Solar Battery

Return on Investment for 20kW Solar System

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This article explains in detail the RoI for 20KW commercial solar panel. This will cover 20KW commercial power system cost including 20KW commercial solar panel price, 20KW commercial solar power system installation and 20KW commercial solar panel repair. Specific advantages of 20kW commercial solar panel in Perth WA will also be covered.

Most of the Australian continent receives more than 4 kWh of potential solar power per square meter per day.  When combined with the dry climate, it is an ideal location to install solar power systems

Perth WA has strong sunlight for a major part of the year. Electricity prices are on the rise which has prompted the Government to encourage solar energy installations through subsidies and incentives. Each day is a loss of opportunity. Let us go through all the factors and understand the Return on Investment for the 20kW commercial power system. Besides, for any surplus power you generate, Western Australia has a renewable energy buyback scheme.

Power Generation and Area Required by a 20kW Commercial Solar System

On average, a 20kW Solar System generates 80 to 90 kWh or kilowatt-hours per day. In normal terms, this is the unit of electricity which implies a 20kW solar system provides 80-90 units per day.

(Data Source:

https://www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/files/Environment/What_is_a_Typical_Energy_Consumption_Presentation.pdf.)

Referring to this article, it shows four type of households in Australia with different appliances and consumption patterns. If we put aside household type 1 which probably is a low percentage, the others average as follows – household type 2 about 22 unitsperday, household type 3 about 14 units per day and household type4about 7 units per day. One can assess from this that an average household in Australia consumes 16-20 units per day. Hence, a small business that would have about 4 to 6 times the daily consumption is recommended a 20kW Commercial Solar System. As a business entity, one can use these parameters to ascertain their requirement. It should also be considered that such a solar system would efficiently work for around 30 years, on normal recommended maintenance.

A 20kW Solar System will require a 100 to 136 square meters area for installation. The type of panel used, angle of tilt for the sun, shade at the site, etc. can be some factors that contribute to the variation.

20KW Commercial Power System Cost

Both off-grid and on-grid systems get incentives and subsidies. On-grid systems primarily need solar panels and inverters. The mounting, racks, wiring is part of the installation which is designed based on the area available. Off-grid systems additionally require batteries for storage of energy as they are completely independent systems.

The cost of the system can be calculated as follows

1. One time installation cost:

  • 20kW commercial solar panel: the number of panels required multiplied by the price
  • Inverter
  • Racks, mounts, wiring, etc.
  • Off-grid equipment, if required
  • Labor cost for installation

2. Finance cost:

  • If financing is done from internal resources there is an opportunity cost of this capital
  • If financing options are being taken, then depending upon the option chosen the cost can be calculated

3. Maintenance cost:

  • Renewable Energy Standards lays down guidelines for maintenance. It is recommended to follow the guidelines. A well-maintained system will be more effective and last longer. It improves the Return on Investment and is money well spent.

4. Warranties:

  • Check out the warranties of the components and the obligations of the installer. Buying from a certified installer would make you eligible to get the warranties.
  • Further, there are exclusions based on weather, non-compliant installation practices, non-compliant repairs, moving the installation without the knowledge of the installer, mishandling, and breakages in transport. To overcome this, one can opt for insurance or work out a methodology when finalizing the contract with the installer.

5. Repairs:

  • Higher quality components, certified installations and maintenance practices help in getting proper customer support when required and servicing of warranties. This reduces repair costs substantially.
  • On the other hand, if a conscious decision to save some costs initially is taken, then one must be prepared to spend more on repairs and replacement to keep the system effective and long-lasting.

6. Subsidies and Incentives:

  • You should be aware of the subsidies and incentives that the Government is providing in your area.
  • Being aware is the first step to matching the information that your installer would give you.
  • These subsidies and incentives will be factored into the final cost that you would pay for the installation.

20KW Commercial Power System Savings

There are two scenarios here that one needs to understand

1. Consumption is more than the solar units generated:

  • In this case, energy from the grid is also being utilized to cover the gap.
  • The cost per unit generated by your solar system is equal to the total units generated divided by the total cost.
  • The difference in the cost per unit of the electricity purchased from the grid versus the solar cost per unit would be your saving.
  • The number of units required to equate this saving to the cost of the system will provide you the payback period or return on investment.

2. Consumption is less than the solar units generated:

  • In this case, surplus solar units are being generated that will generate some money through renewable energy buyback scheme.
  • You save on the difference between the electricity purchase unit and the solar unit generated for the solar units that you consume. You also generate some money for the surplus solar units you provide to the grid to participate in the renewable energy buyback scheme
  • Accordingly, the payback period or return on investment can be calculated.

Reference has been taken from (Data Source:www.ecogeneration.com.au) in parts to get a better understanding and build up the content of this article.

Conclusion

To summarize, the most important is the installation cost. You must get an authorized contractor for this. Based on warranties of each item you are procuring, your decision should consider the life of usage, the cost of maintenance and repairs. Cheaper items may have higher maintenance and repair costs proving to end up being costlier.

Another factor in your decision is the cost of financing which involves how much you can afford as a downpayment and which other options of financing are on offer.

Consider the incentives and subsidies which are likely to be discounted in the installation cost.

Finally look at the renewable energy buyback scheme and check where you stand.

Solar Panel Battery System In Perth WA: A Brief Glance

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Every solar panel is attached to a battery to store energy. Battery enables the generated electricity to be stored during the day and used at night. A battery storage system connects to a house in two main ways- Direct Current (DC) and Alternating Current (AC). A DC – coupled system is used consolidated into solar system. These systems have an inverter which converts Direct current(DC) electricity to alternating current(AC). The DC current electricity is produced by solar panels and stored by batteries, while the AC current electricity is used on the grid and in the most household appliances.

A battery storage system has numerous benefits when used with an existing or new solar panel. 

  • It minimises reliance from the grid.
  • Instead of the energy being sent to the grid, maximum energy is stored by solar panels, in the battery,  for future use.
  • Provides electricity during power outages.
  • Saves money by using the stored energy during peak times, such as evening.
  • Due to significant fall in the prices of batteries more and more Australians are able to opt in for batteries.

WHAT IS THE BATTERY CAPACITY?

The battery capacity is the amount of energy stored in the battery storage system. The battery capacity is also promoted on the basis of total capacity and depth of discharge (DOD). The depth of discharge (DOD) is the amount of energy that can be drawn from the total capacity of the battery. The DOD is expressed as a percentage of total capacity. No battery has 100% of DOD.

Lead-acid battery system typically has a DOD between 30% to 50%, however a lithium-ion battery systems have a DOD of 80% or above.

It is advisable to consider the useful amount of energy in a battery system when purchasing a battery. Ask your solar expert for more information.

HOW LONG DOES A BATTERY LAST?

Batteries often last longer than its warranty (usually 2-10 years), however steadily its capacity to store energy decreases with time. Warranties of the battery varies as every manufacturer has their own product warranties. However, your retailer will also provide warranties. 

WHICH BATTERY TO PURCHASE:

The three most common ways to purchase a battery storage system are:

  • Fully-customised system: The installer makes the battery storage system from individual battery cells. It has customisable energy and power limits. 
  • Semi-customised system: Some components need to be collected to an off-the-shelf battery system to make a battery storage system. 
  • Off-the-shelf system: It is a typically all-in-one system which covers little customisation.

TYPES OF BATTERIES:

Ultra Battery is a hybrid with a single common electrolyte. It is a long-life lead-acid energy storage device. Its stores energy from renewables for later use.

Lead-Acid batteries are based on the technology used in car batteries. These batteries are generally used in rural areas, where connections to the grid are expensive. These batteries are relatively economical, easy to acquire and readily recyclable. However, a limitation with lead-acid batteries is that they require regular checks and maintenance, have a little depth of discharge and require external venting. 

Lithium-ion batteries are based on lithium-ion technology, which has been earlier used in devices such as mobile phones and laptops. It is becoming the most prominent choice with house hold solar panels and has the capability to become the main technology in future. It has higher capacity and storage, lighter weight and higher voltage. It occupies less space, has reduced maintenance due to inbuilt battery and has a longer cycle life with a greater depth of discharge. However, it is a little expensive, has limited recycling programs in Australia and is a lesser known technology.

Flow battery, which is a type of rechargeable battery. Though these batteries are instantly recharged by replacing electrolyte liquid still they have low energy and power density as compared to lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries.

Saltwater batteries are the eco-friendly batteries, which have low maintenance, but they are a little more expensive than lead-acid batteries in terms of up-front cost.

SYSTEM MONITORING

It is important to keep an eye on how the battery storage system is operating. Different manufacturers adopt different ways of doing this: Some systems have a display on the battery along with indicators, some have remote displays inside the house, some have a system to access it on their mobile phones, laptops and computers via internet. 

(Source: Battery Pocket Guide: www.ecogeneration.com.au)

Solar Power Batteries FAQ

  1. What does battery capacity mean?

The battery capacity is the amount of energy stored in the battery storage system. The battery capacity is also promoted on the basis of total capacity and depth of discharge(DOD). The depth of discharge (DOD) is the amount of energy that can be drawn from the total capacity of the battery. The DOD is expressed as a percentage of total capacity. No battery has 100% of DOD.

  1. How long does a battery Last?

Warranties of the battery varies as every manufacturer has their own product warranties. Batteries often last longer than its warranty (usually 2-10 years), however steadily its capacity to store energy decreases with time. 

3.Where can a battery system be installed?

Battery storages can be wall mounted or floor standing, and could also be installed indoors or outdoors but, it really depends on the type of battery and manufacturer specifications. Large size batteries like Lead acid batteries are best suited to be installed outside as they vent hydrogen when charged. On the other hand Lithium batteries are designed to be wall mounted inside a utility room that helps control the temperature of the battery.

  1. Will battery work in a blackout?

Some batteries will work in blackout and others won’t. If you want the batteries to work in an event of a blackout speak to your solar designer to choose a product to suit your needs.

  1. Is it important to have monitoring?

It is important to keep an eye on how the battery storage system is operating. Different manufacturers adopt different ways of doing this: some systems have a display on the battery along with indicators, some have remote displays inside the house, some can be accessed  through mobile phones, laptops and computers via internet. 

To know more about your options contact us today or simply leave your contact details here. One of our friendly sales expert will be in touch with you.