One of the hardest things to first get your head around when looking at solar is system sizes. Often, the sizes that are advertised suit the solar company, not always you. With the increase in tech and continued growth we are seeing larger systems being more achievable in a residential setting.Â
In turn, at Teho we get asked everyday what is a 10kW solar system and do I need one?
This is everything you need to know about a 10kW solar system.
Solar panels range in sizes from 300w’s all the way up to 400w’s per panel for residential installations. The size of a solar system is the accumulation of solar panels to create a system size.
Using a 370w solar panel as an example, 28 x 370w solar panels will achieve a 10.36kW solar system. If you remove 1 panel to 27 panels, you will achieve a 9.9kW solar system!Â
It’s just that simple.
On average across Australia you can expect a 10kW solar system to produce 40kWh’s per day, this figure will differ depending on site specific variables such as where the panels are installed, the pitch of the roof and any obstructions. Â
Solar will produce power during the day which your home will consume first, the excess power generated will be sent back into the grid and you will receive a feed in tariff.
To achieve the greatest savings it’s best to consume as much solar as possible to offset the high consumption tariff on your electricity bill, do this by switching high ticket appliances such as pools and washing machines to operate during the day.
In most cases, you can install a 10kW solar system – regardless of where you live.Â
Some distribution areas may limit the amount of solar you can install, while most always limit the amount of inverter capacity you can have. They do go hand in hand though.
If you are single phase home in the most common distribution areas across Australia, to install 10kW’s of solar you will need to install an 8kW solar inverter or two 5kW solar inverters. In both of these scenarios the distributor will require the site to have an export limiter of 5kW’s.
Export limitation is when the inverter can produce its maximum amount of potential but it can only send a certain amount back to the grid. This is to protect the grid’s infrastructure.Â
If you are in a three phase home, in most distribution areas you can install 10kW’s of solar with no export limiting.
Understanding what size system is right for you can be a difficult process, especially if you try and over think it.
If you are a larger user of electricity spending greater than $600 per quarter, 10kW’s of solar is a good option. It will create enough electricity to make a very large decrease in your electricity bill.
We suggest also really considering the future. It’s likely the next car you purchase will be electric or a plug in hybrid which means you will need to draw from the grid to charge your car. The alternative is to install a solar system that is large enough to cover your current needs and future needs.
If you’re not sure on what system is best for you, it’s good to leave that up to an expert by speaking with an Energy Expert from Teho today.
Like any residential solar system in Australia, if you want a good quality system you will need to spend around $800 – $1200 per kW. Thus making a 10kW system around $8,000.00 to $12,000.00.
A 10kw solar system will generate around 40kWh’s of power on average per day in Australia.Â
The size of the panel you are installing will dictate the total required however, based on an average panel size as of 2021 you will need around 25 – 30 panels.Â
