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Around 22 per cent of households in the Northern Rovers Region NSW, where Suffolk Park is located, have solar panels installed, with an average solar system size of 3.25kW. Installing solar panels on your Suffolk Park property is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint whilst lowering your electricity bills.
There are still plenty of Suffolk Park residents who are not aware of the benefits of going solar. Solar can increase the value of your property and possibly generate an additional income should you rent out your home.
Total Installed Solar PV Systems in the Northern Rivers Region*
2,791
Total Installed Capacity in the Northern Rivers Region (kW)*
17,415
*As of August 2022
The Right Solar Panes for Your Suffolk Park Property
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 Suffolk Hill 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 Suffolk Park, NSW
Installing solar panels for your Suffolk Park property means you will be entitled to participate in the Federal Government’s STC program, a financial incentive in the form of Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
You will get a specific number of STCs based on the location and size of your solar installation. Every STC you have is equivalent to money, and the total value of these certificates will be deducted from the cost of your system.
Your chosen solar company will handle the STC application for you and apply the STC’s total value as a discount at the point of sale.
An example of the incentive is: for a 2 kW system size, you can expect a discount of approximately $1,080.
NSW State Government Empowering Homes Program
You may also be eligible for rebates under the NSW State Government Empowering Homes Program. The program offers interest-free loans up to $9,000 per battery system and up to $14,000 per solar + battery system for 300,000 NSW homes in a scheme that will be rolled out over the next ten years.
Solar for Low-Income Households
Another rebate is the Solar for Low-Income Households (trial), which offers a free 3kW solar system to 3,000 NSW households that opt for a free solar system instead of the low-income household rebate. Currently, this is still in its trial phase and is available in Central Coast, North Coast, Sydney-South, Illawarra-Shoalhaven, and South Coast.
To be eligible for the Solar for Low-Income Household, you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate
- Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years
- Have a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card
- Own your house
- Do not have a solar PV system
Keep in mind that if you’re not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, your household may be eligible.
Solar Feed-in Tariff (FiT)
Solar FiTs are the amount you get paid by your energy retailer for your excess solar energy that is exported back into the grid.
To find out what FiT your local energy retailer is offering, please check out our Feed-in Tariff page.
Solar Panel Installation in Suffolk Park
Before you install solar power on your roof, there are a number of factors to consider:
- Roof condition: Your roof should be in good condition. If it requires renovation or repair, make sure you do them first.
- Roof angle: The roof’s angle also plays a vital role in solar panel efficiency. It should be at the same angle as the latitude of the roof to ensure that the panels are well-optimised when installed.
- The amount of energy: Determine the amount of energy you consume every month. Having a clearer idea of your monthly energy consumption will help you choose the right number of solar panels in Suffolk Park that can sustain your energy needs.
- Surrounding shade: Trees on your property, or in your neighbour’s yard, may drastically reduce the efficiency of your system. Ensure that any trees that may pose a problem are trimmed back. Your solar installer will locate the best possible position for your panels and take into account shaded areas.
Our network of local installers are ready to provide you with a solar quote and will take into account your energy consumption, current and future needs, installation location, product preferences, and budget.
You can get up to 3 FREE, no-obligation quotes by completing our quick solar quiz.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) in Suffolk Park, NSW
EVs have become more affordable in Suffolk Park as the NSW Government continues to reduce the upfront cost for the first 25,000 eligible EVs sold. Currently, they are offering $3,000 rebates for the first 25,000 new battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with a dutiable value of less than $68,750.
The incentive, along with the abolition of stamp duty, will save consumers up to $5,540 and boost EV sales in the state to more than 50 per cent by 2031.
There are also more EV models to be launched. With that, an increasing number of Australians are looking into EV ownership and taking it more seriously. Here are some of the benefits you can get out of an EV:
- Lower costs: Look forward to lower running costs when you drive an EV. As a bonus, they are also simpler to maintain.
- Help meet the country’s emissions target: Australia is committed to reaching net zero by 2050. Having an EV will allow you to help in reaching this target.
- More economic opportunities: Did you know that Australia is the largest lithium exporter in the world? EV batteries are mainly made of lithium, which means that your purchase will help our Australian industry.
Are you ready to make your next car an EV? Book a test drive today!
The Return on Investment of Suffolk Park solar panels
For a mid-range home in Suffolk Park, the return on investment for your solar panels can take anywhere between two and six years. Your energy consumption will play a crucial role here, along with your usage pattern.
However, the more you consume solar, the more you get to save on your energy bills. To put it simply, you will reap the rewards of solar energy in the many years to come, which makes it a solid investment.
Can’t afford to switch right now?
If you don’t have the money 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.
