Calculating the exact number of solar panels required for your Australian home depends on several key metrics: daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) electricity usage, roof orientation, solar panel efficiency, and local sunlight hours.
For an average Australian 3-4 bedroom household consuming 18-24 kWh per day, a 6.6kW solar array consisting of 16 high-efficiency 415W panels is usually the sweet spot for maximizing return on investment and STC government rebate savings.
Factors Determining System Size:
- Daily Power Consumption: Found on your quarterly energy retailer statement.
- Peak Solar Hours: Australia receives an average of 4.5 to 5.5 peak sun hours per day depending on your state.
- Self-Consumption Rate: Running high-energy appliances (washing machines, pool pumps, AC) during daytime hours maximizes solar bill savings.