Reviewed by Saba Arif
Daily output of a 50kW solar panel system
A 50kW solar system generates an average of 200kWh daily, but this output varies depending on the location and time of the year. Generally, solar outputs are highest during the summers since the days are longer, and shortest during winter.
Different states in Australia also receive different solar power outputs from the same 50kW solar system. This is because different parts of Australia receive varying sunlight intensities.
States that receive high solar intensities like Western Australia and Queensland generate outputs between 200 – 220kWh daily and up to 275kWh during summers.
Low-intensity states like South Australia and Tasmania generate lows of between 180-200kWh, and up to 150kWh during winter.
The orientation and tilt angles of your solar panels also affect how much output you can get from your solar system. North-facing panels, tilted at around 30o have proven to yield the highest output in Australia.
Number of panels needed for 50KW
The number of solar panels you’ll need for your solar system will depend on the size (Wattage) of solar panels you choose. The higher the panel wattage, the fewer the panels you’ll need.
Here’s a rough estimate of the number of panels you’ll need, using the most popular 260 – 330W solar panel.
Formula:
No. of panels = Size of the system (kW)
Output of panel  Â
If you’re using 260W solar panels, you’ll require: 50,000/260= 193 panels.
If you’re using 275W solar panels, you’ll require: 50,000/275 = 182 panels.
If you’re using 300W solar panels, you’ll require: 50,000/300 =167 panels.
If you’re using 330W solar panels, you’ll require: 50,000/330 =152 panels.
Roof space is needed for 50kW solar
The standard size of solar panels in the Australian market is 1.7m x 1m. Therefore, if you’re using the 260W – 330W solar panels, you’ll need between 258.4m2 – 328.1m2.
However, other factors such as your roof’s shape, its orientation, and the equipment mounted may demand slightly more space. For the best calculations, contact a solar installer in your area to give you an estimate of the total roof space you’ll need.
How much does a 50kW solar system cost?
A 50kW solar system in Australia typically costs $46,100 – $51,400, depending on panel brand, inverter efficiency, hardware quality and installation complexity.
Prices already factor in the federal STC rebate, which reduces the upfront cost based on postcode and system size. Most commercial sites choose Tier-1 panels and higher-spec inverters for reliability, so the final price usually sits toward the mid or upper end of the range.
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What’s the payback period on 50kW solar?
Most 50kW solar systems in Australia have an average payback period of 4 years. However, depending on your location and energy consumption patterns, the system may pay back in as short as 3 years, or extend to around 5 years.
The more energy you consume from your 50kW solar system, the faster it will pay itself back.
Similarly, the more sunlight your panels receive, the more power it can generate and hence, the faster the system can pay itself. To calculate your average payback period, simply divide the total cost of the system by your annual savings.
In the cost, don’t forget to include the maintenance and repair costs.
And since the price of solar systems varies by state, your payback period will depend on your state.
For your annual savings, the price of electricity determines how much you can save. The higher the electricity costs, the more you save and hence the faster the payback period.
Battery size for 50kW’s
With the 50kW solar system generating so much energy, investing in solar battery storage can help eliminate your energy bills and increase the ROI of your solar system.
The best thing about solar batteries for your 50kW solar system is that you don’t need a massive battery. In fact, the solar battery for your commercial building might be smaller than that required by a residential system.
This is because commercial systems use 70 – 80% of their energy during the day, and the remaining 30% goes to the battery. For residential systems, the battery needs to be huge since most homes use 70% of their energy at night.
With this in mind, you’ll only need a 40 – 60kWh solar battery for your 50kW solar system. You can opt for a slightly smaller or larger battery but ensure you don’t oversize.
If you’re planning to go completely off-grid, you will also need a relatively bigger solar battery to ensure your business operations don’t halt during the night.
How much money will I save with a 50kW system?
With solar power, the more energy you consume, the higher your savings will be. And since most businesses spend nearly 70% of their generated energy during the day, your savings from a 50kW solar system will be really high.
Here’s how you can calculate the savings you’ll expect from your system. For this example, we’ll assume:
- Your business is in Melbourne (System output 200kWh)
- The cost of electricity is 30c/kWh
- Your business consumes 70% of the generated power and exports the rest.
- Your feed-in rate 9c/kWh
Therefore, your system will be generating: 200 x 365 = 73000kWh annually. If you consume 70% of this output, you’ll consume around; 730000 x 0.7 = 51100kWh and export 21,900kWh to the grid.
In terms of savings, this becomes: 51,100 x 0.30 = $15,330 in consumption savings and around; 21,900 x 0.09 = $1,971 in feed-in tariff income.
In total, your annual savings will amount to: $15,330 + $1,971 = $17,301.
Note: The feed-in rates may be a bit lower since most of the energy will be sent to the grid during off-peak hours.
FAQs
Do solar panels last forever?
No! Most solar panels last between 25 – 30 years before they may need to be replaced. After the 20th year, the efficiency of most solar panels drops to less than 80%. This is why most manufacturers offer solar panel warranties of up to 25 years.
What is the lifespan of a solar battery?
Between 10 and 15 years. Unlike solar panels, solar batteries are yet to last past the 15-year mark. Depending on the type of battery, some batteries only last for 5 years. You will have to change your battery at least once during the lifespan of your solar system.
How long do solar inverters last?
10 – 20 years. Being the only moving part in your solar system, the inverter is mainly affected by heat and humidity, making it hard for it to last for two decades. You’ll need to conduct regular maintenance and repairs to extend its lifespan past the 10-year mark.
