Australian Solar Systems Interest Index – April 2019

auSSII solar report

Judging by visitor and quote request activity on SQ during the month of March, Australia’s rooftop solar power rush is far from over.

System Capacity Preference

6kW and larger solar power systems continued their upward climb in popularity, representing 63% of quote requests where a capacity was specified – up from February’s ~60% and January’s 58%. As was the case in February, around 32% of all submissions requested advice on system sizing..

System size preference March 2019

Solar Purchase Intent

Again we saw Australians sitting back a little when it came to wanting to purchase a system immediately – down to around 18%, compared to 19% in February, 21% in January and a whopping 26% in December. But this doesn’t mean there’s a lack of enthusiasm in getting solar panels installed quite soon – close to 82% were wanting a system anytime from immediately to within 3 months, up slightly on February’s 81%.

Solar purchase intent - March 2019.

Price And Quality Preference

Those wanting a top quality (most expensive) system dropped back to 12% after reaching 14% in February. Part of the loss went to those requesting quotes for a system that had a balance of quality and price, at a bit over 80% (79% in February).  Those opting for a  “good budget system” remained around the 7% mark.

Solar price vs. quality - March 2019

Battery Ready PV Systems

There was another drop in interest in “battery-ready” solar power systems – a bit under 27% compared to February’s 28%, January’s 29% and December’s 30%.  While most PV systems are considered “battery-ready”, we ask this question to help prospective installers with designing a system when quoting.

Battery Ready Solar Interest - March 2019

Concurrent Solar + Battery Installation

Just 7% indicated interest in battery storage being installed at the same time as their solar power system – perhaps more Australians are cottoning on to the fact that if you want the best returns and fastest payback, solar-only is still the way to go.

Concurrent solar + battery storage installation - March 2019

Battery Capacity Preference

For those using our service who did want a concurrent battery installation and specified capacity, approximately 20% were after a 1-5kWh unit (18% in February), 39% a 5-10kWh (43% in February) and 40% a 10kWh+ battery (February 38%). 50% of the overall total interested in a battery to go with their PV system requested advice on selecting capacity.

Battery capacity preference March 2019

Intended Battery Application

Just on 6% were wanting a solar battery primarily for backup purposes (5% in February, 3% in January and ~4% in December) and around 43% for minimising grid electricity use – down on February’s 45%.  Again last month, just under 51% wanted a battery for both applications.

Intended battery use March 2019

Electricity Bills – What Are People Paying?

Where quarterly electricity bill amounts were known, 47% reported $500 – $1,000 (46% in February). Close to 12% said they quarterly electricity bills of $1,000 or more (11% in January and December) .

How much Australians pay for electricity - March 2019

Next Month – System Monitoring

In the next auSSII, we’ll begin publishing statistics on interest in solar monitoring. Learn why a solar monitoring system is a wise choice.

About The auSSII Report

The information above is based on responses provided by thousands of Australians utilising our solar quote service each month to receive system pricing and details from SQ’s network of installers, all of whom are thoroughly pre-vetted.

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About Michael Bloch

Michael caught the solar power bug after purchasing components to cobble together a small off-grid PV system in 2008. He's been reporting on Australian and international solar energy news ever since.

Comments

  1. “perhaps more Australians are cottoning on to the fact that if you want the best returns and fastest payback, solar-only is still the way to go.”

    Maybe, or perhaps Australians think there’s a good chance of a change of government and a battery rebate becoming available in the not too distant future?

    • Ronald Brakels says

      Federal Labor says they’ll introduce a $2,000 battery subsidy. In South Australia the subsidy is up to $6,000 but batteries still won’t pay for themselves for a typical household at the moment, despite having the highest electricity prices in the country.

      • I know Ronald and, personally, I still think our first battery will be on four wheels (V2G) in about 5 years time, for exactly that reason. All other things being equal, if you were seriously considering buying a battery now (outside of SA), it would make sense to me to wait until the subsidy is available.

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