Electricity bill suddenly increased
Compare solar generation, grid imports and exports with the same season last year. Check inverter or battery fault alerts, changed tariffs, new loads, shading and whether household use moved outside solar hours.
Browse the Marketplace
Solar Panels
Rooftop solar PV systems with optional battery storage. Compare quotes from CEC-accredited installers across Australia.
Compare QuotesQuick answer
Before buying solar panels, match the system to your electricity usage, roof, shading, network export limit and future plans such as a battery, pool or EV. Compare a site-specific design, annual generation estimate, panel and inverter models, monitoring, warranties and after-sales support. For Australian Government SRES incentives, confirm the installer holds the required Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation and the quoted products are approved.
What to know before buying solar panels in Australia
Homeowners commonly compare 6.6 kW, 10 kW and 13.2 kW solar systems, but the best solar system size depends on electricity use, usable roof area, orientation, shading, inverter capacity and local network rules. Ask each installer to explain expected annual generation, self-consumption, grid exports, bill savings and payback assumptions for the same usage data.
A complete solar quote should identify the exact solar panel and inverter model, panel layout, mounting system, monitoring, switchboard or meter upgrades, grid application, government incentive deductions, installation cost and warranties. Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) now operates installer accreditation; check the Clean Energy Council approved product lists for components. These are different checks and both can matter for incentive eligibility.
If comparing solar panels with battery storage, ask about usable battery capacity in kWh, charge and discharge power in kW, AC vs DC coupling, backup circuits, blackout operation, battery location, monitoring, warranty throughput or cycles and the assumptions behind projected savings. A battery does not automatically power the home in a blackout unless the system is designed and configured for backup.
Benefits
Slash your power bills
Feed-in tariff income
Federal STC rebate
Increase property value
Reduce your carbon footprint
Battery-ready systems
Popular uses
Residential rooftopsCommercial warehousesOff-grid shedsBattery-backed homesEV-charging households
How much do solar panels and batteries cost?
Installed solar prices vary by system size, hardware, roof and electrical work, location and current incentives. Compare the total payable price and every included component on the same basis.
Solar system size (kW)
More panel capacity usually raises the total price while reducing cost per kW. Compare expected generation and self-consumption, not only the number of panels.
Panels, inverter and optimisers
Hardware prices differ by model, warranty and local support. “Tier 1” describes a manufacturer's market standing; it is not a complete panel-quality rating.
Roof, shading and access
Multiple roof faces, tile types, steep roofs, shading, long cable runs and difficult access can add equipment and labour.
Switchboard, meter and grid work
A switchboard upgrade, smart meter, three-phase work or export-control equipment should be identified and priced before signing.
Solar battery and backup
Battery capacity, inverter topology, backup gateway, essential-load circuits and installation location all change the installed solar-and-battery price.
Rebates and finance
Check which current federal, state or territory incentives are deducted, whether eligibility is assumed and how finance fees change the total amount repaid.
6.6 kW vs 10 kW solar vs solar with battery
These are common comparison points, not one-size-fits-all recommendations. A good quote models the system against your roof, usage profile and local network rules.
| Option | Often compared by | Ask the installer | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW solar | Smaller homes and limited roof area | How much will I use vs export? | It is automatically the right default size |
| 10 kW solar | Higher daytime use, pools, air conditioning or future loads | Does the roof, inverter and network connection support it? | More panels always produce proportionally more savings |
| 13.2 kW+ solar | Large loads, EV charging and battery-ready designs | What export or inverter limits apply? | Exported energy has the same value as self-used energy |
| Solar with battery | Evening use, tariff shifting and optional backup | What are usable kWh, output kW and backed-up circuits? | Every battery works during a blackout |
Common residential solar system options
6.6 kW solar
- Often compared by
- Smaller homes and limited roof area
- Ask the installer
- How much will I use vs export?
- Do not assume
- It is automatically the right default size
10 kW solar
- Often compared by
- Higher daytime use, pools, air conditioning or future loads
- Ask the installer
- Does the roof, inverter and network connection support it?
- Do not assume
- More panels always produce proportionally more savings
13.2 kW+ solar
- Often compared by
- Large loads, EV charging and battery-ready designs
- Ask the installer
- What export or inverter limits apply?
- Do not assume
- Exported energy has the same value as self-used energy
Solar with battery
- Often compared by
- Evening use, tariff shifting and optional backup
- Ask the installer
- What are usable kWh, output kW and backed-up circuits?
- Do not assume
- Every battery works during a blackout
Should an old solar system be repaired, upgraded or replaced?
Start with monitoring data and a safe inspection by an appropriately qualified professional. Low savings do not always mean failed panels, and solar equipment can remain energised even when mains power is switched off.
Solar inverter fault or failure
If panels, mounting and wiring remain sound, inverter repair or replacement may restore the system. Compare warranty coverage, compatibility, export controls and whether a hybrid inverter suits future battery plans.
Older or undersized solar system
An extension may suit spare roof and compatible equipment; other systems need a separately connected addition or full redesign. Check current network approval and incentive rules before altering anything.
Damaged panels or unsupported equipment
Individual panel replacement can be difficult when matching modules, connectors or support are unavailable. Compare repair, partial replacement and a new system over the remaining expected life.
Solar buying mistakes to avoid
Things we see homeowners get wrong when they compare quotes.
Comparing only the headline price without matching system size, exact models, layout, electrical work and warranties.
Using the old “CEC-accredited installer” wording instead of checking current Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation.
Assuming a Tier 1 panel label proves the complete system, installation and local warranty support are high quality.
Ignoring shading, roof orientation, three-phase supply and the network export limit in savings estimates.
Buying a battery without comparing usable capacity, power, backup circuits, warranty throughput and evening usage.
Treating a rebate or feed-in tariff as guaranteed without checking the current rules and quote assumptions.
Solar panel and battery questions buyers ask
Answers about solar cost, system sizing, batteries, rebates, accreditation, export limits, blackout backup and warranties.
What size system do I need?
A typical Australian home installs 6.6 kW. Go larger if you have a pool, ducted AC, or charge an EV at home.
Are rebates available?
Yes — the federal STC rebate is applied at point of sale, and most states offer feed-in tariffs on exported power.
Do I need a battery?
Not required. Batteries pay off best for households with high evening usage or frequent grid outages.
How much do solar panels cost in Australia?
The installed cost depends on system size, exact panel and inverter models, roof access, switchboard or meter work, location and current incentives. Compare the total payable amount after clearly itemised deductions and extras.
What size solar system do I need: 6.6 kW or 10 kW?
Use recent electricity bills and, if available, interval usage data. Consider roof space, shading, daytime loads, export limits and future loads such as an EV, pool, heat pump or battery. Ask installers to model both sizes using the same assumptions.
Do I need a Solar Accreditation Australia accredited installer?
Installer accreditation transitioned from the Clean Energy Council to Solar Accreditation Australia in 2024. Confirm the individual installer has the accreditation required for the work and for any Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme incentive being claimed.
Are solar panels, inverters and batteries still CEC approved?
The Clean Energy Council maintains approved product lists, while Solar Accreditation Australia operates installer accreditation. Check the exact model numbers in the quote against the relevant current approved-product lists.
What solar rebates are available?
Eligibility and amounts change by installation date, system and location. Ask the quote to identify each federal, state or territory incentive, the undiscounted price, the deducted value and what happens if the system is not eligible.
Is a home solar battery worth it?
It depends on evening electricity use, tariffs, available solar surplus, battery price, usable capacity, efficiency, warranty and whether backup has value to you. Compare a solar-only and solar-plus-battery model using the same bills and assumptions.
Will solar panels or a battery work during a blackout?
A standard grid-connected solar system normally shuts down during an outage. Battery backup requires compatible equipment, isolation and nominated backup circuits or whole-home backup. Have the proposed backup loads and limits written into the quote.
What is a solar export limit?
Your electricity network may limit how much power the system can send to the grid. A low or zero export limit can change the economics of a larger system, so the quote should state the assumed limit and whether export control is included.
Which solar panel and inverter brand is best?
No brand name replaces a site-specific design and competent installation. Compare exact model specifications, approved-product status, product and performance warranties, Australian support, monitoring and who will handle a claim.
What warranties should a solar quote include?
Separate the panel product warranty, panel performance warranty, inverter or microinverter warranty, battery warranty, mounting hardware warranty and installation workmanship warranty. Check exclusions, labour and freight costs, and Australian support.
How long is the solar payback period?
Payback depends on installed price, electricity tariffs, self-consumption, generation, exports, maintenance and future usage. Ask for the calculation and assumptions rather than accepting a single guaranteed number.
Why is my electricity bill still high after installing solar?
Common reasons include high evening or overnight use, seasonal heating or cooling, a small system, shading, low self-consumption, export limits, tariff changes, controlled loads or a system fault. Compare monitoring data with the retailer bill and contact the installer if generation is unexpectedly low.
How can solar panels reduce my power bill?
Using solar electricity in the home avoids buying that electricity from the grid. Because feed-in tariffs are often lower than import rates, shifting suitable loads into solar-generating hours can be more valuable than exporting the same energy.
Is it worth repairing an old solar system?
Often, when the fault is isolated and the remaining panels, mounting and wiring are sound. Compare the repair warranty and expected remaining life with replacement cost, current safety requirements, parts availability and any benefit from resizing or adding battery-ready equipment.
Should I replace my solar inverter or the whole system?
An inverter-only replacement may make sense when the array and wiring test well and a compatible approved inverter is available. A broader replacement may suit damaged or unsupported equipment, a major capacity change or multiple faults. Use an accredited installer or qualified electrician to assess it.
Don't get shut up by the first quote.
Create one clear brief and compare any written supplier offers you receive.