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Is 6.6kW Solar System Enough to Power a House?

A significant number of households in Australia are moving to a financially and environmentally sustainable energy such as solar. Not only homes but businesses are also turning to solar energy. If you are planning to switch to solar, then probably know how overwhelming it can get. There are many questions inside a homeowner’s mind like which solar panels to buy, which installer to go with, what will be the size of the system, and so on. This article is trying to address one such question.

The most popular choice among home solar installations is the standard 6.6kW solar system. Its cost-effectiveness, size, energy generation, return on investment, and ease of installation makes it the most suitable pick for Australian households. Considering the feed-in tariff, it became a more rewarding investment.

What Is A 6.6kW Solar Power System?

More and more people are looking for cost-effective and reliable energy solutions with increasing household budgets. Solar energy is capable to be the solution for this issue. But to get the most from the investment, you have to choose the right system.

A 6.6kW system with a 5kW solar inverter will produce enough electricity to power an average Australian household. Depending on the place you live, the sunlight availability may vary and therefore electricity produced may also vary. For example, a 6.6kW system in Melbourne produces 23.8kWh of electricity per day while a similar system in Brisbane produces 27.7kWh.

Top Benefits of A 6.6kW Solar System

  • Without having to upgrade the inverter from 5kW to 6kW, you can maximize the STCs. This saves you a lot of money. Also, from a value for money perspective, it reduces the cost/watt of your system.
  • 6.6kW system is a great choice for powering a battery. It will be more useful if you have an electric vehicle or planning to buy one in future.
  • 5kW inverters commonly used for a 6.6kW system are not as expensive as 6kW inverters. There are a wide range of 5kW single phase inverters are available in the market.

How Many Solar Panels Will I Need for A 6.6kW System?

It is very common to see solar panels with the power of 300 watts to 400 watts. The cumulative total of the solar panels is considered the size of the solar system. In the case of 330W solar panels, you need 20 panels to build a 6.6kW solar system.

How Much Roof Space Is Required for A 6.6kW Solar Power System?

Generally, a solar panel measures out to about 1.8m². As already told, 20 x 330W solar panels form a 6.6kW system. This implies the roof area required for a 6.6 kW solar power system is 36m² or possibly more depending on how your roof is laid out. If tilt frames are required, it will take up more area compared to solar panels mounted flush on the roof. Solar installers from the solar power company will visit the site and estimate the exact area required for solar installation.

How Much Does A 6.6kW Solar System Cost?

The average retail price of a standard solar PV system is about $1 per watt, after considering the solar rebates into account. This translates the cost of a 6.6kW is around $5500. This is significantly lesser than what it would have cost just a few years ago. However, the price of solar systems depends on the components used and installation specifics.

6.6kW Solar System and A 5kW Inverter

In Australia, people can get federal-based incentives to encourage solar which is known as STCs or Small Scale Technology Certificates. STCs are calculated based on the size solar system, your location, and the deeming period for these STCs. The STC scheme allows the installed inverter’s capacity to be oversized with panels by 33%. This rule to the Clean Energy Council and your electricity distributor.

This means, for anything higher than a 6.6kW system, you would need an inverter with higher capacity or a second inverter. This drives up the overall cost and makes it hard to get a high turnover.

A 5kW solar power system on a 5kW inverter would generate less power than a 6.6kW solar system on a 5kW inverter. Most importantly, the cost difference is negligible when you consider STCs. Installing a 6.6kW system will allow people to get the maximum amount of STCs on a 5kW inverter. These are the reasons why most 6.6kW solar power systems are quoted with a 5kW solar inverter.

Related article: STC Program – The Solar Rebate That Is Not Officially a Rebate

Sum Up

A 6.6kW solar system is an ideal choice for homeowners looking to get both a decent amount of energy to power the household and a value for money energy solution. It can also be used for offices and small-scale commercial operations. A 6.6kW system with a 5kW inverter is enough to power an average Australian household.

FAQ

How Much Power Will A 6.6kW Solar System Produce?

The power generated by a solar energy system depends on many factors.

  • Location of the site
  • Tilt and orientation of the solar panel array
  • Sunlight availability
  • Performance of the solar panels and inverter

Commonly a 6.6kW solar system with a 5kW inverter can generate around 23.8kW to 27.7kW of electricity on a normal day. It is enough to power most of the average-sized Australian households.

How Long Is the Payback Period on A 6.6kW Solar System?

One of the important criteria for most solar shoppers to measure their solar power systems performance is the payback period. The number of years that the system will take to pay itself in electricity bill savings and solar rebates.

If your 6.6kW system came at an affordable cost, generates a decent amount of energy for consumption, and was installed well by expert solar installers, then the average payback period will be 3 to 5 years.

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