Here’s an up-to-date guide to solar system prices in Australia for 2026 — what you should actually be paying, what drives the price up or down, and the traps to avoid. For a size-by-size breakdown with panel counts and your STC rebate, see our solar system sizes & prices directory.
What should you pay for solar in 2026?
After the federal STC rebate, a quality residential system in 2026 costs roughly $0.85 to $1.40 per watt installed (incl. GST). As a quick guide:
- 6.6kW system: about $5,000 – $9,000 installed (most people pay $5,500–$7,500).
- 10kW system: about $8,000 – $13,000 installed.
- Queensland tends to be cheapest; the NT and remote areas are dearest. Premium panels and inverters add 20–30%.
Quick solar price checklist
- Get at least 3 quotes from accredited installers in your area — it’s the single best way to gauge a fair price. Compare 3 free quotes here.
- Read this guide so you know the 2026 “normal” range before you talk to anyone.
- Remember not all gear is equal — cheap panels and inverters explain most wild price differences.
- Check whether a quote is before or after rebate. Installers normally claim the STC rebate for you and show it as an upfront discount — make sure the quote is clear about which price you’re seeing.
- Thinking about a battery too? The federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate now takes a big chunk off storage — factor it in.
Typical 6.6kW price ranges (2026)
- Too cheap — under $4,000: usually the most basic panels and inverter, installed by very low-overhead operators. Beware — bargain-basement solar often comes back to bite you.
- Budget “normal” — $4,500 to $6,000: a fair price for entry-level tier-1 panels (e.g. Jinko, Risen) and a budget inverter (e.g. Sungrow, GoodWe).
- Premium “normal” — $6,000 to $9,000: better panels (e.g. REC, LONGi, Aiko, Q CELLS) and a top inverter (e.g. Fronius, SMA, Enphase). Worth it for the warranty and performance.
- Too expensive — $9,500+: usually too much for a standard 6.6kW, unless you’ve got micro-inverters, premium panels like SunPower/Maxeon, or a genuinely difficult install.
2026 solar system prices by size
Indicative installed pricing after the STC rebate. These are guides, not quotes — actual price depends on your state, roof and the quality of the gear. Tap any size for the full breakdown.
| System size | Indicative installed price (2026, after STC) | Typically suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3kW | $3,000 – $4,500 | Small homes & units |
| 5kW | $4,200 – $7,000 | Small–medium homes |
| 6.6kW | $5,000 – $9,000 | Most family homes |
| 8kW | $6,500 – $11,000 | Larger homes |
| 10kW | $8,000 – $13,000 | Large / high-use homes |
| 13kW | $9,500 – $15,000 | Big homes, small business |
| 15kW | $11,000 – $17,000 | Small business |
| 20kW | $14,000 – $22,000 | Small–medium business |
| 25kW | $18,000 – $28,000 | Commercial |
| 30kW | $21,000 – $33,000 | Commercial |
| 50kW | $35,000 – $55,000 | Larger commercial |
| 100kW | $70,000 – $110,000 | Large commercial |
See every system size with panel counts, your STC rebate and pricing →
What influences the price of a solar system?
- Panel grade. Entry tier-1 panels are cheapest; premium brands (REC, Aiko, SunPower/Maxeon) add $1,000–$2,500+ for higher efficiency and longer warranties.
- Inverter grade. Budget string inverters (Sungrow, GoodWe, Solis) are cheapest. Premium inverters (Fronius, SMA) add several hundred dollars; micro-inverters (Enphase) can add a few thousand but suit shaded or complex roofs.
- Roof & install difficulty. Two-storey, tile, tilt frames or split arrays cost more than a simple single-storey tin roof.
- Battery storage. Adding a battery is a separate cost — but the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate now offsets a big share of it.
- Who’s doing the work. A dedicated in-house install team and a company with office support cost a little more than a bare-bones sub-contractor operation — and you usually get better aftercare.
- Finance. Financing spreads the cost but you pay more overall. Always compare the cash price too.
Beware the “too cheap” and “too dear” extremes
If you don’t know what a system should cost, a door-knocker can slap you with a $13,000–$14,000 quote for a standard 6.6kW that should be well under $9,000 — like paying $60k for a car your neighbour got for $30k. At the other end, sub-$4,000 “too good to be true” deals usually mean the cheapest possible gear and thin support. The fix for both is the same: get at least 3 quotes and compare like-for-like.
Common panel brands in the “normal” 2026 range
- Jinko Solar, LONGi, Trina, JA Solar, Risen (value tier-1)
- Canadian Solar, Q CELLS, Winaico (mid)
- REC, Aiko, SunPower / Maxeon, Tindo (Australian-made) (premium)
Common inverter brands in the “normal” 2026 range
- Sungrow, GoodWe, Solis, Growatt, Sofar (value)
- Fimer (formerly ABB / Power-One), Huawei (mid)
- Fronius, SMA, SolarEdge, Enphase micro-inverters (premium)
Most string inverters keep you within the normal pricing range. Micro-inverters and DC optimisers can add thousands, but earn their keep on shaded or multi-orientation roofs.
Prices above are indicative 2026 guides only and are not a quote. Solar pricing changes with the market, your location and product choice — always confirm with current quotes.
Frequently asked questions
After the federal STC rebate, a 6.6kW solar system typically costs between $5,000 and $9,000 installed in 2026. Most Australian homeowners pay $5,500–$7,500. Budget systems with entry-level tier-1 panels cost $4,500–$6,000, while premium systems with better panels and inverters range from $6,000–$9,000.
In 2026, a quality residential solar system in Australia costs approximately $0.85 to $1.40 per watt installed after the STC rebate (including GST). Premium panels and inverters typically add 20–30% to the base price. Prices vary by location, with Queensland generally cheapest and remote areas most expensive.
A 10kW solar system costs about $8,000 to $13,000 installed in 2026, after the STC rebate. This size typically suits large homes or households with high electricity usage. The final price depends on panel and inverter quality, roof complexity, and your location across Australia.
Value tier-1 brands include Jinko Solar, LONGi, Trina, JA Solar, and Risen. Mid-range options are Canadian Solar, Q CELLS, and Winaico. Premium brands include REC, Aiko, SunPower/Maxeon, and Australian-made Tindo. Premium panels add $1,000–$2,500+ but offer higher efficiency and longer warranties.
Yes, systems under $4,000 are typically too cheap. These deals usually involve the most basic panels and inverters, installed by very low-overhead operators with minimal support. Bargain-basement solar often causes problems later. The budget 'normal' range for quality 6.6kW systems is $4,500–$6,000 in 2026.
Value inverters include Sungrow, GoodWe, Solis, Growatt, and Sofar. Mid-range options are Fimer and Huawei. Premium brands are Fronius, SMA, SolarEdge, and Enphase micro-inverters. Premium inverters add several hundred dollars; micro-inverters can add thousands but suit shaded or complex roofs.
What are your thoughts on Hanwha q cell panels?
Hey Ben,
Hanwha Q Cells are a fantastic panel. One of the best performers in Photon consistently and good value for money. Will be posting a review on them soon. Cheers,
Chris
Hi, Thanks for informative article.
I just don’t feel it would be the best for environment nor my roof top tiles to have 20 off panels up for a 5kw solar system. While there are panels with larger capacity made overseas, I just can’t understand as why we should be recycling the old 250watt panels. Thinking about buying them online my electrician advised not to, due to compliance with stone age AS.
What’s wrong and what could we do?
Thanks.