Solar prices in Cairns by system size
Installed prices are before rebates. The federal STC rebate is worked out at Cairns's own STC zone (zone 3, postcode 4870) and comes off at the point of sale.
| System | Panels | Installed, before rebates | Federal STC rebate | After STC rebate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | about 15 | $6,900-$9,200 | 45 STCs, about $1,784 | $5,116-$7,416 |
| 10 kW | about 23 | $10,500-$13,900 | 69 STCs, about $2,736 | $7,764-$11,164 |
| 13.2 kW | about 30 | $13,900-$18,300 | 91 STCs, about $3,608 | $10,292-$14,692 |
STCs valued at $39.65 each, the price used across this site, verified 10 October 2026. Zone from the Clean Energy Regulator's postcode zone table. Panel counts assume the 440 W panels the size pages use. How the installed bands are built is on solar panel installation cost.
What a fair Cairns quote looks like
We don't sell packages or specials, so there is no Cairns deal to advertise here. The low end of each band is budget panels and a budget inverter; the high end is premium brands and more complex roofs. A quote well under the low end usually leaves something out, such as a switchboard upgrade, tile work, network fees or a smaller inverter. Ask for every item in writing, with the STC rebate shown as its own line, using the solar quote checklist.
Is the solar rebate dropping in 2027?
Yes. The STC rebate is calculated from deeming years, which fall from 5 to 4 on 1 January 2027. A 6.6 kW system in Cairns earns 45 certificates (about $1,784) if it is installed in 2026, and 36 certificates (about $1,427) from 1 January 2027: about $357 less at today's certificate price. The federal battery discount also steps down on 1 January 2027; see the Cheaper Home Batteries page for the schedule.
What's different about solar in Cairns
Cairns is on the Ergon Energy network in regional Queensland, where the feed-in tariff most homes get is set each year by the Queensland Competition Authority rather than by retailer competition. Queensland's Battery Booster closed to new applications on 8 May 2024, so battery support is the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program only.
Cairns solar rebates: the full QLD stack
Every program, its status and the government source is on the Queensland rebate page. On a Cairns install:
- Federal STC rebate: about $1,784 on a 6.6 kW system in zone 3, applied at the point of sale.
- Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program: about $3,608 on a 13.5 kWh battery, if you add storage.
- Supercharged Solar for Renters: Up to $3,500 (landlords, rental properties).
Adding storage? The Queensland battery rebate page works through every battery size.
Solar companies registered near Cairns
Only 1 company matched an Australian Business Register entity within range of Cairns on our search list, too few for a city list. See the national installer directory, or get matched with one vetted installer.
Feed-in tariffs in Cairns
The three highest generally available flat feed-in offers on the Ergon Energy network, from the AER plan data retrieved 29 October 2026. Offers that need a battery, a VPP or a particular installer are left out.
| Retailer | Plan | Feed-in tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Origin Energy | Origin Standing | 8.66c/kWh |
| Ergon Energy | Tariff 14C | 6.01c/kWh |
| Next Business Energy | NBE Standing Offer | 0.1c/kWh |
Feed-in tariff data: Based on AER data, Consumer Data Right Energy Product Reference Data (Energy Made Easy and Victorian Energy Compare), retrieved 2026-10-29. Source: AER © Commonwealth of Australia. Not endorsed by the AER. Rates in c/kWh as published by retailers; no GST added.
Every retailer's rate is on the Queensland feed-in tariff comparison.
See your Cairns rebate amount
We'll match you with one SAA-accredited installer who works Cairns.
How to get a Cairns solar quote
- Take the 30-second eligibility check (postcode, bill, and whether you already have solar).
- Hear from your specialist within 24 to 48 hours.
- Get matched with one SAA-accredited installer who works your suburb.
- Get a fixed-price quote with every rebate applied at the invoice.
- Install, usually 4 to 6 weeks after you sign.
Common questions about solar in Cairns
How much do solar panels cost in Cairns?
A 6.6 kW system in Cairns costs about $6,900-$9,200 installed, before rebates. The federal STC rebate takes about $1,784 off (45 certificates at $39.65 in STC zone 3), leaving $5,116-$7,416. Figures verified 10 October 2026.
Which solar installer is best in Cairns?
There is no single best installer in Cairns, and we do not rank them. We match you with one installer that works your postcode, after checking its ABN and its Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accreditation.
Are solar rebates dropping in 2027?
Yes. The STC rebate is based on deeming years, which fall from 5 to 4 on 1 January 2027. A 6.6 kW system in Cairns earns 45 certificates if installed in 2026 and 36 from 1 January 2027, about $357 less at today's certificate price. The federal battery discount also steps down on 1 January 2027.
How long does solar installation take in Cairns?
The install itself is usually one day on site. From signing the quote, expect around 4 to 6 weeks, most of it waiting for the network operator's connection approval and the installer's schedule. Ask for both dates on the quote.
What's the best feed-in tariff in Cairns?
In the AER plan data retrieved 29 October 2026, the highest generally available flat offer on the Ergon Energy network was Origin Energy at 8.66c/kWh. Rates change often, and the best plan depends on what you pay for the power you import, so compare the whole plan, not just the feed-in rate.
Is 10 kW solar enough to run a house?
In total energy, usually: a 10 kW system produces about 40 kWh on an average day (national average; Cairns averages about 4.9 peak sun hours a day). Compare that with the daily usage on your power bill. The gap is timing: panels produce in the middle of the day, so without a battery you still buy power in the evening.
Do solar panels work well in Cairns's climate?
Yes. Cairns averages about 4.9 peak sun hours a day. Output scales with sun hours, so the same system produces less in a lower-sun city, but the STC rebate is set by your postcode's zone rating, not by what the system actually produces.
Solar panels in other cities
Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Perth , Adelaide , Canberra , Hobart , Darwin , Newcastle , Wollongong , Gold Coast , Geelong , Sunshine Coast , Townsville , Central Coast , Toowoomba .