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Australia's goal is to reach 50% renewable energy use by 2030, and residents of Adelaide are already embracing this. About 1 in 3 homes in South Australia already have solar power, and 9% of the entire state's electricity was generated by solar in 2016-17. With ample sunshine, the use of solar energy in the area is a great way to save on your home's energy bill while being eco-friendly.
Adelaide has high sunlight exposure which makes it great for solar panels. During June, the city experiences about four hours of sunlight per day and in January around ten hours, with the average sunlight each day according to the Bureau of Meteorology being around seven hours.
A standard 5 kW solar system in Adelaide provides 18.2 kWh of power per day. A 10 kW solar system offers 36.3 kWh. These return figures are based on a solar system that has been mounted on a north-facing roof at an optimum 30-degree angle, according to Solar Choice.
The addition of a standard 5 kW solar system to your home can save you around $400 per kW per year. An 8 kW solar system will provide you with savings of around $3,400 per year on your energy bill, according to Solaray Energy.
No matter where you live in Australia, the process of installing solar panels is mostly the same. Solar installers in Adelaide will have their unique style but they will follow the same standard steps for installing the panels on your home with only a few variations:
The cost to install a standard 5kW system at a 30-degree angle on a north-facing roof average $6,000 in Adelaide according to Hipages. A larger 10kW system can cost about $10,275 according to Solar Calculator.
Solar Run is a solar retailer who can help you install solar on your rooftop.
Note: Solar service from this broker is not available in the Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia.
Determining how much electricity your home needs is simple. Look at your home's energy bill to see how much electricity your family uses in a month or year. You can also take the time to read your home's electric meter to determine the electrical use of the residence. Certain retailers also offer handy web portals where you can peruse your consumption rate online. Typically, the larger the household, the greater the rate of electrical consumption. A family of four is going to use far more electricity than a single person.
You can also use an online energy calculator to see how much electricity each appliance in your home uses. Certain appliances are notorious for using more electricity than others.
Solar panels in Adelaide are quite common. There are a variety of solar installers in the area that can quickly meet the needs of the locals for installation. The installer will complete what is known as a SA Power networks Small Embedded Generator Request Form to gain approval to start the installation process. A system that is under 5kW usually obtains immediate approval, but bigger units can take up to five days to gain approval.
In Adelaide, you generally do not need council approval to install solar panels unless your home is a heritage house or located in a heritage neighbourhood.
If you are shopping for solar panel installers in Adelaide, then you can start your search online. Before you ask for a quote, you should have some information handy, including:
Once you have this information you can start requesting quotes and comparing them. To find qualified installers, you can visit websites like Solar Quotes and Solar Choice, which provide solar quotes from local companies quickly. You simply enter the address where you plan to have the panels installed to obtain a free quote.
You can also find installers and read online reviews on online marketplaces such as Airtasker or Oneflare. Check out our guide about what information you'll need to obtain a solar panel quote.
Here are a few tips to help you compare solar panel installers in Adelaide:
Cheaper electricity bills and potential feed-in tariffs for supplying unused electricity back into the grid are two of the main incentives for installing solar, but there are others too.
Solar rebates in the form of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) are available when installing an eligible solar system in your home. You'll receive a number of STCs according to how large your system is and where the property is, and these can then be used to offset the cost of the installation. According to Solar Calculator you can save between $2,500 – $3,300 on a typical 5kW system installation.
Keep in mind there are eligibility criteria, including your installer being CEC-accredited.
Properties in the City of Adelaide arecan also qualify for some rebates.
Landlords in Adelaide qualify for a 50 cent rebate for every watt of capacity installed up to $1,000. Concession Card holders can also receive the same 50 cent rebate.
If you install solar panels to power an apartment building's common area, then you can receive a $1 per watt of capacity installed up to $5,000 or 33% of your out of pocket expense in the system.
The South Australian Government also offers a subsidy for South Australians installing batteries in their home. It offers $200 per kWh or $300 per kWh for energy concession holders up to a maximum of $3,000.
Adelaide is a place that continues to embrace solar energy. If you're ready to make the decision and join the 1 in 3 homes already generating solar power, be sure to obtain a number of quotes and compare them to get the best deal.
Do I need to buy the panels myself?
Your installer will supply the necessary solar panels, inverter, and racking system for installation.
Can I install solar panels myself?
Solar panel installation is not a safe or easy DIY project. Also, if you want to receive any incentives or rebates then the panels must be professionally installed.
Is it harder to sell a house with solar panels?
No. Many houses in Australia have solar panels, and they can even raise the value of a home due to the lower electricity bills.
How long do solar panels last in Australia?
Solar panels can last around 25 years in Australia, although panels will be less effective as they age.
What angle and what direction should my solar panels be installed at?
Ideally, solar panels should be installed at a 30-degree angle on a north-facing roof in Adelaide.
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