Looking for a definitive answer for what is the cost of installing solar panels? You’ve come to the right place. Captain Green have broken down what is the cost of installing solar panels, so you can get a rough estimate on how much it costs to install solar in 2021.
There are a number of factors that influence the answer to “how much does solar installation cost?”. These factors include your location, the size of solar system, your property and what you want to achieve with solar panel installation. On average, solar panel installation can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $12,000.
It’s no secret that solar panel installation costs can vary enormously. Captain Green have broken down the basic elements that work to determine the answer to “how much does solar installation cost in 2021?”, so that you can make an informed, professional and confident decision in who you hire to install your solar panels.
Factors That Influence Solar Installation Costs
Where You’re Located
Where you’re located will be a huge determining factor for what is the cost of installing solar panels. Each state in Australia comes with different solar panel costs, as various states and territories pay a different rebate per KW produced. These differentiations in costs from state to state will determine the solar panel installation costs.
Another reason that costs in Australian states can vary so much is that the number of panels required to generate the same amount of electricity varies, with differing amounts of sunlight available across Australia. For example, residents and property owners in Perth can generate more sunlight from their solar panels than say, a property in Melbourne.
Will You Be Connected or Off-Grid?
Whether or not your solar panel system is still connected to the electricity mains will also determine how much it costs to install solar panels. It’s relatively common for commercial and residential properties across Australia to stay connected to the grid-system when installing solar panels. This just means that your property is still connected to the mains electricity grid, to use as a backup when your solar panels aren’t generating enough energy (at night, for example). In terms of what is the cost of installing solar panels, staying on-grid is the more cost-effective option.
A grid-connected solar panel system will have both solar panels and an inverter and are connected to the main electricity grid. Typically, the solar panels will generate electricity throughout the day (when they can collect sunlight), and the property will rely on solar energy before falling back on electricity when necessary.
An off-grid solar panel system will not be connected to the electricity mains grid and will be entirely independent of traditional electricity power connections. The entire property will be powered by the solar panels, and potentially some other type of energy generation as well. Off-grid solar systems typically rely on storage batteries to collect all unused power from the solar panels, to use for low-sun days or at night. Off-grid solar systems are generally more expensive to install, require careful planning, and are typically utilised in rural areas of Australia where mains power connection is not guaranteed.
Solar Rebates
Another essential element to consider when considering “how much does it cost to install solar panels?”, is the solar rebates throughout the states of Australia. For starters, Australia introduced the renewable energy target: a federal scheme designed to encourage and ensure at least 33,000GH W of Australia’s generated electricity comes from renewable energy sources by 2020.
Alongside this overarching goal to become more energy-efficient and move to renewable energy sources, three main rebates exist in Australia to incentivise and encourage people to switch from general mains to solar power: Federal rebates, State Government rebates and feed-in tariffs. Depending on where you’re located, these rebates can significantly impact how much it costs to install solar panels.
If you’re wondering what is the cost of installing solar panels in your state, make sure to do your research on any government subsidies, rebates and incentivised schemes.
Federal Rebates:
The federal government reimburses anyone for installing a solar system, with more powerful systems providing higher rebates. This includes both the small-scale renewable energy scheme and the large-scale renewable energy target. These schemes aim to incentivise more people to move to solar, become part of the program, and enjoy rebates until the year 2030 when the renewable energy target will cease.
State Government Rebates:
Provided by individual state governments to support more residential and commercial properties moving to solar, solar panel installation projects are now subsidised in both Queensland and Victoria. Support for the costs for installation of solar batteries is now also available in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
Feed-in Tariffs:
The feed-in tariff system works and operates under your energy retailer; a system wherein the energy provider will refund property owners for any solar energy that is fed back into the grid. Rather than collected excess energy generated by solar going to waste, your solar panel system will feed it back into an account on the grid, where your energy provider will pay a certain amount per kWh of excess solar power. Tariffs vary widely by state, energy retailer and power plan; typically running between 5-21c/kWh. When considering “how much does it cost to install solar panels?”, researching your feed-in tariff options is essential.
It’s important to work with a CEC approved provider so that you’re eligible for the solar rebate. Working with a CEC approved solar company like Captain Green Solar means that you are getting the most out of your move to solar power in Australia.
Orientation of Property
The orientation of your property can also influence overall solar panel installation costs. The angle and direction of your roof and property play a huge role in the efficiency of your potential installed solar panels. The angle of solar panels should ideally, be positioned as to align with the latitude of where you live. The direction of your roof can also play a part – North-facing roofs are the best for solar panels, where East or West facing roofs may be slightly less efficient.
If your property is surrounded by trees or buildings that block a lot of sunlight, this may hinder your ability to install solar panels. There are ways to install solar panels if your property is somewhat shaded, with micro-inverters, which may add to the overall costs of solar panel installation on your property.
The Installation
The company that installs your solar panels will also have a lot to do with how much does solar installation cost. The costs of installing a standard rooftop solar PV system will ultimately come down to who you choose to install the solar panels. Choose an experienced solar panel installer, and you will be provided with expert knowledge, quality solar panel packages and a reliable solar panel company that will have your best interests at heart. Choose a low-quality solar panel installer, and you’ll end up with a faulty setup, extortionate hidden installation fees and the result of poor workmanship leading to a required replacement or repair of your solar system down the line.
On top of their accreditation, the Clean Energy Council also provide a voluntary Approved Solar Retailer program, to help consumers to find a quality, accredited and experienced solar panel supplier and installer. In an effort to improve the standards of solar panel installation, the program is endorsed by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). An accredited solar panel company means that the Clean Energy Council approves of their work, are committed to responsible sales and marketing methods, offer a five year whole of system warranty, and ensure that your solar system is both designed and installed by a CEC accredited technician.
You’ll be happy to learn that Captain Green are a CEC accredited solar retailer, supplier and operate with technicians that are all approved by the Clean Energy Council. We’re one of the only Australian solar panel companies that have been operating for more than ten years and are entirely Australian owned and managed. We provide fully customised, tailored designs for solar panel installation in Australia.
Captain Green Solar Packages
One of the best ways to stay well and truly on top of how much does it cost to install solar panels and choose the most cost-effective route is to do your research and invest in a solar panel package. Solar panel packages mean that everything that you require for a new solar panel system is included; from the solar panels to the inverters, the entire installation process and the workmanship warranty.
Captain Green are Australia’s leading solar panel provider. We specialise in residential, commercial and battery storage with Sydney and Regional NSW, servicing the entire state and supporting the move to regenerative energy. Established in 2010, we are one of the country’s longest-running solar panel companies; tried and tested for more than ten years across the nation. We have installed over 240,000 panels across Australia and will continue to provide exceptional solar services over the coming years, as more Australians enjoy the benefits of solar power.
If you’d like to learn more about what is the cost of installing solar panels, do not hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team at Captain Green. A CEC accredited company, we’re always happy to answer your questions and provide a helpful, professional, no-obligation quote on how much to install solar panels. Call us today on 1300 361 682.
