Savings surge as Australia passes two million solar-powered homes

Should you join the two million other Aussie households that have solar panels lowering their energy bills? It pays to ask a few key questions first.

HOME solar systems have surged to two million, allowing more Australians to save money on their energy bills.

Clean Energy Regulator data shows there were 2.02 million small-scale solar energy systems in December 2018, up 12 per cent in a year.

While generous government feed-in tariffs have stopped, solar system prices have dropped by more than 75 per cent in five years, to around $5000-$7000 for a five kilowatt system.

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The rapid rise of battery storage systems is a game changer, although still seen by many as too expensive at between $8000 and $15,000 each.

Solahart general manager Stephen Cranch said battery prices had dropped significantly in the past five years and were now “quite stable”.

Patrick Mair, with daughter Heidi, 8, saves money using solar energy.

“In the long term, battery prices will continue to fall. Some consumers are looking at other methods of storage — such as redirecting solar to electric water heating,” he said.

Mr Cranch said people thinking about going solar should seek expert advice to make sure their system was right for their electricity usage.

“If possible, move electricity loads to when the sun is shining.

“Choose a reliable, Australian-based company with long-term warranties, high quality products with local service and support.”

Patrick Mair installed a large home solar system to be “responsible and financially prudent”.

“Putting out the recycling bins did just not seem like we were doing very much,” he said.

“The price of electricity has gone up significantly and I saw this trend continuing.”

Mr Mair said it was important to trust your solar provider and do plenty of research. “Ask lots of questions from people who have solar systems and from the industry,” he said.

@keanemoney