Cost guides › Solar panels
Australia
Solar panel system cost
A 6 kWp rooftop solar system with a hybrid inverter and a 5 kWh battery typically costs $8,900 installed, after the STC discount and including GST, with most quotes between $6,950 and $11,600. The same panels without a battery come in around $7,500, and a 10 kWh battery on a three-phase hybrid inverter runs about $10,600.
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mid-range, typicalCost by region
| Location | Basic | Mid-range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory | $7,600 | $9,050 | $10,700 |
| Northern Territory | $7,500 | $8,950 | $10,600 |
| Western Australia | $7,550 | $8,950 | $10,700 |
| New South Wales | $7,500 | $8,900 | $10,600 |
| Queensland | $7,450 | $8,900 | $10,600 |
| Victoria | $7,450 | $8,900 | $10,600 |
| South Australia | $7,400 | $8,800 | $10,500 |
| Tasmania | $7,350 | $8,750 | $10,400 |
What's included
Mid-range
- About 13–14 all-black monocrystalline panels of 450 W each
- Aluminium rail mounting with tile hooks for a pitched tiled roof up to about 25 degrees
- 6 kW single-phase hybrid inverter with a 5 kWh lithium battery
- DC isolation and surge protection box, panels wired in two strings
- Solar DC cable in conduit from the roof to the inverter, and AC cabling to the switchboard
- Dedicated circuit breaker for the solar in the switchboard
- Wi-Fi monitoring of solar production and household use
- Scaffolding and two permanent roof anchor points for safe access
- Installation, connection and commissioning
What affects the cost
Battery or panels only
The battery is a large part of the price. Panels-only systems cost around $7,500; adding storage lets you use daytime solar in the evening, when grid power is dearest and feed-in tariffs pay little.
STCs and system size
Solar prices are usually quoted after STCs, a federal discount that depends on system size and your location and steps down each year until 2030. Bigger systems cost more in total but less per kilowatt.
Roof type and layout
The estimate assumes a pitched tiled roof facing roughly north. Tin roofs are often quicker to mount on, while steep, multi-level or split roofs with panels on several faces add labour and may need a different inverter setup.
Switchboard and phase
An old switchboard may need upgrading before solar can be connected, and that isn't included. Homes with three-phase power can use a three-phase inverter, which costs more.
Panel and inverter brand
Tier-one panels and established inverter brands with local support cost more upfront but matter for warranty claims. The inverter is the part most likely to need replacing during the life of the system, so its warranty matters.
Network approval
Your electricity network must approve the connection and may limit how much you can export. Connection fees and paperwork are not in this estimate.
How to save
- Get at least three itemised quotes and compare the price per kW after STCs, with and without the battery.
- Size the system to your usage and roof, and check what your network allows you to export.
- Shift dishwasher, washing machine, hot water and EV charging to the middle of the day to use more of your own solar.
- Check the eligibility conditions for any state rebate before you sign, not after installation.
Grants, tax and rules
STCs (federal)
Solar prices are usually quoted after STCs (small-scale technology certificates), a federal discount that steps down each year until the scheme ends in 2030. Our figures are after STCs.
Cheaper Home Batteries Program
Since July 2025 a federal discount on home batteries applies through certificates. It reduces every six months until 2030, so the battery part of a quote gets less support over time.
State rebates
Victoria Solar Homes offers a solar panel rebate of up to $1,400, with a household income cap of $150,000 from 1 July 2026. In WA, the residential battery scheme pays up to $1,300 (Synergy) or $3,800 (Horizon Power) with virtual power plant participation.
Licensing and GST
Electrical work must be done by licensed tradespeople under state licensing. Quotes to households include 10% GST, and so do our figures.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 6 kW solar system cost in Australia?
With a 5 kWh battery, a 6 kWp system costs about $8,900 after STCs and including GST. Without the battery it's around $7,500. State rebates, where you qualify, come off these prices.
Are solar prices quoted before or after the rebate?
Usually after the STC discount, which the installer claims and takes off the price. State rebates such as Victoria's Solar Homes are separate and depend on eligibility.
Is a home battery worth it?
It depends on how much solar you export and what you pay for evening power. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program has cut battery prices since July 2025, and the discount steps down every six months until 2030.
How many panels is a 6 kW system?
With 450 W panels it's about 13–14 panels, needing roughly 28 m² of unshaded roof.
How long does solar installation take?
Most home systems are installed in one or two days. Network approval and meter changes can take a few weeks before you can export.
How this estimate is calculated
Work hours: 24.5 · Labour: $1,136 · Materials: $6,958
Sources: ABS Employee Earnings and Hours, Australia; Regione Toscana, Prezzario dei Lavori 2026 (CC BY 4.0); ECB exchange rates.