Almost 10,000 solar panels are being installed on Australians’ rooftops every day. An extraordinary 3.5 million panels were installed in 2017. This year, we’re on track to install almost 10 million solar panels.
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One in every five households is using their rooftop to harness the power of the sun, saving up to $800 a year on electricity bills.
When choosing to install solar power – also called a solar photovoltaic (PV) system – it's important to consider what size will suit your needs. For example, do you want to go carbon neutral, or do you want to add battery storage? What is your budget?
Speak to your electricity retailer, as installing solar power might impact your current electricity tariff. Some retailers, for instance, require solar customers to shift to a time-of-use tariff.
Do you have sufficient unshaded space on your house or shed roof to mount PV panels? Generally, it's best to face your PV panels north. However, some west-facing panels will increase the output of the PV system on summer afternoons when you might be more likely to use the air conditioner.
In many cases, it will be possible to install a PV system that generates as much, or more, electricity as you use in a year. Some of this electricity will be used in your home and reduce your mains electricity consumption, and some may be sold back into the electricity grid.
If designing and building a new home, keep north-facing walls and windows well back from large obstructions to the north such as buildings, trees or fences, as they cast shadows two to three times their height in mid-winter.
Other ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce your bills include installing LED downlights, improving your insulation and replacing inefficient appliances. These changes can reduce the size of the solar PV system you need to buy.
Our business unit dedicated to Solar Homes, Solar Victoria, provides rebates for solar PV or a solar hot water system; up to $2225 for installing solar panels and $1000 for solar hot water.
Solar panel systems can only be installed by accredited solar installers using approved products and only Solar Victoria can confirm eligibility for consumers and installers.
This has become necessary, as some solar companies and installers have been trying to take advantage of vulnerable people by making false claims in advertising/marketing.
Victoria is an amazing place to live and by reducing our emissions and cutting bills we can keep it that way.
Stan Krpan is chief executive of Sustainability Victoria.
