Solar Readiness for Strata - Section 2 - Rules of Thumb
How much electricity you can expect per kW of solar panels?
As a rule of thumb, for each kilowatt of solar panels, you can expect about four kilowatt-hour per day of electricity generation in Australia. This will vary slightly across the country, with more produced in the northern parts and less produced in the southern parts.
Panel Direction
In Australia, solar panels facing the north will generate the most energy throughout the year, with peak power production around midday. Solar panels facing the east and west will produce 15% less energy overall, with peak power production in the morning and late afternoon.
The price of solar installation was very expensive 10 years ago and it was not worth installing solar without a north facing roof. However, the cost of solar has dropped significantly since then and you can still generate an attractive return on investment from east facing panels, west facing panels, or a combination of north, east and west. West facing panels are now being promoted by grid providers and peak industry bodies.
As a rule of thumb, for each kilowatt of solar panels, you can expect about four kilowatt-hour per day of electricity generation in Australia. This will vary slightly across the country, with more produced in the northern parts and less produced in the southern parts.
Panel Direction
In Australia, solar panels facing the north will generate the most energy throughout the year, with peak power production around midday. Solar panels facing the east and west will produce 15% less energy overall, with peak power production in the morning and late afternoon.
The price of solar installation was very expensive 10 years ago and it was not worth installing solar without a north facing roof. However, the cost of solar has dropped significantly since then and you can still generate an attractive return on investment from east facing panels, west facing panels, or a combination of north, east and west. West facing panels are now being promoted by grid providers and peak industry bodies.
Solar Panels – 60 cell vs 72 cell panels
A photovoltaic cell is the component of a solar panel that converts sunlight into electricity. A solar panel consists of multiple photovoltaic cells, as a single solar cell doesn’t produce much electricity. The two most common solar panel options on the market today are 60-cell panels and 72-cell panels.
A photovoltaic cell is the component of a solar panel that converts sunlight into electricity. A solar panel consists of multiple photovoltaic cells, as a single solar cell doesn’t produce much electricity. The two most common solar panel options on the market today are 60-cell panels and 72-cell panels.
If the building has limited roof space but wants to install a larger solar system, they may consider the use of 72-cell panels, which often has a higher power output in comparison with 60-cell panels on a per panel basis. However, the 72-cell panels are larger in size and take up more space on the roof. For example, you may able to fit in 60-cell panels in the narrow section of the roof, that may not work for a 72-cell panel. As a result, a system that uses 72 cell panels can end up with less capacity than a system where 60 cell modules have been used. Therefore you should discuss with the solar installer about the available options.
Solar Panels – 200W vs 330W vs 570W
The technology for solar panels has been improving every year. When solar systems started to roll out in Australia back in 2012, the typical wattage for each solar panel was in the range of 200W to 250W.
In recent years, the efficiency of solar panels has improved significantly, and panels are now typically in the range of 440W-570W. Companies such as Jinko and Trina have also unveiled panels which can generate up to 600W using bi-facial technology.
An individual solar system for a typical apartment with/without air conditioning or electric hot water
To size your solar panel system, you need to work out how much electricity you use and when you use it. The typical power consumption for an electric hot water tank is about 2.4kW during operation. Modern air-conditioners have a similar power rating ranging from 2-3kW.
An individual apartment in a low-rise apartment block may only require a 1.5kW solar system during the day if it has gas hot water, gas cooktop and no split air conditioning system. If an individual apartment has electric hot water and air conditioning, a 2.5kW solar system would still probably be sufficient in size for this apartment. If the apartment has electric hot water, air conditioning and one or two electric vehicles charging then you may want an even higher system. Both 1.5kW and 2.5kW solar systems are so small that they are unattractive sales opportunities for solar installers. This would mean that 2 or 3 individual apartment owners who are interested in solar would probably have to join a buying group together and get one solar installer to come and install their systems on the same day.
A fast growing minimum size solar system to install in Australia is currently 6.6kW due to economics of being able to install a cost-effective 5kW single phase inverter with this configuration. While an individual apartment in a low-rise building may not be able to allocate 50 square metres of roofspace to one apartment for this size solar system, some townhouses and townhomes could fit a 6.6kW solar system. 6.6kW would be a good size solar system for a town-home in an estate which has its own air conditioning and its own pool.
You may want to watch this video to understand the common area loads on your apartment buildings common area meter.
Solar Panels – 200W vs 330W vs 570W
The technology for solar panels has been improving every year. When solar systems started to roll out in Australia back in 2012, the typical wattage for each solar panel was in the range of 200W to 250W.
In recent years, the efficiency of solar panels has improved significantly, and panels are now typically in the range of 440W-570W. Companies such as Jinko and Trina have also unveiled panels which can generate up to 600W using bi-facial technology.
An individual solar system for a typical apartment with/without air conditioning or electric hot water
To size your solar panel system, you need to work out how much electricity you use and when you use it. The typical power consumption for an electric hot water tank is about 2.4kW during operation. Modern air-conditioners have a similar power rating ranging from 2-3kW.
An individual apartment in a low-rise apartment block may only require a 1.5kW solar system during the day if it has gas hot water, gas cooktop and no split air conditioning system. If an individual apartment has electric hot water and air conditioning, a 2.5kW solar system would still probably be sufficient in size for this apartment. If the apartment has electric hot water, air conditioning and one or two electric vehicles charging then you may want an even higher system. Both 1.5kW and 2.5kW solar systems are so small that they are unattractive sales opportunities for solar installers. This would mean that 2 or 3 individual apartment owners who are interested in solar would probably have to join a buying group together and get one solar installer to come and install their systems on the same day.
A fast growing minimum size solar system to install in Australia is currently 6.6kW due to economics of being able to install a cost-effective 5kW single phase inverter with this configuration. While an individual apartment in a low-rise building may not be able to allocate 50 square metres of roofspace to one apartment for this size solar system, some townhouses and townhomes could fit a 6.6kW solar system. 6.6kW would be a good size solar system for a town-home in an estate which has its own air conditioning and its own pool.
You may want to watch this video to understand the common area loads on your apartment buildings common area meter.
Solar for Strata Webinar
Join us walking through all the considerations strata schemes have to take on their solar journey. Watch on Youtube |