a large energy consumption, you can link up to 15 units in parallel and send power to your home through your inverter. To charge the batteries, you can connect the MeritSun to a bank of solar panels or the power grid.
A small backup power system will suffice if you only require backup power for a day or two. If you need to keep everything running for more than a week, you’ll need a lot more power —10 to 12KWh or more – and additional batteries may be required. To give greater watts, you can connect batteries in a chain, usually in parallel.
Read MoreHow much does the solar system cost in Australia in 2021?
As one of Australia’s leading providers of solar panels in Australia, Energenic Solar System is here to break down the costs of solar panels across the nation. While we’d love to provide you with an approximate dollar figure in response to the question, “How much do solar systems cost or how much do domestic solar power systems cost?” A number of factors affect solar panel pricing in Australia; the most important is what type of solar panels you select for your home.
Of course, the cost of your new solar system will be determined by the size of the installation. To put it another way, the number of kiloWatts (kW) of solar panels you select to install will influence the price.
Domestic solar power systems costs have dropped dramatically as Australia’s main solar industries have grown, and Australia can now import solar panels at a reasonable cost. Because Australia is way closer to China than the United States, solar panels and other associated equipment may be cheaper. Another important consideration is how each country has decided to address the solar power system.
And, contrary to popular belief, the Australian government’s solar rebate scheme will still greatly subsidize the cost of a PV system in 2021.
The rebate fluctuates depending on the value of STCs, which every solar panel company gives. With the current price of STCs as of September 2021, you’ll save around $494 per kW installed upfront.
In the below table, you will know how the pricing works out for a typical 6.6kW system, which also includes installation charges:
Cost of an installed 6.6kW solar system
cost of an installed 6.6kW solar system | $9,500 |
Government Rebate | $3,460 |
Cost to you for 6.6kW of solar power | Approx $6,040 |
It’s a good question to consider before installing any size solar panel. Such a 6.6kW system is the right size for you or not? Ask your installer about the size first. In 2021, it’s the minimum we will suggest you put on your roof, assuming it can fit.
Costs Of Solar Systems After the Rebate in 2021:
The quality of the hardware used in the installation determines the price range mentioned below in Australia. The fully installed estimated cost of a good quality solar system installation with Tier 1 solar panels in Australia as of August 2021 is:
System size | Number of panels | Cost Range (September 2021) |
1.5kW | 4 | $2,500 – $4,000 |
2kW | 6 | $3,000 – $4,500 |
3kW | 8 | $3,500 – $5,000 |
4kW | 11 | $4,000 – $6,000 |
5kW | 14 | $4,500 – $8,000 |
6.6kW | 18 | $5,000 – $9,000 |
7kW | 19 | $6,500 – $10,000 |
8kW | 22 | $7,500 – $11,000 |
10kW | 27 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
Note: The above assumes the usage of 370W solar panels; therefore, the actual solar panel capacity may differ slightly from the figures given.
See Real-Time Australian Solar Pricing:
The pricing listed above is based on thousands of data points. Check out Energenic’s solar quotes price index to view real-time average prices paid for full system installations of various capacities in your state.
Read MoreThe 3 best leading providers of solar electric systems for homes in Australia
The 3 best leading providers of solar electric systems for homes in Australia
The Sun, which sits directly above us, is one of the most reliable and safest natural light and heat energy sources. The Sun provides 10,000 times more energy to our planet than our people consume. That’s a lot of power to harness, and we could enhance a lot of jobs, land, and communities by just switching to a clean energy source.
Solar power is a concept that most Australians are familiar with. After all, Australia is known as the world’s sunniest country. However, if you’ve ever looked into purchasing solar energy systems for your home, you’re well aware that having a “concept” isn’t enough to ensure you make the appropriate investment.
When you search online, you’ll find a list of providers, products, and warranties, all claiming to be the best for the least amount of money. However, we’ve compiled a list of the best solar energy system companies in Australia.
The best part about going solar in Australia is they are available at low prices. You use your electricity bill to pay for your system without any out-of-pocket cost.
When it comes to installing your solar system, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first and most important factors are your roof size and style, household positioning, and budget. It’s your solar installer’s job to inspect your roof and according to it lay out your options in the form of a quote.
Also, look into such factors as the solar system’s performance, installation process, durability, and setup cost.
Solargain Solar Panel Installer
Solargain, an Australian-owned and operated solar retailer, has installed more than 65,000 solar panels around the country since 2005. On various occasions, Solargain solar electric system for homes offers discounted deals on specific systems for homes.
A Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, Solargain, claims outstanding customer service, with its own dedicated after-sales solar service department.
Solar power systems are designed to be tough and reliable, and regular maintenance is the best way to keep everything functioning well.
Solargain’s ‘Longevity Guarantee’ means they make good or find an equivalent replacement for your system within the original warranty period.
This year Solargain installations ratings came out on top, with a clean five-star rating in every research category. This overall covered satisfaction, customer service, performance, durability, and cost of installing the solar system.
Solahart Solar Panel Installer
Solahart is probably best known for its solar electric system for homes and hot water systems; with operations dating back to 1953, Solahart also retails solar panels and energy storage solutions. Solahart made its humble beginnings in Western Australia, and now they are the best leading provider of solar electric systems for homes in more than 70 countries.
The Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer claims it holds its practice to a high standard, and Solahart installers are highly trained to the Australian’s highest standards to ensure the safety and effectiveness of your system.
Solahart has installed more than one million solar systems worldwide. They always start with a free on-site solar assessment, rigorously test your systems for the harshest Australian conditions, and guarantee the performance of every product they sell.
Most importantly, they offer solar electric systems for homes, solar hot water, solar power, battery storage, and Solahart PowerStore – Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater.
Solahart got five stars for customer service, durability, and installation process, while it scored four stars for setup cost, the performance of the solar system, and overall satisfaction.
Origin Solar Panel Installer
Origin is Australia’s biggest retailing solar energy provider. Currently, Origin offers three main solar panel packs in its range, though it also claims to cater to its customers’ requirements. The Origin solar electric systems for homes only have two battery storage options, the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem.
This solar installer also advertises a two-year interest-free payment plan for those who’d rather pay their big investment off gradually. Origin also provides customers who purchase solar through them receive a slightly inflated feed-in tariff when signing up to its Solar Boost Plus plan.
They provide a range of renewable energy options to thousands of Australians. Their growing Australian and international portfolio includes wind, solar, and storage technologies. Origin uses a range of energy sources to make electricity, from traditional fuels like coal and natural gas to renewables like the wind and the Sun. Origin is one of Australia’s top energy providers, dedicated to making energy more affordable, sustainable, efficient, and simple. They provide power, natural gas, LPG, and solar to their clients.
Origin received mainly four-star ratings across the board, including overall satisfaction and solar system performance. It did, however, receive five stars for the cost of setup.
Read MoreTop 3 solar panel systems for homes with the latest technology
Top 3 solar panel systems for homes with the latest technology
Solar panels convert the sun’s heat energy into electrical energy for commercial and residential usage. Solar panels, also known as photovoltaic panels, convert sunlight into energy particles called “photons” that can power electrical loads.
Solar panels are a low-maintenance house addition that requires little care from you other than the occasional cleaning. Parts and labor will be covered by a combination of the manufacturer’s warranty and your homeowners’ insurance, in addition to the performance guarantee.
This piece will go through the top three solar panel systems for homes in Australia that use the latest technology.
LG Solar System:
LG offers one of the most efficient solar panels for homes with a highly efficient NeON 2 range.
The LG Neon 2 model solar panels come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty, whereas the NeON R units come with a 25-year manufacturer’s and output warranty.
LG manufacturers offer their consumers the finest benefit: their guarantee is transferable; the original warranty is transferred to the new owners if you sell your premises.
The key features of LG Solar Panels:
The LG solar home power system model LG350N1C-V5 also has some unique features such as:
- Mono-crystalline Silicon
- Wattage: 350
- Module efficiency: 20.4 %
- Power derating: 0.54 %
- Power warranty type: Linear
- Product warranty: 25 Years
- Output warranty: 25 Years
- Height- Inch: 66.38
- Weight- Inch: 40.00
Panasonic Solar system:
Panasonic is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar panels for homes and appliances. It’s the best option if you are looking for a trustworthy company for solar panel systems for homes in the market for a long time. You will definitely go for the company that can support you through the whole life of the solar panels.
Panasonic solar home power systems guarantee that your HIT panel will produce a power output of 90.76% even after 25 years. The panels produce 13% more power when compared to a typical solar panel warranty.
Like other top solar panel manufacturers, Panasonic backs its panels with a 25-year product and performance warranty. After 25 years, the Panasonic HIT modules will retain 90.7% of their generating capacity, slightly less than the industry-leading SunPower X panels (92%).
The key features of Panasonic Solar Panels:
The best models that we offer from Panasonics are VBHN 330 SA17, and VBHN 340 SA17 has some unique features such as:
- Monocrystalline
- Wattage: 340W
- Module efficiency: 20.3 %
- Power derating: 0.26 %
- Power warranty type: Linear
- Product warranty: 25 Years
- Output warranty: 25 Years
- Height- Inch: 62.60
- Weight- Inch: 41.50
SunPower Solar Panels:
The X-Series solar panels from SunPower have an efficiency of up to 22.7%. The P-Series is on the lowest end of the spectrum, including solar panels with up to 19% efficiencies. The SunPower X-Series is only for business usage and has a maximum power output of 470W.
With a 400W option, their A-Series offers the most incredible wattage for home systems.
The key features of SunPower Solar Panels:
Their E-Series has a 300W wattage option. SunPower panels are usually more expensive than other types.
- Warranty: 20 to 25 years
- efficiency reaching up to 22.7%
- Wattage 470W
- On the per panel, the X series delivers 40% power
- Produces maximum energy up to 75%
- Available in a premium aesthetic and unique design
- Unique light-trapping surface
- Solid copper foundation with ultra-pure silicon
- High durability reduces the chance of breakage up to 85%
- Only 8% power decline over 25 years
- It can bear a wind load of 3000Pa and a snow load of about 6000 Pa.
Everything you need to know about the installation of solar panels for your home
Installation of solar panels for your home: all you need to know about solar panels for your house is that green energy is rapidly gaining popularity. Solar is one of the most environmentally friendly solutions available to homeowners. A solar panel is a frame containing electrically linked solar cells that turn sunlight into electricity. Switching to solar energy has many benefits, including the ability to save money while protecting the atmosphere. Still, it also has some drawbacks due to the location of your home and environmental conditions. Let’s look at ten essential facts about solar panels in greater depth:
Everything you need to know about the installation of solar panels for your home in 8 questions
1. Has the price of Solar panels for residential purposes dropped in recent years?
If you’re looking for some optimistic statistics, the cost of solar energy over the last decade is an excellent place to start. In the previous ten years, the cost of installing solar panels in Australia has dropped by approximately 70%. The cost of living in Australia has decreased by 5% in the last year.
2. What is the difference between commercial and residential solar panels?
A commercial solar project might power a town or a company’s operations. Residential solar systems, on the other hand, tend to maintain a constant scale (between 6 and 12 kilowatts on average). Commercial solar, on the other hand, necessitates a significant investment and a collective group of investors.
3. What do residential solar panel systems typically cost?
The answer to this question is dependent on the state and the scale of the system. However, there is information available that can assist you in estimating the cost of solar panels in Australia. The most simple way to estimate the cost of solar energy across various device sizes is in dollars per watt ($/W), which represents how much solar would cost per watt of usable electricity generation. Homeowners will pay an average of $2.81 a week in 2021. To put that figure into context, the average cost of solar in 2008 was just over $8/W. A price of $2.81/W for a typical 6kW system means you’ll spend about $16,860 before tax credits and rebates.
4. Can solar panels stay with the grid? What is net metering?
The vast majority of residential solar systems will be grid-connected. Net-metering is a cost-effective way to answer the issue, “How will I power my solar home at night?” with grid-connected solar. Net metering is a solar incentive that allows you to earn bill credits if your solar system generates more energy than it consumes. You can use those bill credits to offset the cost of your grid energy use when your panels aren’t generating enough electricity.
You won’t even be able to get electricity from your utility if you’re off the grid. This means that if you want to develop an entirely off-grid project, you’ll need energy storage, an extensive solar panel system, and backup power.
5. How much time does a home rooftop solar panel take to install?
The actual installation of your home solar system will only take a few days of work after you’ve met with the installers and done all required site visits and preparation. The exact time depends on several factors. For example, if you set up net metering, that process will track additional time until your panels are adequately connected to the grid. Overall, while the decision process for solar panels can take some time, the installation timeframe is rapid and fairly simple.
6. Can you get a solar panel system for your home if your roof doesn’t qualify?
The list of choices for homeowners who want to go solar but don’t have a suitable roof is perhaps one of the most exciting facets of the residential solar market. Ground-mounted solar panels and community solar gardens are two common ways to harness the sun’s energy without having to install something on your roof. Connecting with members of a party or community to share a solar system is known as community solar. On the other hand, ground-mounted arrays are a simple way to own and install the system without having to deal with any roofing problems.
7. Does solar make sense if I don’t plan on being in my home for 25 years?
“What happens if I move after installing solar panels?” is a common concern between homeowners considering solar. A solar panel system usually lasts 25 to 30 years. You may wonder if solar still makes sense if you don’t plan on owning their homes for that long. The good news is that solar will boost your property’s value and speed up the process of selling it when the time comes. The idea of owning a solar home with zero energy bills has attracted many buyers in the housing market.
8. What percentage of your home can you power with solar electricity?
Ideally, the answer to this question will be 100 percent! While a solar panel system can theoretically cover all of your energy usages, it’s ridiculous to expect that level of panel production every day of the week.
Read MoreWhat is the average cost of solar panel installation in Australia?
Solar panels are costly, but the money you save on electricity costs will pay for the device in seven years or less, even in places where solar power is more difficult to purchase. While a five-year payback period is normal, even though it takes seven years, you can continue to save money after the payback period ends.
What’s the average cost of solar panel installation in Australia?
If a company is advertising the price for a 6.6kWh solar system as $5,899, this price includes installation after the rebate.
Companies who ask for the extra charges for the Solar panel installation are more likely to be scammers. You cannot legally install a rooftop solar system and claim the rebate as the installation needs to be done by a certified installer.
How much does solar power cost?
A 5kW device costs about $6500 on average today, but it can be more costly in some regions. A 5kW machine, for example, costs about $11,000 in Darwin and less than $6,000 in Adelaide. Solar power costs just over $5000 in Sydney and Perth and about $6000 in other states. When considering purchasing a 5kW solar system, you should also remember the payback period.
In different cities, the average payback period is around:
- 4.2 years in Adelaide
- 4.7 years in Darwin
- 4.8 years in Sydney and Perth
- 5.4 years in Brisbane
- 6.4 years in Canberra
- 7.4 years in Melbourne
- 8.2 years in Hobart
The number of Australian households with solar power is estimated to be between 1.5 million and 2.0 million. As the cost of electricity increases, this figure will almost certainly grow.
Many solar panels come with warranties of up to 25 years, making them a wise investment that has given their average payback period of 5.8 years.
How to get the right-sized solar system?
Solar panel systems are made up of several panels, and the size of the system is determined by the number of panels and the efficiency of the panels. Solar panels may be mounted in places where the sun shines infrequently or in sunny areas, so estimates vary. Solar panels can also be mounted on roofs that obtain partial shade during the day, but their efficiency is reduced. These are averages; your solar energy installer will tell you how efficient your system will be in your area.
Solar energy is calculated in terms of “self-consumption,” or how much energy you use during the day. There are some figures of how much energy you can save with a 5kW to 10kW device estimated in kilowatt-hours (KWh) for various energy consumption levels:
- 5-10KWh will save 30 percent
- 11-15KWh will save 48 percent
- 21-25KWh will save 66 percent
- 31-40KWh will save up to 82 percent
It is possible to get a solar system that is too large for your household, but you don’t want to get a too-small system for your household. Solar power retailers and installers can help you find the perfect system for your needs, and a smaller system for a smaller household will cost less than a more extensive system.
Why is investing in a solar system battery a good idea?
Solar batteries range in price from $2000 to $12,000, with larger batteries costing more. A large battery may weigh up to 290kg, whereas a smaller battery can only weigh 25 to 45kg. Batteries have a payback period of three to five years, and their guarantees are much longer than their payback periods, except at the higher end of the scale. Better batteries come with a ten-year warranty, while others can only come with a seven-year guarantee. And if the payback period is seven years, you can still save money since the actual payback period is five years.
Batteries that have inverters and chargers can be more costly than batteries alone. A battery for an 8kW system could cost $7700, while a similar battery with an inverter/charger could cost $11,800. The battery and installation costs are included in these values. While most households do not need an 8kW system, the price differences are apparent.
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