Buying solar panels on the Mid North Coast can be an overwhelming process due to the sheer number of solar energy solutions available on the market today. No matter if you’re in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton or up the mountains in Dorrigo, our ample sunshine and environmentally conscious culture make the Mid North Coast a haven for renewable energy companies.
However, as a long-term investment, it is vital that you choose the right product for your specific needs. Solar Run’s buyer’s guide to solar panels on the Mid North Coast will take you through everything you need to know about making the switch to solar.
This guide covers:
As one of the sunniest regions in Australia, the Mid North Coast has become home to an incredibly wide variety of solar panel brands and emerging solar energy technology. The result is that residents have access to some of the best solar panel options of anywhere in the world.
So whether you are looking for a small-scale solar pv system for your home, or a large commercial solar setup for your business in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton & Dorrigo we highly recommend that you do your due diligence and compare reviews for each of the different manufacturers to find the right panels for your needs.
In Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton & Dorrigo the number of solar options on the market has grown, so too has the divide between high quality and low quality products. While saving a few dollars up front can be tempting, high quality panels will provide far greater security and returns for your investment in the long run. As such, below we have provided a price guide to the starting cost of installing a solar panel system on the Mid North Coast, including small, medium and large-scale systems.
The 6.6kW solar system is the most popular choice for small to medium sized homes. With an output equivalent to 28.3 kilowatt hours per day, this single-phase solar system can comfortably power a medium sized household.
Importantly, this option comes with a 10-year workmanship warranty and a 10-year inverter warranty. This type of residential solar setup can be installed in your home on the Mid North Coast for a price tag starting at $4,190
The 9.9 kW solar arrays are perfectly suited to power a large residential property or a small to medium sized commercial property. With an estimated energy output of 42 kilowatt hours per day, this system will comfortably keep your home or business running day and night.
One of the most important features of any solar product is the warranty. Fortunately, this type of solar setup will come with a 10-year inverter warranty along with a 10 year workmanship warranty to help safeguard your investment. Make this switch to clean, renewable energy for your home or business from just $6,510
In the large-scale commercial solar category, the 100kW solar pv system is one of the most popular options for its impressive energy output and value for money. As it is often set up as a 99.9kW system, this type of commercial solar can still reap the benefits of small-scale technology certificates offered under the federal solar rebate scheme. More on the solar rebate Mid North Coast below
On average a 100kW solar power system will generate approximately 150,000 kilowatt hours of energy output each year, or around 411kWh each day. The starting price for a 100kW solar energy system in the Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton & Dorrigo areas, is from $74,000 and up depending on the specifications of your system. For a more precise quote, contact us today to speak with one of our friendly solar specialists.
Rebates for solar energy products under 100kW in size in NSW can be divided into two distinct categories: feed-in tariffs and small-scale technology certificates.
Feed-in tariffs (FiTs) are a great way of paying off the price of your solar power system using the very same energy that it generates. Due to the long daylight hours and quality sunshine on the Mid North Coast, most homes won’t use all of the energy produced by their panels. As such, residents can get reimbursed by their energy provider for the excess electricity that they feed back into the grid.
While the rates for FiTs have fallen over the last decade, it is worth researching the different energy providers available to you to find the one offering the best FiT rates. In NSW, in particular the Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton & Dorrigo areas FiT rates vary between 8 – 22 cents per kilowatt hour (c/kWh) of electricity exported, with most providers offering between 10 and 15c/kwh. However, with the use of Battery storage and VPP (Virtual Power Plant), meaning the sharing of locally produced solar power, means you can achieve up to 45 cents per Kilowatt hour for your FiT. You also have the ability to sell your power in peak demand times and during sometimes be “gifted” free power.
The Solar Credits program is the Australian federal government’s primary means of incentivising the switch to solar energy. This program offers Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) based on the amount of solar energy that will be produced by your system. The program is divided into two categories: Large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) and Small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
LGCs are awarded for solar energy systems over 100kW in size and are granted based on the system’s actual energy output each year. STCs are for systems under 100kW in size and are awarded as an upfront discount to the cost of your system based on the projected energy output of the system.
The Solar Credits program is set to end in 2030 and has been designed to gradually decrease in value each year until it ends. The price of RECs changes each year and is also subject to market fluctuation. As such, the value of STCs will depend on a number of factors.
Below we have provided a rough estimate of the value of this rebate for three popular sized systems. To learn exactly how much you can save with the Solar Credits program, contact us today to speak with one of our experts.
One of the most useful things to calculate for your solar system is the expected return on investment (ROI). There are three important factors to consider when determining how much value your panels can bring you: payback period savings in your energy bills and feed-in tariffs.
The payback period of your solar pv system is the amount of time it will take for the system to pay off the initial cost of the system through the savings in your energy bill and the feed-in tariffs that you receive. It is useful to calculate your payback period. Once you have paid off the cost of your system, all savings produced by your system can be considered “pure” returns. This calculation will depend heavily on the amount of STCs that you received for your system, the value of FiTs that you get and how well matched your system is to your energy consumption habits.
The savings in your energy bills are the main way that your solar system generates a ROI. For all residents in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton & Dorrigo areas, this can be calculated simply by deducting your new energy bills from the bills you received over an equivalent period prior to your solar system installation. The better matched your system is to your energy consumption habits, the better these energy bill savings will be. The final factor to consider in your ROI calculations is the rate of feed-in tariffs that you receive from your energy provider and the amount of excess electricity that your system generates (see solar rebates above for FiT explanation).
It will come as no surprise to residents of the Mid North Coast that we receive some of the highest levels of solar radiation in Australia. This makes it ideal for capitalising on solar energy systems, as they can perform at optimal levels for most of the year. Below we have provided average estimates for the solar energy production rates on the Mid North Coast for the most popular residential and commercial system sizes.
Estimated Annual Generated Output: 10,358.70 kWh
Estimated Daily Generated Output: 28.38 kWh
Estimated Annual Generated Output: 15,538.05 kWh
Estimated Daily Generated Output: 42.57 kWh
Estimated Annual Generated Output: 156,793.05 kWh
Estimated Daily Generated Output: 429.57 kWh
The value of your solar system depends on correctly matching the system to your energy and financial needs. To find the right system for you, we like to ask three simple questions:
1. How much energy do you use?
Looking into your energy consumption over the last 5-10 years can provide a really clear picture of your requirements. If you are a low energy household, Poly panels might be a great choice. These are lower output solar products that are more affordable, making them ideal for anyone prioritising cost over efficiency.
2. How big is your roof?
The amount of space available to you is crucial to know when picking the right panels. For those homes with minimal roof space, prioritising efficiency will be important. In this case, Mono Perc panels might be suitable because of their high-efficiency capacity.
3. Do you have shade?
Some homes struggle with partial shading on the roof. In these cases, it’s important to optimise your panel performance to make the most of the available sunlight. In this case, Bi-Facial or shingled panels are ideal due to their high efficiency performance and ability to absorb indirect light through the second face. Depending on the level of shading Solar Edge optimised panels or micro inverters are your best choice.
Learn more about choosing the right system for your needs. Get in touch with our friendly team today on 1300 076 527.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is Australia’s leading renewable energy association. The CEC represents the clean energy industry by helping to ensure high standards of practice and ethics. The CEC provides accreditation for those solar energy installers that meet best industry standards. Using a CEC accredited installer enables access to STC’s, a financial incentive offered as an upfront discount when you purchase your solar system. All Solar Run franchisees use CEC accredited installers.
You’ve already taken the first step in making the switch to solar by reading this guide and researching the market for Port Macquarie, Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen, Grafton & Dorrigo areas. Solar Run Mid North Coast works and learns on the land of the Kaurna and Gumbaynggirr peoples and acknowledges the Traditional Custodians as the very first place makers, paying our respect to their elders, past, present, and emerging. The next step is to compare solar product reviews to discover the right options for your budget, energy habits and available roof space. For further help you can speak with a specialist for a free quote or fill out our online request form.
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