Thinking about installing solar panels in Orange, NSW? The world has entered a new era of affordability for solar power, and more and more Australians–including Orange residents–are considering solar power as a means of saving money on power bills and reducing their reliance on electric utilities. This article takes a look at the benefits of going solar in Orange, and the options available.
Should you install a solar PV system in Orange?
Retail electricity prices have risen across Australia, and even if they dip back down briefly, the long-term forecasts anticipate a continued rise, mainly because the increasing price of fuel for generation mainstays such as coal and gas. Solar systems, which require no fuel besides the sun, offer a different value proposition: Once operational, they require only relatively light maintenance and their fuel will always be free unless someone manages to charge people for access to sunlight.
Thanks to the falling price of solar installations, combined with federal government support for renewables, electricity from solar panels is now cheaper than retail electricity from utilities in Australia. The trick to making solar panels worthwhile for a home or business in Orange (or anywhere in NSW), however, is using the solar energy as it is produced.
Currently in NSW, a household or business that has solar panels will only receive about 6c/kWh for power that they do not use themselves (electricity not ‘self-consumed’ by the system owner is automatically exported to the electricity grid). This means that self-consumption of solar energy is key to making the most out of having a system. By self-consuming their solar power, homes and businesses reduce the amount of (expensive) electricity that they buy from their electricity retailer.
Is energy/battery storage an option?
One way to boost solar self-consumption that is becoming increasingly accessible in Australia is to have an energy storage system installed. Energy storage technologies increase self-consumption by 50%+, depending on their size and how energy is used throughout the day. (Solar Choice has begun including energy storage options in its Solar Quote Comparisons where available.)
How much power will a solar system produce in Orange?
How much electricity a solar photovoltaic (PV) system generates is dependent on a number of factors, but most important is the amount of sunlight available in the region in which the system is located. Thankfully, Australia is a sun-blessed nation, and Orange is no exception. 1 kilowatt (kW) of installed solar PV capacity in Orange will generate about 3.9 kilowatt-hours (kWh, units of energy) of solar energy per day, averaged throughout the year (i.e. more power in summer, less in winter).
Below are some common solar system sizes in Australia and the amount of solar energy that they can be expected to produce in Orange if optimally orientated, tilted, and use decent quality components. (To put these figures into context, the average 3-person home in Australia uses about 20kWh of electricity per day.)
1.5kW solar system: 5.85kWh
2kW solar system: 7.8kWh
3kW solar system: 11.7kWh
4kW solar system: 15.6kWh
5kW solar system: 19.5kWh
10kW solar system: 39kWh
What size solar system do I need?
As mentioned above, a typical 3-person household consumes about 20kWh/day, but you can determine your own usage by looking at a recent power bill. Because of the fact that excess electricity is worth only 6c/kWh, it is integral to make sure that you select the right system size for your home or business in Orange. In most cases, this means the system size that just meets your daytime electricity needs. You can speak to a Solar Choice broker for free and impartial advice about your energy needs by calling 1300 78 72 73.
Finding the best solar deals in Orange
What constitutes the ‘best deal’ on a solar system will ultimately depend on the circumstances of the home or business in question, but regardless of what those circumstances are, shopping around to see what is available is absolutely essential. If you are considering solar power for your home or business in Orange, NSW, you can request a free Solar Quote Comparison today by filling out the form to the right of this page, or speak to a broker on 1300 78 72 73. A Quote Comparison for an Orange resident will include pricing & component information from a number of installers who operate in the region.
(Top image by Ajayvius via Wikipedia)
© 2013 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
