How much does a 3kW solar system cost in Australia, and how much energy can you expect it to produce? This article takes a look at these questions, as well as returns and payback periods for 3kW solar systems.
How many panels & how much roof space for 3kW of solar panels?
As residential solar panels are generally rated between 330 watts and 400 watts these days, a 3 kilowatt (3,000 watt) solar system will require about 7-10 solar panels. A typical solar panel is around 1m x 1.7m, therefore a 3kW system will require about 12-17 m2 of roof space, depending on the wattage of the panels. You can explore how many panels will fit on your roof using satellite imagery via Solar Choice&#;s quote comparison platform.
As per the top image, most residential roof spaces will have sufficient room for a 3kW solar system.
How much does a 3kW solar system cost?
Solar Choice tracks the price of solar power systems in Australia through our network and database of over 200 solar installers. We publish average prices monthly through the Solar Choice Price Index which you can refer to at any point. The latest average price for a fully installed 3kW solar system is $4,270 which included the STC rebate and GST. See the full breakdown in the table below which is updated every month:
Average Price of 3kW Solar System by Australian City
3kW Adelaide, SA$3,830 Brisbane, QLD$3,720 Canberra, ACT$4,240 Darwin, NT$4,730 Hobart, TAS$4,530 Melbourne, VIC$3,710 Sydney, NSW$4,120 Perth, WA$3,380 All$4,030There are many factors that will influence the price you will be quoted. To give you an idea of some of the main things to look out for:
History of prices for 3kW solar systems in Australia.
Taking a historical view of the Solar Choice Price Index we can see that prices more than halved in the last 8 years.
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Power output for a typical 3kW solar system
How much solar energy will a 3kW solar system produce? That depends on a number of situational factors such as location, orientation & tilt of the panels, the presence of shading and the overall efficiency of the components in the system.
It&#;s convenient to summarise solar system output in a single figure &#; namely, kilowatt-hours per day (kWh/day) as in the below table. In reality, there will be a significant difference in the sunlight a solar panel receives during winter months and summer months. In most cities in Australia, a solar system will on average produce over twice as much energy in January than in July.
The table below provides some rough figures on average daily outputs from 3kW solar systems in a handful of Australia&#;s capital cities (keep in mind that figures will be higher in summer and lower in winter). All situations assume the solar panels are mounted with a north-facing aspect with a tilt equal to the latitude of the city and an overall system efficiency of 80%. (Data source: Bureau of Meteorology.)
Average 3kW solar system energy yieldsAdelaide10.9 kWh per day3,979 kWh per yearBrisbane11.6 kWh per day4,234 kWh per yearCanberra11.5 kWh per day4,198 kWh per yearDarwin14.2 kWh per day5,183 kWh per yearHobart9.2 kWh per day3,358 kWh per yearMelbourne10 kWh per day3,650 kWh per yearPerth12.8 kWh per day4,672 kWh per yearSydney10.9 kWh per day3,979 kWh per yearGetting the most from your system by maximising &#;solar self-consumption&#;
These days, the best way to save money with solar is to use the energy yourself (&#;self-consumption&#;). For every unit (kWh) of solar energy that you use directly, you reduce the amount of energy that you have to purchase from the grid &#; at rates around 25c/kWh in most of Australia. In contrast, if you let your solar energy go into the grid, you will currently earn about 5-12c/kWh. As a result, the percentage of energy that is &#;self-consumed&#; will affect the system&#;s overall financial return.
By running appliances during the day when your solar panels are generating power, you automatically consume solar energy instead of grid electricity; only the excess solar energy is &#;exported&#; to the grid. In general, Solar Choice would recommend selecting a system size where you expect to self-consume a minimum of 30% to make sure the system can pay for itself within the first 3-5 years.
Home energy management systems, hot water diverters and timers are some popular strategies for increasing solar self-consumption. Home battery storage is also increasingly in demand, but high out-of-pocket costs for battery systems make this approach less attractive for the time being (although battery system prices are expected to come down dramatically in the coming years).
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Typical financial return and payback period for a 3kW solar system
Using Solar Choice&#;s Solar PV System Payback Calculator, we have calculated the payback period and IRR for typical scenarios in each of the state capitals in Australia. This is designed to be a guide and we recommend getting a recent energy bill and using our calculator for your own circumstances. All of the below returns are better than what you can get by leaving your money at the bank and ignores the environmental benefits of putting solar panels on your roof!
The prices used are reflective of the recent average costs for 3kW solar systems as observed in the Solar Choice Price Index. You can enter your specific quoted price and parameters into our calculator.
System CostAssumed Electricity RateAssumed Feed In RateAssumed Daily Energy UsagePayback PeriodIRRAdelaide$3,c8c15 kWh2.9 Years35%Brisbane$4,c6c15 kWh4.7 Years21%Canberra$4,c7c15 kWh4.9 Years20%Darwin$5,c9c15 kWh5.2 Years19%Hobart$5,c8c15 kWh4.8 Years21%Melbourne$4,c5c15 kWh6.0 Years16%Perth$3,c6c15 kWh3.3 Years31%Sydney$3,c7c15 kWh4.0 Years25%What about a larger system size?
If you&#;re reading this article, you may very well have decided that 3kW is the right size for your home. If you&#;re not yet sure about the right size for you, however, it might be useful for you to know that 6.6kW is now the most popular solar system size in Australia. In fact, we&#;ve worked out that a 5kW system may even be a better investment for many homes than a 3kW system &#; see this article.
Compare quotes from up to 7 pre-vetted installers in your area now.
Since our knowledge and sophisticated software has allowed over 160,000 Australian households and businesses to make a well-informed choice on their solar & battery installer.
Related Posts
A 3kW solar power system is a popular choice for the average American household as it can charge most essential appliances for hours. It is typically installed on the rooftop and requires around $ - $10,800. However, the actual cost might vary depending on the state where you live. Generally, a 3kW solar system will generate 375kWh of electricity per month. If you want to install a solar battery to store the extra energy generated throughout the day, you'll need to pay some additional amount.
Those who have limited budgets or less roof space may consider investing in portable Jackery Solar Generators. These generators combine Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. The electricity produced by solar power panels can be stored in the battery backup for later use. Since they are portable, these solar generators do not require high installation or maintenance costs. Hence, they are cost-effective compared to rooftop solar systems of similar size.
A 3kW solar system is a moderate-sized one that can generate enough electricity to charge appliances in your small home or apartment. It typically consists of 5 main components &#; solar panels, solar inverter, mounting structure, wiring, and junction boxes. Let's explain them briefly:
Solar Panels: They capture the direct sunlight and convert the free sun's energy into DC electricity.
Solar Inverter: The inverter converts the DC into usable AC electricity, which can then be used to charge household appliances.
Mounting Structure: If you're installing a rooftop 3kW solar system, you'll need a mounting structure to support the solar panels on the roof.
Wiring: It includes the DC cables to safely connect the solar power panels to the inverter and AC cables to connect the inverter's output to the loads.
Some other components include junction boxes, cables, MC4 connectors, saddles, lugs, etc.
When the sunlight falls on the rooftop or portable solar panels, it is converted to DC electricity. The inverter then converts DC to AC, which is used to power your home appliances or even back into the electricity grid if you're generating more electricity than you need.
Investing in a 3kW solar system has many benefits, including long-term cost savings, energy independence, reduced reliance on the electricity grid, and low maintenance. Since solar energy is free and renewable, it helps you reduce your carbon footprint.
The number of solar panels needed for a 3kW solar system ranges from 8 to 12, depending on its type and output wattage. The average size of a solar power panel is 65 by 39 inches or 17.5 square feet.
If you're investing in solar panels with an output of 350W to build a 3kW solar system, calculate the number of solar panels using the formula: W ÷ 350W = 8.6 or 9 panels.
Many homeowners are also curious about the total area of solar panels needed. For solar panel calculation, you need to multiply the average size of solar panels by the number of panels required: 9 panels × 17.5 sq feet = 157.5 square feet of solar panels.
Another thing you would need to understand is how much roof space is required for a 3kW solar system. Generally, a 3kW solar system will require nearly 300 square feet of space on the rooftop. However, the roof space will depend on the solar panel output, efficiency, and dimensions.
If you do not have 300 square feet of roof space, you may consider installing higher-efficiency panels to build a 3kW system.
A 3kW solar system generally requires 8 to 9 100Ah batteries to supply back power for days (or weeks). However, the number of batteries for a 3kW system will depend on several factors, such as daily power usage, battery capacity, and expected backup time. If you want to calculate the number of batteries needed for a 3kW system, follow these simple steps:
First, you need to identify the storage needs or the amount of electricity you need. For example, if your aim is to increase solar savings with load shifting, you'll need at least enough storage to meet the electricity usage in the peak hours.
On the other hand, if you want backup power during unexpected power outages, you can figure out the storage needs by identifying what you want to power and for how long. Calculate the average daily electricity consumption at different times for a whole-home backup solution.
Now that you know your needs, the next step is to shop for batteries. Generally speaking, lithium-ion batteries offer around 3kWh&#;18kWh of usable capacity per battery. Connecting multiple batteries together can provide more storage.
If you're building a 3kW solar system, you could use anywhere around 8 - 9 batteries.
On average, a 3kW solar system will generate around 375kWh of monthly electricity or - kWh per year. However, the amount of energy the solar power system produces will depend on where you live. There are many other factors that affect the solar system's output, including:
Tilt: Ideally, you'll need to adjust the tilt of solar panels throughout the year because the sun is typically lower in winter and higher in summer. Tilting the solar panels at an optimal angle will ensure that the maximum sun's rays are absorbed and more energy is generated.
Latitude: Solar systems installed at lower latitudes generally produce less electricity throughout the year. This is because of the earth's tilt when it spins on its axis.
Placement: The best direction is to position the PV modules in a south-facing direction. Properly placing the panels on the rooftop will ensure maximum sunlight is absorbed and converted into electricity.
Climate: One common misconception is that PV panels will produce less energy in cold environments. However, the opposite is true. Often, colder environments prevent solar systems from overheating and losing efficiency.
For example, a 3kW solar system installed in Florida will produce more energy than one installed in Oregon despite being the same size. Similarly, a 3kW solar system installed in Phoenix will generate 25% more electricity than one installed in Boston.
Here's a table showing the average electricity production for a 3kW solar energy system in different cities in the United States.
City
Average Daily kWh
Average Monthly kWh
Average Annual kWh
Austin, TX
12.2
371
4,446
Boston, MA
10.9
330
3,963
Cleveland, OH
10.0
304
3,643
Denver, CO
12.6
382
4,583
Hartford, CT
10.2
311
3,735
Las Vegas, NV
14.5
440
5,275
Los Angeles, CA
13.0
396
4,748
Miami, FL
12.0
366
4,387
New York City
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10.5
319
3,824
Philadelphia, PA
10.7
326
3,906
Phoenix, AZ
14.2
432
5,186
Seattle, WA
9.0
272
3,268
Note: These are the average values and might differ depending on the electricity consumption.
The average cost of solar power panels per watt in the US ranges between $2.40 and $3.60, depending on where you live, the type of panels, and their efficiency. Generally, a 3kW solar system will cost $ - $10,800. Any additional equipment, like solar batteries for energy storage, might raise the overall costs.
You'll sometimes be eligible for a 30% federal solar tax credit. The average cost of a 3kW solar system after tax credit will be around $ - $. Remember that the solar system size will also depend on the energy cost where you live and what brand of solar equipment you buy. Here's a table revealing the average 3kW solar system cost in different US states.
State
Average Cost Per Watt
Average Cost of 3kW Solar System
Average Cost of 3kW Solar System After Tax Credit
California
$2.73
$8,190
$6,061
Texas
$2.69
$8,070
$5,972
North Carolina
$2.54
$7,620
$5,639
Florida
$2.53
$7,590
$5,616
Arizona
$2.61
$7,830
$5,794
Nevada
$2.52
$7,560
$5,594
New Jersey
$2.77
$8,310
$6,149
Massachusetts
$2.94
$8,820
$6,527
Georgia
$2.55
$7,650
$5,661
New York
$2.95
$8,850
$6,549
Note: These are estimated values and might differ from the actual usage.
While a 3kW solar system may not eliminate your electricity bills entirely, it can definitely reduce them and help you save on utility bills. With an average electricity bill of $120 per month, a US homeowner can expect to save around $594 per year on electricity with a 3kW solar system. If net metering is available in your area, you're entitled to receive credits for the surplus energy.
The payback period for solar panel systems will depend on the solar incentives and tax rebates in the area. Your payback period will be shorter if you live in an area offering additional rebates like solar renewable energy credits (SREC). However, if you want a basic estimation of the payback period, divide the total system cost by the annual amount you might save on the utility bills.
While the exact payback period will differ depending on the cost of solar, living area, and energy usage, a 3kW solar system will take around 10 - 14 years to pay off. If you want an affordable alternative to a rooftop 3kW solar system, you may go ahead with Jackery Solar Generators. These portable and powerful solutions can charge 99% of your household appliances without you having to pay for installation.
Jackery is a global leader in manufacturing solar generators, solar panels, and portable power stations. The Jackery Solar Generators, combining Jackery Portable Power Stations and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, provide green and clean energy to charge home or outdoor appliances. They do not emit toxic gases and operate without emitting a lot of noise &#; making them environmentally friendly and indoor friendly.
The sunlight falls on the portable solar panels and gets converted to DC electricity. Then, the pure sine wave inverter of the Jackery Portable Power Station will convert DC to AC electricity. The Jackery Solar Generators are portable and powerful, so you can charge most household appliances, reducing electricity bills. Additionally, they do not require any heavy installation and are much more affordable than the rooftop solar system.
If you want a portable charging solution that can charge up to 99% of household appliances, you may consider investing in a whole-home backup system like Jackery Solar Generator Pro. With the help of multiple output ports, you can charge various household or outdoor appliances simultaneously. The 3kW solar system operates by emitting less than 30dB of noise, which is less than that of a refrigerator's hum. The solar generator has built-in double wheels, pull rods, and a foldable handle to move it to outdoor locations.
Appliances running time:
Customer Review
"I recently got an in-home consultation for a built-in generator estimate. While I wanted to prepare for hurricane season, I was not ready to pay $15K for a generator and installation. The Jackery Pro with solar panels meets our needs and is much more economical, easy to use, and convenient to store." &#; Mark Zais.
A 3kW solar power system is popular for homeowners as it can run most household appliances. If you install a 3kW solar system, you can expect to generate around 375kWh per month or 12kWh daily. It's enough to charge a refrigerator, microwave, fans, lights, laptop, and CPAP machine. Let's briefly explain the appliances a 3kW solar system can run:
Lights: A 3kW solar system can power most lights, including CFLs and LEDs, in an average American household. If you have 20 LED lights drawing 10W each, it will consume 200W or 0.2kW. When using the lights for 5 hours per day, it would be 5H × 0.2W = 1kWh per day.
Refrigerator: A household refrigerator is a constant energy consumer. With 3kW of energy, you can run an average refrigerator for hours. For example, if the average freezer uses 150W and runs for 24 hours, it will consume 150W × 24H = 3.6kWh per day.
Television and Entertainment: This solar system can charge TVs, gaming consoles, and other entertainment systems. A 42-inch LED TV typically consumes 80W. If used for 4 hours, the total wattage consumption will be 80W × 4H = 0.32kWh per day.
Air Conditioner: A 3kW solar system can charge a household air conditioner in a small home, apartment, or condo. However, you may need additional capacity to charge ACs or high-capacity central air conditioners in large homes.
Computer and Electronics: A 3kW system can power multiple charging devices, computers, and other small electronics that are part of daily life.
Simply put, a 3kW solar system can safely run an appliance that consumes less than W per hour. It's better to check the appliance's wattage before plugging it in for charging.
A 3kW solar power system can run a 2-ton AC and essential household appliances. However, the total AC wattage must be checked to ensure it does not exceed the solar system's capacity.
An average house typically needs around 17 - 21 solar panels. However, it will depend on your household size and appliances. You'll need to look at the house's square footage. Here's a table that reveals the average monthly electricity usage based on the type of house and square foot.
Type of house
Square feet
Average monthly electricity usage
1 bedroom
550 square feet
400 kWh
1 bedroom
670 square feet
532 kWh
2 bedrooms
800 square feet
700 kWh
2 bedrooms
1,000 square feet
894 kWh
3 bedrooms
2,000 square feet
1,325 kWh
3 bedrooms
2,500 square feet
1,573 kWh
4 bedrooms
3,000 square feet
1,840 kWh
4 bedrooms
4,000 square feet
2,200 kWh
Note: These are just general values and might differ depending on the appliance you are using.
A 3kW is typically suitable for an average-sized household with moderate energy consumption. However, larger families or people using high-energy-consuming appliances like air conditioners might need a -watt or -watt generator.
You'll likely need 8 - 12 12V batteries for a standard three-bedroom household. You might need more solar batteries if you plan to go completely off the grid.
An average American household uses around 899kWh per month (EIA). However, your kilowatt consumption will depend on where you live. As of , Louisiana had the highest electricity consumption, around 14,774kWh, and Hawaii had the lowest, around 6,178kWh.
If you are paying high monthly electricity bills, installing a 3kW solar system can help you reduce the reliance on the utility grid and save on monthly bills. Generally, a 3kW solar system will cost $ - $10,800. If you're eligible for a federal solar tax credit, the average cost of a 3kW solar system will be around $ - $, which is still higher.
You'll also need to pay for installation and maintenance, which can further increase the costs. If you want to invest in a 3kW solar power system with a limited budget, you may consider Jackery Solar Generators. They are portable charging solutions that can power most household appliances without additional installation costs.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 3 kW On Grid Solar System.