Like most Australians, you’ve probably noticed that your electricity bill has been steadily increasing over the past decade. As a result, now is the perfect time to invest in solar panels for your home or business. Not only will it save you a lot of money in the long run, but you’re doing your part to help the environment. 

Now, it can be difficult to know what the right setup is right for you when first starting out. How many panels? What sizes? Which brands to look out for? Our buyers guide will help make the process of finding the right solar panel setup in Australia a little less daunting by answering some common questions you may have.  

How many panels do I need? 

The best way to figure out the answer to this question is to look at your power bill. From this, you can figure out how much energy your house is using, and at what time of day this is peaking. To give a general idea, a typical Australian home uses around 20kWh a day, meaning a 5kWh system would meet most daytime power requirements. 

The energy output of the entire solar system is more important than that of the individual panels. You could opt for fewer, high output panels to save on roof space or install more, lower output panels. In many cases, the latter could be more economical, so it's important to assess what your needs are and evaluate the alternatives.   

Is the location important? 

In Australia, you ideally want your solar panels to be facing north. This way your power production peaks at around midday, and you are provided the most energy overall. East or west facing panels are also viable if you use a lot of power in the morning or afternoon respectively.  

The location of your inverter is also important, as it needs to be out of the sun. The sunlight in Australia can be particularly harsh and damage these inverters over time. A shaded spot or garage are ideal locations, and most installers should be able to build a shelter if these are unavailable.  

Which type should I get? 

The two main types of solar panel are monocrystalline and polycrystalline. The distinction lies in how the silicon wafers are made, although in practice their efficiency differences are negligible. The best choice for you will depend on what your needs are, there is a large range of reputable brands for both affordable and expensive options.  

Generally, you get what you pay for in terms of quality, although it is best to stay away from the cheap ‘no name’ panels that will not last. Remember, installing solar panels is an investment, so do your due diligence on any brand of panel you are quoted. 

Do I need a battery? 

By installing a battery, you are able to store any excess power that you do not use during the day, opening up the possibility for self-sufficiency. That does not mean that your excess power is going to waste if you don’t have one though. Instead, it gets fed back into the power grid, and your provider will give you a small payment (from around 8c to 20c per kWh). Installing a battery is expensive and can almost double the price of your solar system, so you need to measure up the benefits against this to decide if it's really worth it. So no, you don’t need one, but it can be a nice addition to have if you can afford it.  

Summing up  

Deciding what solar system setup is right for you depends a lot on the building and what you want to get out of it. We’ve provided a general guideline to help you get started, but it can be more informative to get a professional in to evaluate and provide you with some options. For example, local Brisbane solar installers can provide you with the right quote to suit your needs and budget. If you are unsure about any aspect of installing solar panels, they will be able to give you the advice and recommendations you need to rest easy.