Solar Power Information - Fords, SA, 5373
If you're considering installing solar panels for your Fords home (and/or a battery), this page offers useful related information and interesting statistics for Fords and the 5373 postcode area in South Australia.
If Fords isn't your location, you can search for installation information relevant to your town or suburb here:
Postcode 5373 Solar Power Statistics
In Fords's postcode area (5373), more than 1,023 small-scale systems have been installed with a collective capacity of 5,515 kW as at April 30, 2024.
Given a population of 3,219, this works out to 1,713 watts per person in the area, compared to a 982 watts Australian average. There are approximately 1,559 dwellings in the 5373 area, so that calculates out at 66 solar panel systems per 100 dwellings - the Australian average is 37.
Based on a conservative average of 22,611 kWh of energy production a day (enough to power the equivalent of 1,413 homes) and retail electricity costs of 42c per kilowatt-hour; Fords and 5373 postcode area residents are collectively generating $3,466,211 of energy at retail prices a year!
Fords solar power system owners are also contributing to greenhouse gas emission reduction, with the systems in 5373 region avoiding 4,209 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
Installing Solar Panels In Fords?
The SolarQuotes free quoting service has been used by 1 households in Fords and 143 households across the 5373 postcode area in South Australia.
You can join them! To get started, simply click the button below and we'll match you to up to 3 pre-vetted SA accredited installers we trust who service the Fords and 5373 area. Or continue reading for more useful information.
Solar Energy Resources In Fords
Fords experiences solar irradiation levels reaching approximately 4.89 kilowatt-hours per square metre per day on average over a year. The following graph shows solar irradiation/output levels per kilowatt of installed solar panels in the 5373 area per month.
Daily/Monthly System Energy Output Estimates
Here's what you can expect to generate with various sized solar power systems in the Fords area, assuming good quality components, a suitable rooftop and professional, accredited solar installation.
Annual Electricity Output Estimates
Based on the above, the following is what you should be able to expect from a solar panel installation in Fords in terms of annual solar energy output for the location, on average:
- 5kW system - 7,482 kWh (equivalent to ~128% of annual electricity consumption)
- 6kW system - 8,979 kWh (~154%)
- 10kW system - 14,965 kWh (~256%)
- 13kW system - 19,454 kWh (~333%)
Optimal Panel Angle And Orientation
Rooftop solar panels installed in Fords, South Australia should generally face North for the best results. For a good panel angle, the general rule of thumb is it should be around the same as latitude. In Fords's case, that is 34 degrees - but usually whatever your rooftop angle is will be fine (unless it's under 10 degrees - then tilt frames may be needed).
Feed In Tariffs In South Australia
As well as providing your home with electricity, Fords solar system installation owners can be paid for surplus energy generated. In SA, feed-in tariffs generally currently range from 5c to 10c per kilowatt-hour exported - so, it's important to compare energy retailers for the best electricity plan in the 5373 area.
Fords Solar Energy Savings
Based on a 6.6kW system installation, a self-consumption rate of 40% and the low end of the feed in tariff range rate of 5c, Fords solar power system owners can expect to save $1,956 per year.
Light Regional Council Requirements.
At the time of publishing, there are special requirements involved with installing solar panels in the Light Regional Council area. Circumstances where an approval is needed include where property is a listed state or local heritage place. Approval will also be needed where an installation occurs in a Historic Conservation Zone or Policy Area and the panels will be visible at ground level in a public street. Approval is also required where the total weight of the panels will exceed 100 Kg and the weight is not evenly distributed, the panels will overhang from the roof, or the underside surface of the panels is more than 100 millimetres above the surface of the roof.
It's important to check with Light Regional Council regarding any potential changes before proceeding with installation. For further information, prospective solar owners in Fords should visit this page.
Network Grid Connection Requirements In South Australia
A series of steps must be completed in South Australia involving you, your network distributor and your installer - but your installer will do most of the administrative heavy lifting. Learn more about the grid connection process in South Australia.
Solar Panel Installers In Fords
In our network we have quality, thoroughly pre-vetted solar power system installers servicing Fords. If you're ready to get quotes from installation professionals we know and trust:
Installing A Solar Battery In Fords
Households across Australia are increasingly thinking of installing a home battery; either as an addition/upgrade to an existing PV system, or installed concurrently with solar panels. Whether batteries will make sense for your Fords home will depend on various factors.
We have solar battery installers within our network providing services to Fords who can advise you on home energy storage as a retrofit upgrade or part of a full solar + battery system installation - and provide a quote.
If you have any questions regarding choosing, buying and installing solar panels in Fords (or a home battery), feel free to contact us.
Fords Data Sources And Notes
Data sources used above for solar power information in Fords SA 5373 include:
- Census 2021 - Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
- Clean Energy Regulator data for postcode 5373 current as at April 30, 2024.
- Light Regional Council - South Australia
Some additional notes:
- Household electricity consumption in Fords is based on the Australian average of 16kWh a day.
- Carbon intensity based on the South Australia average of 0.51kg per kilowatt-hour.
Bureau of Meteorology details are based on your nearest weather station, which is Kapunda , coordinates 34°20'28" S 138°54'56" E, around 6.7 km from the centre of Fords.