A Beginners Guide To Residential Solar Systems
Are you looking to switch to solar just like 2 million Aussie? Confused about the basic solar panels or what exactly are they all about? Well, you have come to the right place!
Let us walk through all the basics you need to know about residential solar systems before installing one on your rooftop.
Types of residential solar systems in Australia
There are three types of solar PV modules used in Australia namely:
On-grid — This type of system permits you to maintain your connection to the grid so you can purchase electricity at night (and during bad weather). Your solar inverter will work together with the grid to efficiently use all solar energy before using any grid power. You can also sell power back to the grid with solar systems that are connected to the grid. Generally speaking, completely cutting off from the grid is not practical nor profitable.
Off-grid — They are free from grid and are a stand-alone power source that combines solar and batteries to deliver a 24 hour power option. These are more frequent in new development projects in rural Australia because it is frequently estimated that homes would cost more than $50,000 only to connect to the grid. In some situations, installing a solar and battery standalone power system to support the new home may be the preferable financial and environmental decision.
Hybrid solar system — They are grid-connected systems with a solar battery to store solar energy for use at night or other times when there is no sunlight. Solar batteries enable you to utilise your solar electricity more effectively and serve as a terrific backup power source.
How solar PV modules help you save money?
Solar power systems offers so many benefits so as to make the switch to sustainable energy easier as it helps to save money. First off, solar systems generate energy from sun, thus drastically lowering the need to buy it from the grid. Homeowners and companies can significantly reduce their monthly power expenses by making use of the endless power of the sun, resulting in significant long-term savings.
Additionally, solar PV modules most often include attractive incentives like net metering or feed-in tariffs, which means any extra power can be sent back into the grid in exchange for credits or cash payments. This further aids in maximising savings and reducing the price of electricity.
Moreover, residential solar systems do not require much maintenance during their lifespan. Once you invest in solar panels, you can expect them to work for around 25–30 years. Thus, you see they are a one time investment whose payback period ranges somewhere between 3 to 4 years.
How to increase self-consumption of residential solar panels?
If you increase the self-consumption of solar panels, you will automatically manage to reduce your electricity bill. You can even install timers on some home appliances to increase your return on investment. These
- appliances include:
- Electric hot water system
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Underfloor heating system
- Swimming pool pump
How much can you expect to save on power bills?
You can expect to save a substantial amount of money on installing solar panels. Let us give you an idea with the help of a chart.
Assumptions:
- The price of electricity is $0.25 per kWh and the rate of solar-feed-in is $0.07 per kWh.
- The use of electricity is more during hours of 6am to 8am and 4pm to 10pm.
Now, we must remind you that it is important to choose a trusted and reliable solar installer such as Goal Solar. We help you to properly evaluate your needs and requirements and according suggest you a solar system. We first analyse your electricity requirement, your average daily uage, and a proper site assessment before providing you with a recommendation.
Originally published at https://www.goalsolar.com.au on July 11, 2023.
