State: NSW
Region: Sydney - Greater West (Parramatta / Blacktown / Penrith)
Estimated system costs
$
$
$22,000
Panel
direction
Selected: North
Electricity rates
35c
0c100c
6c
0c100c
$
e.g., 1.00 for $1/day
$
Solar & Battery Savings Calculator
Estimate your savings with solar panels and battery storage
The fine print
Our Solar & Battery Savings Calculator is designed to provide you with an illustrative estimate of your potential savings based on your inputs and standardized industry assumptions. While we have taken care to ensure the calculations are as accurate as possible, every home, energy profile, and electricity plan is unique. The results should be used as a guide only and not as financial, investment, or installation advice.
Key Points to Keep in Mind
Default Settings and Assumptions
The calculator uses typical values for your state or territory, including electricity rates, feed-in tariffs, daily supply charges, and solar generation coefficients. These defaults may not reflect your exact situation. We strongly recommend adjusting the inputs to match your actual electricity plan, household usage patterns, and system specifications for the most accurate estimate.
Variable Factors
Feed-in tariffs, electricity prices, and system performance can all change over time due to market conditions, policy changes, and equipment degradation. Solar panels typically degrade at approximately 0.5% per year, which is factored into our long-term projections. Battery performance may also decline over time, and replacement may be required after 10-15 years depending on usage and warranty terms.
Self-Consumption Impact
The proportion of solar energy you use directly from your system ("self-consumption") has a major impact on your savings and payback period. Households that use more energy during daylight hours will see greater savings. The calculator assumes 50% daytime usage by default, but this can vary significantly based on your lifestyle, appliances, and energy habits. Consider testing different scenarios to understand how usage patterns affect your return on investment.
Battery Storage Considerations
Adding battery storage increases your self-consumption by storing excess solar energy for use during evening peak periods when electricity rates are highest. The calculator estimates battery boost based on your system size and battery capacity. Actual performance will depend on your usage patterns, battery efficiency, and charge/discharge cycles.
System Design and Installation
The calculator uses standardized assumptions for panel tilt, direction (azimuth), and shading. Actual solar generation will vary based on your roof orientation, pitch, shading from trees or buildings, and local weather patterns. Professional site assessment is recommended to determine optimal system design for your property.
Electricity Rates and Tariffs
The calculator allows you to input your current electricity rate and feed-in tariff. These rates can vary significantly between retailers and plan types (flat rate, time-of-use, demand tariffs). For a conservative estimate, consider testing with a 0¢ feed-in tariff to see worst-case savings if export rates are reduced or eliminated in the future.
Financial Projections
The 10-year and 20-year savings projections assume a 3% annual electricity price inflation rate. Actual price movements may differ. The calculator does not account for financing costs, interest, or opportunity costs of capital. If you are considering financing your system, factor in loan interest rates when evaluating your return on investment.
Government Incentives
Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) and other government rebates can significantly reduce your upfront system cost. The calculator displays STC rebate estimates, but actual rebate amounts depend on your location, system size, and current market rates. Check with your installer for the most up-to-date rebate information.
Maintenance and Warranty
The calculator does not include ongoing maintenance costs such as panel cleaning, inverter replacement, or insurance. Most solar panels come with 25-year performance warranties, while inverters typically have 5-10 year warranties. Battery warranties vary by manufacturer and typically cover 10 years or a specified number of cycles.
Educational Tool Disclaimer
This calculator is intended as an educational tool to help you understand the potential benefits of solar and battery storage. It is not a financial product, quote, or substitute for tailored professional advice. We recommend consulting with a qualified solar advisor, electrician, and financial professional before making investment or installation decisions.
Accuracy and Liability
While we strive for accuracy, actual outcomes will vary depending on your system design, household energy habits, electricity tariffs, weather patterns, equipment performance, and other external factors outside Summit + Shore's control. Summit + Shore makes no warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy of the calculator results or the actual savings you may achieve. Use of this calculator does not create any obligation or liability on the part of Summit + Shore.
Data and Privacy
Your calculator inputs are used solely to generate your savings estimate and are not stored or shared with third parties. If you request a quote, your contact information and system details will be shared with Summit + Shore for the purpose of providing you with a personalized proposal.
For personalized advice and a detailed system design tailored to your property, please contact Summit + Shore or a licensed solar installer in your area.