Reviewed by Leigh McInerney
How much does an 11kW solar system cost?
An 11kW solar system costs start at $9,300 for a budget system and range up to $12,600 for a system with premium panels and a inverter.
The system’s actual cost may vary widely depending on your location (the STC rebate you receive in your region), the quality and brand of the solar panels and inverter, and your solar provider.
The table below provides the average cost of an 11kW solar system by location. Check it out.
| STC zone | City | Average cost (rebate and GST included) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Townsville, Darwin | $9,800 |
| 2 | Alice Springs | $10,550 |
| 3 | Perth, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney | $11,350 |
| 4 | Melbourne | $12,050 |
Investing in good-quality solar panels ensures durability and a good ROI. There are no in-betweens in solar panels. You get what you pay for!
Power output and energy generation of an 11kW solar system
An 11kW solar system generates about 43kWh to 48kWh of electricity per day, depending on your location, solar panel orientation, and roof orientation. The system will generate more power in the summer and less in the winter.
To make full use of this energy, it is recommended to operate heavy appliances like dishwashers during the daytime, when your solar panels produce more output than needed for daily usage.
If you want to benefit from extra production beyond what’s consumed right away, opting for battery storage will serve this purpose nicely while minimising dependence on grid-supplied energy and resulting in significant savings over time.
11kW solar system output in major cities in Australia
Here is a table showing the amount of electricity an 11kW solar system can generate in different cities in Australia.
| City/State | Daily Power Production (kWh) | Annual Power Production (kWh) |
|---|---|---|
| Brisbane, QLD | 46.20 | 16,863 |
| Sydney, NSW | 42.90 | 15,659 |
| Perth, WA | 48.40 | 17,666 |
| Melbourne, VIC | 39.60 | 14,454 |
| Adelaide, SA | 46.20 | 16,863 |
| Hobart, TAS | 38.50 | 14,053 |
| Canberra, ACT | 47.30 | 17,265 |
| Darwin, NT | 48.40 | 17,666 |
How many solar panels do I need for an 11kW solar system?
An 11kW solar power system requires about 30 to 40 solar panels, but the exact number will depend on the wattage of the panels. For instance, you will need 30 x 370-watt or 40 275-watt solar panels to make up an 11kW solar system. The number of panels required will reduce if you use higher-efficiency panels.
Formula:
11,000 Watts / 275W (panel size) = 40 panels
11,000 Watts / 370W (panel size) = 30 panels
Here are common solar panel sizes that can make up an 11 kW solar system:
- 275W x 40 (solar panels) = 11.00 kW
- 300W x 37 (solar panels) = 11.10 kW
- 370W x 30 (solar panels) = 11.10 kW
- 400W x 28 (solar panels) = 11.20 kW
- 480W x 23 (solar panels) = 11.04 kW
- 500W x 22 (solar panels) = 11.00 kW
Whether you use fewer, higher-efficiency individual panels to produce the same amount of energy as a higher number of lower-efficiency panels, high-grade materials are key to getting optimal performance while reducing long-term maintenance costs at all times!
Roof space requirements for an 11kW solar system
The amount of roof space you will need for your 11kW solar system will depend on the size and number of panels. For example:
If you use the 275W solar panels measuring 1.6 m2 (1.6m x 1.0 m), you will need about 64 square metres of roof space.
1.6 x 40 275-watt panels = 64 m2 of roof space
On the other hand, if you use the 370W solar panels measuring 1.75 m2 (1.75m x 1.0m), you will need about 52.5 square metres of roof space.
1.75 x 30 370-watt panels = 56.2 m2 of roof space
By opting to use higher-efficiency 400W or 500W solar panels along with a more compact racking system setup, it’s possible to optimise available roof space while still ensuring that your 11kw Solar System is properly installed.
Assessing the savings of an 11kW solar system
An 11kW solar system in Australia is expected to generate substantial savings each year. When looking into the costs and benefits of the system, several factors need to be considered, from initial investments for purchasing and installing such systems to potential energy consumption patterns that can lead to significant financial rewards.
How much can an 11kW solar system save me?
On average, an 11kW solar system can save you around $800 to $1,100 each quarter and around $3,200 to $4,400 per year. However, how much you can save with your solar system depends on how much solar energy you can use at the time of generation.
Ideally, you can save between 22 and 30 cents per kWh, depending on the cost of electricity in your area. And if you send excess power to the electricity grid, you will earn around 5 to 13 cents per kWh, depending on your retailer.
Payback period and return on investment
The average payback period for an 11kW solar system is 3 to 5 years, with a ROI between 10 and 20%. This makes it possible for people to enjoy considerable savings over their long-term investment in solar power.
Factors such as the cost of the system, electricity rates, and incentives should be considered when calculating both the payback period and return on investment to make an informed decision about this system.
What can an 11kW solar system run?
An 11kW solar system can run a larger home with high energy needs. It is also classified as commercial and can run a small business with lower energy demands.
Here is what your 11kW solar PV system can run:
- Reverse-cycle air conditioner
- A kitchen with large ovens and induction cooktops
- Swimming pool and hot tub
- Refrigerators, TVs, and lights
- Washer and dryer
- An electric vehicle
- A workshop or a granny flat that needs additional electricity
11kW solar system with battery price
An average Aussie home uses about 30% of the power generated by their solar power system during the day and will need about 70% of that energy at night.
With a battery storage system, you will be able to store the excess power your solar system generates to use during nights, overcast days, and even during power blackouts.
That said, a battery with a capacity of 30.8 kWh would be ideal for an 11kW solar system.
How much will the battery cost?
Battery systems are quite expensive in Australia, costing between $800 and $2,000 per kWh. Therefore, a 30.8 kWh solar battery will cost about $24,640 at the minimum and up to $61,600 at the maximum.
11kW solar power system plus battery cost
As mentioned earlier, an 11kW solar system costs $11,500 on average. Installing this system with battery storage would cost $36,140 at the minimum, with a maximum cost of $73,100.
