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Sizes of Solar PV Systems

Solar Power PartsParts of a Solar PV SystemTypes of Solar SystemTypes of Solar PV SystemsSolar System SizesSizes of Solar PV SystemsTypes of InvertersDifferent Types of invertersTypes of PanelsDifferent Types of Panels

The size solar system someone chooses to install at their property should be selected based on a households annual electricity needs, whether battery storage is going to be added and the size restrictions set in the households location.

The most commonly installed grid-connected solar system sizes for homes in Australia are 5kW-7kW. This is because a 5kW-7kW solar system’s can produce enough energy for a household to run during the day and reduce electricity bills enough to see a fast return on investment.

The larger a solar system is, the more electricity it can generate, meaning the less reliance a household will have on the electricity grid and energy retailers. The less reliance you have on the electricity grid and energy retailers the bigger the reduction on your energy bills. 

See our below table for average solar system sizes, estimated production and approximate prices in today’s market.

Please note: Energy production will differ from State to State depending on how many sunlight hours the location receives. See average daily production in Australian major cities here

 
System Size Number of Panels Estimated Production Annually System Price (Approx)
2kW 8 3,000 kWh $2,510 – $4,860
3kW 14 4,900 kWh $2,550 – $6,950
5kW 20 7,100 kWh $3,120 – $9,510
6.6kW 26 10,600 kWh $3,470 –  $10,990
7kW 27 12,320 kWh $5,160 – $10,990
10kW 36 14,380 kWh $7,660 – $14,100
12kW 48 16,900 kWh $14,000

How To Determine What Size Is For You

The best way to determine what size solar system will be best suited to you is to look at three key factors; physical space, energy requirements and price.  

Physical Space

The space available on your roof may be the deciding factor of what size solar system you opt for. Per solar panel you will require approximately 1.3 m2 of space, with that in mind an average 5kW solar system will have 20 panels in the solar array.

So before deciding on a size solar system it’s best to ensure you know how many panels you can fit on your roof. Solar installers usually provide home visits in the quoting process to assist with determining this.

Energy Requirements

As rule of thumb the most suited solar system size is going to be one that has an estimated energy production which closely matches the amount of energy a household uses. This way the solar system can cover the majority, if not all of your electricity bill.

The best way to determine this is to look at previous energy bills from through out the year and select a solar system size that has a estimated production of your average bill or higher.

As a rough guide you can use the table below to see what size system most closely matches your energy needs. The numbers are for a 1kW system and so can be multiplied by whatever system size you are looking at e.g. 2kW system multiply the numbers in the table by 2. Your average daily consumption per billing period should be displayed on your electricity bill.

Months Daily Average (kWh) units
September – February 4.6 – 5.9
March – April 4.4 – 4.9
May – August 3.1 – 3.9

Price

How much you are willing to pay for a solar system can be the limiting factor on what size you select. However these day solar systems are becoming more affordable due to a drop in prices, Government rebates available and Green loans which assist with the upfront costs.

See our solar system pricing page to view estimated prices in today’s market.

Learn more about the different system sizes below

1.5kW | 2kW | 3kW | 4kW | 5kW

 
 
Find out what system size will be suitable for your energy needs and receive 3 Obligation FREE Quotes!

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Understanding Batteries

Off-Grid Systems

For some households a battery system can be of great benefit and minimise a home’s reliance on the grid. However, it’s important to understand for a battery to be useful your solar system needs to be generating excess energy for the battery to store, which you can then use at night or when the sun is not out.

When selecting a battery, you’ll want to invest in a system that is most suited to your home and can drive the best return on investment (ROI). Despite a larger upfront cost, a higher quality battery may significantly increase your ROI.

    Battery systems start from $6,000 and costs can vary greatly based on the following factors:

  1. Cycle Life-Time

    The number of times a battery can fully charge and discharge.

  2. Battery Power (kW)

    How fast it can be charged or discharged.

  3. Storage Capacity (kWh)

    The maximum amount of energy a battery system can store.

  4. Battery Management System (BMS)

    An electronic ‘smart’ system that gathers data and manages the battery ensuring it does not overload or operate outside of its safe functioning zone..

  5. Inverter

    Battery systems require their own inverter if your solar system does not have a hybrid inverter.

  6. 'All-In-One Unit’

    A system which includes the battery, BMS and an inverter all in one unit.

  7. Warranty

    Length of time or cycles the battery system is under guarantee.

  8. Blackout Protection/Backup

    It’s important to note this is not a common feature of a battery system and could cost thousands of dollars to include. Blackout protection not only requires additional components but also a specialised installation and rewiring. For grid-connected homes, the cost for blackout protection can outweigh the benefit.

Additionally, if your purpose for adding battery is to go Off-Grid and become completely independent from the grid you will need to ensure your solar system can generate enough energy to power your home and your battery system is large enough to store this energy. For homes in metro areas going Off-grid is not cost effective and is only recommended for those in remote areas with limited access to the grid. Off-grid solar systems with battery start at approximately $30,000.
 

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