Solar systems in Australia are some of the most affordable in the world, particularly considering the excellent climate we enjoy that is ideal for producing plenty of energy for any sized home. And here in Adelaide, we have the advantage of a rather sunny climate, a keen public interest in solar, and some outstanding Government subsidies which further drive the costs down. But with so many systems on the market, it can be tricky to narrow down your search.

Here’s how you can compare solar systems in Adelaide:

1. Choose your system type

There are two basic system types: on-grid and off-grid. The difference is the solar battery component of your system. If you’re still connected to the grid, you’ll benefit from easy top-ups as needed, and can sell excess power back to the grid when it’s not needed. The downside is that privilege comes at a cost pre-determined by the electricity companies which can spike at any time. If you are off-grid, you store your excess energy onsite using a solar battery, so have no reliance on the grid. It means that you will need a larger system to accommodate those shorter and more overcast days in winter, for example.

2. Determine size

As a general rule, it’s best to determine the indicative size of the system that you need first, so that you can compare apples with apples. The average Australian household uses 18kWh of energy. Adelaide receives approximately seven hours of sunshine daily, except for the winter months when this falls to five hours.

For a solar panels only, a 5kW system can produce an average of 20.75kWh of energy, covering the average. However, if you only use 40% during daylight hours, then a 2kW system would suffice. For battery storage, you would likely want the full 5kW system, plus battery storage that gives a total capacity of 10kW.

You can use simple solar calculator like this one to get a ballpark figure. You’re now in the position to begin gathering quotes from installers near you.

3. Compare prices

Until you collect a number of quotes, it can be difficult to get an idea of what is a good price for what you’re after. That’s where another handy tool comes in. Solar Choice’s Solar PV Price Index reports the average costs of various sizes of solar systems in each capital city around the country—giving you a reliable benchmark that you can compare to any quote you receive.

For example, as recently as August 2018, in Adelaide the average price of a system ranged from a 1.5kW system for $2,970 all the way through to a 10kW system for $12,540. Alternatively, you could calculate the price per Watt and compare that with the report’s low, median and high estimates for your city to figure out where you stand.

For help with your research, to obtain a competitive quote, or to discuss your solar needs, you can rely on Solar Warehouse Australia.

Also Read: Top 10 Solar Panels Installers in Adelaide