A residential solar panel system generates electricity from sunlight, reducing the amount of power your home draws from the grid. In most Australian households, a properly sized system will cut electricity bills by 50 to 80 per cent, and the system typically pays for itself within four to six years.
SunRight Solar designs and installs solar panel systems from 6.6kW through to 13kW, using panels, inverters, and mounting hardware selected for performance, durability, and compatibility with Australian conditions. Every installation is completed using CEC-approved products.
A solar panel system is more than just the panels on your roof. It is a complete electrical system with several components that work together to generate, convert, and deliver electricity to your home.
The panels are the most visible part of the system. They are mounted on your roof and convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. A typical residential panel in 2026 produces between 400 and 450 watts, meaning a 6.6kW system uses around 15 to 17 panels, a 10kW system uses 22 to 25 panels, and a 13kW system uses 29 to 33 panels.
Panel quality varies significantly across the market. SunRight Solar installs panels from Jinko Solar, Trina Solar, and JA Solar. These are mid-premium to premium manufacturers with strong track records in Australian conditions, backed by 25 to 30-year performance warranties and robust local warranty support.
The inverter converts the DC electricity produced by your panels into the alternating current (AC) electricity your home appliances use. It also manages the flow of power between your panels, your home, and the grid.
There are three main inverter types:
SunRight Solar installs inverters from Fronius, Enphase, Sungrow, GoodWe, SMA, and Solis. We recommend the inverter type based on your roof, your shading conditions, and whether you plan to add a battery.
Panels are secured to your roof using aluminium racking rails and stainless steel roof anchors. The mounting system is engineered for Australian wind loads and must comply with AS/NZS 1170.2 (structural design actions for wind). On tile roofs, each anchor point uses a tile hook or bracket. On metal roofs, direct clamps or feet are used.
Mounting quality matters. Poorly installed mounting systems are the most common cause of roof leaks after solar installation. SunRight Solar uses commercial-grade mounting hardware and follows manufacturer torque specifications for every connection.
Beyond the panels and inverter, your system includes DC isolators, AC isolators, surge protection, cabling, and a connection to your switchboard. A bi-directional meter (installed by your electricity distributor after our installation) records both the power you import from the grid and the excess solar power you export.
All electrical work is completed to Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000 and AS/NZS 5033) and inspected as part of the installation.
The process is straightforward.
Sunlight hits the panels.
Photovoltaic cells in each panel absorb photons from sunlight and generate a flow of DC electricity.
The inverter converts the power.
Your inverter converts DC electricity into AC electricity (240V, 50Hz) that your home appliances can use.
Your home uses the power first.
Any electricity your system generates is used by your home before drawing from the grid. This is called "self-consumption" and is where most of your savings come from, because every kilowatt-hour you use from your panels is a kilowatt-hour you do not buy from your retailer.
Excess power is exported to the grid.
If your panels produce more electricity than your home is using at that moment, the excess is exported to the grid. Your energy retailer pays you a feed-in tariff for exported power, typically between 3 and 10 cents per kilowatt-hour depending on your state and retailer.
At night, you draw from the grid.
Without a battery, your home switches to grid power when the sun goes down. This is why system sizing and self-consumption matter: the more of your solar power you can use during the day, the less you buy from the grid.
If you add a battery, step 4 changes. Instead of exporting excess power at a low feed-in tariff, you store it in the battery and use it in the evening, effectively extending your solar savings into the night.
View Battery Storage OptionsThe right system size depends on your household's electricity consumption, your roof space, and your future energy plans (such as adding a battery or EV charger). Here is a guide to help you identify the right starting point.
Best suited to smaller households using 15 to 25 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per day. This is the most popular residential system size in Australia because the federal STC rebate is optimised for systems up to 6.6kW on a standard 5kW inverter.
This system suits couples, small families, and households with moderate daytime electricity use.
Designed for medium to large households using 25 to 40 kWh per day. Common in homes with ducted air conditioning, a pool pump, or higher-than-average daytime usage. This size often requires a three-phase electrical connection.
If you are planning to add a battery or an EV charger, a 10kW system provides enough generation capacity to charge both your home and your storage without relying heavily on the grid.
The largest standard residential system, designed for homes using 35 kWh or more per day. Typical in large homes with multiple air conditioning zones, pool heating, EV charging, or plans for full electrification (replacing gas with electric appliances). A three-phase connection is required.
Some electricity distributors impose export limits on larger residential systems. SunRight Solar manages the connection application and will advise you on any export limitations that apply to your area.
Not sure which size you need? Start with your most recent quarterly electricity bill. Divide your total kilowatt-hours by the number of days in the billing period to get your average daily usage. This gives you a practical starting point for system sizing.
Get a Personalised RecommendationWe select panel brands based on performance, warranty support, and long-term reliability in Australian conditions. We do not install budget panels or brands without established Australian warranty infrastructure.
All panels we install are N-type monocrystalline, which represents the current standard for new residential installations. N-type panels offer better temperature performance, lower degradation, and higher efficiency than the older P-type technology they have replaced.
For a detailed comparison of solar panel brands available in Australia, including brands we do not stock, see our buying guide.
One of the world's largest panel manufacturers with a strong presence in the Australian residential market. Jinko's Tiger Neo N-type panels offer high efficiency (up to 22.8%), strong low-light performance, and a 30-year performance warranty. A proven, reliable choice for most Australian homes.
A Tier 1 manufacturer with a long history in Australia. Trina's Vertex S+ N-type panels deliver excellent value with efficiency ratings above 22%, strong degradation warranties, and consistent field performance. Trina is well suited to homeowners seeking quality without paying a premium-brand price.
JA Solar's DeepBlue 4.0 series uses N-type technology with efficiency above 22%. JA Solar is known for consistent manufacturing quality and competitive pricing. A solid mid-premium option for Australian households.
If you are comparing solar quotes, you may see references to N-type and P-type panels. The difference relates to how the silicon wafers inside the panel are manufactured.
P-type panels were the industry standard for over a decade. They use boron-doped silicon, which is slightly less efficient and more susceptible to light-induced degradation (LID), a process where the panel loses a small amount of output in its first year of operation.
N-type panels use phosphorus-doped silicon and have largely replaced P-type in new residential installations. They offer several advantages: higher efficiency per panel (typically 21 to 23% compared to 19 to 21% for P-type), lower degradation over time, better performance in high temperatures, and improved low-light output.
In practical terms, an N-type panel will generate more electricity per square metre of roof space and maintain a higher proportion of its rated output over 25 years. For most homeowners, the price difference between N-type and P-type has narrowed to the point where N-type is the default choice.
All panels SunRight Solar installs are N-type monocrystalline.
A solar panel system without a battery exports excess daytime generation to the grid at the feed-in tariff rate (typically 3 to 10 cents per kWh). With a battery, that same energy is stored and used in the evening when grid electricity costs 30 to 45 cents per kWh. The difference is where the real financial benefit of a battery sits.
If you are installing solar for the first time, consider whether to install a hybrid inverter now, even if you do not add a battery immediately. A hybrid inverter is battery-ready from day one, which means you can add storage later without replacing your inverter.
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program currently provides around a 30% discount on eligible battery systems (5kWh to 100kWh), applied automatically at the point of sale.
The federal government provides an upfront discount on residential solar panel systems through the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme.
The discount amount depends on your system size, your postcode zone, and the current STC market price. It is applied automatically at the point of sale by your installer, so you see the discounted price on your quote.
The STC scheme reduces annually and is scheduled to phase out by 2030, so systems installed sooner receive a larger discount than those installed later.
Additional state-based rebates may apply depending on your location. In NSW, the Home Energy Saver Program offers eligible households zero-interest loans of up to $15,000 for solar and battery upgrades.
Five stages, from your first electricity bill to the day your system goes live.
Site assessment and design.
We review your electricity bills, roof layout (using aerial imagery and sometimes a site visit), household size, and future energy plans. We recommend a system size and component combination based on your actual needs, not the largest system your roof can fit.
Quote and product selection.
You receive a detailed written quote specifying the panel brand and model, inverter type and brand, mounting hardware, and the total installed price including all rebates applied. No hidden costs.
Approvals and paperwork.
We manage your distributor connection application (DNSP), metering coordination, and any council requirements. You do not need to contact your electricity provider.
Installation.
Our installers complete the work, typically in one day for standard residential systems. Every installation follows Australian Standards (AS/NZS 3000, AS/NZS 5033) and manufacturer specifications.
Commissioning and handover.
After installation, we commission your system, set up monitoring, and walk you through how it works. Your workmanship guarantee begins on the day of installation.
The number of panels depends on your system size and the wattage of each panel. With modern 400 to 450 watt panels, a 6.6kW system uses 15 to 17 panels, a 10kW system uses 22 to 25, and a 13kW system uses 29 to 33. Your installer will confirm the exact number based on the panel model selected and your roof layout.
In Australia, north-facing roof sections receive the most sunlight and produce the highest output. East and west-facing panels produce around 15 to 20 per cent less but can still be worthwhile, especially if your morning or afternoon electricity usage is high. South-facing sections receive significantly less sunlight and are generally not recommended for panels.
A standard grid-connected solar system without a battery will shut down during a blackout. This is a safety requirement called anti-islanding, which prevents your system from feeding electricity into the grid while workers may be repairing power lines. If you want power during blackouts, you need a battery with backup capability, connected through a compatible hybrid inverter.
In many cases, yes. If your inverter has spare capacity and your roof has available space, additional panels can be added. However, adding panels from a different brand or wattage to an existing string inverter system can create compatibility issues. If you think you may expand in future, discuss this with your installer at the design stage so the system can be configured to accommodate growth.
Solar panels have no moving parts and require very little maintenance. Rainfall is generally sufficient to keep them clean. In dusty or pollen-heavy areas, an occasional hose-down from the ground may help maintain output. Your inverter should be monitored through its app or web portal to check for any performance alerts or error codes. SunRight Solar recommends checking your system's monitoring data at least once a month.
"Tier 1" is a financial bankability rating assigned by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. It means the panel manufacturer is financially stable and has a track record of supplying panels to large-scale projects. It does not measure panel quality or performance. A Tier 1 panel can still be a budget product. "Premium" panels are typically higher efficiency (above 22%), offer longer warranties (25 to 30 years), and use more advanced cell technology. All panels SunRight Solar installs are Tier 1 and mid-premium or above.
Every home is different. The right system depends on your roof, your energy usage, and your plans for the future. Request a free, no-obligation quote and we will design a system based on your actual needs.
