Our 1 KW Sunpower Solar Panel
Anyone connected to mains power can have a solar power system installed to produce their own electricity. These systems are different to solar hot water systems that directly heat water.
Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity(DC), the Inverter then converts DC voltage into 240V AC for your house to consume or export depending on the metering system available by your energy supplier. Net Metering supplies your home with power first, then if your solar array is producing more than you are using the excess will be exported to the grid and you will be credited by your energy supplier. Gross Metering exports all power generated to the grid at a higher price and then the household imports electricity at a cheaper price.
NSW Government Feed in Tariff
The NSW government has introduced a proposal to pay a premium for exported solar energy. The proposal is due to come into effect Jan 1 2010. The premium will be $0.60 cents per KWH or unit of energy exported. It is proposed that the feed in tariff be available for systems up to 10KW. Gross Feed in has been capped (for the moment) at 50MW (total generation) for the next 7 years.
Net Metering Example
1.5KW System
A 1.5KW system will produce an average of up to 6KWH of electricity per day.
A household that runs a fridge and little else during the day while their solar system is producing energy may use 2KWH per day and could export 4KWH per day from a 1.5KW system.
Possible Savings
2 x 19.66 cents per KWH =$0.40 per day (Solar Power generated and consumed)
4 x 60 cents per KWH =$2.40 per day (Exported Power)
Total $2.80 x 365 = $1022.00 per annum.
If a household uses all the energy produced by their solar array during the day this would be a saving of up to 6 x 19.66 cents per KWH =$1.18 per day or $430.70 per annum.
Gross Metering Example
1.5KW System
A 1.5KW system will produce an average of up to 6KWH of electricity per day.
All of the Solar Power generated is exported at the higher tariff rate, and your home imports all of the electricity at the normal tariff rate. This means you still get a normal electricity but then are credited with the exported power quarterly or annually.
Possible Rebate/Credit
6 x 60 cents per KWH =$3.60 per day (Exported Power)
Total $3.60 x 365 = $1314.00 per annum.
Naturally, if you double the size of the system, then the amount of power generated is doubled.
