Australia’s solar energy is booming as an increasing number of homeowners and business owners are switching to renewable energy. However, what happens to those who live in old homes? Is having solar power possible?
Across the country, Queensland has the highest concentration of old homes with the average age of property in just one suburb being 82 years old. You can imagine that many of these homes have many outdated systems. The story is similar across Australia, with aging homes making up a large portion of the total number of households..
Rooftop solar panels require an inverter for them to work, and whilst a solar battery is optional, it has proven to be beneficial to all property owners today. Given the advancements in this system, your home should be fit to accommodate all of these. So, what do you do?
Below are some of the upgrades that must be done to accommodate a rooftop solar system:
The age of the roof
Older roofs may need to be repaired or replaced to support the weight of the solar panels. Depending on the brand and the size, solar panels can weigh between 15kg to 23kg. Therefore, if you’re getting the standard 6kW solar system with 20 panels, your roof will need to be able to carry around 300kg or more of solar panels.
Since it’s an older home, you may enounter some load-bearing restrictions with the current state of your roof. In this case, it’s necessary to have the roof inspected by a professional first. This will usually be carried out by the solar installer but an independent roofing contractor may be required if any significant upgrades or replacements are required.
The switchboard and meter
Older buildings and homes tend to have a switchboard that do not meet the current Australian standards, which can be a safety hazard. It’s because the older models are usually made of flammable wood or chipboard with toxic asbestos or come with outdated porcelain fuses.
It’s also common for older switchboards not to have a safety switch. Hence, it only makes sense to upgrade the switchboard that will meet the current legislation and safety standards.
Old trees on or surrounding your property
Your old house probably has several established trees surrounding it. Albeit beautiful, they could cast shade that may affect your rooftop solar panels.
Be mindful of overhanging trees that will cause shade during the day. You can trim down the trees or work with the solar installer to design the system to have panels away from shading.
This is also the reason it’s necessary for you to find the right solar installer. A good one will be able to calculate the amount of shade that will present during the day, in the summer and winter. This information will help you better position your solar panels to generate the most energy.
Heritage-listed homes
Things change a bit more if you live in a heritage-listed house because you can’t just install solar panels. You will need to seek approval from the local council. In case you’re unsure if your home is heritage-listed, you can get in touch with your local council. There are over 100,000 heritage-listed homes in Australia.
The cost of installing solar panels for older homes
The average cost of installing residential solar panels is around $4,000. However, consider the replacements and upgrades that you may need, and expect to pay more.
The good thing is that several states across the nation offer rebates and incentives that enable solar system owners to save more on their solar systems. Small-technology certificates (STCs) are also available nationwide that allow property owners to save money on the upfront installation costs of their solar system.
The question is, is it worth it?
The answer to this is a no-brainer. You can maximise the returns from your solar system in a few years’ time and save a lot of money on your energy bills. Eventually, you won’t need to worry about your energy bills anymore.
Energy Matters has over 17 years of experience in the solar industry and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.
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