Sizing Your Solar & Battery System

The total potential output of your solar system is measured in kilowatts (kW). Finding the perfect number of panels requires looking at more than just the physical space available on your roof. Our local installation experts review several critical elements:

1. Your Average Daily Consumption

We look closely at your quarterly electricity statements to calculate your median daily kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage. A couple living in a smaller villa in Erina will have vastly different energy demands compared to a large family running ducted air conditioning and a heated swimming pool in Wamberal.

• Small Households (1-2 people): Typically require an array scale around 5kW to 6.6kW.

• Medium Households (3-4 people): Generally benefit from a 6.6kW to 10kW setup.

• Large Households / High Energy Users: Often require 10kW to 13.2kW or greater to cover heavy daytime loads.

2. Roof Orientation and Pitch

On the Central Coast, positioning your panels effectively dictates how much sunlight they capture. North-facing roofs provide peak total generation throughout the middle of the day. West-facing roofs are excellent for capturing late afternoon sun, which aligns perfectly with when households start turning on appliances after school and work.

3. Property Constraints and Phase Type

Your property’s connection type plays a massive role. Single-phase properties often face strict inverter capacity limits enforced by the local electrical network provider, whereas three-phase properties allow for much larger capacity systems.

Before locking in a specific system size, it helps to review how your household consumes energy day to day. By looking at these three elements, you can gain a much clearer picture of what your property requires:

• Step 1: Check Seasonal Bill Volatility: Review your electricity statements from both the height of summer and the depth of winter. On the Central Coast, heating and cooling create massive shifts in daily kilowatt-hour ($\text{kWh}$) demands. Designing a system to handle these peak seasons ensures you stay protected year-round.

• Step 2: Identify Your High-Load Windows: Note the exact times your home draws the most power. If your house is empty during the day but busy from 5 pm onwards, a larger battery capacity is far more beneficial than simply adding more solar panels.

• Step 3: Account for Future Household Upgrades: System capacity design should always consider your long-term plans. Are you intending to buy an electric vehicle, add a swimming pool, install ducted air conditioning, or welcome new family members? Adding extra capacity now is much more cost-effective than trying to expand your array down the track.