The continuous rise in energy prices in the country has prompted the majority of Australian households to opt for cost-saving, sustainable energy resources. An on-grid solar panel power system is one of the most popular alternative energy options, mainly due to its track record of effectively reducing monthly energy bills in an environmentally friendly way.
What Is an On-Grid Solar System?
On-grid means your solar system is connected to your utility’s grid, which effectively acts as your battery space. Any excess power you generate is fed back into the grid in return for a feed-in tariff that helps offset your system’s running cost.
How Does an On-Grid Solar System Work?
If you’ve forgotten how an on-grid solar system works, here’s a quick refresher:
Your meter tracks the surplus energy your panels export to the grid and the energy you draw back on days when generation falls short. Unlike a fully self-sufficient off-grid setup, an on-grid system stays reliant on the grid and remains vulnerable to blackouts.
Why Add a Battery? On-Grid Solar with Battery Backup
A battery storage system is an additional expense, given solar battery prices sound big upfront, but also brings added benefits that make every dollar worth it. Pairing a battery with your on-grid solar system–sometimes called a grid-tied solar system with battery backup–boosts both your energy independence and your savings.
Storing energy in an on-grid solar battery system saves you from sudden power outages and keeps your essential appliances running. It also fills the gaps solar panels can’t cover on their own. Your panels stop generating once the sun goes down, which is exactly when peak evening rates kick in, and their output drops through the cloudier winter months. A battery lets you store cheap daytime solar and draw on it at night, so it lowers your bill further by covering a bigger share of your daily power consumption than solar panels alone. And it minimises your carbon footprint, so you can do your bit for the environment.
There are several options if you’re considering adding a solar battery to your on-grid solar panel setup. However, careful planning matters as battery systems are a significant investment. You’ll want to weigh up capacity, power rating, reliability, and service life to get the most out of your money.
Before investing, compare the total cost of a solar battery and installation– after any applicable rebates–against your potential savings over time. Whether it’s right for you depends on your usage habits and situation. For best results, consult a reliable retailer for advice on whether adding a solar battery to your on-grid solar system suits your needs now, and which options make the most sense.
The Advantages of an On-Grid Solar System with Battery Backup
Still on the fence about adding a solar battery to your on-grid solar setup? Here are the top benefits of a battery backup solution.
Energy Independence
Pairing a battery with your on-grid solar system means you can keep the lights on during a power outage, and it also helps you optimise your consumption around peak demand hours. Many batteries also come with an app for monitoring consumption and automating charge and discharge.
Reduced Electricity Bills
Solar panels alone typically cover around 30% to 50% of an average home’s power consumption. Adding a battery can push that up to 90% and lower your monthly bills. You give up the feed-in tariff on energy you store, but avoid buying it back later at a much higher retail rate, which usually makes self-consumption the better deal.
Convenient Maintenance
Batteries are by far the easiest backup power source to maintain, needing no fuel and simply left to do their job. They also run silently, unlike noisy generators, and most can be monitored and controlled from a smartphone.
Sustainability
Investing in an on-grid solar panel power system with a battery is also an eco-friendly move. Since grid electricity is still largely generated burning fossil fuels, using more of your own clean energy means fewer greenhouse gases produced.
Secured Energy Future
Installing a battery now puts you ahead of the curve as energy prices keep rising, giving you better control over sending power to your home, the grid, or storage. It also positions your system to work with new technologies as they emerge, improving efficiency, savings, and reliability over time.
Increased Property Value
Energy storage is fast becoming a staple of modern living, making a complete on-grid solar system with battery backup a genuine marketable asset for most homes. Its added value depends on factors like size, efficiency, and location, so it pays to work with a reputable provider for proper planning and installation.
How Much Does an On-Grid Solar System Cost in Australia?
A grid-tied solar panel system is cheaper than an off-grid solar power system. However, it’s still a meaningful investment.
For instance, a 6 kW solar system might cost in the ballpark of $6,000 - $8,000 installed, once eligible Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the federal Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) are factored into your quote. Most Australian solar retailers apply this discount upfront, so you won’t need to claim it separately.
If you’re adding a battery, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program currently discounts around 30% off the upfront cost of eligible battery systems (5 kWh to 100 kWh), again applied directly by your retailer at the time of purchase. The rebate is calculated per kWh of usable capacity and steps down over time, so the earlier you install, the more you generally get. Some states also stack additional rebates or interest-free loans on top of the federal discount, so it’s worth checking what’s available where you live.
Your overall system cost will still vary depending on equipment quality, so it pays to do your research and choose a provider who can match the right setup to your household’s power needs.
Choose VoltX Energy, Choose Unrivalled On-grid Solar Power
Did someone say premium yet affordable on-grid solar systems? That’s exactly what you’ll find with our on-grid solar and battery systems at VoltX Energy.
At VoltX Energy, we offer a wide range of battery systems to suit a variety of home sizes. These are top quality, boasting advanced features like UPS-level battery protection. Retailing at nearly half the market price, these batteries are guaranteed to deliver quality power like no other.
