Solar panels are progressively being installed by homeowners who are worried about rising electricity costs and want a system that cuts their bills and produces greener energy.
What size solar panel system do I need for my home?
To size your solar panel system for your home, you need to figure out how much electricity you use and when you are using it.
A typical home uses 20Kw of energy a day as a general guide. A 5Kw solar system would meet most of the daytime power needs of an available home.
How many solar panels do I need for my home?
- The output of your entire solar system matters more than the size or number of panels.
- The higher each panel’s nominal power rating (and actual power output), the fewer you will need or (the more power you will generate).
- If your home has plenty of roof space, you may find it economical to purchase cheaper panels with less efficiency and use more of them.
For example, You could use four 250W Jinko panels, taking up 6.5m² of roof space, to make a 1000W array. But four 350W Q.MAXX panels would take up the same overall area and form a more extensive collection of 1400W (although the Q.MAXX will cost you more).
How much do solar panels cost?
Solar panels price ranges vary; these are the current ranges for good-quality systems in Perth:
- 3Kw $3,500-$5,000
- 5Kw $4,500-$8,000
- 6.6Kw $5,000-$9,000
- 10Kw $8,000-$12,000
These prices include rebates and incentives. Expect to pay the higher end of the range if you want to purchase top-quality components or if your home has unusual installation requirements.
How much money will I save using a solar power system?
It can take between two to seven years to pay off your solar system; after that, you can start counting your savings.
Payback times in Perth usually range from three to four years.
Incentives for Solar
Two main incentives can help you profit from your solar PV system: feed-in tariffs (FiTS) and small-scale technology certificates (STCs). Read more here.
Do I need a solar storage battery for my home?
Home storage batteries allow you to store the electricity your solar panels generate to use at night or on a cloudy day.
You may consider a battery storage system; the Tesla Powerwall 2 is the best-known solar battery. However, there are several different brands in the market.
Buying guide checklist for solar panels
- Assess the energy you currently use and the system capacity you need and can afford.
- Check what way your roof faces. Only panels facing north will produce their total capacity.
- Ensure nothing is shading your roof, such as powerlines, trees or other structures.
- Understand what local council approval is required.
- Try to estimate your solar system’s payback time.
- The solar inverter (which converts DC power from the panels into AC power for your home) is vital to the system. View our range of inverters here.
- If you are considering a battery, view our range here.
- Ensure your installers are CEC accredited.
- Make sure your solar panels meet the required standards.
- Check your solar panel’s product and performance warranties.
Installation, standards and warranties
If you want to be eligible for STCs (small-scale technology certificates, your system must be installed by a CEC-accredited installer. The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is Australia’s peak body representing the clean energy sector.
Look for a CEC-accredited company:
- that the company is a signatory of the CEC’s code of conduct
- has been in business for a while
- has an established track record within the industry
- relevant experience in the industry
- an outstanding reputation, and
- specialist expertise
What direction should my solar panels face?
Solar panel installers work best when facing north, pointing directly at the sun, at an optimal angle and not blocked by any shading, trees or other objects.
Does my solar panel system meet standards?
Always ensure that any PV system you consider purchasing meets Australian and international standards. To be eligible for STCs, your solar panels must be certified – ask your installer to provide proof of this information.
Will the warranty cover my solar panels?
Two warranties are provided for solar panels: one for performance and another for the product.
Performance warranty
The performance warranty guarantees that as long as the panel is undamaged and functioning, it will still produce at least 80% of its claimed power rating after 25 years. The warranty usually also promises that the panel will degrade in an orderly, linear fashion. It will only lose a small, predictable amount of power each year.
Product Warranty
This is the warranty for the panels; it’s the usual type of warranty that offers repair or replacement if there are any manufacturing faults. Most product warranties for solar panels are for ten years; some manufacturers offer 12, 15 or even up to 25 years of product warranty.
How do solar panels work?
- Some materials can produce electricity when light falls on them, called the photovoltaic effect. Solar panels use this to convert energy from sunlight into direct current (DC) electrical energy.
- An inverter unit changes this into alternating current (AC) for your home’s electrical circuits.
- Any excess energy can be fed back to the electricity grid or your battery storage system.
What are solar panels made of?
Most solar cells are made of silicon. Solar panels, also called modules, are each made of several solar cells, connected and sandwiched between protective glass and a backing plate. An aluminium frame usually surrounds the whole board. A typical installation includes several panels connected in an array.
Types of solar panels
Almost all solar panels used in home solar systems are mono- or multi-crystalline. While there are technical differences between these types, please don’t put too much thought into this; it’s much more critical to consider other aspects, including price, warranties and rated power output.
How to buy the best solar panels for your home
We understand that not all products suit everyone’s property or budget. At Westsun Energy, we have a dedicated team to help you design and choose the right system for your home. We are not a high-pressure sales company and want the best for our customers, guiding you on how to buy the best solar panels for your home.
