Residential Grid Connect System Examples
To get the right size solar system it is advisable to investigate your energy consumption using your electricity bill and/or power meters. Keep in mind that only daytime power usage can be offset with solar.
Save MoneyResidential solar systems offer better returns when kept small. If the system is too large, you will end up exporting to the grid at meagre rates (0-10 ¢/kWh). At a buy price of ~30 ¢/kWh you are much better off self-consuming your generated power. As a rule of thumb, a residential system with "minimum exports" would cover about 30% of the average daily consumption of a working family.
Battery ReadyNevertheless, if you work from home, or if you plan to upgrade to a battery hybrid system at a later stage, it is better to aim at a minimum of 60%. Having more solar panels also means you can cover some of those "spikes" caused by the kettle or vacuum cleaner.
3.7 kW Residential Solar System
This grid connect system features 10 Trina solar panels with a total of 3700 watts. The panels will generate about 14.8 kWh/day. If you manage to self-consume all of that power, you will save $1783 each year (@ 33¢/kWh).
You will require about 20 square metres of roof space. It should fit on most 2-3 bedroom homes or large carports. On average, installation takes one business day.
Our 3.7 kW System:
- 10 x 370W Trina Solar™ Honey Black Module® panels
- 1 x SMA Sunny Boy 3.0 solar inverter
- Clenergy cyclone-proof solar frame*
- DC Isolator (IP66), breakers
- 10m DC cable, 20m AC cable, signage
- Installation** within 50km of Nimbin
** on single storey building
5.2 kW Residential Solar System
This grid connect system features 14 Trina solar panels with a total of 5180 watts. The panels will generate about 20.7 kWh/day. If you manage to self-consume all of that power, you will save $2495 each year (@ 33¢/kWh).
You will require about 27 square metres of roof space. It should fit comfortably on any 3-4 bedroom home or strong shed. On average, installation takes one business day.
Our 5.2 kW System:
- 14 x 370W Trina Solar™ Honey Black Module® panels
- 1 x SMA Sunny Boy 4.0 solar inverter
- Clenergy cyclone-proof solar frame*
- DC Isolators (IP66), breakers
- 10m DC cable, 20m AC cable, signage
- Installation** within 50km of Nimbin
** on single storey building
6.66 kW Residential Solar System
This grid connect system features 18 Trina solar panels with a total of 6660 watts. The panels will generate about 26.6 kWh/day. If you manage to self-consume all of that power, you will save $3208 each year (@ 33¢/kWh).
You will require about 33 square metres of roof space. It should fit on most 4 bedroom homes or large sheds. On average, installation takes one business day.
Our 6.66 kW System:
- 18 x 370W Trina Solar™ Honey Black Module® panels
- 1 x SMA Sunny Boy 5.0 solar inverter
- Clenergy cyclone-proof solar frame*
- DC Isolators (IP66), breakers
- 10m DC cable, 20m AC cable, signage
- Installation** within 50km of Nimbin
** on single storey building
Sizing a grid connect solar system
It is important to know how electricity is used in your home to determine the right size solar system for you. Take a look at the following energy usage graph of a typical Australian household (also showing a well sized solar system to suit):
On a typical weekday of a working family, energy is mostly consumed in the morning, and then again at night time. These peak periods cannot be offset with a plain grid-connect system unless you add a home battery, which includes another inverter and deep cycle batteries.
Without batteries, an over-sized residential grid connect system mostly results in increased cost for you, and more benefits to the energy retailer as the following graph shows:
Please note: energy production is never as schematic as shown in the diagrams above, there will always be "ups and downs". The above graphs display average consumption and production data.