For small or medium businesses that struggle with high energy costs, a 30kW commercial solar panel system with the right pricing might be an ideal investment.
Not only will you reduce your electricity costs, but you will also be able to run your production machines and appliances with clean and renewable energy.
In this guide, you will learn more about the expected energy yield, price and payback time of a typical 30kW solar system.
How much electricity will be generated by a 30kW solar system?
The exact energy yield or power output of a solar panel system may vary, as a number of factors will affect the system’s efficiency. Among these variables, we can mention the tilt and angle of the solar array, sunlight conditions, temperature and system type.
Here is the expected energy output from a 30kW commercial solar panel system in eight different Australian cities:
- Darwin: 130 to 136 kWh
- Perth: 120 to 131 kWh
- Brisbane: 116 to 122 kWh
- Adelaide: 109 to 122 kWh
- Canberra: 108 to 124 kWh
- Sydney: 102 to 112 kWh
- Melbourne: 94 to 108 kWh
- Hobart: 86 to 99 kWh
To be able to determine whether a 30kW solar system is right for your business or not, you should consider your average energy consumption and usage habits.
Remember that the solar feed-in tariff (the payment one may receive for exporting excess solar energy to the grid), in many cases just is paid to energy customers with systems smaller than 10kW. If a 10kW system produces more energy than needed, it will not benefit you.
Can a 30kW solar system power all of your appliances 24/7?
In most cases, a solar panel system will be able to power your appliances up to a certain point. When the system is not producing enough energy, or your power consumption increases dramatically, you will be able to import energy through the grid.
In other words, a 30kW commercial solar system might not cover all your energy needs – depending on your consumption. However, you can still cut your electricity costs by a great deal.
If you want the system to cover as much as possible of your energy needs, it is crucial to find the right solar system size.
How much roof space is needed for a 30kW commercial solar system?
When installing a solar panel system of 30kW, you will normally need at least 150 m2 of roof space. In some cases, you might need more or less roof space – depending on the efficiency of each panel.
A 30kW solar panel system is a relatively small system and can be a good choice for businesses struggling with roof space limitations.
30kW commercial solar system | Pricing and rebates
The cost of a 30kW solar system is significantly lower today than it was a few years ago, which is making solar energy more affordable for small and medium businesses.
The reason for the price reduction is mainly due to decreasing production/technology costs and the beneficial STC rebate scheme.
Are there any solar rebates for businesses?
When installing a solar system, you will receive a certain number of Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
Every STC has a market value and will be deducted from your product and installation costs. So, how many STCs will you get? This depends on both system size and which STC zone your business is located in. In other words, the solar system price might vary from state to state.
What does a 30kW solar system cost?
On average, a 30kW commercial solar panel system will cost around $30,000 after deducting the STC rebate. Keep in mind that the exact price might vary based on your location.
If you want to know the exact price, we recommend you contact a local installer to get a price estimate. However, you can expect the price to be somewhere around $30,000.
What is the expected payback period for a 30kW solar system?
The payback time reflects how many years it will take a solar panel system to pay for itself. Thanks to the economical savings solar energy will give, you can expect a 30kW solar system to pay for itself within 2 to 5 years on average.
The payback period will, of course, depend on electricity prices, energy consumption, weather conditions and similar.
Is a 30kW commercial solar system worth it?
Yes, for most small and medium-sized businesses located in Australia, a 30kW solar panel system will be a beneficial investment. The short payback period makes it a long-term investment, as most solar panel systems will last for at least 20 years.
However, make sure that a 30kW solar system is the optimum size for your business. By contacting a solar installer, you can start planning your solar system in detail. The installer will look at your property and energy consumption, and help find the right solar system.