Solar calculator helps Australians forecast cost savings of panels and batteries
A new version of UNSW's SunSPOT solar calculator now covers all of Australia and allows households, small businesses and councils to obtain independent solar and battery savings estimates.
A newly updated version of SunSPOT has been launched to help consumers and businesses calculate the solar power potential of their rooftops.
The online application, developed by the Australian PV Institute (APVI) and UNSW Sydney, with support from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, had previously been available only in a small number of locations in New South Wales.
It now works for locations across the country and comes with significant upgrades, more accurate estimates, a new user-friendly interface, and a version that is freely available without a council subscription.
"Finding out how much you can save with a battery, or what size solar system can fit on your roof, or getting estimates on the best system size for your electricity usage has never been simpler or safer," says Dr. Anna Bruce, SunSPOT Project Leader and Associate Professor of Renewable Energy Engineering at UNSW.
"SunSPOT V3 has been built by engineers at UNSW's world leading School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering specifically to help people understand what solar can do for them—not to sell solar.
The SunSPOT tool allows users to view their property on a map and see how many solar panels will fit and where they can go. Credit: Shutterstock
The SunSPOT tool helps users visualise where solar panels can be placed and how many might be possible, so they can run a cost-benefit analysis via the system. Credit: APVI