How Much Does A Solar Power System Save And Is Solar Worth It?

Is solar worth it? How much does a solar power system save?

We hear these questions from family, friends, commentators and of course, from customers. There are legitimate reasons for people to ask these important questions and in this blog so we will seek to answer them and address some of the reasons why they are asked.

If we look at solar panels from a technical point of view, we know that solar panels produce electricity which can be used immediately by households or stored in a solar system battery solution for later use.

There are no arguments about whether solar panels can do the job that they are supposed to do, which is generating electricity. The debate is more about whether the electricity generated by solar panels will save enough money to make solar worth it.

Why do some people question this? The following are some of the reasons that generate doubts around solar:

  • Lack of information: despite the large amount of information that is made available by the solar industry, government, media, and communities, unfortunately there is still a large portion of public that is not well informed about the advantages of installing solar.
  • Scepticism: There will always be some people that have sceptical views about any new emerging technology. Hopefully these views will be eased as the public gets better informed.

So, is solar worth it? We believe the best way to answer this question is to present couple of real-life examples demonstrating how solar panels and a solar battery solution have affected the energy costs and power usage in two different households.

Example 1 – Home With Solar Panels Only

Situation Prior To Solar

The household was using 33.93kwh a day costing $11.66 a day with a total quarterly bill of $853.53 after discounts.

The Solar Solution

After assessing the customer usage and needs it was determined that best solar solution consisted of the installation of 8KW of LG solar panels.

Situation After Solar Was Installed

For this household the electricity usage and cost dropped significantly to the following: Usage 14kwh a day costing $3.62 a day with a total bill of $249.46 after discounts.

Reduction in electricity bill: $853.53 – $249,46 = $604.07 per quarter, equivalent to $2,416 year!

The payback period for a standard 8kW system can be as little as 3 years.

The image below shows the contrasting power bills:

 

Example 2 – Home With Solar Panels And Tesla Powerwall 2 Solar Battery:

Situation Prior To Solar

The household was purchasing 100% of electricity from the grid.

The Solar Solution

The customer initially installed a small 4KW solar system. Later the customer then added a 13KW Tesla Powerwall 2 battery.

The Situation After Solar

After the first full year of having the battery installed, the source of electricity changed as following;

  • From Solar = 33%
  • From battery 27%
  • From grid 40%.

Total saving = 60% of power used – not bad for a little 4KW system!

The image below shows the snapshot from the Tesla app showing the performance of the system after its first year of operation:

Both of these examples show that solar panels and solar batteries do work by generating and storing electricity. They also prove that installing solar panels and/or a solar battery solution can save money by reducing the dependency on purchasing the electricity from the grid.

 

Conclusion

Installing solar panel and battery is worth it because they save money PLUS you have the thrill of being semi-independent of the grid. Also being relieved of the worry of receiving high power bills (bill shock) is priceless.

It is important to remember that not all households are the same, therefore it is recommended to consult with a professional and CEC Approved Solar Retailer that can analyse your household power usage and patterns to design an appropriate energy solution for your specific requirements.

For more information read this blog on solar panel prices and why install solar.

Why More Australians Are Turning To Solar Power

More Australians are adopting solar power, with more than 2 million households across the country now relying upon this renewable natural resource. As accessibility to solar energy grows, this number continues to increase each year.

Queensland is leading the way in terms of the number of solar-powered households across the country, with four of the top five solar postcodes. It seems that many residents of the Sunshine State are taking advantage of their abundant sunshine and converting it into energy to power their homes.

The benefits of using solar power as opposed to other energy sources are quite powerful. In this article, we’ll share a few of the top reasons why more and more Australians are relying on solar power and how you can learn more about installing your own system. 

Solar Saves You Money

One of the most compelling benefits of solar power systems is the cost savings for homeowners. As energy prices keep increasing and householders face larger power bills a solar system can make large cuts to power bills.

While a solar panel system takes an investment upfront, the long-term advantages are worth considering – it is a home improvement that pays for itself and will keep putting money in your pocket for many years to come.

On average, a typical 6.6kW solar system installed in Sydney or regional New South Wales will produce about 9,300kWh of power per year. The system can pay for itself in under three years and save you over $12,000 in 15 years*. Click here for more details.

It’s Good For The Environment

Another compelling reason to consider solar is for its positive environmental impacts. When you rely on solar power, you’re using a clean, stable and renewable source of energy. Australia has the most solar radiation per square metre of any continent on earth, so why not wield the strength of the sun to power your home?

If you’re interested in living a more sustainable lifestyle, investing in solar energy for your home (or commercial solar at your place of business) is an excellent first step. Solar does not release any greenhouse gasses into the environment and reduces your reliance on other sources of energy that have a harsher impact on Mother Nature.

Solar Adds Value To Your Home

If you’re contemplating selling or renting your home at some point in the future, a solar power system is an added perk for potential buyers. These days, more than 20% of Australian households currently have a solar power system installed. This number continues to grow, so having solar at your home can only have a positive impact.

There are a range of ways that you can utilise solar power at your home, including solar panels, solar batteries and solar hot water systems. No matter which solar option you select, you can rest assured knowing that you will be cutting costs, protecting the environment and adding long-term value to your home.

If you’re interested in learning more about these cutting-edge technologies and how they can save you moneycontact SolarBright for a chat. Our professional staff can work with you to discuss solar options that will work best for your home in Sydney or regional New South Wales.

*These numbers assume you consume 65% of the solar power generated, your power cost is 29c/kWh and feed the balance back to the grid with a feed-in tariff of 10c/kWh.