Solar and heritage case studies
Installing rooftop solar in Paddington
Case Study 1 - Cressida
What motivated you to install rooftop solar PV?
We wanted to reduce our bills and our emissions.
What size system did you install?
We have a very small roof so were pleased we could install a system that is just over 4kW.
Are you saving on your energy bills?
Yes, we are saving around $1500 a year.
Were there any challenges with your project?
Some installers didn’t want to quote as we only have a small terrace roof. When someone came out to inspect our roof they assured us it would not be a problem with our simple roof layout. We were really pleased with the number of panels we were able to install despite our narrow roof.
Are your panels visible from the road?
No, they are on the flat section of the roof that isn’t visible from the road.
What advice would you give to others interested in installing solar panels on their roof in a heritage area?
Shop around for a supplier willing to work on a small roof if you need to. Our bills are quite low now and even with aircon running we are winning as we don't pay for our energy during the day. At other times we give back to the grid.
With our EV we are now reducing costs of petrol and electricity substantially. Best two things we have ever done!
Case Study 2 - Bill
What motivated you to install rooftop solar PV?
As we were undertaking an extensive renovation of our home it made sense to include solar to help reduce both the running cost & environmental impact of the home. Given rising electricity prices (and the fact they’re unlikely to reduce) it made sense to use the space available on the roof, at the back of the house, to install the panels.
Our builders were also big advocates for installing the Solar and inspired us to include this project as part of our build.
What size system did you install?
We were guided by our builder on this, the system is around 5 or 6kW.
Are you saving on your energy bills?
We have noticed a reduction in our energy bills of about 35% over the past two years since we completed the renovation.
Were there any challenges with your project?
Not really as our builders did a wonderful job of managing the installation as part of our renovation and we now have the benefit of solar power without any noticeable difference to the appearance our home.
Are your panels visible from the road?
No, they are towards the back section of our home and aren’t visible from the road out front.
What advice would you give to others interested in installing solar panels on their roof in a heritage area?
Definitely consider installing panels if you have the available roof space and budget. It’s one small thing that can make a significant difference to both the environment and the running cost of your home.
