Solar FAQ

After the federal STC rebate, typical installed prices in 2026 are:

6.6 kW system: $5,000–$7,500
10 kW system: $7,500–$11,000
13 kW system: $10,000–$14,000

Prices vary by state, roof complexity, panel and inverter brand. The rebate (STCs) is applied at point of sale — you never see it as cash; it's already deducted from your invoice. Use our Savings Calculator for a rough estimate.

For most Australian homeowners, payback is 3–6 years — shorter in high-tariff states (SA, NSW) and for households with high daytime usage. The average electricity bill savings are $1,200–$2,500 per year depending on system size and usage patterns. Panels typically last 25–30 years, so most homeowners enjoy 20+ years of largely free electricity after payback.

Yes, but less than if you were home. When you're out, unused solar is exported to the grid and you earn a feed-in tariff (typically 5–10c/kWh). Since grid electricity costs 28–43c/kWh, self-consumption is always more valuable than export. Work-from-home households typically achieve 4–5 year payback vs 6–8 years for out-all-day households. Running appliances like dishwashers and washing machines on timers during the day helps significantly.

Common extras that sometimes aren't included in headline quotes:

Switchboard upgrade: $500–$1,500 if your board is old or at capacity
Smart meter installation: Often free, sometimes $200–$400 depending on your retailer
Scaffolding: $500–$2,000 for steep or difficult roof access
Roof repairs: If the installer identifies issues before mounting

A good written quote itemises everything. Use our Quote Checklist to ensure nothing is hidden.

The federal rebate is delivered through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), which issues Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). STCs are assigned to your installer in exchange for an upfront discount on your quote.

In 2026, a typical 6.6 kW system receives $2,500–$3,500 in STCs depending on your state and postcode. The rebate reduces each year until the scheme ends in 2030. See our full Rebate Guide for state-by-state details.

No — your CEC-accredited installer handles everything. You sign an STC assignment form (part of your contract), which transfers the STCs to the installer. In exchange, they deduct the rebate value from your invoice. You never receive the STCs as cash or have to submit claims yourself. The rebate should appear as a clear line item on your quote.

A feed-in tariff (FiT) is the rate your electricity retailer pays for solar you export to the grid. Rates in 2026:

QLD: 6–12c/kWh (varies by retailer)
NSW: 4–8c/kWh
VIC: 3.3c/kWh minimum (regulated floor)
SA: 5–9c/kWh
WA: 2.5–7c/kWh

Feed-in income is secondary to self-consumption savings. Maximise what you use at home first, then treat exports as a bonus.

The physical installation is typically 1–2 days for a standard residential system. However, the total timeline from signing to being connected to the grid is usually 4–10 weeks:

Week 1–2: Equipment ordered and scheduled
Week 2–3: Installation day
Week 3–8: DNSP (electricity network) application processed — this is often the longest step and varies by state and network operator
After approval: Meter configured, system energised

Your installer manages the grid connection application — you shouldn't need to do anything except be available for the meter appointment.

Most roof types — tile (concrete or terracotta), Colorbond/corrugated metal, and slate — can accommodate solar panels with appropriate mounting systems. Some considerations:

Flat roofs: Need angled racking, which adds cost but can achieve ideal tilt
Heritage/heritage-listed: May require council approval; some overlays restrict panel visibility
Very old or damaged roofs: May need repair before installation
Structural adequacy: Panels add ~15–20 kg/m² — most modern roofs handle this easily

A site assessment will identify any issues before you commit.

Yes, though output is reduced. South-facing panels in Australia typically produce 60–70% of what a north-facing array would generate. This can still be a worthwhile system — especially if you have enough roof area to install more panels to compensate. East/west split installations are increasingly common and can produce a flatter generation curve across the day, which can be ideal for households using power in morning and evening.

In most cases, no council approval is needed. Under the Building Code of Australia, rooftop solar installations are generally exempt from development approval provided they meet size and visual impact conditions. Exceptions include heritage-listed properties, some strata buildings, and installations exceeding certain height thresholds above the roofline. Your installer will advise if approval is required in your specific case.

Annual generation depends on system size and location. Rough estimates per kW installed:

Darwin: ~1,900–2,100 kWh/kW
Perth: ~1,750–1,950 kWh/kW
Brisbane: ~1,650–1,800 kWh/kW
Adelaide/Sydney: ~1,500–1,700 kWh/kW
Melbourne: ~1,350–1,500 kWh/kW
Hobart: ~1,200–1,400 kWh/kW

A 6.6 kW system in Sydney generates roughly 9,500–10,500 kWh/year. Your installer's written quote should include an estimated annual generation figure.

Solar panels are very low maintenance. Most Australian regions receive enough rain to self-clean panels adequately. In dusty areas (rural SA, outback QLD) or near construction, an annual rinse with a hose from ground level is recommended.

The main maintenance task is monitoring your system through the inverter app. If generation drops significantly without an obvious cause (prolonged cloud), that's your signal to call your installer. A professional service check every 5 years is reasonable practice.

Standard grid-connected solar shuts off automatically during a blackout. This is a safety requirement — if your panels fed electricity into a dead grid, it could electrocute linesmen working to restore power. To have power during outages you need either a battery storage system or a dedicated backup/hybrid inverter with an "islanding" capability. See our Battery Storage Guide for details.

Quality panels installed in Australia last 25–35 years. Performance warranties guarantee at least 80% output at 25 years (with top brands offering 87–92% at 25–30 years). Physical failure before 25 years is uncommon — the main degradation is gradual reduction in efficiency, not sudden failure. Australia's first modern solar installations (early 2000s) are still producing electricity today.

For most Australians, the financial case for batteries is still marginal. A 10 kWh battery costs $8,000–$12,000 installed and saves $600–$1,200/year — that's a 7–15 year payback against a 10-year warranty. Batteries make better sense if you: have high evening usage, are on time-of-use tariffs with expensive peak rates, or want blackout protection. The federal battery rebate (from July 2025) has improved the maths — see our full Battery Storage Guide.

Yes, but planning ahead makes it cheaper. If you install a hybrid inverter upfront, adding a battery later is a straightforward DC-coupled connection. If you have a standard string inverter, retrofitting requires either an additional AC-coupled battery inverter (more expensive) or replacing the inverter entirely. If you think you might add storage in the next 3–5 years, discuss this with your installer before signing — a hybrid inverter costs $500–$1,000 more upfront but can save $2,000–$4,000 on the retrofit.