Recent electricity price increases of 20–30% have hit households hard. Some are installing rooftop solar systems and batteries to reduce or even end their reliance on energy providers.

However, Australia’s uptake of household batteries lags well behind rooftop solar installations. The high upfront cost of batteries is a key reason.

A household battery stores excess electricity generated by your solar power system. You can use it later when solar generation can’t meet your needs – for example, at night or on cloudy days. This reduces the amount of power you buy from the grid.

But how long will the battery take to pay for itself, in the form of lower power bills? The answer varies. It depends, among other things, on where you live, your solar system size and design, how much electricity you use and at what times, network tariffs, and limits on how much surplus electricity you can feed into the grid.

Our current research project has found cases in which a solar panel and battery system will save you money in Western Australia. But the situation varies across Australia. Here, we take a look at what to consider before you buy.

Consumers need to consider many factors to work out whether adding a battery to their solar system is worth it. Shutterstock

A tricky transition for consumers​

Almost a third of Australian households have rooftop solar systems – the highest rate in the world. Households can now generate electricity on a massive collective scale.

This capability is key to the clean energy transition. But when solar systems aren’t generating enough power, households must draw electricity from the grid or a battery.

Battery costs vary with brand, size and location. On average, you’ll pay around A$1,420 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to install 1–5kWh of storage capacity. That’s down from $1,710 per kWh in 2017. The point at which buying a battery makes sense for most households is estimated at around $700 per kWh (for a lithium battery with a ten-year warranty).

At current prices, online advice suggests the warranty will typically expire before the battery pays for itself. So consumers might conclude they are better off buying solar systems only and waiting for battery prices to drop.

That’s not always the case. Our modelling found the payback time is less than the warranty period in Perth for at least two cases: using 50kWh per day with a 13.5kW solar system and 13kWh per day Tesla Powerwall 2 battery, and at 30kWh per day with a 6.6kW system and 6.5kWh LG Chem RESU battery. These batteries will cost you around $12,900 and $5,300 respectively, plus installation.

Our research also found that while there can be other reasons to get a battery, most people care about the financial benefits. But it’s not a simple decision. Some situations are good for batteries, but many people can’t use them effectively.

The amount of sunshine where you live and electricity prices also matter a lot.

In many cases, batteries might need government subsidies to be worth it.

​

What you need to know to design the optimum system​

Installers usually advise householders on what size solar and battery system is best for them. To get this right, installers need to know:

• household load profile – its energy use at different hours of the day and times of the year
• daily load – the household’s average total energy use in 24 hours
• tariffs – how much the household is charged for electricity from the grid, with higher tariffs at times of peak demand
• grid sales limits – households might be paid for energy they export to the grid. However, retailers may restrict the level of exports, change the feed-in tariff at different times of the day, and block feed-in to maintain grid stability.

Most households will not know their load profile. Even if they do, it might change in response to energy providers’ demand management programs – which give households incentives to reduce electricity consumption at peak times.

A system that was optimally sized might not remain so. And once installed, systems are difficult and costly to modify.

Also, customers can’t control tariff changes and grid sales limits. These can have huge impacts on the returns from their solar investments.

Unless all these factors are considered, a household might end up with an unsuitable solar panel and battery system and never recover the costs.

All this means consumers need a reliable source of information. The problem is not a lack of information but an overwhelming amount from a wide range of sources. It can be hard to tell who has a vested interest in promoting certain choices and who is offering independent advice.

Many consumers will leave the decisions to their installer. They must then choose their installer with care.

At times of peak solar generation, household exports of electricity to the grid might be cut off. Shutterstock

How to fix this​

Householders are not the only ones who will benefit from widespread adoption of solar batteries. Network operators will too.

WA has one of the world’s largest isolated electricity grids. It also has a high uptake of rooftop solar. This threatens grid stability when solar generation surges and exceeds the capacity the network is designed to handle. Network operators are permitted to disconnect systems installed after March 14 last year as a last resort.

If more households installed batteries, they could store surplus energy that otherwise could destabilise the grid. But households want to be sure it’s a good investment. As recommended by Energy Consumers Australia, a trusted “one-stop shop” is needed to provide independent, tailored advice to consumers and refer them to government programs and measures.

Retailers and installers should provide households with consumer-friendly technology such as home energy management systems, including smart meters, to help them understand and manage their energy use.

Households should also be informed of alternatives. One option is community batteries, which store and supply energy to a neighbourhood of homes with solar power. Another is virtual power plants – energy-sharing networks that connect thousands of household batteries.

Armed with all this information, consumers could make more informed decisions about investing in the energy transition. Until then, many will defer the decision. And that could increase costs for both households and electricity networks.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Asma Aziz, Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Daryoush Habibi Professor and Executive Dean, School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University

 

[Observer]

Can't complain with mine. 10kwh panels with 16kwh batteries is more than enough everyday.
I have around 5kwh remaining from overnight for the next morning. This is saving me nearly $200 per month in electricity bills. Not looking back.

 

[MariaG]

We built our home with solar included in the design decisions. Solar was a necessity rather than a choice.
At the onset, the most obvious saving straight up was the solar hot water system rather than one on the mains, or gas. We are 100% electric and find that more acceptable with the use of solar and battery.
Back when we fitted the system, 9 years ago, we did look at a battery but decided to wait for the price to go down. I was quoted a starting price of $12,000, so it was not viable. Around 6 months ago, before energy prices went up, we decided to put more 10 panels on and asked about the addition of a battery. We used the same people (Solarhart) who initially put the system on for us. We were surprised that the total for the extra panels, converter, and the battery came down to under $5,000. That was after the Government subsidy for the battery.
It's early days, but so far, over the winter months, we are ahead by around $150 a quarter, which is a lot for us. I am keeping an eye on it and haven't seen anything that has made me regret the decision.
Something like this has to be fully researched. Each household, installation need, location and energy provider are different and all should be considered.

 

[Jest]

Recent electricity price increases of 20–30% have hit households hard. Some are installing rooftop solar systems and batteries to reduce or even end their reliance on energy providers.

However, Australia’s uptake of household batteries lags well behind rooftop solar installations. The high upfront cost of batteries is a key reason.

A household battery stores excess electricity generated by your solar power system. You can use it later when solar generation can’t meet your needs – for example, at night or on cloudy days. This reduces the amount of power you buy from the grid.

But how long will the battery take to pay for itself, in the form of lower power bills? The answer varies. It depends, among other things, on where you live, your solar system size and design, how much electricity you use and at what times, network tariffs, and limits on how much surplus electricity you can feed into the grid.

Our current research project has found cases in which a solar panel and battery system will save you money in Western Australia. But the situation varies across Australia. Here, we take a look at what to consider before you buy.

Consumers need to consider many factors to work out whether adding a battery to their solar system is worth it. Shutterstock

A tricky transition for consumers​

Almost a third of Australian households have rooftop solar systems – the highest rate in the world. Households can now generate electricity on a massive collective scale.

This capability is key to the clean energy transition. But when solar systems aren’t generating enough power, households must draw electricity from the grid or a battery.

Battery costs vary with brand, size and location. On average, you’ll pay around A$1,420 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to install 1–5kWh of storage capacity. That’s down from $1,710 per kWh in 2017. The point at which buying a battery makes sense for most households is estimated at around $700 per kWh (for a lithium battery with a ten-year warranty).

At current prices, online advice suggests the warranty will typically expire before the battery pays for itself. So consumers might conclude they are better off buying solar systems only and waiting for battery prices to drop.

That’s not always the case. Our modelling found the payback time is less than the warranty period in Perth for at least two cases: using 50kWh per day with a 13.5kW solar system and 13kWh per day Tesla Powerwall 2 battery, and at 30kWh per day with a 6.6kW system and 6.5kWh LG Chem RESU battery. These batteries will cost you around $12,900 and $5,300 respectively, plus installation.

Our research also found that while there can be other reasons to get a battery, most people care about the financial benefits. But it’s not a simple decision. Some situations are good for batteries, but many people can’t use them effectively.

The amount of sunshine where you live and electricity prices also matter a lot.

In many cases, batteries might need government subsidies to be worth it.

​

What you need to know to design the optimum system​

Installers usually advise householders on what size solar and battery system is best for them. To get this right, installers need to know:

• household load profile – its energy use at different hours of the day and times of the year
• daily load – the household’s average total energy use in 24 hours
• tariffs – how much the household is charged for electricity from the grid, with higher tariffs at times of peak demand
• grid sales limits – households might be paid for energy they export to the grid. However, retailers may restrict the level of exports, change the feed-in tariff at different times of the day, and block feed-in to maintain grid stability.

Most households will not know their load profile. Even if they do, it might change in response to energy providers’ demand management programs – which give households incentives to reduce electricity consumption at peak times.

A system that was optimally sized might not remain so. And once installed, systems are difficult and costly to modify.

Also, customers can’t control tariff changes and grid sales limits. These can have huge impacts on the returns from their solar investments.

Unless all these factors are considered, a household might end up with an unsuitable solar panel and battery system and never recover the costs.

All this means consumers need a reliable source of information. The problem is not a lack of information but an overwhelming amount from a wide range of sources. It can be hard to tell who has a vested interest in promoting certain choices and who is offering independent advice.

Many consumers will leave the decisions to their installer. They must then choose their installer with care.

At times of peak solar generation, household exports of electricity to the grid might be cut off. Shutterstock

How to fix this​

Householders are not the only ones who will benefit from widespread adoption of solar batteries. Network operators will too.

WA has one of the world’s largest isolated electricity grids. It also has a high uptake of rooftop solar. This threatens grid stability when solar generation surges and exceeds the capacity the network is designed to handle. Network operators are permitted to disconnect systems installed after March 14 last year as a last resort.

If more households installed batteries, they could store surplus energy that otherwise could destabilise the grid. But households want to be sure it’s a good investment. As recommended by Energy Consumers Australia, a trusted “one-stop shop” is needed to provide independent, tailored advice to consumers and refer them to government programs and measures.

Retailers and installers should provide households with consumer-friendly technology such as home energy management systems, including smart meters, to help them understand and manage their energy use.

Households should also be informed of alternatives. One option is community batteries, which store and supply energy to a neighbourhood of homes with solar power. Another is virtual power plants – energy-sharing networks that connect thousands of household batteries.

Armed with all this information, consumers could make more informed decisions about investing in the energy transition. Until then, many will defer the decision. And that could increase costs for both households and electricity networks.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Asma Aziz, Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Daryoush Habibi Professor and Executive Dean, School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University

 

[Jest]

i live in queensland. WA does not interest me.

 

[Luckyus]

Recent electricity price increases of 20–30% have hit households hard. Some are installing rooftop solar systems and batteries to reduce or even end their reliance on energy providers.

However, Australia’s uptake of household batteries lags well behind rooftop solar installations. The high upfront cost of batteries is a key reason.

A household battery stores excess electricity generated by your solar power system. You can use it later when solar generation can’t meet your needs – for example, at night or on cloudy days. This reduces the amount of power you buy from the grid.

But how long will the battery take to pay for itself, in the form of lower power bills? The answer varies. It depends, among other things, on where you live, your solar system size and design, how much electricity you use and at what times, network tariffs, and limits on how much surplus electricity you can feed into the grid.

Our current research project has found cases in which a solar panel and battery system will save you money in Western Australia. But the situation varies across Australia. Here, we take a look at what to consider before you buy.

Consumers need to consider many factors to work out whether adding a battery to their solar system is worth it. Shutterstock

A tricky transition for consumers​

Almost a third of Australian households have rooftop solar systems – the highest rate in the world. Households can now generate electricity on a massive collective scale.

This capability is key to the clean energy transition. But when solar systems aren’t generating enough power, households must draw electricity from the grid or a battery.

Battery costs vary with brand, size and location. On average, you’ll pay around A$1,420 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to install 1–5kWh of storage capacity. That’s down from $1,710 per kWh in 2017. The point at which buying a battery makes sense for most households is estimated at around $700 per kWh (for a lithium battery with a ten-year warranty).

At current prices, online advice suggests the warranty will typically expire before the battery pays for itself. So consumers might conclude they are better off buying solar systems only and waiting for battery prices to drop.

That’s not always the case. Our modelling found the payback time is less than the warranty period in Perth for at least two cases: using 50kWh per day with a 13.5kW solar system and 13kWh per day Tesla Powerwall 2 battery, and at 30kWh per day with a 6.6kW system and 6.5kWh LG Chem RESU battery. These batteries will cost you around $12,900 and $5,300 respectively, plus installation.

Our research also found that while there can be other reasons to get a battery, most people care about the financial benefits. But it’s not a simple decision. Some situations are good for batteries, but many people can’t use them effectively.

The amount of sunshine where you live and electricity prices also matter a lot.

In many cases, batteries might need government subsidies to be worth it.

​

What you need to know to design the optimum system​

Installers usually advise householders on what size solar and battery system is best for them. To get this right, installers need to know:

• household load profile – its energy use at different hours of the day and times of the year
• daily load – the household’s average total energy use in 24 hours
• tariffs – how much the household is charged for electricity from the grid, with higher tariffs at times of peak demand
• grid sales limits – households might be paid for energy they export to the grid. However, retailers may restrict the level of exports, change the feed-in tariff at different times of the day, and block feed-in to maintain grid stability.

Most households will not know their load profile. Even if they do, it might change in response to energy providers’ demand management programs – which give households incentives to reduce electricity consumption at peak times.

A system that was optimally sized might not remain so. And once installed, systems are difficult and costly to modify.

Also, customers can’t control tariff changes and grid sales limits. These can have huge impacts on the returns from their solar investments.

Unless all these factors are considered, a household might end up with an unsuitable solar panel and battery system and never recover the costs.

All this means consumers need a reliable source of information. The problem is not a lack of information but an overwhelming amount from a wide range of sources. It can be hard to tell who has a vested interest in promoting certain choices and who is offering independent advice.

Many consumers will leave the decisions to their installer. They must then choose their installer with care.

At times of peak solar generation, household exports of electricity to the grid might be cut off. Shutterstock

How to fix this​

Householders are not the only ones who will benefit from widespread adoption of solar batteries. Network operators will too.

WA has one of the world’s largest isolated electricity grids. It also has a high uptake of rooftop solar. This threatens grid stability when solar generation surges and exceeds the capacity the network is designed to handle. Network operators are permitted to disconnect systems installed after March 14 last year as a last resort.

If more households installed batteries, they could store surplus energy that otherwise could destabilise the grid. But households want to be sure it’s a good investment. As recommended by Energy Consumers Australia, a trusted “one-stop shop” is needed to provide independent, tailored advice to consumers and refer them to government programs and measures.

Retailers and installers should provide households with consumer-friendly technology such as home energy management systems, including smart meters, to help them understand and manage their energy use.

Households should also be informed of alternatives. One option is community batteries, which store and supply energy to a neighbourhood of homes with solar power. Another is virtual power plants – energy-sharing networks that connect thousands of household batteries.

Armed with all this information, consumers could make more informed decisions about investing in the energy transition. Until then, many will defer the decision. And that could increase costs for both households and electricity networks.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Asma Aziz, Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Daryoush Habibi Professor and Executive Dean, School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University

Pisspoor payin tariffs are a problem

 

[Shane/#]

Recent electricity price increases of 20–30% have hit households hard. Some are installing rooftop solar systems and batteries to reduce or even end their reliance on energy providers.

However, Australia’s uptake of household batteries lags well behind rooftop solar installations. The high upfront cost of batteries is a key reason.

A household battery stores excess electricity generated by your solar power system. You can use it later when solar generation can’t meet your needs – for example, at night or on cloudy days. This reduces the amount of power you buy from the grid.

But how long will the battery take to pay for itself, in the form of lower power bills? The answer varies. It depends, among other things, on where you live, your solar system size and design, how much electricity you use and at what times, network tariffs, and limits on how much surplus electricity you can feed into the grid.

Our current research project has found cases in which a solar panel and battery system will save you money in Western Australia. But the situation varies across Australia. Here, we take a look at what to consider before you buy.

Consumers need to consider many factors to work out whether adding a battery to their solar system is worth it. Shutterstock

A tricky transition for consumers​

Almost a third of Australian households have rooftop solar systems – the highest rate in the world. Households can now generate electricity on a massive collective scale.

This capability is key to the clean energy transition. But when solar systems aren’t generating enough power, households must draw electricity from the grid or a battery.

Battery costs vary with brand, size and location. On average, you’ll pay around A$1,420 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to install 1–5kWh of storage capacity. That’s down from $1,710 per kWh in 2017. The point at which buying a battery makes sense for most households is estimated at around $700 per kWh (for a lithium battery with a ten-year warranty).

At current prices, online advice suggests the warranty will typically expire before the battery pays for itself. So consumers might conclude they are better off buying solar systems only and waiting for battery prices to drop.

That’s not always the case. Our modelling found the payback time is less than the warranty period in Perth for at least two cases: using 50kWh per day with a 13.5kW solar system and 13kWh per day Tesla Powerwall 2 battery, and at 30kWh per day with a 6.6kW system and 6.5kWh LG Chem RESU battery. These batteries will cost you around $12,900 and $5,300 respectively, plus installation.

Our research also found that while there can be other reasons to get a battery, most people care about the financial benefits. But it’s not a simple decision. Some situations are good for batteries, but many people can’t use them effectively.

The amount of sunshine where you live and electricity prices also matter a lot.

In many cases, batteries might need government subsidies to be worth it.

​

What you need to know to design the optimum system​

Installers usually advise householders on what size solar and battery system is best for them. To get this right, installers need to know:

• household load profile – its energy use at different hours of the day and times of the year
• daily load – the household’s average total energy use in 24 hours
• tariffs – how much the household is charged for electricity from the grid, with higher tariffs at times of peak demand
• grid sales limits – households might be paid for energy they export to the grid. However, retailers may restrict the level of exports, change the feed-in tariff at different times of the day, and block feed-in to maintain grid stability.

Most households will not know their load profile. Even if they do, it might change in response to energy providers’ demand management programs – which give households incentives to reduce electricity consumption at peak times.

A system that was optimally sized might not remain so. And once installed, systems are difficult and costly to modify.

Also, customers can’t control tariff changes and grid sales limits. These can have huge impacts on the returns from their solar investments.

Unless all these factors are considered, a household might end up with an unsuitable solar panel and battery system and never recover the costs.

All this means consumers need a reliable source of information. The problem is not a lack of information but an overwhelming amount from a wide range of sources. It can be hard to tell who has a vested interest in promoting certain choices and who is offering independent advice.

Many consumers will leave the decisions to their installer. They must then choose their installer with care.

At times of peak solar generation, household exports of electricity to the grid might be cut off. Shutterstock

How to fix this​

Householders are not the only ones who will benefit from widespread adoption of solar batteries. Network operators will too.

WA has one of the world’s largest isolated electricity grids. It also has a high uptake of rooftop solar. This threatens grid stability when solar generation surges and exceeds the capacity the network is designed to handle. Network operators are permitted to disconnect systems installed after March 14 last year as a last resort.

If more households installed batteries, they could store surplus energy that otherwise could destabilise the grid. But households want to be sure it’s a good investment. As recommended by Energy Consumers Australia, a trusted “one-stop shop” is needed to provide independent, tailored advice to consumers and refer them to government programs and measures.

Retailers and installers should provide households with consumer-friendly technology such as home energy management systems, including smart meters, to help them understand and manage their energy use.

Households should also be informed of alternatives. One option is community batteries, which store and supply energy to a neighbourhood of homes with solar power. Another is virtual power plants – energy-sharing networks that connect thousands of household batteries.

Armed with all this information, consumers could make more informed decisions about investing in the energy transition. Until then, many will defer the decision. And that could increase costs for both households and electricity networks.

This article was first published on The Conversation, and was written by Asma Aziz, Lecturer in Power Engineering, Edith Cowan University, Daryoush Habibi Professor and Executive Dean, School of Engineering, Edith Cowan University

Of grid power would have to be the way to go your, sun ,your system ,your power

 

[liam324]

Solar panels have proven to be the best solution for many households looking to cut down on their electricity bills and reduce their carbon footprint. The advancements in solar technology have made it more efficient and affordable than ever. For those considering making the switch to solar, it's essential to do your research and find a reputable supplier like a1solarstore. They can provide you with tailored solutions and guide you through the process, ensuring you get the most out of your investment. So, if you're looking for a sustainable and cost-effective way to power your home, solar panels are a fantastic choice.

 

[MariaG]

We have a roof full of solar panels and a battery.

It has proven a good cost saver. Our last quarterly bill was under $200. That was over winter, so, I was quite happy with that.

What I didn't know before hand was when the mains power fails, the battery does not take over completely. We had to nominate a room, say the kitchen because it has a fridge, and if the power from the grid fails, the kitchen will stay on. To use the power in other rooms, we will have to run extension cords through the house. The battery does not hold enough to run the home for a long period of time. I can live with that because the food in the fridge will be safe.

We had solar fitted when we built the house because it is 100% electricity. It was only in the last 6 months we decided to add to the panels and fit a battery. We purchased the add ons from the same supplier (Solarhart) that we got the first system. I am reluctant to buy such a major addition from a fly by night provider. One has to be careful of fires that may be caused by shoddy batteries. Because we purchased from Solarhart for the first units they gave us a good price, and we still got the government subsidy for the battery. I think it will prove to be a worthwhile investment.

Every little bit helps the environment.

 

[Observer]

We have a roof full of solar panels and a battery.

It has proven a good cost saver. Our last quarterly bill was under $200. That was over winter, so, I was quite happy with that.

What I didn't know before hand was when the mains power fails, the battery does not take over completely. We had to nominate a room, say the kitchen because it has a fridge, and if the power from the grid fails, the kitchen will stay on. To use the power in other rooms, we will have to run extension cords through the house. The battery does not hold enough to run the home for a long period of time. I can live with that because the food in the fridge will be safe.

We had solar fitted when we built the house because it is 100% electricity. It was only in the last 6 months we decided to add to the panels and fit a battery. We purchased the add ons from the same supplier (Solarhart) that we got the first system. I am reluctant to buy such a major addition from a fly by night provider. One has to be careful of fires that may be caused by shoddy batteries. Because we purchased from Solarhart for the first units they gave us a good price, and we still got the government subsidy for the battery. I think it will prove to be a worthwhile investment.

Every little bit helps the environment.

After having done some research, I found Solarhart a bit on the expensive side. I purchased a 10 kilowat system and found that the 10 kilowat battery wasn't enough, so I added another 6 kilowat battery. 16 Kilowat battery is still half full come morning. We are receiving that much power now that our bills are $0. All up it cost me around $24,000. Just a bit disappointed with excess power going back in to the grid as our supplier limits payment of 5 kilowats per day but the way things are set up, ALL electrical appliances run throughout the whole house even if there is a blackout.

 

[MariaG]

After having done some research, I found Solarhart a bit on the expensive side. I purchased a 10 kilowat system and found that the 10 kilowat battery wasn't enough, so I added another 6 kilowat battery. 16 Kilowat battery is still half full come morning. We are receiving that much power now that our bills are $0. All up it cost me around $24,000. Just a bit disappointed with excess power going back in to the grid as our supplier limits payment of 5 kilowats per day but the way things are set up, ALL electrical appliances run throughout the whole house even if there is a blackout.

Well done you.
Our additions only cost us around $4,000. I guess the more you put towards it, the better the outcome. Mind you, the upper end of the market, Tesla, is like Rolls Royce vs Mini minor. It burned my eyes just reading that quote. Nor have I haven't seen any reports that give Tesla a thumbs up.
We don't have a limit of excess rebates, but the amount per kw is hardly worth the price on paper.
A friend of mine received a bill over $1,100 for the last quarter. I cannot imagine dealing with that on a regular basis.
Congratulations Observer on successfully combatting those dreaded quarterly live grenades of power bills.

 

[Observer]

Well done you.
Our additions only cost us around $4,000. I guess the more you put towards it, the better the outcome. Mind you, the upper end of the market, Tesla, is like Rolls Royce vs Mini minor. It burned my eyes just reading that quote. Nor have I haven't seen any reports that give Tesla a thumbs up.
We don't have a limit of excess rebates, but the amount per kw is hardly worth the price on paper.
A friend of mine received a bill over $1,100 for the last quarter. I cannot imagine dealing with that on a regular basis.
Congratulations Observer on successfully combatting those dreaded quarterly live grenades of power bills.

Thanks Maria
One really needs to do some homework and shop around for the best deals (of the time)