What is the most effective way to run your home with solar power? Find out what size and type of solar energy solution is right for your household.
The type of solar energy system you need will depend a lot on where your home is, how big it is, how many people live there and how you use your electricity.
So when considering a switch to solar, it’s important to know what’s available to you and what solar powered system is actually going to work in your home.
We spoke with Origin Energy expert Cameron Geason for his tips on how to get the most bang for buck out of your solar energy plan.
Can I get solar?
There are several factors that come into play, but the main questions pertain to your roof and its exposure to sunlight.
“Generally speaking, north or north-west facing homes that are not blocked by trees or shade from other buildings are ideal,” Cameron begins.
“While some roof angles work better than others, every roof receives light. So, even if your roof is not angled directly towards the sun, you can still place a solar system on your roof and enjoy the benefits.”
Is your house fit for solar? It mostly depends on your roof. Picture: Getty
While most roofs should be a fine fit for panels, if there are concerns about safety or the use of asbestos in building materials, you will have a few extra hoops to jump through before you can have panels installed.
Interestingly, although panels are suited to most roof materials, a tin roof is best because they are durable and can outlive your solar panels.
How many panels do I need?
Figuring out which system and plan is best for you will require shopping around and doing your research.
To get a basic idea of what you might need, Origin has a handy online solar calculator, that considers:
- Where you live;
- The typical cost of your quarterly electricity bill, and;
- What time/s of day you use the most electricity (day, night and/or weekends).
For a more thorough quote, you can also give the energy company a call and arrange an assessment of your property.
How do I get the most out of my plan?
If you purchase solar with the same energy retailer as your electricity provider, you should be able to simply update your energy plan with them.
Ask your provider how many panels you need and what plan is right for you. Picture: Unsplash
For instance, there are feed-in tariffs which offer you a discount on your traditional electricity for every kW of solar you feed back to the grid.
“Every state and retailer has different offers, so be sure to do your research before signing up and ask your provider to explain what government incentives, tariffs and plans are available,” Cameron says.
What about solar batteries?
“A residential solar system generates electricity when sunlight hits the panels during the daytime. Without battery storage technology, a solar system won’t retain any of this electricity for use at night,” Cameron explains.
“If you use a lot of energy during the day – like run a pool pump, have children getting home from school in the afternoon, run a business from home or you’re at home for the majority of the day, then you may not need a battery as much.”
The downfall of batteries is that they add significantly to the upfront costs. Getting the most bang for your buck out of a battery will depend on what times of day you’re using the most electricity.
