Power generation of a 3kW systemIf you are a low to moderate energy user with no plans to add a battery in the future, a 3kW solar system may be adequate to power your electricity needs. The amount of solar energy a 3kW solar system generates varies according to your location; in Sydney, it will produce, on average, 11.7kWh per day while in Perth it will generate nearly 13.2kWh per day. Show
The table below shows the output of 3kW solar systems in major Australian cities: 3kW system output in major cities:
Solar panel output varies by seasonA 3kW solar system will generate more power in summer and less power in winter. It helps to know these figures and your electricity usage for each season so that you can select the most suitable system size for year-round savings. 3kW Solar system pricesA good quality 3kW system typically costs anywhere between $3,500 – $6,000 to fully install. System prices vary according to location as the solar rebate adjusts according to how much sunshine your postcode receives. Prices also vary according to the quality of components you select and the company you choose to perform the solar installation. The table below shows prices for a 3kW solar system in major Australian cities: 3kW system prices in major cities:
What about those ads for cheaper 3kW systems?We advise against going for a budget 3kW system. You may even see prices for 5kW systems that match the prices we publish for 3kW units. Our prices reflect the cost of installing a system good enough to last its 25-year useful life, which means the components, warranties and quality of the install are all better. Savings and payback on 3kW solar systemsThe payback period for 3kW systems varies according to your location, electricity usage habits and property specifics like your roof orientation. In some states like Western Australia, a 3kW system can payback within a 3 – 5 year period, while in Victoria it’s more like a 4 – 6 year period. If you buy solar panels of decent quality, lifetime savings can be more than $40,000. The savings amount varies according to how you use your solar power and how much electricity you consume during daylight hours. The graphic below shows results from our calculator for a typical 3kW system in Perth: Accurate 3kW system calculationsFor an accurate indication of the payback and savings of a 3kW system at your property, plug in your location, usage and rooftop details into our solar panel calculator to receive your solar results. Should I consider a larger system?If you are considering a 3kW system, it may be that your electricity usage is relatively low, or you use little power during daylight hours. Below we list some reasons why you might select a 3kW system:
Reasons to select a larger systemYears ago, the sensible approach was to select a system size that output enough to power your daylight electricity needs. Several developments in recent years give cause for you to consider a larger system:
Price and payback difference for a larger systemIf you are considering upgrading from a 3kW unit, you should consider a 5kW solar system as the price you will pay for the additional 2kW is considerably less than what you will pay for the 3kW system. We can explain the price difference by comparing the average prices for 3kW and 5kW solar systems in Brisbane:
The price you will pay per kilowatt:
Payback on the extra 2kWIf we assume that you receive a feed-in tariff of 11c, it will only take just over 4 years to pay back the additional 2kWs, assuming that all of it is exported back to the grid. If you use some of the solar panel output from the additional 2kWs to power your electricity needs, the payback period will be even faster. Batteries with a 3kW systemIf you are considering adding a battery to a 3kW solar panel system, you need to consider whether or not your system will generate enough power to charge the battery. Typically, a 3kW hybrid system is likely to be large enough if you consume less than 10 – 12kWh per day. Battery ready systemIf you plan on buying a battery ready system and adding solar storage at a later date, we suggest you consider a larger system, either a 5kW or 6.6kW system. How many panels make up a 3kW system?A 3kW solar system is typically made up of between 9 – 12 panels that will take up an area of 15 – 20m2. If you select the best solar panels that are highly efficient, you may only need eight panels to make up a 3kW system. How many kWh will be produced from a 3 kW?A 3kW system will produce about 260 - 415 kWhs of electricity a month, meaning the amount of energy produced ranges from 3,120 - 4,980 kWhs a year.
How many batteries do I need for a 3000 watt solar system?How many batteries do I need for a 3kw solar system? 1. Lead-acid battery for 3kw solar system, in the statement of 24V, 3000W/24V=125A, if it needs to stay in the best condition, and run at full load for a long time, we suggest you to use 125A*10H=1250AH, 13 batteries in parallel.
How many solar panels do I need for a 3kW inverter?A 3kW Solar system is usually paired with 9 to 12 Solar panels (depending on the wattage of the Solar panels offered; you only need 9 of the 370w Solar panels to get 3.33kW) and a 3kW inverter.
How much electricity does a solar panel produce per day?A typical single solar panel will produce about 2 kWh per day.
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