5.12 Rooftop solar

5.12 Rooftop solar

Rooftop solar panels turn sunlight into electricity to power your home. This can reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid and help lower your bills. It is one of the upgrades you may be able to choose through Home Energy Saver.

Key features

  • Generates electricity from sunlight to power your home during the day.
  • Can reduce the amount of electricity you buy from the grid.
  • Any excess can be stored in a home battery or sent to the grid, which may earn a credit on your bill.
  • Available in a range of system sizes to suit your roof and energy use.

How it works

Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels on your roof capture the sun's energy. An inverter turns this into electricity to power your home. Any excess is either stored in a home battery, if you have one, or sent to the electricity grid, which can earn a credit on your bill depending on your plan and the time of day.

A few key facts

  • Savings: a four-person household with a 6.6 kW system may save around $1,400 a year, with the system paying for itself in about five years. This figure is from the NSW Government and is still to be confirmed for publication. 
  • Emissions: a 6.6 kW system can avoid around 6 tonnes of emissions a year, about the same as taking three petrol cars off the road for a year. 
  • Sizes: common system sizes range from about 3 kW up to 10 kW, matched to your roof space and energy use.
  • A roof that faces the sun's path (east, north or west) with little shade produces the most electricity.

Is it right for your home?

Solar may suit your home if you:

  • have suitable, unshaded roof space
  • use a lot of energy during the day
  • want to reduce your electricity bills over the long term.

Your electrical and safety assessment checks your roof's condition, sun exposure, angle, space and strength before anything is installed. See Your electrical and safety assessment and Quote.

Other government incentives

Some upgrades may qualify for the Federal Government incentive under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES). Where they apply, these are applied automatically to eligible products at estimate and quote, so you do not need to make a separate application. See How much will I pay? for your Home Energy Saver discount and contribution, and Other incentives for how these schemes work.

Learn more about NSW Energy Saving Schemes

Available models for Home Energy Saver discounts

Full list of currently available rooftop solar systems at: creditex.com.au/hes/products/solar-panels

Each is supplied as a package with a GoodWe 5 kW hybrid inverter.
The list may change, and the systems available to you are confirmed at your electrical and safety assessment.

Home Energy Saver discounts are funded by the NSW Government and delivered by Creditex.