Australian Solar Systems Interest Index – May 2019

In this month’s Australian Solar Systems Interest Index (auSSII) report, we’ve added some interesting new statistics relating to solar power system monitoring.

While the state rebate freeze in Victoria announced on April 12 brought new residential solar purchasing interest to a grinding halt until July when the Solar Homes Package fires up again, there was still significant activity elsewhere in Australia in the latter part of last month. We really feel for solar businesses in VIC suffering as a result of the rebate hiatus – and for those prospective buyers who have had to put their solar plans on ice temporarily. The situation could have been avoided.

System Capacity Choice

3kW/4kW systems appear to be going the way of 1.5kW, with 3kW making up just 6% of quote requests in April where a system size was specified. Interest in 6kW and larger solar power systems crept up yet again, representing close to 66% of quote requests (March – 63%, February’s ~60% and January – 58%). Around 31% all submissions requested advice on system sizing, a figure that has remained relatively stable for the last few months.

Solar Purchase Timeframe

As in March, the proportion of those ready buy a solar power system immediately was around the 18% mark in April. Around 81% were wanting to purchase a system anytime from immediately to within 3 months, a result that hasn’t changed much over the last 3 months.

Price And Quality

Those wanting a top quality (most expensive) system inched up to 13% in April after 12% in March and 14% in February. Australians requesting details of a system offering a balance of quality and price represented just under 80% (similar to March and February) and the figure for a “good budget solar system” preference was again around the 7% mark.

NEW – Solar System Consumption Monitoring

April was the first full month where a new question appeared on SQ’s quoting form – “Would you like consumption monitoring?”.

It seems many prospective Australian PV buyers do want advanced system monitoring features, with a whopping 65% selecting “yes”. This wasn’t just a case of many ticking the box not knowing what system monitoring is, as we advise users of our service to select “no” if they aren’t sure.  Learn why a solar monitoring system is a wise choice.

Battery Ready Systems

Interest in “battery-ready” solar power systems stayed around the same as in March – a little under 27%. We ask this question on the quoting form to assist prospective installers with designing a system when preparing a quote.

Concurrent Solar + Energy Storage

Again around just 7% indicated interest in a solar battery being installed at the same time as their PV system in April. We still firmly believe that solar-only is still the way to go in the majority of circumstances at the present time as it provides the best bang for buck and fastest payback.

Battery Size Preference

For those using our service who did want a concurrent battery installation and specified capacity, approximately 21% were after a 1-5kWh unit in April (20% in March, 18% in February), ~43% a 5-10kWh battery (39% in March, 43% in February) and 35% a 10kWh+ battery (March 40% and February 38%). Just over half of the overall total interested in a concurrent battery installation requested advice on selecting capacity – similar to March.

Intended Battery Use

Just on 6% were wanting a solar battery primarily for backup purposes and around 47% for minimising grid electricity use.  Approximately 47% wanted it for both (51% in March).

Electricity Bills

Where quarterly electricity bill amounts were known, just on 50% said they had bills of $500 – $1,000 (47% in March and 46% in February). Close to 11% said $1,000 or more.

About The auSSII

The information presented above is drawn from responses provided by thousands of Australians who use our solar quotes service each month to receive system pricing and details from SQ’s network of pre-vetted installers who we match to their requirements. We put installers through the wringer so you don’t have to.

Quality Solar Sales Leads

For legal and other reasons, solar businesses need to be very careful to ensure they source leads from quality sources – the future of their businesses may depend on it. We’ve been around since 2009, providing quality sales leads to installers who really care about their clients and the work they do. Read more about our solar sales lead services.

Reproducing auSSII Content

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