What Size Solar Unit Is Needed For My Home in 2022? SA

Posted on 19 December 2022

Calculating the size of home solar systems requires a careful calculation of the total volume of power usage in a home. It requires a homeowner to consider the number of appliances which will be in use, how frequently they are turned on as well as the time of day they are most likely to be used. The number of people in the home is also a factor that comes into this calculation. At Solar Power Direct, we help Australians accurately determine the size of solar system they need for their home.

Factors to Consider for Solar System Size in Australia (2022)

Current Usage

Understanding current power usage is the first and most important step. Whether you’re looking for batteries for solar system units or panel configurations, knowing how much energy you need is crucial. We recommend collecting all electricity bills for a period of 12 months and noting down the kWh number for every 30 day cycle. This will give you an idea of how many kilowatt hours you use per day during different times of the year. Keep in mind that winter and summer electricity usage may be vastly different due to greater air conditioning needs.

In Australia, a single person household may use 8-12 kilowatt hours per day, whereas a large home with five family members and lots of appliances may require 40 kilowatt hours a day. The average Australian household uses 20 kilowatt hours of electricity a day.

Future Usage

After current usage has been determined, it is important to think about the next 10 years and how your lifestyle is likely to change. If you are planning to have children, or are a family with children leaving for college, your energy consumption may suddenly change. Future renovations and house extensions will also require additional energy, and your solar panel system should be able to handle all changes to requirements.

For example, the rising popularity of electric vehicles implies that homes may need to generate more electricity to charge vehicles.

Other Factors to Consider When Choosing System Size

When selecting your solar system, we also recommend that you:

• Research the reputation, reliability and quality of your system
• Understand the warranty terms for your panels, batteries for solar system and installation
• Research your solar provider to understand other customer feedback
• Check that your solar installer is accredited and reputable
• Consider your current electricity usage and think about how it might change in the future; if you think your usage will increase, it may be wise to consider a slightly larger system
• Consider how much roof space you have available to install solar panels (this will dictate the maximum size of your system)
• Make the most of your solar panel system by using more power during the daytime (e.g., run your washing machine during the day instead of at night)
• Consider the number of years you are willing to wait for your solar system to pay back your initial investment

Solar Panels and Solar Batteries Adelaide

Contact Solar Power Direct today for a wide range of solar power products such as panels, inverters and batteries. We use years of experience to advise clients on the ideal solar unit for their home or business.