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The perfect location for families, ‘Bruns’ – as the locals like to call it – boasts access to the ocean, the Brunswick River, and fantastic eateries!
If you’re living in the Brunswick Heads, NSW area and you’re considering switching to solar, then you are on the right page. Here, we will help you make the best decision when it comes to choosing the right solar panels, system, and installer for you.
Approximately 26 per cent of households in Brunswick Heads have solar panels on their roofs with an average size of 2.62kW. Households get around 4.8 hours of peak sun every day, averaged throughout the year.
Total Installed Solar PV Systems in Brunswick Heads*
2,642
Total Installed Capacity in the Brunswick Heads (kW)*
12,979
*As of August 2022
Average solar production in Brunswick Heads, NSW
The following data shows the average daily solar PV production by month in Brunswick Heads, NSW by a solar PV system. The data is based on a 6kW solar PV system in kilowatt-hours (kWh) rounded to the nearest whole number.
Compare Solar Panels in Brunswick Heads
The solar panels your solar installer selects will be chosen based on your personal preference, energy needs, and budget. Most solar installers will use their preferred solar panel manufacturer, which is why getting multiple quotes is important if the brand of solar panel is an important factor for you.
Energy Matters recommends that you select Tier 1 solar panel manufacturers for your solar panels. Tier 1 manufacturers produce solar panels of a higher quality and they will be more likely to honour their manufacturer’s warranty compared to lower-tiered manufacturers. Every year, Bloomberg New Energy Finance releases their Tier 1 PV Module Manufacturer list.
In addition, Energy Matters has partnered with trusted solar panel manufacturers that we are proud to recommend to our customers. These recommended manufacturers are:
REC Solar
LONGi Solar
Powerwave solar
Hyundai Energy Solutions
Jinko Solar
Axitec Solar
Suntech
SunPower Maxeon
Whether you know which panels you want to install on your home or business, or you’d rather discuss your options, we recommend that you begin your solar journey by getting up to 3 FREE, no-obligation quotes. Our network of trusted, local installers will provide personalised quotes for a system that will meet your current and future needs.
The good news is that solar panel prices have reduced significantly over the last 10 years. When determining the number of solar panels you need to install for your Brunswick Heads property, you should consider your roof and the amount your local electricity network will allow you to install.
For most homes in NSW, the solar system size is 6.6 kW of panels with a 5 kW inverter. You can install up to 33 per cent more panels than the inverter is rated at.
Additionally, if you use a lot of electricity, or you are thinking of adding an electric vehicle or battery to the property in the coming years, consider installing a bigger solar system.
As previously stated, your solar installer will factor in your current and future needs. We also recommend sizing up, where possible. Your future electricity needs will undoubtedly increase with electrification and a move to Electric Vehicles. Adding solar panels, or completely upgrading your solar PV system in the future, are expenses you wish to avoid. For this reason, sizing up is recommended.
Solar rebates and incentives in Brunswick Heads, NSW
Brunswick Heads residents have more opportunities to save money when they go solar, thanks to rebates and incentives provided by the government and energy retailers.
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)
One is STCs, a solar incentive in Brunswick Heads that will reduce your system costs significantly. With STCs, you can reduce your upfront payment for small-scale renewable energy technology. Keep in mind that the number of STCs you can get will be based on your location and your home’s solar system size.
The total value of the STCs assigned to your solar system will be deducted at the point of sale from the total cost of your system. Your solar installer will take care of this for you.
Feed-in Tariffs (FiT)
There is also a compensation scheme called Feed-in Tariffs (FiT), in which your energy retailer will pay a rate per kilowatt-hour of energy exported into the energy grid. The energy you export to the grid is excess energy that is generated by your solar panels in Brunswick Heads.
Empowering Homes
You might also benefit from the NSW Government’s project called Empowering Homes. The project aims to help low-income households invest in solar batteries. You can get an interest-free loan to add a solar battery to your solar power system. That way, the excess energy that your solar panels will generate will go straight to the battery, which you can use at night or on cloudy days.
The program offers Brunswick Heads’ homeowners solar panel and solar battery setup that costs $14,000 to be repayable over eight years. You also have the option to get $9,000 to retrofit an existing solar panel system with a solar battery, which you can repay over ten years.
Solar for Low-Income Households
Finally, you can take advantage of Solar for Low-Income Households, which is currently in trial mode. The goal of this program is to help families lower their energy expenses by installing free, fully installed 3kW solar systems. In exchange for this, the eligible family must forfeit their Low Income Household Rebate, which is worth $285 per year.
Solar panel installation for your Brunswick Heads property
Virtually any roof is suitable for solar. However, solar panels should be at a specific angle to operate well. Why?
If the roof isn’t at an optimal angle, you will likely be charged more to install the angle mounts.
Another factor affecting your rooftop solar panels in Brunswick Heads is that your roof should be in good condition before the panels are installed.
Finally, the roof must be clear of shade from surrounding greenery and other obstructions.
In Brunswick Heads, you are not required to seek the approval of the council to have solar panels installed, as long as your property is not facing the street on a residential property.
Suppose you plan to install street-facing solar panels; you may need council approval, especially if the property is heritage listed or in a heritage-listed area.
Also, make sure that your chosen installer must have an understanding of the regulations around the solar installation.
For renters, you will need your landlord’s approval before installing solar panels.
Your solar installer will design a system that best utilises your roofspace whilst taking into consideration your current and future energy needs.
We recommend seeking at least 3 solar quotes to ensure that you are getting the best deal and selecting a solar installer whom you can trust. Energy Matters has done most of the hard work for you! We have a nationwide network of trusted, local installers who are ready to contact you and provide a quote. Get up to 3 FREE quotes via our solar quote service.
Solar Batteries in Brunswick Heads
Solar battery storage is growing in popularity as more and more households and businesses in NSW are finding out the benefits. Solar batteries can help you get the most out of your solar panels and provide protection during a blackout.
Solar batteries work by storing excess solar power generated by your solar panels. You can then use the stored power during the night or on cloudy days when your system may not be producing as much electricity.
Without a solar battery, the excess solar power generated will be sent back to the grid.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Brunswick Heads, NSW
EVs are more affordable than ever, and it is one of the primary goals of NSW Government to help lower carbon footprint and reach the country’s overall target of net-zero in 2050. In an effort to encourage residents to switch to renewable energy even on the road, the NSW Government has reduced the upfront cost for the first 25,000 eligible EVs sold by offering $3,000 worth of rebates with a dutiable value of less than $68,750.
Along with the abolition of stamp duty, switching to EV can save you up to $5,540. At the same time, you get to help speed up EV sales in NSW to more than 50 per cent by 2031.
Here are the benefits of getting an EV:
- Lower costs: EVs are more cost-effective to run, plus, they are simpler to maintain.
- Meet the country’s emissions target: Australia is committed to reaching net zero by 2050, and switching to EV can make you a part of this wonderful change.
- More economic opportunities: Take advantage of a stronger economy and a huge amount of savings when you switch to an EV. As Australia is the biggest lithium exporter in the world, and solar batteries are primarily made of lithium, you will be investing in Australian jobs.
Are you ready to make your next car an EV? Book a test drive today!
The return on investment of Brunswick Heads solar panels
A mid-range home in Brunswick Heads will see a return on investment for their solar panels between two and six years. The amount of energy you consume, and your usage pattern, will play important roles here.
Can’t afford to switch right Now?
If you don’t have the finances for solar right now, don’t let that stop you! Solar is an excellent investment. Many of our trusted solar installers now offer $0 upfront interest-free loans where you can pay off your system in small monthly instalments. You only need to request an obligation-free quote and find out what payment plan options are available.
