“We have some intriguing data from a solar installation project we completed two years ago, located just 10 minutes from Ballarat in Victoria. The system specifications are as follows: solar panels with a capacity of 50 kW, a battery bank composed of lithium batteries totaling 67 kWh, and an inverter rated at 30 kW. While reviewing the performance data, I examined the 24-hour period from June 29, 2023, to June 30, 2023. During this timeframe, the solar panels produced a minimum of 49.8 kWh, while the generator output reached a maximum of 57 kWh. The household consumption was 87 kWh, and the battery’s state of charge cycled from 0% at the beginning of the day to 100%, and then back to 0% by the end. Notably, this 24-hour period recorded the lowest solar generation for the entire year.

This data practically answers the question: Can an off-grid solar system in Ballarat, or other wet areas in Victoria, function without a generator? The simple answer is yes. As we can see from the numbers, doubling the size of the solar array from 50 kW to 100 kW would suffice. This might raise the question: Is it expensive? Actually, it’s not. As I’ve often stated before, a 10 kW off-grid solar system suits an average family. If we consider doubling the solar array without increasing the size of the inverter and battery, we’ll find that it is not really expensive, as most of the cost is covered by the STC rebate. Also, consider the cost of a generator. An additional 10 kW of panels might only cost $4,000 as an additional expense to a 10 kW system. Meanwhile, the cost of a 10 kW generator would exceed $5,000, not to mention fuel costs. A 20 kW system is absolutely feasible if the right equipment is used, particularly an inverter that allows for double the capacity of solar panels relative to the inverter size.”