Calculate Your Solar Savings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Calculate Your Solar Savings: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to Cut Your Power Bills?

If you’re considering solar, knowing how much you could save is a great place to start. This guide walks you through the steps to estimate your annual electricity bill savings and choose the right system size for your home.

Brisbane City View

Step 1: Find Your Annual Electricity Usage

Start by reviewing your last 4 electricity bills and add up the total kilowatt-hours (kWh) used—or look for the yearly total listed by your provider. This figure is key to sizing your solar system.

Step 2: Estimate the Right System Size

Based on your usage and the size of your home, here’s a guide to choosing a realistic solar system size:

Household Type System Size Notes
Small Home / Townhouse 4–5kW Only suitable where roof space is limited
Standard 3-Bed Home (2–3 people) 6.6kW (15 × 440W panels) Minimum recommended size
Medium Home (3–5 people) 8–10kW Ideal for families with higher energy needs
Large Home (5+ people) Up to 13.2kW (30 × 440W panels) Max for single-phase power; requires large roof

Note: The bigger the system, the more STC (rebate) credits you’ll receive—so larger systems often offer better value over time.

 

Step 3: Estimate Your Solar Production

In Brisbane, solar panels generate about 4.2 kWh per kW per day. Multiply that by your system size and then by 365 to get your estimated annual output.

Example for 6.6kW system:

 6.6 × 4.2 × 365 = ~10,100 kWh per year

 

Step 4: Estimate Your Electricity Bill Savings

Now take your estimated annual solar output and multiply it by your current electricity rate (e.g. $0.28 per kWh).

Example:

 10,100 kWh × $0.28 = ~$2,828 in potential annual bill savings*

*Actual savings may be lower depending on usage habits and feed-in tariff rates, especially if you’re not using the power during the day.

 

Step 5 (Optional): Consider Adding a Battery

Adding a battery allows you to store your unused solar energy for use at night—further reducing reliance on the grid. From July 1, 2025, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers a 30% rebate on home battery installations, making this option more affordable.

Solar installers installing solar panels on roof

Final Thoughts

Solar isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your savings depend on how much electricity you use, your roof size, and when you use power during the day. But with Brisbane’s sunny climate and generous rebates, the payback period for solar is getting shorter every year.

Ready to start saving with solar?

Contact Solenergi for a free quote and expert advice on the right solar system for your home. Let’s make the switch to solar energy simple and stress-free.

Contact us for a free quote.

Please send us your inquiry or give us a quick call to

+61 07 3519 5118 for any information.

2/100 Kingston Road, Underwood, QLD, Australia, Queensland
© 2023 Solenergi | Designed By Emergez

How Solar Energy Transformed This Brisbane Family Home

How Solar Energy Transformed This Brisbane Family Home

Meet the Thompsons: Sarah and James, parents of two young kids, live in Sunnybank Hills in Brisbane’s south. Like many Aussie households, their electricity bills were steadily climbing—averaging around $1,560 a year.

Making the Switch to Solar

In early 2024, the Thompsons decided to take control of their energy costs by installing a 6.6kW solar system through Solenergi. With around 40% of their energy usage during daylight hours, they were able to directly consume a large portion of the power generated from their panels.

After switching to solar, the Thompsons’ annual energy bill plummeted. In fact, thanks to Queensland’s feed-in tariffs and smart daytime usage, they are now in credit most months, with estimated first-year savings of over $1,200.

Portrait Of Young Family Standing Outside New Home with Solar

The Next Step: Battery Storage

To take things even further, the Thompsons have decided to add a 10kWh battery, made more affordable through the federal government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program—a rebate of 30% off the upfront cost. With the battery storing their excess daytime solar energy for use at night, their reliance on the grid is expected to shrink dramatically.

Once the battery is installed, their total electricity bill is forecast to drop to around $150 per year. That’s a saving of approximately $1,410 annually compared to their pre-solar expenses.

The Results: Real Savings for Real Families

Scenario Annual Electricity Cost Annual Savings
Pre-Solar $1,560 $0
With Solar Only In credit or < $50 ~$1,200+
With Solar + Battery ~$150 ~$1,410

 

Why It Works

Daytime Usage: 40% of power used during the day, directly from solar
Smart Feed-in Tariff: Extra energy exported = extra credit
Battery Storage: Reduced grid reliance at night
Rebates & Incentives: Helping make clean energy affordable

Over 20 years, systems like this are projected to save homeowners more than $16,000 in power bills, with a 6–7 year payback period even without including environmental benefits.

House lit up at dusk

Environmental Impact

Choosing solar doesn’t just make financial sense—it’s also better for the planet. A typical 6.6kW solar system like the Thompsons’ saves each year:

  • Equivalent to planting 202 trees
  • Avoids burning 3,362 litres of petrol
  • Saves 3,821 kg of coal from being burned

Thinking About Solar for Your Home?

Now’s the perfect time. With strong government support and smarter, more efficient systems, solar has never been more accessible.

Contact Solenergi today for a free quote and expert advice tailored to your home.
Let’s make your power bills a thing of the past.

Contact us for a free quote.

Please send us your inquiry or give us a quick call to

+61 07 3519 5118 for any information.

2/100 Kingston Road, Underwood, QLD, Australia, Queensland
© 2023 Solenergi | Designed By Emergez

Solar Battery Storage Explained: How It Works & Why You Should Get One

Solar Battery Storage Explained: How It Works & Why You Should Get One

As electricity prices continue to rise and solar feed-in tariffs decline in Queensland, more homeowners are turning to solar battery storage to maximise their solar power investment and reduce reliance on the grid.

What Is Solar Battery Storage?

A solar battery stores excess electricity generated by your solar panels during the day. Instead of sending this surplus energy back to the grid for a small credit, the battery saves it for use when the sun isn’t shining—like at night or on cloudy days. This means you can power your home with solar energy around the clock, increasing your energy independence and reducing your electricity bills.

Diagram of how solar panels power a house, a battery system and feed energy back to the grid

Why Add a Battery to Your Solar System?

Adding a battery to your solar installation offers several benefits:

  • Lower Electricity Bills: By using stored solar energy during peak times, you can reduce the amount of electricity you need to purchase from the grid.
  • Energy Independence: With a battery, you’re less affected by grid outages and price hikes, giving you more control over your energy usage.

  • Maximised Solar Investment: Storing excess solar power ensures you make the most of your solar panels, especially as feed-in tariffs decrease.

  • Environmental Impact: Using more of your own solar energy reduces your carbon footprint and supports a cleaner energy future.

In Queensland, where feed-in tariffs are decreasing and electricity prices are on the rise, these benefits are particularly significant.

House lit up at dusk

New Federal Rebate Makes Batteries More Affordable

Starting 1 July 2025, the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries program offers a 30% rebate on eligible solar battery installations. This initiative aims to reduce the average cost of a battery from over $10,000 to around $6,000, making it more accessible for households and small businesses. The rebate applies to batteries installed alongside new or existing solar panels and is available for systems between 5kWh and 100kWh. It’s important to note that the rebate’s value will decrease annually from 2026, so early adoption can maximise your savings.

Is Solar Battery Storage Right for You?

If you already have solar panels or are considering a new solar installation, adding a battery can enhance your system’s efficiency and provide greater energy security. With the new federal rebate and rising energy costs, now is an opportune time to invest in solar battery storage.

Ready to supercharge your solar system?

At Solenergi, we specialise in solar energy solutions tailored to Brisbane homes. Our team can help you assess your energy needs and determine the best solar system and battery setup for your household. Contact us today to learn more about how solar battery storage can benefit you.

Contact us for a free quote.

Please send us your inquiry or give us a quick call to

+61 07 3519 5118 for any information.

2/100 Kingston Road, Underwood, QLD, Australia, Queensland
© 2023 Solenergi | Designed By Emergez

Cheaper Home Batteries Are Coming: 2025 Update

Cheaper Home Batteries Are Coming: 2025 Update

From 1 July 2025, Solenergi customers in Brisbane and across Australia can take advantage of the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, a new government initiative designed to make home energy storage more affordable. If you’ve already got solar panels—or are considering a new solar installation—this is the perfect time to look at adding a battery system to your solar setup.

What Is the Cheaper Home Batteries Program?

The Australian Government is offering households and small businesses around a 30% discount on the upfront cost of small-scale home batteries. The idea is to make it easier for more Australians to store the solar power they generate during the day, so they can use it later—like at night or on cloudy days.

This initiative is part of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which is also behind the current incentives for installing solar panels. Now, the scheme is expanding to include batteries, and it’s all backed by federal government funding.

Solar Panel, Inverter and Battery System

How Can You Benefit?

At Solenergi, we’re here to help you make the most of this opportunity. If you’re already enjoying solar energy from your rooftop system, adding a battery can take your solar power setup to the next level. Here’s how:

  • Slash your electricity bills by using stored solar power at peak times 
  • Cut carbon emissions by relying less on the grid and gas-powered energy 
  • Get up to $4,000 off the upfront cost of a battery 
  • Save up to $1,600 a year on your energy bills 

The discount is calculated based on the usable capacity of your battery. For example, a typical 11.5 kWh battery that used to cost around $13,000 could now cost closer to $9,000.

House lit up at night through the use of a Solar Battery

Why Add a Battery to Your Solar System?

Right now, only about 1 in 40 Australian homes with solar panels have a battery. That means most solar owners are sending excess energy back to the grid without being able to use it themselves later. By storing your own solar energy, you’re not only saving more—you’re also helping to reduce demand on the energy network.

Solenergi will guide you through the entire process—from eligibility checks and product selection to installation and claiming your discount through the SRES.

Ready to supercharge your solar system?

Contact Solenergi today and find out how you can benefit from the Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

Contact us for a free quote.

Please send us your inquiry or give us a quick call to

+61 07 3519 5118 for any information.

2/100 Kingston Road, Underwood, QLD, Australia, Queensland
© 2023 Solenergi | Designed By Emergez

Busting Common Solar Energy Myths: What You Really Need to Know

Busting Common Solar Energy Myths: What You Really Need to Know

Don’t let outdated myths stop you from enjoying the benefits of solar power! At Solenergi, we help South East Queensland homeowners and businesses make the switch to solar energy with high-quality solar panels, solar batteries, and expert installation services.

Myth 1: Solar Panels Don’t Work on Cloudy or Rainy Days

Fact: Solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy days, just at a lower rate. While they perform best in direct sunlight, modern solar technology allows them to capture and convert even diffused sunlight into usable power.

Learn more about how solar panels generate electricity here

In fact, places like Germany, which gets less sunshine than most of Australia, have a high rate of solar installations proving that solar can work in all weather conditions.

Two men installing a solar panel

Myth 2: Solar Energy Is Too Expensive

Fact: The cost of solar installation has dropped significantly in the past decade, thanks to government rebates, incentives, and advances in solar technology.

In Australia, homeowners can take advantage of:
Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) – Federal rebates that reduce the upfront cost of a solar system.
State-based rebates – Additional incentives in some regions to make solar power even more affordable.

The cost of installing a solar system can also be offset within 4–7 years by savings on traditional electricity bills in Queensland, with most people seeing a return on investment in 3-5 years, with huge savings on electricity bills over the lifetime of their solar panels.

Myth 3: Solar Panels Require Too Much Maintenance

Fact: Solar panels require very little maintenance. Since they have no moving parts, they rarely break down. A simple cleaning every few months to remove dust, leaves, or bird droppings can keep them running efficiently.

Most quality solar panel systems come with warranties of 20-25 years, proving their durability and long-term benefits.

 

Two men installing a solar panel

Myth 4: You Can’t Use Solar Power at Night

Fact: While solar panels only generate electricity during the day, you can store excess power in a solar battery or send it back to the grid for credits.

With a solar battery system, you can use your stored solar energy at night, reducing reliance on the grid and maximising your savings. 

Two men installing a solar panel

Myth 5: Solar Energy Isn’t Worth It If You Plan to Move

Fact: A solar installation increases property value. A 2023 Commbank newsroom report found more than two-thirds of Australians believed a home with solar panels and other energy-efficient features was more valuable than a property without.

Homes with solar systems are more attractive to buyers because they offer lower energy costs. If you move, you’ll likely get a higher resale price on your home, making solar power a smart investment.

Ready to Switch to Solar?

Don’t let outdated myths stop you from enjoying the benefits of solar power! At Solenergi, we help South East Queensland homeowners and businesses make the switch to solar energy with high-quality solar panels, solar batteries, and expert installation services.

Want to know how much you can save with a solar installation? Contact us today for a free quote!

Contact us for a free quote.

Please send us your inquiry or give us a quick call to

+61 07 3519 5118 for any information.

2/100 Kingston Road, Underwood, QLD, Australia, Queensland
© 2023 Solenergi | Designed By Emergez