Yes — solar is well worth it in Melbourne, despite the cooler, cloudier weather. Melbourne gets fewer peak-sun hours than Sydney or Perth (around 3.6/day), but it’s offset by sharp install prices, high power bills, and Victoria’s Solar Homes rebate of up to $1,400 on top of the federal STC discount. In 2026 a quality 6.6kW system lands around $3,100–$7,100 after both rebates. The one thing that’s changed a lot: Victoria scrapped its mandatory minimum feed-in tariff in 2025, so exports now earn very little — the smart setup is a system you self-consume, ideally with a battery.
Key takeaways
- Cost (2026): ~$6,000 for 6.6kW after the federal STC discount — about $3,100–$7,100 net once the $1,400 Solar Victoria rebate is applied. ~$8,500 for 10kW.
- Rebates: federal STC (~$2,300 on a 6.6kW) plus the Victorian Solar Homes PV rebate (up to $1,400) and a matching interest-free loan. Income and ownership criteria apply.
- Feed-in tariff: Victoria abolished its mandatory minimum on 1 July 2025. Retailers now set their own — averaging around 1–8c/kWh. Daytime exports earn little.
- Batteries: the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate (~$3,720 off a 10kWh battery) plus Solar Victoria’s interest-free battery loan make storage increasingly worthwhile.
- Weather: Melbourne’s cool climate is fine for solar — panels are actually slightly more efficient in cooler temperatures; it’s cloud and shorter winter days, not heat, that limit output.
We offer free solar quotes in Melbourne and Australia-wide. Fill in our 2-minute form and we’ll connect you with vetted local installers. First, here’s what Melbourne homeowners should know in 2026.
Are solar panels worth it in Melbourne?
For most Melbourne homes, yes. The sun is weaker than up north — about 3.6 peak-sun hours a day versus ~4.0 in Sydney and ~5.2 in Perth — but three things make solar stack up anyway: prices are competitive, power bills are high (around 30c/kWh), and Victoria layers a state rebate on top of the federal one. A well-sized system still offsets a big chunk of a typical bill and pays for itself within a few years. As with anywhere, the installer matters more than the panel brand — a good install on a mid-range panel beats a cheap install on a premium one.
Want your own number? Estimate your savings with our solar calculator, or compare free quotes from vetted Melbourne installers.
How much do solar panels cost in Melbourne in 2026?
Typical fully-installed Melbourne prices after the federal STC rebate (before the extra Victorian rebate):
| System size | Typical panels | After federal STC (2026) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | 15–16 panels | ~$5,000 – $7,000 | Average home — net ~$3,100–$7,100 after the $1,400 VIC rebate |
| 10 kW | 22–24 panels | ~$7,500 – $11,000 | Larger home, heat pumps, EV charging |
| 13 kW | 30–32 panels | ~$9,500 – $13,500 | All-electric / high-use homes, often with a battery |
Indicative 2026 ranges. Eligible owner-occupiers can take a further $1,400 off via Solar Victoria. See our system size & price guides for detail.
Melbourne & Victorian solar rebates (2026)
- Federal STC discount: the main rebate on the panels — worth roughly $2,300 on a 6.6kW system, applied upfront by your installer. (Melbourne sits in STC Zone 4.)
- Solar Victoria — Solar Homes PV rebate: up to $1,400 for eligible households, plus an optional matching interest-free loan repaid over four years. Criteria include being an owner-occupier and a combined household income under $150,000.
- Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program: ~30% off an eligible battery (about $3,720 on a 10kWh unit).
- Solar Victoria battery loan: an interest-free loan to help fund home battery storage.
Feed-in tariffs in Victoria — what changed
This is the big shift since the old days of generous tariffs. From 1 July 2025, Victoria abolished its mandatory minimum feed-in tariff. Retailers now set their own export rates (they just can’t go below zero), and the market average minimum is only around 1.1c/kWh — though some retailers offer up to ~8c, sometimes time-varying. The reason: so much rooftop solar now floods the grid at midday that daytime exports are worth very little. The practical takeaway for 2026 is clear — size your system to use your own power, and consider a battery, rather than banking on export income.
What size solar system should you get in Melbourne?
The old 5kW default is long gone — with cheap panels, low feed-in and homes electrifying (heat pumps, induction, EVs), many Melbourne households now install 10kW or more. Because the sun is weaker here, sizing to your actual usage matters even more, so you self-consume as much as possible. Our system-size guides show output and savings for every common size.
Should you add a battery in Melbourne?
Increasingly, yes. With feed-in tariffs near rock bottom and power around 30c/kWh, storing your solar to use at night is worth far more than exporting it. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program cuts roughly 30% off an eligible battery (about $3,720 on a 10kWh unit), and Solar Victoria offers an interest-free loan to spread the rest. A 10–13kWh battery suits most homes — compare options in our solar battery guides.
How much can solar save you in Melbourne?
A 6.6kW system typically saves around $1,100–$1,600 a year in Melbourne, and a 10kW system roughly $1,600–$2,200 — mostly by offsetting power you’d otherwise buy at ~30c/kWh, since exports now earn little. Add a battery and savings climb further by cutting your evening grid use. With the Solar Victoria rebate lowering the upfront cost, payback is often just a few years. Your exact figure depends on your usage and system size, so the reliable way to know is to compare a few quotes for your address.
Is Melbourne’s weather suited to solar?
Melbourne’s “four seasons in a day” reputation worries some people, but it’s not a problem for solar. Panels are built to withstand extreme weather and, if anything, work slightly more efficiently in cool temperatures than in searing heat. Output is lower than in sunnier cities because of cloud and shorter winter days — not the cold — which is exactly why correct sizing and a good installer matter. Quality panels comfortably handle Melbourne’s climate for 25+ years.
Melbourne solar installers
Melbourne has a huge number of installers and the quality varies widely. We list and rank Melbourne and Victorian solar companies with verified accreditations, real customer reviews and our Trust Rank, so you can shortlist the reputable ones before you commit.
Browse Melbourne & VIC solar installers →
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Frequently asked questions
Are solar panels worth it in Melbourne?
Yes. Despite fewer sun-hours than northern cities, competitive prices, high power bills (~30c/kWh) and the extra Solar Victoria rebate mean a well-sized system usually pays for itself within a few years.
How much does a solar system cost in Melbourne in 2026?
A 6.6kW system is around $5,000–$7,000 after the federal STC discount, or roughly $3,100–$7,100 net after the up-to-$1,400 Solar Victoria rebate. A 10kW system is around $7,500–$11,000.
What is the feed-in tariff in Victoria now?
Victoria abolished its mandatory minimum feed-in tariff on 1 July 2025. Retailers now set their own rates — averaging around 1–8c/kWh — so exports earn little and self-consumption matters most.
What rebates can I get for solar in Melbourne?
The federal STC discount on the panels, plus the Victorian Solar Homes PV rebate of up to $1,400 (with an optional interest-free loan) for eligible owner-occupiers, plus the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate for storage.
Does Melbourne’s cold, cloudy weather affect solar?
Cold doesn’t hurt — panels are slightly more efficient in cool temperatures. Cloud and short winter days reduce output, which is why correct sizing and a quality installer matter. Good panels last 25+ years in Melbourne’s climate.
Compare free Melbourne solar quotes →
Last updated: June 2026. Figures are indicative 2026 guides and change over time — confirm current pricing, feed-in rates and rebate eligibility when you request quotes.
Was wondering how often you guys recommend your solar panel cleaning clients to get their solar panels cleaned? Once or twice per year? We are in Adelaide, SA but just looking for other companies that clean and maintain solar panels for some advice and authority in solar panel cleaning services. Im a real commenter so wil reply to any solar panel maintenance replies
Hey there,
At least once per year is a good “standard” recommendation. But it will depend on the installation angle, environmental conditions and geographical region among other things. Chicken farms for example would need cleaning monthly. Regular domestic systems usually not more than once annually.
Cheers,
Chris
i also want to ask for more information on how to set up solar panels I know the angle is important but what is the difference between a trina or jinko brands do they differ in providing power? please let me know I am trying to choose one for home.
wonderful post the angle is important and also the dust on the surface should be cleaned on a regular basis otherwise it will not benefit you.