The size of the solar system your home needs depends on how much energy you use, when you use it, and whether your energy needs might increase in the future. This could be a solar panel system on its own, or a combined solar and battery setup, depending on your usage patterns and goals. The system you can physically install also depends on your roof’s size, orientation, and how many panels it can accommodate.
While this may all seem a bit complicated, our online tool will guide you through each of these elements to help you find the right package for your home.
Understanding your energy needs
To recommend the right-sized solar system, we need to understand your household’s electricity usage and timing. You’ll be asked about the size of your household (single, couple or family) so we can estimate your energy needs. For greater accuracy, you can provide details from your Synergy bill, including your typical electricity usage over a two-month period (in kWh), your costs for that period, and your annual spend.
We’ll also collect information about your usage patterns, such as whether you consume most electricity during the day, in the evening, or primarily on weekends.
To help future-proof your system, we’ll ask if you plan to purchase any high-energy appliances or items like electric vehicles (EVs) or air conditioning. If you already own these, they’ll be reflected in your current usage.
Considering battery storage
When deciding whether to add a battery to your solar system, consider your energy usage patterns. If you use most of your power during the day, a battery might not be necessary as your solar panels will do most of the work. However, if you consume most energy in the evening or want backup power during outages, a battery will increase the amount you save.
If you’re not sure, don’t worry, our Spark platform will recommend a battery if it offers a good payback on your investment, even if you select ‘Solar’ only, or ‘I’m not sure’ when requesting recommendations from us.
Roof space and orientation
Your roof plays a key role in how well your solar system performs and determines how many panels can be installed. When you request a quote, we’ll assess your roof’s size, pitch and orientation to ensure our recommendation suits your home.
Recommended system sizes
Below is an approximate guide to the size of solar system and battery we’re likely to recommend to you based on your household’s size. These recommendations are general and assume power is being used evenly throughout the day.
Solar system sizes are described by the capacity of the solar panels in kilowatts (kW), such as 6.6kW or 8kW. You can think of kilowatts as being like a car engine. The bigger the engine, the more power it can produce at any given moment. If a battery is included, its capacity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), such as 12kWh or 18kWh. Kilowatt-hours are like the car’s fuel tank. The larger the tank, the more energy you can store and use later.
Single-person household: A solar system with a capacity of around 6.6 kW and a battery of less than 12kWh.
Couples or small households: A solar system around 6.6 - 8 kW with a battery of between 12 and 18kWh.
Families: A solar system of 8 to 10 kW with a larger battery between 12 and 18 kWh.
Get solar package recommendations from Kleenheat
When you request a quote through our online tool, we’ll use the information you provide about your home and energy usage to recommend a solar system that’s sized to suit your household.
Start the process today to receive three tailored package recommendations and find the best fit for your energy needs.