There has been a major shift recently to use solar power for local Brisbane homeowners as a way to help reduce your carbon footprint and save some money on the way. Moreover, it helps lower electricity bills and also, the excess power obtained can also be sold to the national grid for redistribution.
Antagonists, however, have come out guns blazing arguing that the costs for purchase, installation and maintenance of the solar equipment are quite significant.
However, this notion lacks a solid foothold as the overall pricing in comparison to other energy sources has been proved to be cheaper. Thus it is imperative for homeowners to find reliable organizations that carry out solar installation works to cushion them from losses.
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Equipment cost
Conclusively, one can say that solar power is capital intensive as its initial purchase cost represents the single most expensive component of the venture. In addition to the solar panels, other additional equipment includes inverters, which are purposefully meant to convert the direct current produced by the solar panel to alternating current which is mainly used by a majority of the household appliances and metering equipment used in determining the amount of power produced by the panels. However, the installation cost is usually included in price quotations from a recognized solar installation company.
What is the cost of solar panels in Brisbane?
It is imperative for homeowners to identify a reputable solar installation company that is dynamic and is capable of tailoring client solar solutions to their specific and varied client needs in terms of budget, their available roof area and their expectations. Basically, a variety of solar panels tend to be generally a bit more expensive in comparison to others whereas others tend to be less reliable and efficient compared others. On the other hand, cheap products have most at times proven to be more expensive in the long run. It is best described by a saying that has been coined over time that cheap is expensive.
Nevertheless, a comparison of solar system catalogs from a variety of towns and cities in Australia has so far made it possible for one to determine solar panel costs in Brisbane. Typically, homeowners in Brisbane have been found to use home solar systems of approximately 6.6kW. The installation costs involved in this range from $4,500 to $10,000. Such a price range depends on the choice of solar panels combined with compatible inverters of a client’s liking. In addition to that, it also allows for a homeowner to contract a reputable solar installation company to install better quality panels with their inverters.
The lower side of the price range i.e. $4500 enables the client to acquire Chinese-made inverters which are of the best quality. Among these, Sungrow remains the best for this price range. Such an inverter coupled with respectable and long-serving solar panels from a renowned and reputable manufacturer based in Australia who’s been at it for decades. However, a given variety of solar panels can also be found on Canadian Solar, Longi and Jinko befitting this category.
On the flip side, the higher side of the price range gives the client a European-made inverter such as Fronius, SMA and Fimer together with premium solar panel brands.
Why spend $10,000 instead of $4500?
Comparing the cheaper Chinese-made inverters with the overly expensive European-made ones depends on their efficiency and more so, their reliability. However, for solar panels, the upper end of the price range offers the client products which are more efficient. Therefore, one ends up with an overall solar system that is more reliable, emits more energy and involves higher savings for their homes.
Is spending more justified?
Different people have different opinions. Their tastes and preferences also tend to differ from each other. Therefore, it is advisable for a homeowner to consult with a solar consultant before making such a decision of spending more. However, expenditures of approximately $7,000 are advisable so as to bridge the gap between very reliable and efficient products without worrying about the so-called absolute “best”. Also, one can pay a premium for systems whose overall efficiency is slightly higher. On the flip side, one can pay for the brand name of the product but not get much back in terms of tangible savings.
How about cheaper solar systems?
As can be expected in any market, there exist solar installation companies installing the average 6.6kW solar systems in Brisbane at price ranges way below the above-quoted minimum price range of $4500 nowadays. However, as earlier said, cheap is expensive. Also, the solar industry has retailers dealing in the supply of cheaper solar panels and inverters. In addition to that, one can find cheaper contractors who install solar systems. Unfortunately, such products, in the long run, tend to be unreliable at best. They also increase risks of installation thus lead to a myriad of problems in the future including maintenance costs among others.
Do solar rebates exist in Brisbane?
If a homeowner produces more solar power than they can utilize, a solar feed-in tariff set up by the government allows them to provide it to other consumers by feeding it into the grid. A rebate is thus given on their electricity bill in exchange for their contribution to the grid. In Brisbane, such a system of feeding the excess unused power back into the system exists. Such, however, depend on one’s geographical locality as the rebates do vary depending on the four zones in Australia. They come in Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) which are usually associated with one’s size of the solar array and geographical location.
Consequentially, Brisbane gets the second-largest amount of solar rebates in Australia as it falls under the first zone. When computed, it tallies to between 45 STCs to 1520 STCs i.e. between 3kW solar to 100kW solar. The rate for each STC is $35 per certificate. For instance, if one installs a 10kW solar array in Cairns, they would get solar rebates equaling 150 STCs x $35 =$5250.00.
However, if one’s output exceeds 100kW, they’re not given STCs hence they would have no upfront solar rebate. They are thus only eligible for the Large-scale Technology Certificate (LGCs). Such are only paid like ongoing subsidies dependent on the solar panel’s actual production usually measured and reported by approved metering software.
Is solar production viable in Brisbane?
With Brisbane’s varying climate of a humid subtropical climate, the solar system is viable. The viability is due to the areas generally warm, hot and humid summers with mildly dry winters. In comparison to other Australian cities, its temperature varies less. The coldest months tend to be in June and July with a maximum average of about 22 degrees Celsius. Occasionally, temperatures reach 35 degrees Celsius with an average of 21 degrees Celsius during summer and 11 degrees Celsius during the coldest months. The city, however, has 124 clear days hence the viability of such a venture.
Conclusion
Brisbane is a very viable city to carry out your home or business solar system venture due to its existing climatic conditions and the government rebates. Also, solar panel costs in Brisbane vary on one’s tastes and preferences. Therefore, with a budget of $4,500 and above, it is very possible to acquire a reliable and good quality solar system from a respectable solar retailer. However, it is always imperative to carry out thorough and objective research on the various manufacturers of solar panels and compatible inverters of your choice. Also, such is essential for the solar system retailer to ensure the acquisition of better quality products.
