In Australia, over 2 million homes are getting benefits from solar panels and rooftop solar PV. Due to Solar Panels, they save about $540 annually on their energy bills. However, it can seem daunting to navigate the world of residential solar PV systems, especially if you’re going to make the most of your solar energy. Deciding on the correct type of solar panels is a significant choice. Cost, efficiency, aesthetics, and the layout of your home and roof all play an essential role in choosing the right solar system for your home.
Solar energy tiles
Solar tiles are also known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV); the tiles are integrated into your roof rather than attached on top, so it can be an attractive choice if you buy solar energy tiles. Solar roof tiles do not work effectively like solar panels; they work with an efficiency of 10%, this is the main reason they are less noticeable.
Solar roof tiles are also expensive as compared to traditional solar PV. While the average 4kW PV system costs between $4,000 and $6,000, solar roof tiles can efficiently run you over $10,000 with installation costs and an included inverter.
How much do solar panels cost in Australia?
The cost of solar PV systems is affected by several factors; quality, brand, size, location, and more can all drive up the price of solar panels and solar systems. In Australia, solar PV systems cost between $3,000 and $10,000, and that price may vary due to government schemes and if rebates are applied.
How much does the solar thermal system cost?
Solar thermal systems price ranges from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on the system type, which may cost up to $5,000. Running a solar thermal system, on the other hand, will save you up to $200 per year compared to an electric hot water storage system.
| Solar system size | National average costs |
| 3kW | $4, 070 |
| 5kW | $5,270 |
| 7kW | $7,190 |
The cost of solar panels is highly affected by where you live in Australia. For example, Western Australia residents get solar panels at the lowest cost, while the Northern Territory residents pay a high amount.
| City | Cost for 5kW system |
| Adelaide, SA | $4,420 |
| Brisbane, QLD | $5,050 |
| Canberra, ACT | $4,140 |
| Darwin, NT | $9,740 |
| Hobart, TAS | $5,610 |
| Melbourne, VIC | $4,869 |
| Sydney, NSW | $4,650 |
| Perth, WA | $3,710 |
Solar rebates in South Australia
The South Australian government offers all residential households the solar home battery scheme to offset their solar energy storage cost. The total amount available per household depends on several factors, including whether you’re a concession cardholder and the system’s size.
| Step One Subsidy | Step Two Subsidy | |
| Effective 29 Oct 2018 – 14 April 2020 | Effective 15 April 2020 | |
| Energy concession holder | $600 per kilowatt-hour | $400 per kilowatt-hour |
| All other households | $500 per kilowatt-hour | $300 per kilowatt-hour |
| Maximum subsidy per battery installation | $6,000 | $4,000 |
Approximate Cost of Home Solar Energy System After the Rebate
In Australia, the price of solar panels varies mainly due to the hardware used in the installation. Approximate cost of a good quality solar system installation with Tier 1 solar panels (fully installed) as of January 2021 in Australia:
| System size | Number of panels | Cost Range (January 2021) |
| 1.5kW | 4 | $2,500 – $4,000 |
| 2kW | 6 | $3,000 – $4,500 |
| 3kW | 8 | $3,500 – $5,000 |
| 4kW | 11 | $4,000 – $6,000 |
| 5kW | 14 | $4,500 – $8,000 |
| 6.6kW | 18 | $5,000 – $9,000 |
| 7kW | 19 | $6,500 – $10,000 |
| 8kW | 22 | $7,500 – $11,000 |
| 10kW | 27 | $8,000 – $12,000 |
The above solar system sizes assume 370W solar panels, so that the final solar panel capacity may vary from the figures mentioned in the chart.
What is the Premium cost of the solar system for a house? (Mar 2021)
Solar installers generally have tiers of offers to cater to consumers on a budget or willing to pay more for higher quality products. The premium offers listed on Solar panels generally feature more extended warranty periods, better product technical capabilities, and manufactured by the most reputable and trustworthy brands. As can be expected, these systems come at a 20-30% higher price tag based on the average prices published on this page.
The cost of solar batteries storage in Australia vary from $800 per kWh to $2000 per kWh, depending on how much energy you want to store, where you live, and any other features you also need backup when the grid is down.
| 3kW | 4kW | 5kW | 6kW | 7kW | 10kW | |
| All | $5,050 | $5,790 | $6,560 | $7,350 | $8,450 | $11,510 |
| Adelaide, SA | $4,860 | $5,720 | $6,240 | $6,940 | $8,260 | $10,800 |
| Brisbane, QLD | $4,830 | $5,650 | $6,400 | $7,140 | $8,180 | $11,450 |
| Canberra, ACT | $4,760 | $5,190 | $6,200 | $7,000 | $8,150 | $11,290 |
| Darwin, NT | $6,710 | $8,110 | $9,410 | $10,760 | $12,070 | $15,970 |
| Hobart, TAS | $5,950 | $6,860 | $7,710 | $8,560 | $9,550 | $13,140 |
| Melbourne, VIC | $5,180 | $5,560 | $6,160 | $6,530 | $7,500 | $10,530 |
| Sydney, NSW | $4,410 | $4,920 | $5,690 | $6,690 | $7,300 | $9,380 |
| Perth, WA | $3,680 | $4,270 | $4,670 | $5,150 | $6,600 | $9,480 |
Average Cost of Residential Solar Panels
Knowing the right solar panel system for you will largely depend on your home’s size and energy consumption. The average solar system costs $4,633 installed. The entire range is more like $2,909 and $5,810, including 1.5kWh – 6kWh Solar systems. The quality of system components you use, i.e., Solar panel and inverter brands, are a significant factor in the cost and rebates’ makeup.
Cost of getting solar panel per kWh
Thanks to the generous government incentives, the cost per kWh of installing solar panel systems in Australia is the cheapest in the world. If you take the most popular system, a 5kWh solar system with an average price of $5,200, the cost per kWh to install is $1,040. In most cases, they are available at a low price, $910 per kWh, as some installers sell solar systems at very reasonable prices.
