So, how much do solar panels cost? A 6.6 kW system — the size most homes install — typically costs $5,000 to $8,500 fully installed, after the federal STC rebate. As a rough rule of thumb, budget around $1,000 per kilowatt for a decent-quality system from a reputable installer. The exact price depends on the size of the system, the brands you pick, and how tricky your roof is.
Below is what you can realistically expect to pay in 2026, what is included in the price, how the rebate works, and the warning signs of a quote that is too cheap to be good.
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost by System Size?
System size is the biggest driver of what you pay. These are typical fully installed prices after the STC rebate, GST included, based on what buyers reported paying in 2026:
| System size | Typical fully installed cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | $3,500 – $5,500 | Small home, 1–2 people, low daytime use |
| 5 kW | $5,000 – $7,500 | Small to medium home, moderate use |
| 6.6 kW | $6,000 – $9,000 | Most homes, 3–4 people — the most popular size |
| 8 kW | $7,500 – $11,000 | Medium to high use, or a home office |
| 10 kW | $9,000 – $12,000 | Large home, pool, air conditioning or an EV |
| 13 kW | $11,000 – $16,000 | Very high use, large families, future battery plans |
Prices are a guide, not a quote. Two installers in the same suburb can quote thousands apart for the same size system, which is why comparing at least three quotes matters. Prices also vary by state — the Northern Territory and Tasmania tend to be the most expensive, mostly because fewer installers compete for the work there.
What Is Included in the Price?
A solar quote is not just the panels. A normal fully installed price covers the panels, the inverter, the mounting system, cabling, labour, design, permits, the grid connection paperwork, and monitoring. If a quote looks far cheaper than the rest, check what has been left out — a switchboard upgrade, for example, is a common extra that shows up later.
The panels themselves are only part of the cost. On a budget 10 kW system, the panels make up about 23% of the pre-rebate cost. On a premium system, they make up about 37%. The rest goes to the inverter, installation, and the installer’s overheads, including GST.
How the STC Rebate Cuts the Price
When you buy solar, the federal government gives you an upfront discount at the point of sale — no paperwork and no waiting. It works through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). The installer claims the certificates on your behalf and takes their value straight off your bill.
How much is it worth? In 2026, the rebate cuts about $2,500 off a 10 kW system, and about $1,560 to $2,120 off a 6.6 kW system, depending on your STC zone. The rebate depends on system size, not on the brand of panels you choose — a budget system and a premium system of the same size get the same discount.
Two things worth knowing:
- The rebate shrinks every January. The scheme is being wound down, so the value drops a little at the start of each year. The deeming period is 5 years in 2026 and steps down again on 1 January 2027.
- Only an accredited installer can issue STCs. If you use an installer who is not accredited, you lose the rebate entirely. Check that your installer is accredited before you sign anything.
On top of the federal rebate, some states run their own extra rebates, loans or concessions for solar and batteries. Our guide to choosing a solar installer explains how to check an installer’s credentials and what a good quote should include.
What Makes Solar Panels Cost More or Less?
1. System size
The more kilowatts you install, the more you pay — but the cost per kilowatt falls as the system gets bigger, which is why 6.6 kW has become the default size for most homes.
2. Panel brand
A budget panel like Jinko costs around $140 per panel, while a premium panel like SunPower can cost over $290 each. On a full 10 kW setup, that difference alone can add about $3,600. Premium panels are a little more efficient, lose less performance over 25 years, handle heat better, and usually carry 25–30 year warranties. Budget brands like Jinko, Trina and LONGi are solid, reliable and regularly installed across the country — most households do not need the premium option.
3. Inverter brand
A premium 10 kW inverter like Fronius can add around $1,500 to the price over a good budget unit like GoodWe. Our comparison of the best solar inverters breaks down the brands, prices and warranties.
4. Your roof
Installers charge extra for a double-storey home, a tiled roof, a steep roof (more than 25 degrees), an inverter installed a long way from the switchboard, or a switchboard upgrade. If your roof is simple, single-storey and easy to access, your quote will sit at the lower end of the range.
5. Location
The further you live from your nearest installer, the more it can cost. Some installers charge a travel fee beyond 80 km, and an overnight stay for the crew pushes the price up further.
6. Adding a battery
A battery adds anywhere from $4,000 to $13,000 or more, depending on how much storage you need and the brand. The federal battery rebate makes it cheaper. Our solar panels vs solar battery guide explains whether the extra spend is worth it for your home.
7. The Australian dollar
Most solar equipment is imported and priced in US dollars, so when the Australian dollar falls, equipment costs rise for every installer.
What Is a Fair Price — and What Is a Warning Sign?
A good-quality system at around $1,000 per kilowatt installed is a fair price in 2026. Be cautious of anything far below that. Systems advertised as low as $500 per kilowatt usually mean cheap panels, a cheap inverter, rushed installation, or warranties that are hard to claim on. At the other end, quotes well above $1,200 per kilowatt deserve a hard look too — ask exactly what the extra money buys.
Before you sign, get at least three quotes from accredited installers, compare the same system size and the same brands, and make sure every quote lists the panels, inverter, mounting, labour, switchboard work and monitoring separately. A quote that hides the breakdown is a quote to question.
How Much Will Solar Panels Save You?
The upfront cost is only half the story. Over a 15-year lifespan, a 10 kW system could save up to $20,000–$35,000 on power bills. Solar-only systems typically pay for themselves in 3 to 6 years, depending on how much of the power you use during the day and what you pay for grid electricity.
Your savings come from two places: the power you use at home instead of buying from the grid, and the power you export, which earns you a feed-in tariff. Feed-in tariffs are now low — typically 3 to 10 cents per kilowatt-hour — so using your own solar power during the day is worth far more than exporting it. Our feed-in tariff guide explains the rates state by state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do solar panels cost more in some states?
Yes. Prices vary by state, mostly because of how many installers compete locally. The Northern Territory and Tasmania have some of the most expensive systems in the country, while the big east-coast cities tend to be cheaper. Your STC zone also changes the rebate value — sunnier zones get a slightly bigger discount.
Can you get solar panels for free?
No. The STC rebate can cover the entire cost of the panels themselves if you pick a budget brand, but that does not mean a free system. You still pay for the inverter, installation, mounting, wiring and everything else. Any ad promising free solar is selling you something else — usually a lease or a finance deal with a long contract.
Is it cheaper to buy solar panels now or wait?
The STC rebate steps down every January, so waiting costs you a little of the rebate each year. Panel prices have also been falling steadily, which partly offsets that. If you are ready to buy, there is no strong reason to wait — but never rush into a quote just because a salesperson says the rebate is about to disappear.
Do solar panels work at night?
No — panels only generate power from sunlight, so they produce nothing after dark. At night your home runs on grid power, or on stored power if you have a battery. Our guide explains what happens after dark and how a battery changes the picture.
How long do solar panels last?
Panels typically last 25 to 30 years, with most premium panels warrantied to keep at least 80–85% of their output after 25 years. Inverters last 10 to 15 years and usually need replacing once during the life of the panels, so budget for that in your long-term sums.
The Bottom Line
For most homes, a 6.6 kW system at $5,000 to $8,500 after the rebate is the sweet spot — enough to cover typical daytime use without overpaying for panels you do not need. Get three quotes from accredited installers, compare the same brands and sizes, and treat anything far below $1,000 per kilowatt as a warning sign. If you are weighing up a battery as well, compare your options with the government’s free Energy Made Easy comparison service before you sign.
