3kW
Ideal for Low Daytime Consumption (12-30kWh)
A 3kW solar system is a great fit for homes with low daytime energy consumption (about 30% of total daily usage) using 12-30kWh per day. It covers a portion of your daily needs during sunlight hours, allowing you to reduce grid reliance and significantly lower your electricity bills.
Perfect for Medium Usage Homes (12-20kWh)
For homes using 12-20kWh per day with medium daytime consumption, this system provides a solid balance between energy production and savings. By shifting some of your energy use to the daytime, such as running appliances or charging devices, you can further maximise your solar self-consumption and boost your savings.
Maximising Self-Consumption with a 3kW System
With feed-in tariffs in Adelaide reduced to $0.05 per kWh, exporting solar power to the grid no longer offers a strong return. Instead, the focus is on self-consumption—using as much solar power as possible during the day to avoid purchasing grid electricity at $0.40 per kWh. A 3kW solar system is ideal for smaller households looking to reduce their energy bills without overproducing.
Detailed Savings Analysis for a 3kW Solar System in Adelaide
Let’s break down the potential savings for homes using 12-30kWh per day with low daytime consumption (30% daytime, 70% night-time), and 12-20kWh per day with medium daytime consumption (50% daytime, 50% night-time). We’ll compare grid electricity costs at $0.40 per kWh and feed-in tariffs at $0.05 per kWh.
Scenario 1: 12-30kWh Daily Usage with Low Daytime Consumption
1. Without Solar (100% Grid Electricity)
- Daily Electricity Usage: 30kWh
- Cost per Day: 30kWh x $0.40 = $12.00/day
- Annual Cost: $12.00 x 365 = $4,380/year
2. 3kW Solar System (Low Daytime Consumption)
- Solar Generation: A 3kW system generates approximately 12-14kWh per day on average in Adelaide.
- Daytime Self-Consumption (30%): 30% of 30kWh = 9kWh/day
- Excess Exported to Grid: ~3-5kWh/day exported at $0.05 = $0.15-0.25/day
- Savings from Self-Consumption: 9kWh x $0.40 = $3.60/day
- Feed-In Tariff Earnings: $0.15-0.25/day
- Total Daily Savings: $3.60 + $0.20 = $3.80/day
- Annual Savings: $3.80 x 365 = $1,387/year
Shifting More Usage to Daytime for Extra Savings
For households using 30% of energy during the day, shifting more energy use to daylight hours can significantly increase savings. For example, moving just 10% more of your energy use to the daytime could boost your savings:
- Daytime Self-Consumption (40%): 40% of 30kWh = 12kWh/day
- Savings from Self-Consumption: 12kWh x $0.40 = $4.80/day
- Annual Savings: $4.80 x 365 = $1,752/year
Scenario 2: 12-20kWh Daily Usage with Medium Daytime Consumption
1. Without Solar (100% Grid Electricity)
- Daily Electricity Usage: 20kWh
- Cost per Day: 20kWh x $0.40 = $8.00/day
- Annual Cost: $8.00 x 365 = $2,920/year
2. 3kW Solar System (Medium Daytime Consumption)
- Solar Generation: Still 12-14kWh per day
- Daytime Self-Consumption (50%): 50% of 20kWh = 10kWh/day (covered by solar)
- Excess Exported to Grid: ~2-4kWh/day exported at $0.05 = $0.10-0.20/day
- Savings from Self-Consumption: 10kWh x $0.40 = $4.00/day
- Feed-In Tariff Earnings: $0.10-0.20/day
- Total Daily Savings: $4.00 + $0.15 = $4.15/day
- Annual Savings: $4.15 x 365 = $1,514.75/year
Maximising Savings for Medium Users
For medium usage households, shifting a portion of night-time consumption to the daytime can boost savings. Shifting an additional 10% to daytime usage would yield even better returns:
- Daytime Self-Consumption (60%): 60% of 20kWh = 12kWh/day
- Savings from Self-Consumption: 12kWh x $0.40 = $4.80/day
- Annual Savings: $4.80 x 365 = $1,752/year
Total Benefit Over Grid-Only Use:
- Without Solar (12-30kWh): $4,380/year
- 3kW Solar (30% Daytime Usage): $1,387/year saved
- 3kW Solar (40% Daytime Usage): $1,752/year saved
- Without Solar (12-20kWh): $2,920/year
- 3kW Solar (50% Daytime Usage): $1,514.75/year saved
- 3kW Solar (60% Daytime Usage): $1,752/year saved
By installing a 3kW solar system, households in Adelaide using 12-30kWh per day with low daytime consumption can save up to $1,752 per year by shifting more energy to the day. For homes with 12-20kWh of medium usage, shifting an extra portion of night-time energy to daytime consumption can result in substantial savings of up to $1,752 per year.
Maximise Your Solar Savings with the Right Usage Pattern
Shifting your energy use to daylight hours is the key to unlocking the full potential of your solar system. To find out how much you could save and get a personalised recommendation, try our AI Home Energy Analyser. It provides tailored insights to optimise your solar investment based on your specific energy usage.
Click here to get your free, personalised solar quote.