Residential Solar Power
How does solar power work?
Solar panels convert energy from the sun into electricity. The electricity produced from the solar panels is direct current (DC). Most homes in Australia are connected to the electricity grid which uses alternating current (AC). In order to use the power produced from the solar panels an inverter is required to transform the DC electricity into AC electricity which is suitable for household appliances.
Once the electricity is transformed from DC to AC this electricity is fed into the grid via the household electricity meter, whilst the electricity consumed is simultaneously taken from the grid via the meter. Thus your inverter can tell you how much electricity you have produced.
How much power do solar panels generate?
CMS uses only Mono Crystalline solar panels as they have the highest efficiency and they have a very slow degradation rate compared to other types of solar panels.
Typically most common household solar panel systems are either 1 kilowatt (kW) or 1.5kW. The table below shows the average daily solar energy production of some common grid-connected systems throughout Australia.
| Average Daily Solar Energy Production | |||||
| City | 1kW system | 1.5kW system | 2.0kW system | 3.0kW system | 4.0 kW system |
| Sydney | 3.9kWh | 5.85kWh | 7.8kWh | 11.7kWh | 15.6kWh |
| Melbourne | 3.6kWh | 5.4kWh | 7.2kWh | 10.8kWh | 14.4kWh |
| Brisbane | 4.2kWh | 5.4kWh | 8.4kWh | 12.6kWh | 16.8kWh |
| Adelaide | 4.2kWh | 6.3kWh | 8.4kWh | 12.6kWh | 16.8kWh |
| Hobart | 3.5kWh | 5.25kWh | 7.0kWh | 10.5kWh | 14.0kWh |
| Perth | 4.4kWh | 6.6kWh | 8.8kWh | 13.2kWh | 17.6kWh |
| Darwin | 4.4kWh | 6.6kWh | 8.8kWh | 13.2kWh | 17.6kWh |
Data Source: PV-GC spread sheet based on the CEC Design Guidelines
How much money will I save on electricity bills with solar power?
The average Australian house consumes around 18kWh per day so the size solar system you choose will depend on if you want to partially offset your energy consumption or completely offset your household's electricity use.
For example a resident in Sydney with a 1.5kW solar system could produce 5.85kWh and with the current NSW feed in tariff scheme of 20c per kWh, they would save $427.05 per year (approximately 35% off the average annual electricity expense).
How much do solar panel systems cost?
The cost of a solar panel system is dependent upon a number of factors including the size of the system, type of inverter, installation and any special requirements such as tilt frames.
There are several Government schemes currently in place to lower the cost of purchasing a solar panel system. These include Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), Solar Credits and Feed-in Tariffs.
RECs are an electronic form of currency which you can assign to a registered agent in exchange for a discount on your purchased solar panel system. How many RECs you receive is based on what zone you are in. Zones are based on how much renewable energy can be generated by a solar panel in a given area.
For example:
| Renewable Energy Certificates - Level of Financial Support | ||||||
| City | Zone | Rating | System Size | Deeming Period | Total REC Entitlement | Total Subsidy |
| Melbourne | 4 | 1.185 | x 1.5kW | x (15 years) = | 26 | $1040 (26 RECs x $40) |
| Sydney | 3 | 1.382 | x 1.5kW | x (15 years) = | 31 | $1240 (31 RECs x $40) |
| Darwin | 2 | 1.536 | x 1.5kW | x (15 years) = | 34 | $1340 (34 RECs x $40) |
Rating zones and $40 market price for RECs is determined by the Government and is subject to change.
Solar Credits is the multiplier you times your RECs by in order to get your total RECs. The multiplier is set by the Federal Government. As of the 5th May 2011 all applications received after this date will be multiplied by 3.
| Total REC's including Solar Credits | |||
| City | Number of RECs | RECs x 5 Solar Credits | Total RECs Due |
| Melbourne | 26 | (26 x 3) = 78 | 78 x $40 = $3,120 |
| Sydney | 31 | (31 x 3) = 93 | 93 x $40 = $3,720 |
| Darwin | 34 | (34 x 3) = 102 | 102 x $40 = $4,080 |
Please note: the Solar Credits multiplier will reduce to 2 on 1 July 2012 and then to 1 on 1 July 2013
For example the current price of a 1.66kW tile solar panel system from CMS is initially $8,649.29 before any Government funding. If someone from Sydney wants to buy this they would also be entitled to $3,720 RECs, so the actual cost to them is only $4,929.29 plus installation.
In order to find out exactly how much a solar panel system will cost you contact CMS directly or contact an installer and request a free quote. CMS has a list of solar panel installers who are accredited solar panel installers and use CMS solar products.
What is the process of getting connected to solar power?
1. Buy your solar power kit direct from CMS so you know you're getting a quality product.
2. Find a reliable solar power installer who has current Clean Energy Council Solar Accreditation.
3. Complete an application to be connected to the electricity grid, as well as any other paperwork the solar power installer requires.
4. Once the solar power installer receives the approval number from your electricity provider you will be advised of an installation date.
5. Solar power system is installed.
6. After installation the solar power installer will send the required paperwork to your electricity provider.
7. Either you or your solar power installer can then organise an accredited utility electrician to change your meter over if required and connect the meter to the grid.
