6.6kw Solar System & How Much It Will Cost To Install
6.6kw Solar System & How Much It Will Cost To Install
Are you considering installing solar panels at home? You will soon come across the most commonly advertised solar package: the 6.6kW solar system. This system typically includes solar panels, solar inverters, and sometimes a solar battery.
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A common question we receive is why so many solar companies quote 6.6kW systems?
This article covers everything you need to know about a 6.6kW solar system.
How Many Panels Make Up A 6.6kW Solar System?
The output of solar panels can vary, but it's common to find panels rated between 300 watts and 400 watts each. To create a 6.6kW solar system using 330-watt solar panels, you would need 20 panels.
How Much Electricity Can I Expect To Generate From A 6.6kW Solar System?
On average, a 6.6kW solar system generates about 24 kWh of electricity per day. This solar system generates electricity during the day, which is first fed into your home. By consuming this energy, you will save money by not purchasing it from the grid at higher rates. Any excess energy not consumed is sent back to the grid, where your electricity retailer gives you a credit known as a feed-in tariff.
The key to maximizing savings from your solar system is to use as much of the generated electricity as possible.
6.6kW Solar System And A 5kW Inverter
Most 6.6kW solar systems are paired with 5kW solar inverters. In Australia, we have a federal incentive to go solar known as Small Scale Technology Certificates (STCs). These are based on the size of your solar system, your location, and the deeming period for the STCs.
The STC scheme allows you to oversize the capacity of the inverter installed by 33% with panels. Thus, the maximum legal configuration you can have on a 5kW inverter with panels is a 6.6kW system. Going beyond this requires a larger or a second inverter, which increases costs and complicates the situation for retailers with lower margins.
However, oversizing a 5kW inverter with 6.6kW of solar panels is a solid design choice. A perfect sunny day would need to occur for your solar system to reach its total capacity. More critical is the total daily generation of the solar system: a 5kW solar system on a 5kW inverter generates less than a 6.6kW system on a 5kW inverter, while the cost difference will be minimal considering STCs.
By installing a 6.6kW solar system, you can access the maximum amount of STCs available to a 5kW inverter, ensuring compliance and satisfaction for your distributor, regardless of whether you have single or three-phase power.
How Much Should I Expect To Pay For A 6.6kW Solar System?
In Australia, you should expect to pay around $5,000 to $9,000 for a high-quality installation performed by a reputable company.
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In conclusion, a 6.6kW solar system offers excellent value for a simple installation.
6kW & 6.6kW Solar Systems: Costs, Output, Returns
6kW solar systems, often upgraded to 6.6kW, are increasingly popular among Australian households due to their affordability, ample size, and ease of approval for grid connection. This article provides an overview of essential information for considering a 6.6kW solar system for your home, including pricing, energy yields, and overall return on investment.
How Many Panels Are In A 6.6kW Solar System? How Much Area Is Required?
A typical 6.6kW solar system, using 330W to 400W modules, consists of about 17-20 solar panels. The number of panels has significantly decreased over the last decade.
Each panel generally has an area of about 1.7m², meaning the total roof area required for a 6.6kW system is approximately 34-38m² or more, depending on your roof layout and whether you need tilt frames.
An Important Note About Inverters For 6kW And 6.6kW Solar Systems
Are 6.6kW Systems The New 5kW System?
While your system may comprise 6.6kW of solar panels, don’t be surprised if the proposed inverter is 5kW. In many electricity networks across the country, 5kW inverters are pre-approved for grid connection, making them more common than 6kW models. Thus, many 6.6kW solar systems on the market feature overrated systems with a 5kW inverter.
A 5kW inverter can be overscaled by a maximum of 33% under Clean Energy Council guidelines, accommodating up to 6.6kW of solar panels but not reaching 7kW. Oversizing your inverter can yield benefits like enhanced energy generation during early morning and late afternoon, even if output is clipped to 5kW midday.
How Much Does A 6.6kW Solar System Cost?
Solar Choice has recorded residential solar system prices since August through our monthly Solar PV Price Index. As of July, the average cost for a 6.6kW solar system is approximately $0.89 per watt or $5,900 after the federal STC rebate.
Check out the full breakdown by Australian capital cities in our updated monthly table:
6kW Solar System Costs By Australian State Capitals
6kW
Adelaide, SA $5,030
Brisbane, QLD $4,990
Canberra, ACT $5,490
Darwin, NT $9,320
Hobart, TAS $6,390
Melbourne, VIC $5,130
Sydney, NSW $5,230
Perth, WA $5,130
Average $5,840
Solar system prices can vary considerably. More cost-competitive 6.6kW solar PV systems comprising lower-end products will be cheaper, while premium options will generally cost more.
History Of 6kW Solar System Prices In Australia
Solar system prices can fluctuate widely. A competitively priced 6.6kW solar PV system with cheaper components will be more affordable than premium-grade systems.
The graph below illustrates the price trends over the past few years. While prices have generally remained stable, variations exist based on your location in Australia.
How Much Energy Will A 6.6kW Solar System Produce?
Depending on various factors, the actual power output of a 6.6kW solar power system will differ. Key variables include:
- Location and local climate
- Orientation and tilt angle of the solar panel array
- Shade on the panels
- Performance of components (primarily panels and inverters)
Location is one of the main determinants of solar energy yields, as sunlight exposure directly affects the system's output. The table below provides approximate energy production amounts for a 6.6kW solar system based on Bureau of Meteorology and PVWatts data.
Note that these figures are estimates, derived with a conservative efficiency rate of 75%. Also, actual outputs will vary, with summer generating more energy than winter.
Energy Output From A 6.6kW Solar System
Capital CityApprox Solar Energy Production* (per day) Adelaide 24-26 kWhBrisbane 25-27 kWh
Canberra 24-27 kWh
Darwin 28-30 kWh
Hobart 19-22 kWh
Melbourne 21-24 kWh
Perth 26-28 kWh
Sydney 22-25 kWh
* Estimates generated via Bureau of Meteorology historical weather data and PVsyst software.
Batteries With A 6.6kW Solar System?
More households are considering battery storage when purchasing a solar system. The minimum size we generally recommend for those considering batteries, now or in the future, is 6.6kW. This capacity typically provides sufficient surplus energy for low to medium energy users to store.
How Long Is The Payback Period On A 6.6kW Solar System?
Potential buyers often measure solar panel performance by the payback period — the number of years it takes for the system to "pay for itself" through energy bill savings and feed-in tariff credits.
The table below shows indicative payback periods, internal rates of return (IRR), and first-year savings for 6.6kW solar systems in various Australian capital cities based on average prices as of July.
The returns could be better for systems with lower initial costs or higher self-consumption rates. However, it's essential to be discerning about the products and companies you evaluate, as some offers may seem too good to be true.
Assumptions:
- Average daily energy use = 25 kWh
- 6.6kW system cost is the average price from Solar Choice's price index for a fully installed turnkey system
- Excludes state-based solar grants/rebates (e.g., Solar Victoria rebate)
- Pricing derived from Solar Choice's Price Index for July
Calculate your own solar payback period using Solar Choice's free payback calculator.
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