Solar & Batteries in Charters Towers

Living in Charters Towers 

Charters Towers, located in Queensland, Australia, is a town rich in history and culture, offering a unique blend of old-world charm and modern amenities. Known as "The World" during its gold rush era, Charters Towers is a place where history comes to life, making it an intriguing destination for visitors and a welcoming community for residents.

Founded in the late 19th century during one of the largest gold rushes in Australian history. The discovery of gold in 1871 transformed the town into a bustling hub of activity, attracting miners, investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Today, Charters Towers still retains much of its historical character, with well-preserved buildings and sites that offer a glimpse into its prosperous past.

Despite its historical roots, Charters Towers offers all the modern amenities needed for a comfortable lifestyle. The town is equipped with quality schools, healthcare facilities, shopping centres, and recreational areas. It also serves as a regional hub for surrounding rural areas, providing essential services and resources.

Charters Towers is a town that offers the best of both worlds: a rich historical legacy and the comforts of modern living. Whether you’re exploring its gold rush heritage, enjoying the close-knit community, or munching on an amazing pie and coffee from Burnie’s Bakehouse, Charters Towers is a place where history and contemporary life blend seamlessly. It’s a destination that continues to captivate both residents and visitors alike, making it a truly

State of Solar Power in Charters Towers

In Charters Towers's postcode area (4820), over 1,850 small-scale solar systems have been installed, with a combined capacity of over 12,400 kW as of 1 September 2024. With a population of over 11,000, as per latest census, close to 50% of local roofs feature some kind of solar system. So this is a very high participation in solar generated electricity, compared to other parts of Australia.

These solar installations generate a conservative estimate of 63,500 kWh of energy per day, if we assume a 25 kWh average use per day per households there is enough solar generated to power the equivalent of 2540 homes. At a retail electricity rate of 34c per kWh, residents of Charters Towers and the surrounding 4820 postcode area collectively produce over $6.953 million worth of energy annually. 

The amount of solar power produced of cause will depend on the size of the solar PV system and how much the home consumes and how much power is exported. See our estimated outputs for a solar system in Charters Tower.

In our calculations below we are allowing 12c for the FIT per kWh, 34cents for the price of electricity per kWh and 50% of self-consumption and 50% of export.   

Sunlight Statistics in Charters Towers

The first day of summer is always the first of December in Charters Tower, the dawn is at 5:03 am, with sunrise at 5:27 am, followed by 13 hours and 10 minutes of sunlight with the sunset at 6:42 pm.

The solar noon, meaning the exact middle of the day, when the sun is at its highest will be at 12:05 pm. Dusk will start at 7:07 pm. As you can see solar generation around this time of the year is excellent.

On the first day of winter the first of June, in Charters Tower the dawn is at 6:20 am, with sunrise at 6:44 am, followed by 10 hours and 55 minutes of sunlight with the sunset at 5:44 pm .

The solar noon, meaning the exact middle of the day, when the sun is at it’s highest will be at 12:14 pm. Dusk will start at 6:07 pm.  So even on the worst day of the year, one can still expect 10 hours of sunlight.

Buying Solar batteries in Charters Tower with True North Solar

Solar batteries represent a significant advancement in solar technology, providing homeowners with the ability to store excess energy generated by their solar panels for later use. This capability is particularly beneficial during periods when sunlight is not available, such as at night or during cloudy days. By investing in solar batteries, you can achieve greater energy independence, reducing your reliance on the grid and ensuring that you have backup power during outages. 

This is especially valuable in regions like Charters Towers, where power interruptions can occur. True North Solar offers a range of high-quality solar battery solutions designed to maximise your energy usage and efficiency. Our expert team will help you select the right battery system that compliments your solar setup, ensuring you get the most out of your investment. With True North Solar's guidance, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having a reliable energy source, while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

Solar tips from True North Solar

How big a solar system do I need to charge a BYD Battery or Tesla Powerwall?

The very simple answer to this is that, generally, the more solar panels that you can install on your roof, the better. You would be far better off having too much solar power generated on your roof and sending energy back to the grid at a low Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) than not having enough solar to charge your battery adequately.

The Tesla Powerwall comes with a capacity of 13.5kwh and BYD battery can vary from 8kwh to 22kwh. So, depending on how many kwh you need each night will depend on which battery solution is right for you.

Looking at the Powerwall with usable capacity of 13.5kWh of electricity with a round trip efficiency of 90%. This means that 10% of the electricity is lost when getting it in and out of the battery. So to have 13.5kWh of usable electricity in the battery, the solar panels will need to produce 15kWh of electricity that can be sent to the battery.

So one should allow for at least 15kWh of additional generation from your solar panels to charge the Powerwall. Many solar companies will calculate the required sizing based on the average annual PV generation. Using this method to generate an additional 15kWh of electricity per day would equate to approximately 3.5kW of additional panels being required to charge this battery. To make this clearer, let’s say a family uses 28kWh of electricity per 24 hours. 15kWh of this is consumed during the daylight hours and the rest being 13kWh, is consumed in the evening and at night.

In this case, they would need 3.5kW of solar to generate the daytime consumption and another 3.5kW system for the battery to handle the evening and night-time periods. Therefore, the recommended total solar system size should be at least 7kW.

Solar repairs and maintenance in Charters Towers 

Maintaining your solar energy system is crucial for ensuring its longevity and efficiency, and True North Solar offers comprehensive repair and maintenance services in Charters Towers. Common issues that homeowners may encounter include inverter malfunctions, panel damage from extreme weather, low production from old or discoloured panels and solar panel faults from cabling or rooftop isolators. True North Solar's expert technicians are trained to diagnose and resolve these problems promptly, and with our proprietary Solar Inspection App the professional solar reports generated give you the confidence to make the right decisions.

In the case of damaged solar panels, isolators, connectors or cabling, we can perform repairs or recommend replacements to restore optimal performance. Additionally, True North Solar provides regular maintenance checks to monitor battery health and ensure that your system operates at peak efficiency. By choosing True North Solar for your solar repairs and maintenance, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your investment is in capable hands, allowing you to continue reaping the benefits of renewable energy.

Off-grid Solar in the Charters Towers area.

When considering an off-grid solar power system for Charters Towers, choosing True North offers several key advantages. As a local provider, we possess an in-depth understanding of North Queensland's energy needs and climate conditions, allowing them to tailor their systems to perform optimally in the unique harsh environment of Charters Towers.

This local expertise ensures that the system is built to withstand the specific challenges of the region, providing a reliable energy solution that’s well-suited to the area. For residents of Charters Towers, especially some way out of town, where grid power may be unreliable or inaccessible, an off-grid solar power system offers independence from the traditional energy grid.

True North’s systems are designed to provide a consistent, reliable power supply, ensuring that your home or business remains powered even in the hottest of days. This independence  not only gives peace of mind but also ensures that you’re not reliant on diesel generators for electricity.

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we assess your energy consumption patterns to design a system that maximises efficiency and ensures long-term savings.

For residents of Charters Towers, where grid power may be unreliable or inaccessible, an off-grid solar power system offers independence from the traditional energy grid. True North’s systems are designed to provide a consistent power supply, ensuring that your home or business remains powered even in remote areas. This autonomy not only gives peace of mind but also ensures that you’re not reliant on external sources for electricity.

True North Solar comes with a proven track record in solar power solutions across Townsville and surrounding areas. Their reputation for delivering high-quality, dependable systems is built on years of expertise and customer satisfaction. With their commitment to providing reliable energy solutions, you can trust that your off-grid solar system will be both robust and efficient.

While the initial investment in an off-grid solar system may seem substantial, when you consider the cost of electricity power line upgrades, or even brand new power lines, the savings are significant. True North’s systems are designed to offer both immediate energy independence and lasting cost-effectiveness.

In summary, investing in an off-grid solar power system from True North for the wider Charters Towers region is a decision that promises reliable, custom-designed energy solutions tailored to local conditions, supported by industry experts with a long and strong reputation in North Queensland.