Energy costs are rising substantially due to changes in production and demand. More homeowners than ever are paying higher bills and watching their quality of life decline as a result.
Fortunately, energy independence is possible in a place like Gympie. We receive more than 2,357 hours of sunshine per year, averaging over 6 hours and 28 minutes of direct sunlight each day.
No wonder so many homeowners in the region are switching to solar!
Why Solar Power Works Well in Gympie
Solar power works well in Gympie for several reasons.
The first and most obvious is the local climate. Gympie is sunny for around 54.5% of its daylight hours, which provides maximum energy to solar panels. (Panels can collect solar energy when it is overcast, but at a lower rate.)
Furthermore, while day length does vary from summer to winter, it doesn’t vary a lot, providing locals with consistent power, even in the winter (which isn’t the case in places further south).
These factors mean that the cost of solar energy in Queensland is far lower than you might think. For example, if you use providers like ENGIE or Origin, you can get feed-in tariffs that pay up to 12 cents per kilowatt hour. That compares to a cost of 30 to 33 kwh for grid electricity in the state (subject to change).
The Role of Battery Storage
For those looking to take advantage of this cheap power, battery storage is essential. Cells work by collecting energy from solar panels via an inverter and storing it as chemical energy, ready for discharge when homeowners need it.
Battery sizes vary depending on the energy collection capacity of connected solar panel arrays, the number of people in the household, and usage requirements.
Here’s a rough breakdown of how it works:
- One-bedroom and small units: 5 to 7 kWh (1-2 people)
- Two and three-bedroom houses: 8 to 13 kWh (2-3 people)
- Larger homes with multiple bedrooms: 10 to 15 kWh (3-5 people)
- Homes with electric vehicles: At least 13.5 kWh and preferably higher
What’s nice about batteries is that they deal with the primary downside of solar energy: it’s only available when the sun shines. Cell storage keeps energy for nighttime use and cloudy days, reducing reliance on grid power.
Benefits of Going Off-Grid
The benefits of going off-grid are substantial and can make an enormous difference to homeowners in Gympie. We’ve seen it first-hand.
Independence From Rising Grid Prices
The primary benefit is the independence you gain from rising grid prices (and boy, aren’t they rising!). You no longer need to submit to the whims of power companies. Instead, you can generate energy on-site and leverage your initial investment.
To drive this point home, research shows that there is an annual bill increase of 5.0% in most years in Queensland. That’s around twice the rate of inflation. That’s probably underselling it.
Reliability During Outages
Another significant benefit is reliability during outages. Even if the main grid is offline, homes with battery storage and solar can continue using electricity.
Long-Term Savings
Finally, solar power facilitates long-term savings. Once panels are in place, most pay for themselves in a few years, and then keep generating electricity for decades after that, essentially for free.
Is Off-Grid Solar Right for Every Homeowner?
Despite these benefits, it is still worth asking whether off-grid solar is the right choice for every homeowner. Many people find that it offers significant benefits, but you should always consider whether it is the right choice for you.
For example, you’ll want to consider whether you have the budget. Off-grid solar requires a significant upfront investment.
You also want to think about the system size. Many contractors will recommend substantial storage to meet your requirements, but real-world testing could indicate you need less.
Finally, you should think about your lifestyle. Solar panels and batteries make sense if you want to collect energy during the day and draw it down at night. However, you may need a beefier system if you’re using electricity all day long (especially at the weekend).
Conclusion
If you live in Gympie and think you might benefit from off-grid solar, you may want to explore your options with Integrity Solar today. We have expertise to design and install systems for your property, with more than 20 years of combined solar experience across our four-man team.
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