Five factors that will impact your solar panel cost
Solar panel cost is highly variable. There is no one size fits all solution… and you should be wary of anyone who tries to sell you one.
There are a number of factors that will impact your solar panel cost in different ways. And some of those factors will also impact on how much money you can save into the future… because solar is an investment in future-proofing your energy bills.
The quality of the panels
Straight up, if you purchase cheap, low quality solar panels, you may as well throw your money down the drain.
Yes, the upfront cost is lower and you will generate some solar… but the panels will be inefficient and will not last long enough for you to get a return on your investment.
High quality solar panels do cost more. But you get a return on that upfront cost as you watch your electricity bills drop each time one lands in your mailbox. Quality solar panels will produce more energy and last longer than inferior options on the market.
The size of the solar system
You might have heard solar systems being referred to in kW. That is the size of the system. Generally, most residential solar systems will range in size from 2kW – 10kW. The size of the system you choose should be matched to the energy requirements of your household.
While the upfront solar panel cost for a larger system will be higher, if it is a quality system, you will see the benefit for many years to come in the form of reduced energy bills.
Where you live
The solar rebate available to Australians falls under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme where you can receive Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) for eligible solar system installations.
Under the scheme, Australian postcodes are divided into four zones. Depending on which zone you live in, you will receive a different amount under the scheme.
STCs are also traded in an open market, so the amount you receive for each STC is variable depending on market demand and other factors.
The amount of energy your system will produce
Several factors will contribute to how much energy your solar system will produce. The size is a large factor… but as is the orientation of your roof as well as the amount of shade covering your solar system and the tilt of your roof.
Why does the amount of energy your system produces impact on solar panel cost? Once again, it comes back to the STCs.
If you have a large system producing more energy, you will be eligible for more certificates under the scheme, hence affecting your overall cost.
The STCs you receive will not cover your entire solar panel cost. We encourage our customers to look at STCs as a contribution to the installation costs of their solar panels.
How straightforward your installation is
Speaking of installation, this can also be a variable in your solar panel cost. Issues like difficult roof access or a roof tilt that is challenging to work with can mean more time is required to install the solar panels… and so the cost of installation will be higher.
For solar installations, it is important to use Clean Energy Council Accredited Installers who are certified and trained in best practice for the design and installation of solar systems. Using a qualified installer will ensure you have the best possible installation to save you headaches – and additional cost – down the track.
Get a solar panel cost tailored to your circumstances
At Grand Group Australia we offer a free assessment for every client we work with to assess your individual circumstances and give you an accurate quote for your solar panels.
As a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer we only use CEC Accredited Installers so you can be sure you are getting quality Tier 1 panels and best practice installations.
Contact us to book a free assessment with one of our trained assessors who can answer all your solar panel cost questions.