Thanks to abundant sunshine throughout the year, Western Australia is one of the best places on earth to install solar panels for home power generation. In fact, Perth has more sunny days per year than any other capital city in Australia, with an average of 3,200 hours of sunshine per year.
When it comes to installing a home solar power system, though, most homeowners need more than just ample sunshine to convince them that solar is the right choice for their home. To help you decide if residential solar power is right for you, we’ve gathered nine of the most compelling reasons to consider solar:
- It’s an environmentally friendly choice. Overall, Australia has the highest per capita carbon emissions of any developed nation. An average home in Perth uses about 7,300 kWh of electricity per year, emitting a significant amount of carbon into the atmosphere. By contrast, a solar home system emits no carbon, so you can reduce your impact on the environment.
- You can lower your power bill – substantially. The cost of electricity keeps rising; installing a solar panel system for your home can dramatically reduce your power bill.
- You can earn money for the excess electricity your system produces. Surplus electricity is fed back into the power grid, and some utilities credit your bill for the energy your panels provide.
- Prices have dropped in recent years. Now, residential solar systems are more affordable than ever. Government incentives can help you maximise your savings.
- It’s a great long-term investment in your home, your finances and the environment.
- It can increase your home’s value. When it’s time to sell, home buyers will appreciate the ability to cut costs by generating their own electricity.
- It’s expandable. Today’s systems are flexible, which means you can easily add more panels as your power needs change over time.
- It’s grown in popularity. That means when your system needs to be serviced or upgraded, you won’t have trouble finding a contractor to handle the job.
- You don’t need to live in a hot climate. Many people mistakenly believe solar power will only work when the sun is producing a lot of heat. But actually, solar PV panels work on the sun’s light, not heat, so you can generate power even when the weather is cool or cold.
The key to tapping into all of these benefits is to have a system installed by a company that understands how to locate and angle your panels to capture the greatest amount of solar energy for the longest period of daylight, no matter what the season. Even a slight error in placing and angling the panels can result in a substantial decrease in efficiency, so do your homework and choose a reputable company with lots of experience installing residential solar power systems in your area.
About the Author:
Aidan Jenkins is the Managing Director of Infinite Energy, a solar panel expert based in Perth, Western Australia. Connect with Aidan on LinkedIn.