Going Solar: Three Considerations

Going Solar: Three Considerations

Making the decision to change your energy output is not a decision many of us are willing to make lightly and for good reason. With this in mind, we’ve put together a brief list of three things you should consider when making the change to the renewable energy source of solar power.

The Initial Cost of Solar Power

In recent years the cost of having solar panels installed has decreased dramatically, however this initial cost can still seem a little daunting when choosing to move towards solar energy. This initial cost of changing your home or business energy to solar can vary depending on the size of the solar PV system you are having installed. The entry size of a solar panel is 1.5kW (kilowatt) – which is ideal for a small household – and goes up to 10kW which could be a good choice for a business premises. The initial cost of course relates to the size of the solar panels being installed, who is installing the panels and also your location. On average, across Australia, 1.5 kW solar panels cost an average of $3,700 to install and 10 kW solar panels will set you back an average of $15,400.

Future Savings of Solar Energy

Whilst it can be easy to go for the cheapest option initially when it comes to having solar energy installed at your home or business, it really is worth thinking about future savings when it comes to choosing the size of your solar panels. For example, in the average Australian home a 1.5kW solar panel would generate enough energy to power lights, entertainment systems and even some kitchen appliances; a huge potential saving on energy bills, however larger solar panels have the potential to generate 100% of your energy, allowing you to go mostly off-grid. The best way to ensure that you are having the best solar panels for your needs installed on your home or business premises is to ask a solar panel installation expert. They will be able to give you personalised advice on what solar panels are best for your needs.

Is There Enough Solar Energy Where I Live?

With Australia having more solar radiation per square mile than any other continent, it would be hugely disappointing to have solar panels installed on your home or business to then discover that the amount of solar energy generated is lower than you anticipated. Whilst your solar panel installation specialist will be able to advise you on the amount of solar you can expect to generate, in the early stages of planning your change to solar, you can use an online resource to see an estimate of how much solar energy you can expect to generate. One resource you can use to do this is the Solar Potential Map created by the Australian PV Institute and funded by ARENA. The tool allows you to zoom in on the building you are hoping to switch to solar and see whether it is located in a high solar radiation area – as it is these areas that the energy output of your system will be maximised.

Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Whether you’re ready to make the switch to solar or you’d like to stick with your current means of energy output, we’re happy to help you check that you’re on the most affordable energy tariff for your needs. Head over to our home energy page to see how you can get in touch with us and begin saving today.