NEXEN GUIDE / REVIEWED 23 AUGUST 2026
What actually changes solar savings and payback?
A customer-first explanation of self-consumption, exports, tariffs, system cost and the assumptions behind an estimate.
Self-consumption usually matters most
A solar kilowatt-hour used on site generally avoids the retail usage rate. An exported kilowatt-hour earns only the applicable feed-in tariff, so load timing can be as important as annual generation.
Installed cost is site-specific
Hardware quality, roof access, array geometry, switchboard work, metering, network requirements and service scope all change the installed price.
Treat payback as a range
Electricity prices, behaviour, weather, degradation and future loads change. A credible proposal shows the key assumptions and sensitivity rather than one guaranteed date.