A solar system can look pretty simple from the street.
A few panels on the roof and you’re done.
But if you’re actually planning to install one at your Sydney home, there are quite a few things sitting behind those panels. Your roof, your electricity habits, how much shade the house gets, what appliances you run and even what you might add to the home later.
So it pays to slow down before choosing a system.
Start With Your Household Electricity Use
The first place to start is your electricity bill.
Have a look at what you’re using across the year, not just one month. Summer can push electricity use up when the air conditioning is working hard. Winter can look different again, especially in homes that rely on electric heating.
Look at When You Use Electricity
Think about your normal day.
If someone is home most days, the washing machine, dishwasher, computer, air conditioning and other appliances may be running while the panels are producing electricity.
If everyone leaves early and comes back in the evening, your pattern is different.
That’s important because solar generation happens mainly during daylight hours.
Your solar system needs to make sense around your actual routine.
Check Your Roof Before Choosing a Solar System
Your roof needs a proper check as well.
There may be plenty of roof space, but not all of it will necessarily be useful for panels.
Trees can throw shade across part of the roof. Chimneys and nearby buildings can do the same.
The direction and angle of the roof also affect how the panels will perform.
Check the Condition of Your Roof
If the roof is getting old, deal with that question before putting panels on it.
Nobody wants to remove a fairly new solar installation just because the roof underneath needs replacing.
Look for Shade and Roof Obstructions
A proper solar assessment should consider:
- Trees
- Chimneys
- Nearby buildings
- Roof orientation
- Roof angle
- Available panel space
These details can influence where your solar panels are installed and how much electricity they can produce.
Choose the Right Solar System Size
One thing I’d avoid is choosing a system purely because it has the highest number of panels.
It sounds like the safe option.
It isn’t always.
You want enough generation to suit the household rather than paying for capacity you aren’t really making good use of.
At the same time, going too small can mean you’re still buying a lot of electricity from the grid.
Finding the sensible middle ground is the point.
Bigger Solar Systems Aren’t Always Better
A larger system may generate more electricity, but that doesn’t automatically mean it provides better value for your home.
Your ideal system size depends on:
- Your electricity consumption
- Daytime electricity usage
- Available roof space
- Future energy requirements
- Budget
- Electricity export limits
Make Better Use of the Solar Power You Generate
When your panels produce more electricity than your home is using, some of that surplus electricity may be exported to the grid.
Depending on your electricity plan, you may receive a feed-in credit.
That’s useful, but it shouldn’t be the only reason you choose solar.
Use More Solar Electricity During the Day
Using your own solar electricity at home can be more relevant to your everyday electricity costs.
If you can run certain appliances while the sun is out, you’re making direct use of the electricity being generated on your roof.
Sometimes just changing when you use an appliance can help.
Appliances You Could Run During Solar Hours
Depending on your household, this could include:
- Washing machines
- Dishwashers
- Pool pumps
- Air conditioning
- Electric hot water systems
Why Solar Self-Consumption Matters
The more of your own solar electricity you can use directly, the less electricity you may need to purchase from the grid during those periods.
Decide Whether You Need a Solar Battery
A battery is another decision altogether.
It can store surplus solar energy for later use, which can be handy when the household uses more electricity in the evening.
But batteries add another upfront expense, so it’s worth looking at your usage before deciding you absolutely need one.
Maybe you do.
Maybe you don’t.
There is no prize for having the most equipment sitting in the garage.
When a Home Battery May Be Worth Considering
A battery may make more sense if your household:
- Exports plenty of unused solar electricity
- Uses significant electricity after sunset
- Wants to store solar energy for later
- Expects electricity consumption to increase
Consider the Extra Battery Cost
Don’t add a battery simply because one can be installed.
The additional cost should make sense for the way your household uses electricity.
Check What’s Included in Your Solar Installation Quote
The installation itself deserves some attention too.
Ask where the inverter will be placed.
Check how the cables will be routed.
Find out what equipment is being supplied and what warranties come with it.
And don’t be shy about asking what is actually included in the quote.
Ask About the Solar Panels and Inverter
You should know exactly which equipment you’re receiving.
Important Equipment Details to Check
Ask for:
- Solar panel brand and model
- Inverter brand and model
- System capacity
- Monitoring equipment
- Mounting equipment
- Product warranties
Ask About Installation Costs
A cheap-looking price isn’t much use if important parts of the installation have been left out or if you later discover additional costs.
Confirm What’s Included Before You Sign
Check whether the quote covers:
- Installation labour
- Electrical work
- Cable installation
- Mounting equipment
- System commissioning
- Monitoring setup
- Connection requirements
- Installation warranty
Ask About Possible Extra Charges
Ask the installer whether any site conditions, switchboard work, roof requirements or other issues could create additional costs.
You should understand the likely final price before committing.
Consider Sydney Weather and Solar Performance
Sydney’s weather will change the amount of electricity your panels produce from one day to another.
A bright summer day and a cloudy winter day obviously won’t give you the same result.
That’s normal.
Solar shouldn’t be planned on the assumption that every day will produce maximum output.
Solar Output Changes Throughout the Year
Cloud cover, seasonal daylight hours, temperature and roof conditions can all influence solar generation.
Judge the system over the longer term rather than worrying about the output from one particular day.
Plan for Your Future Electricity Needs
Your electricity requirements may not stay the same forever.
Maybe you’re considering an electric car.
Perhaps you’re adding a pool or working from home more often.
Even a growing family can change how much electricity the house uses.
You don’t have to predict everything.
Just don’t plan the system as if today’s electricity bill is going to stay exactly the same forever.
Think About Future Changes to Your Home
Future electricity consumption could increase if you add:
- An electric vehicle
- A swimming pool
- Electric heating
- Additional air conditioning
- Home office equipment
- More electric appliances
Allow for Sensible Future Growth
It can be worth discussing expected future electricity requirements before deciding on your final solar system size.
Choosing Home Solar Installation in Sydney
When you’re looking at home solar installation in Sydney, the best place to start is your own house.
Look at the roof.
Look at the bills.
Look at how the family actually uses electricity.
Then compare the systems and installation options that fit those details.
Choose a Solar System That Fits Your Home
It may not be the biggest system you can buy.
That’s fine.
A system that suits your home is far more useful than one that simply looks good on a quote.
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