How Much Will a 6kW Solar System Save Me?
As families wrestle with the skyrocketing power bills in 2022, sinking funds into a 6kW solar setup stands out as a prime strategy for reducing energy costs.
The average 3 – 4 bedroom household uses 24kW daily (6kW system produces 24kW daily) and spends $2,367 annually on electricity (rate: $0.27 per KW). A 6kW solar system will save you 80 – 90% off your bill, so you can expect to save $2,010 yearly.
The average cost of a 6kW system is $6,190, which means the payback period is 3.07 years or 37 months.
Here is a table showing how much money homeowners can save with a 6kW solar system in different states in Australia.
| State | 6kW Solar System Cost | Electricity Cost | Feed-In-Tariff Rate | Self-Consumption Rate | IRR | Annual Savings | Payback Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | $6,709 | 31c | 7c | 60% | 42% | ~$2,000 | ~2 Years |
| 30% | 16% | ~$1,000 | ~5 Years | ||||
| Hobart | $7,108 | 27c | 8c | 60% | 26% | ~$1,200 | ~3 years |
| 30% | 19% | ~$550 | ~5 Years | ||||
| Perth | $6,709 | 28c | 7c | 60% | 46% | ~$1,500 | ~2 Years |
| 30% | 26% | ~$900 | ~3.5 Years | ||||
| Sydney | $6,709 | 25c | 5c | 60% | 32% | ~$1,100 | ~3 Years |
| 30% | 15% | ~$500 | ~4 Years | ||||
| Melbourne | $7,108 | 27c | 6c | 60% | 36% | ~$1,330 | ~3 Years |
| 30% | 30% | $880 | ~3.5 Years | ||||
| Brisbane | $6,270 | 18c | 5c | 60% | 24% | ~$930 | ~4 Years |
| 30% | 22% | ~$700 | ~2.5 Years | ||||
| Canberra | $6,709 | 20c | 7c | 60% | 28% | ~$1,050 | ~3 Years |
| 30% | 14% | ~$990 | ~6 Years | ||||
| Darwin | $6,429 | 26c | 8c | 60% | 22% | ~$1,400 | ~4 Years |
6kW Solar System Key Numbers
The table below provides you with a 6kW solar system key numbers to help you understand how much money you can save with the system.
| Solar system cost | Approximately $13,000 |
|---|---|
| Australian Government incentive | About $3,000 |
| Investment on a top-quality solar system | Approximately $7,500 |
| Yearly electricity bill savings | About $2,000 |
| Payback time for the system | Around 5 years |
| Solar system lifespan | 25 years |
| Total profit/savings for the 25 years | $50,000+ |
Average Cost of a 6kW Solar System
Installing a 6kW solar system will cost around $6,143. The cost may vary depending on the quality of the panels and the state you live in.
Things you should consider when buying a solar system include its quality, product and performance warranties, and the reputation of the solar provider to make sure you get maximum returns on your investment.
How Much Power Does a 6kW Solar System Generate?
A 6kW solar system generates around 24 kWh per day with 19 x 320W solar panels. This is enough to offset your home’s electricity bill. However, the power output varies depending on your location, quality, and positioning of the system, and shading issues.
What Factors Affects How Much Money You Can Save With a 6kW Solar System
Your daily power consumption and solar feed-in tariffs can significantly affect the amount of money your 6kW solar system can save you.
Solar Feed-In-Tariffs
Several years back, solar feed-in tariffs used to be one of the main reasons why homeowners chose to go solar. Today the story is different. The feed-in-tariff rates are very low and voluntary. This means your electricity retailer does not have to pay you for your surplus solar power.
Daily Solar Power Usage
The amount of money a 6kW solar power system can save you depends on your daily power usage. The best way to optimise your system is by consuming most of the electricity your solar system produces.
The rates retailers offer for excess solar power range from 5 cents to 13 cents/kWh. With a 5kW solar system, you can save an average of 22 cents to 30 cents per kWh, plus GST.
Ways to get the most out of your 6kW solar system
You will need to make some adjustments to your power usage after you install solar panels. You won’t have to use less, but you will need to adjust when you use certain appliances.
When to use appliences
Because most of your system’s power is going to be produced between 11 am and 1 pm when the sun is highest in the sky, you should set your dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, water heater, pool filter, and any other appliance that consumes a lot of power to run during those times.
This will ensure that every Watt of power is free from the sun and not sent to the grid to be later bought back at a discount (See feed-in tariffs)
Understand Your Power Consumption Profile
Solar panels produce the most energy during peak sun hours (around 12noon to 2pm). You can use most of the power generated during this time by running large appliances like laundry machines, air conditioners, dryers, water heaters, pools, etc.
How Long Does a 6kW Solar System Last?
A good quality solar system lasts about 25 to 30 years, when the panel’s performance warranty expires. Most panels still exhibit an efficiency of 80% to 85% after 25 years, so you can still use them for a few more years before installing a new system.
Are You Ready To Install a 6kW Solar Power System?
If thinking of installing a 6kW solar system but do not know where to begin, I suggest getting three quotes from local solar installers.
Quotations are obligation-free, and they will allow you to chat with the installers, ask questions, and compare prices and the types of equipment they use (brand of panels and inverters).
Use This FREE Service
GoSolarQuotes.com.au allows you to quickly compare prices from local installers.
Installers based on previous users’ votes. The best price/ quality installers that are within your service area will be sent a message to quote your job.
No hard sales, just friendly advice, and great prices.
Do this now:
- Scroll to the top of the page and enter your postcode.
- Answer a few quick questions about your power needs.
- Three top-voted installers will be in touch with prices.
Fast, easy, and totally free!
FAQ's
Yes. a 6kW solar system is enough to power your home, but this depends on your location and power consumption rate. If you live in areas receiving low sunshine and your power consumption is high, you may need a larger system to meet your daily electricity needs.
A 6kW solar system has around 20 to 24 solar panels. If you choose high-end panels with higher efficiencies, you will only need a few panels on your roof.