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How we calculate savings

Rates and assumptions last updated: 13 September 2026

Every number on this site that predicts savings is an estimate, not a forecast or a guarantee. Estimates are illustrative only, based on typical Melbourne conditions and the inputs shown with each figure. Your actual savings depend on your usage, your tariffs, your roof, weather, and how the system is used. This page lists the assumptions behind each calculator and example.

Homepage savings visualiser

The visualiser converts your quarterly bill into an annual grid spend, then applies an assumed offset share of that spend.

  • Grid use offset: ~78% residential, ~72% commercial (typical self-consumption range 52–68%)
  • Installed cost after incentives: ~$1,150/kW
  • Panel degradation: 0.4% per year
  • Tariff escalation: 3% per year — an assumption, not a forecast
  • Example tariffs: 34c/kWh usage, 6c/kWh feed-in
  • Incentives and GST as per current federal and Victorian schemes

The 25-year projection compounds these assumptions; small input changes compound into large differences over 25 years.

Used on: /

Solar panel sizing tiers

Example inputs: 34c/kWh usage tariff, 6c/kWh feed-in, 52–68% self-consumption, Melbourne irradiance. Ranges include federal STCs and the Victorian Solar Homes rebate only where eligible.

Used on: /solar-panels

Battery cycle tiers

Example inputs: 34c/kWh peak tariff, 6c/kWh feed-in, and the cycling figures shown beside each tier (an evening-load profile for a typical Melbourne household). Payback assumes the stated utilisation is achieved most days of the year.

Used on: /battery-storage

EV charging running costs

Example inputs: 18kWh/100km vehicle efficiency, 34c/kWh peak and 11c/kWh off-peak/solar tariffs. The ~4c/km figure assumes charging entirely from solar surplus, which depends on system size and driving patterns.

Used on: /ev-charging

Heating & cooling running costs

Reverse-cycle figures assume a seasonal coefficient of performance (COP) commonly in the 3–5 range, varying with outdoor conditions and correct sizing. Gas comparison uses typical Victorian gas tariffs and an 85% seasonal gas appliance efficiency. Victorian Energy Upgrades incentives apply only where eligible under scheme criteria.

Used on: /heating-cooling

Hot water energy reduction

Heat-pump hot water figures assume a COP of 3.5–4.8 (typical range for quality units in Melbourne conditions), giving 60–75% less electricity than a conventional electric element, depending on ambient conditions, tank size and hot-water use. Example inputs: 34c/kWh tariff, standard off-peak rates where relevant. VEU and STC incentives apply only where eligible.

Used on: /hot-water

Quotes, not calculators

The numbers above are education tools. A real quote from us is prepared from an on-site or remote assessment of your property, your interval data where available, and your retailer's actual tariffs — and every design shows the modelled winter numbers before you commit.

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