Mythbuster: Is It Worth Installing Solar Panels in Victoria?

Mythbuster: Is It Worth Installing Solar Panels in Victoria?

It’s widely acknowledged that our great state of Victoria offers a plethora of opportunities for harnessing solar energy.?

With its favourable climate, generous solar rebates, and a wide range of high-quality solar panel brands available, living in Victoria presents a deeply compelling case for installing solar panels for your home or business.?

In this article, we’ll explore the various factors that make Victoria an ideal location for solar panel installations, including climate suitability, available solar rebates, and the advantages of specific brands available on the Victorian market, and offered for sale and installation by our award-winning solar team at G Store.

Let’s get cracking.

Why is Victoria's climate ideal for solar panels?

Overall, Victoria's annual climate is well-suited for solar panel installations due to its abundance of sunlight throughout the year.?

With an average of more than 2,200 hours of sunshine annually, Victoria enjoys ample solar irradiation, making it an excellent region for generating solar energy. The state's moderate temperatures and clear skies provide optimal conditions for solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity efficiently.

Despite its reputation as having weather that’s unpredictable at best and supremely cold and chilly at worst, the numbers would indicate a different picture.

According to the Australian Photovoltaic Institute (APVI), Victoria experiences an average daily solar irradiation of approximately 4.5 kilowatt-hours per square metre (kWh/m2), indicating ample solar energy potential. This high level of solar irradiation allows solar panels to produce significant amounts of clean energy, reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuel-based electricity generation.

What’s more, the quality of solar panels and solar battery storage products available in Victoria means that homes and businesses alike can enjoy ample solar energy and backup even in lower-light conditions - such as during the Victorian winter, or on more overcast days.

What solar rebates are available in Victoria?

To further incentivise the adoption of solar energy in Victoria, the Victorian government offers various, ample solar rebates and financial incentives.?

Let’s take a look at some of the main rebates now:

• The Solar Homes Program: launched by the Victorian government, this program provides rebates for solar panel installations. As of July 2023, eligible homeowners can receive a rebate of up to $1,400 for solar panel installations through this program, plus the option of an interest free loan for existing homes, and homes under construction.

• Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs): In addition to the state rebate, the Federal Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) offers Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs) to households installing solar panels. These STCs can be traded, providing a significant financial benefit that helps offset the upfront cost of solar panel installations. The value of STCs is determined by factors such as the size of the solar system and the location of the installation.

• Solar Victoria Solar Battery Interest Free loans: Announced as part of the budget in July 2023, Solar Victoria has announced new loans of up to $8,800 interest free for eligible customers choosing to install solar batteries alongside their new or existing solar PV panel system.

• Membership to a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) program: Membership to a VPP allows customers with an existing solar panel system and solar battery storage capacity to export and sell excess power stored and generated by their system. Money can be earned for power exported via access to “feed-in tariffs” - a $ amount earned per kW of energy exported. In the case of our VPP partnership with Simply Energy, we offer an industry-leading feed-in tariff of a massive 15c/kW - huge!

What solar panel brands are available in Victoria?

The high-quality solar panel and solar battery storage products available in Victoria means that Victorian homeowners and business owners can be assured of great performance, even in lower-light conditions throughout the year.?

G Store, as a proud, experienced and established supplier of renewable energy products in Victoria for more than 15 years, offers a range of reputable solar panel brands, including SunPower and REC panels.?

These brands have garnered recognition for their exceptional quality, long warranties, and high efficiency. Let’s take a look at the main benefits of each now:

SunPower solar panels in Victoria

SunPower solar panels, available for purchase and installation in Victoria through G Store, are renowned for producing some of the most efficient solar panels in the industry.?

SunPower panels utilise Maxeon? solar cell technology, which maximises energy capture and ensures long-lasting performance. SunPower panels are backed by an industry-best 40-year product warranty, providing homeowners and business-owners alike with complete and ultimate peace of mind regarding your investment.?

REC solar panels, also available through G Store, are known for their robust construction and exceptional durability.

REC panels are backed by a 20-year warranty with optional +5 year warranty extension, ensuring consistent performance over an extended period. Additionally, REC's panels are known to undergo rigorous quality control measures, always ensuring a high-quality product for consumers as well as comforting peace-of-mind.?

Why buy solar panels through G Store?

By stocking and selling only the highest-quality products like SunPower and REC panels and associated solar battery storage options, G Store is proud to ensure that our Victorian customers have access to reliable, efficient, and durable solar panel options that will add long-term value and benefit to their lives.

Why do we stock these panels? Let’s take a look:

• High energy efficiency: SunPower panels in particular boast industry-leading efficiency (up to 22%, when the average is approximately 17-20%), allowing Victorian homeowners and business-owners to generate more electricity from the same amount of sunlight as a baseline.?

• Significant product warranties: Both SunPower (40 years) and REC panels (20 years plus options 5 year extension) come with extensive warranties, providing both business-owners and homeowners with long-term protection and peace of mind. It’s important to note that extended warranty periods reflect the brands' confidence in the quality and reliability of their products.?

• Quality assurance: We’re proud to note that both SunPower and REC panels undergo stringent quality control processes ensuring that our Victorian G Store customers receive not only top-of-the-line solar panels, but outstanding customer service alongside them.?

Wrapping up

With ample sunlight, generous financial incentives, and high-quality panels, it’s clear that Victorian residents can enjoy clean, renewable energy while reducing their electricity bills and carbon footprint.?

Embracing solar energy is a wise and worthwhile investment for homeowners in Victoria, contributing to a sustainable future for both individuals and the state as a whole. With 15+ years of award-winning solar expertise, we’re here to help you make the right call.

To learn more about the wide range of high-quality solar PV panel and battery storage options available to you, feel free to visit our Learning Centre or give our award-winning G Store solar team a call today on 1300 766 940.