On solar? Here's how to slash your power bill

About one in five Australians are thinking of installing solar panels (and many others would if they could), a recent national survey found. Soaring power prices clearly are a big motivation to join the nearly one in three households that already have a solar system.

Installation costs have plummeted and new systems now typically have generating capacities of 8-10kW. Yet, as Wasim Saman explains, even people with relatively large systems like this are often still paying stubbornly high electricity bills.

Why? Because they aren’t making the best use of all the electricity their systems produce. They export much of it to the grid for a meagre payment when solar generation is at its highest. Then they pay top dollar for the electricity they use in peak demand times in the early morning and evening when solar output is low or zero.

So, how can they reduce their bills – or even eliminate them altogether? There are three things solar system owners need to get right, and today’s article details all the steps towards achieving the elusive goal of ridding oneself of high electricity bills altogether.

John Watson

Cities Editor and Deputy Energy + Environment Editor

Today's newsletter supported by Universities Australia

Health + Medicine
People with disabilities in group homes are suffering shocking abuse. New housing models could prevent harm Di Winkler, La Trobe University People with disabilities have a right to choose where and who they live with. Too many are currently in vulnerable arrangements.

Environment + Energy
From floods to fire? A climate scientist on the chances El Niño will hit Australia this year Andrew King, The University of Melbourne The latest Bureau of Meteorology forecast offers relief from record rain and floods brought about by La Niña. A longer-term outlook for El Niño is still up in the air – but its arrival would be disastrous.

Arts + Culture
‘A voice like cigarettes rolled in honey’: celebrating Renée Geyer, Australia’s queen of soul Liz Giuffre, University of Technology Sydney Renée Geyer, Australian jazz and soul singer, has died aged 69.