Deciding if solar power is right for your home

The cost of rooftop solar

Consider your solar power system an investment in your home and your energy future. It’s important to take your time to choose the right system and avoid any deals which seem too good to be true. 

Buying the cheapest solar PV system to save on the upfront cost could actually cost you more in the long term if you don’t get a good quality system, or one which matches your electricity needs, lifestyle, energy usage habits and even the design of your home. 

The actual cost of a solar PV system will depend on the number of solar panels, the quality of the solar panels and your inverter, and other considerations. 

Government incentives

The most cost-effective way to enjoy the benefits of solar panels is to use up as much of the energy generated by your solar PV system as you can during the day. This means you are likely to need less electricity from other sources when the sun goes down, and your solar is being used up rather than having it fed back into the system. 

When you do export excess solar to the system, you could be eligible for a feed-in tariff.  

• This is a rebate or credit offered to eligible households or businesses with a solar PV system for electricity generated by their system that is exported to the energy system. 
• In WA, eligible solar PV systems that are 5kW or smaller in size can receive a feed-in tariff through the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS). These rates are reviewed each year by the State Government in the same way as other regulated electricity prices. 

You might also be eligible for the Federal Government’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. 

Your solar retailer might offer you an up-front discount or ‘solar rebate’ when you buy a solar PV power system. In this case, you might need to pass on the Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) created for your solar PV system to your solar retailer as part of the sale. 

Are solar panels worth it?

Buying solar panels can have many potential benefits – but some of these will take time to realise. It’s important to understand how installing a solar PV system could save you money and how long it might be before you see a difference. 

You can calculate what might be your ‘return on investment’ to help decide if investing in solar is worthwhile.   

To calculate your return on investment, you’ll need to consider: 

• How much electricity you currently consume from the energy system 
• How much you pay for this electricity 
• How much your new solar system will cost (your investment) 
• How much of your solar system generation you’re likely to consume – this is generally 30-50% of the electricity your solar system generates 
• Any feed in tariffs you might earn from the electricity you don’t consume that you send to the energy system 

Try a return on investment calculator to help understand how much money you could save in the long run. Depending on your situation, you might need to change your usage habits or consider installing a battery to get the most from your solar power generation. 

Find a solar installer you can trust

Look for a reputable solar retailer with plenty of experience in WA. It’s worth shopping around for multiple quotes so you can compare the quality, price, warranties and other factors – and read company and product reviews online before making your decision.  
 
Watch out for high-pressure sales tactics and any deals which seem too good to be true. Here’s what to watch out for when you’re buying solar