The price of the solar system will, of course, depend on how many kilowatts (kW) of solar panels you want to install and how big the installation is. Prices for solar installation have dropped over the last few years, and you can get more capacity with low-cost solar installation.
In this blog, we will discuss the solar panels, their installation cost, and factors affecting the cost. Take a look!
Average Cost Of Solar Panels
Every year, the demand for solar panels has become more affordable than ever. Australia has the highest rate of solar installations in the world because of the long hours of sunshine available in a year. One other reason behind the high demand for solar panels in Australia is the federal government's financial incentive schemes for solar batteries and solar panels.
The average cost of solar panels can depend upon the building size and energy needs of every home owner.
If you are in search of portable solar panels, then they can cost you between $500 to $2000. For example, BLUETTI MP200 Solar Panels of 200 W can cost you around $600 to $800. Similarly, if you buy BLUETTI PV120 Solar Panels | 120 W, it will cost you between $400 to $500.
All in all, the cost of solar panels depends on the energy you want to generate from them and number of panels you need to power your house.
Average Solar Installation Cost
On average, the cost for 5kW solar panel installation in big cities of Australia can start at around $4,500 for a good quality solar system. But as you go high on kW per day and the number of solar panels increases, the cost of installation will also increase. For example, installing a smart solar system with premium quality can cost you between $10,000 to $15,000.
The labor cost for solar installation is around 15% to 45%, depending upon the company from where you buy solar panels. Most of the time, the retailer includes the labor charges in the final quote of solar installation cost. For a single solar panel installation, the average labor cost can vary between $100 to $300, but this can go low or high depending upon your location.
Moreover, the method of installation can also affect the solar panels' installation cost. It is because it needs a lot of planning to adjust the panels at the right single for maximum exposure to sunlight. The more complex the situation is, the higher the installation cost.
But, once the installation is done, you don’t need to spend much on the solar system. You may just need to replace the inverter after 20 to 25 years. Apart from this, there is no maintenance cost; you just need to clean them from time to time for the solar panels to have a long life.
A 10kW solar system can easily generate around 40 to 45 kWh per day and help you save approximately $3,000 to $5,000 on your annual utility bills. So, the installation cost is almost nothing in front of utility bills.
Factors That Influence Solar Panel Costs
How much solar costs to install depends upon various factors, such as the type of solar panels, location, size of the home, and energy requirements. It also depends upon solar batteries and inverter brands. For example, if you choose BLUETTI solar generators, you can save money on utility and solar system installation. Here are some of the biggest factors that affect the solar installation cost in your state:
Size of the solar system required for your home
The cost of installing a solar system depends upon the size needed to power the house or office space. The size is calculated by the number of kilowatts (kW) of electricity that solar panels can generate for you. To calculate this, you can check your last year’s utility bill to know the usage of energy per year.
For instance, if your average electricity usage is 25kWh/day across the year, then you may need a solar power system that can generate this much energy every day. The more solar panels, the more the installation cost, and fewer solar panels will cost less price for installation. In addition, the solar installation cost also varies from area to area. For example, Western Australia has the lowest installation charges as compared to Victoria.
Government incentives and rebates
In your state government may offer tax credits, direct cash rebates, and fixed payments for solar energy fed back into the grid. All these types of solar rebates can reduce upfront expenses and save you money for solar installation. In Australia, there is a Federal solar financial incentive scheme that offers a fixed amount per kW of solar panels you install.
But to avail yourself of the benefits of a rebate on solar energy, you need to buy solar panels from certified installers only. Depending on the state you reside in, the rebate and solar installation costs might differ.
Solar panel material and company
The material of solar panels also affects the solar installation cost. In Australia, there are more than 5,000 solar panel contractors accredited by the Clean Energy Council. And every contractor sells different materials for solar panels. Most solar panels are made of monocrystalline silicon and polycrystalline silicon material. Buying monocrystalline panels can be expensive but are more efficient.
On the other hand, polycrystalline panels are more affordable but are slightly less efficient. The material cost directly affects the overall expenses incurred during the installation process, impacting the upfront investment required for a solar power system.
Installation challenges:
The material of your roof and its accessibility can also impact the installation cost of solar panels. For instance, you may need to repair your old or damaged roof before installing the solar panels on it. This will increase your expenses for solar needs. Also, how difficult it is for the installer to install the panels on the roof can decide the installation cost of solar in your area.
How Do Solar Batteries Save Money?
As the price of traditional energy rises in Australia, more and more people are planning to use solar panels to power their houses. But, on days when there is no sunlight or during winter, solar panels do not generate much electricity. In such times, you have to use the grid power and pay for utility bills, too.
But, by investing in solar storage batteries, you can get rid of utility bills. These batteries allow you to use solar energy to power your equipment during winter, rainy season, and at night. You can store excess solar energy in solar batteries to use on tough days or while travelling. This reduces your reliance on the energy grid and saves you money.
Solar batteries are particularly valuable in areas with frequent power outages, time-of-use electricity rates, or limited net metering programs. Moreover, solar systems with dedicated solar batteries will increase your property value. Here are some affordable and best options for solar storage and solar generators for you:
BLUETTI AC300 + B300 | Home Battery Backup
BLUETTI AC300 + B300 is 100% modular and supports up to 4×B300 (3,072Wh per pack) battery modules. This has a capacity of 12,288Wh. It is the best solar battery backup that can easily fulfill the basic needs of your home during emergencies, power outages, and in winter. You can either plug it into the wall outlet or solar panels for charging. You can charge the AC300 much faster at a 5,400W Max rate, saving you a lot of charging time.
BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300 + Solar Panels
If you are looking for a complete solar generator kit with battery backup and solar panels, then BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300 + Solar Panels is the best option for you. It comes with 2,400W of solar input and a 3,000W pure sine wave inverter. This BLUETTI solar kit includes cables, connectors, adapters, solar panels, etc., that make it a perfect portable solar power for all your energy needs while travelling or at home.
Conclusion
Now, you know how much solar costs to install. The main factors that affect solar installation cost are the size of the solar system, the size of your home, the location or area, installation methods, and the type of solar panels. For solar system installation, the price may seem to be high, but for a long time it is nothing in front of your utility bills. With solar systems, you are able to save thousands on your power bills while enjoying 24-hour free electricity in every season.
