The Ultimate Guide To 9KW Solar Systems For Sydney Homes in 2024
The Cost of Installing a 9kW Solar System In Sydney
Are you tired of paying huge electricity bills every month? The good news is that you can now save a lot of money by installing a 9kW solar power system at your home. The best part? The price of solar power systems has fallen dramatically in recent years, making it an affordable option for many homeowners.
A fully installed 9kW solar power system can now be yours for as low as $7,700, or about $185 a month over 5 years. This includes premium tier-one solar panels such as Trina Solar and a standard installation. It's important to note that high-efficiency panels from premium brands like 1KOMMA5° can offer even better savings in the long run.
While you might be tempted to opt for a cheaper system, it's important to consider the quality and reliability of the panels. Cheaper systems often use low to mid-range panels manufactured in China, and they may not offer any after-sales support. On the other hand, premium brands like 1KOMMA5° offer full-replacement warranties and technical support, giving you peace of mind.
A 9kW system can save you up to $3,500 a year on your power bills, but you'll need to use a lot of power during the daytime to achieve these savings. If you're able to maximize the usage of your solar power system, you could even get a top-of-the-range system for up to $13,000 and enjoy a return on investment in just 4 years!
The Power Generated From A 9kW Solar System
The Clean Energy Council guidelines suggest that a 9kW solar power system in Sydney, facing north, will generate an average of 35 kWh per day. However, we have found that this estimate is conservative, and by using top brands like our Enphase systems, you can get considerably more output from your system. Our customers, on average, have received 110% of expected output, which is quite impressive. During summer, on a sunny day, a 9kW system can often produce over 50 kWh of power. However, this amount of power may be excessive for many households. To distribute the output of power evenly during the day, we suggest splitting the panel array across two orientations. Additionally, we recommend considering battery storage so that any excess solar power can be used during the evening.
Key Facts & Figures Of A 9kW Solar System
| 9kW System | |
|---|---|
| Number of Panels | 21 x 440W Panels |
| Output | 35 kWh a day average (see below) |
| Potential Savings | $700 – $900 a bill depending on your cost of power |
| Average Payback Period | 3 to 5 years |
| Cost | From around $7,300 to around $12,500 |
| Repayments | From around $185 a month over 5 years* |
| Suited to | Medium to large homes using on average around 35 kWh a day during the daytime (or over 24 hours with battery storage) |
* Repayment numbers are an estimate based on a 5-year term. 3-7 year terms available.
Power Bill Savings From A 9kW Solar System
The potential savings from a 9kW solar system depend on how much solar power you are able to use in the home at the time of generation. You will typically save around 22 to 30 cents a kWh (depending on how much you pay for your power), and depending on your retailer, you will be paid around 5-13 cents a kWh for the power you send back to the grid. A 9kW solar system can save you up to around $700 to $900 per quarterly bill.
More information is available here: How Solar Power Reduces Your Power Bill
Number of solar panels for a 9kW System
The larger the system, the more important it is to buy quality panels to ensure you maximise reliability, increased output in all weather conditions and the longevity of the system.
The other consideration is roof space. By installing high-efficiency panels, we can use 22 x 425W panels instead of the standard 21 x 440W panels.
Premium Solar System: A 9kW Micro Inverter System
1KOMMA5° is the largest and most experienced installer of Enphase Micro Inverter systems in NSW, and our system design team are experts at putting together a professional solar array that will maximise solar output in all conditions.
The main benefit of microinverters is that each panel is independent of the others, making it possible to design an array across different orientations and at different angles. A common panel layout is to have some panels facing north, and the others west to spread the output of solar power across the day, making it easier to use more of the solar power as it is generated. Having panels west is also advantageous if you are on time of use billing, where households typically pay around 50c per kWh between 2 pm and 8 pm for power.
On larger residential systems, the panels in the middle of the array can get quite hot during summer as airflow under them is less than ideal. When panels get too hot, the output can be significantly reduced. Because of this, we recommend using microinverter technology; in fact, over 80% of our systems now include this technology. Find out all you need to know about Enphase: 10 key benefits of microinverter systems.
Best Value Solar System: 9kW String Inverter System
If your roof is unobstructed by shade and can fit 27 to 33 panels across one or two sections, a string inverter system may be a suitable option for your home. It is important to make sure the roof is clear of shade as if even just one panel is slightly shaded, the whole string of panels will drop down to the output of the worst-performing panel. Typically, with a 9kW system, there will be two strings.
With a number of manufacturers recently disappearing, it is critically important that you stick to the main brands when choosing an inverter of this size. This will also ensure adequate support post-sale in the event that you have a warranty claim.