May 2026 price index, by state and system size
Numbers below are fully-installed retail prices for a tier-1 panel + mainstream inverter install (CEC-accredited). They do not include the federal STC rebate (which knocks off another $3,000–$3,700) or any state-specific stacking program. After rebates, most homes pay 40–70% less than the numbers below.
| State | 5 kW | 6.6 kW | 8 kW | 10 kW | 13.2 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $5400 | $7130 | $8640 | $10800 | $14260 |
| Victoria | $5300 | $7000 | $8480 | $10600 | $13990 |
| Queensland | $5480 | $7230 | $8760 | $10950 | $14450 |
| South Australia | $5550 | $7330 | $8880 | $11100 | $14650 |
| Western Australia | $5630 | $7430 | $9000 | $11250 | $14850 |
| Tasmania | $6200 | $8180 | $9920 | $12400 | $16370 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $5550 | $7330 | $8880 | $11100 | $14650 |
| Northern Territory | $6400 | $8450 | $10240 | $12800 | $16900 |
Prices are mid-market for tier-1 systems. Budget gear is 12–18% cheaper but warranties are usually half as long. Premium gear (premium-brand panels + Fronius/SMA inverter + microinverters) is typically 15–25% more than the figures above.
Net price after federal STC rebate
The federal STC rebate is applied as a point-of-sale discount on your invoice. Here's what most households actually pay after the federal rebate, by state and system size:
| State | 5 kW | 6.6 kW | 8 kW | 10 kW | 13.2 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | $4,350 | $5,740 | $6,960 | $8,700 | $11,480 |
| Victoria | $4,400 | $5,810 | $7,040 | $8,800 | $11,610 |
| Queensland | $4,430 | $5,840 | $7,080 | $8,850 | $11,680 |
| South Australia | $4,500 | $5,940 | $7,200 | $9,000 | $11,880 |
| Western Australia | $4,580 | $6,040 | $7,320 | $9,150 | $12,080 |
| Tasmania | $5,370 | $7,090 | $8,590 | $10,740 | $14,180 |
| Australian Capital Territory | $4,650 | $6,140 | $7,440 | $9,300 | $12,270 |
| Northern Territory | $5,170 | $6,820 | $8,270 | $10,340 | $13,640 |
Add an extra $600–$2,500 of state stacking rebate where applicable (NSW PDRS, VIC Solar Homes, QLD Battery Booster, ACT Sustainable Household Scheme, WA Residential Battery Scheme). See our state rebate pages for the full stack.
What drives the variation between states
Tasmania and NT are the most expensive per kW
Both for the same reason: smaller installer networks mean less competition, and higher freight costs for equipment. Tasmania additionally pays the lowest STC zone rating (1.092), making net cost the highest in the country on a like-for-like basis.
Victoria is the cheapest net cost overall
VIC has the highest installer density in the country, a competitive market, and the Solar Homes rebate stacks $1,400 on top of the federal STC. Net cost of a 6.6 kW system in Melbourne is consistently the cheapest in Australia.
The federal STC step-down moves everything every January
The "deeming years" multiplier in the STC formula drops by one every 1 January. Today's $1,386 Sydney rebate becomes about $1,040 next January, $693 the year after, and $347 by 2029. Net prices in this table will jump 20–25% every January for that reason alone, before any other market movement.
System size: pick by quarterly bill
Three quick rules of thumb for system sizing:
- Bill under $300/quarter: 5 kW is enough.
- $300 to $600/quarter: 6.6 kW is the sweet spot — also the size most-installed in Australia.
- $600+/quarter: 8 kW or larger. Households with pools, EVs, or ducted air-con benefit from 10–13.2 kW.
What's not included in these prices
- Extra panels for unusual roof angles, tile-tile installs (some installers charge extra for tile roofs)
- Switchboard upgrades if your existing board can't handle the inverter
- DNSP application fees over the standard included amount (usually $100–$500)
- Batteries (see our battery rebate page for combined pricing)
- Premium panels or microinverters (add 15–25%)
How to use this index
- Find your state and target system size in the table above.
- Compare any quote you receive against the net price. If a quote is more than 15% above the net-price column, push back or get a second opinion.
- If a quote is more than 15% under the net-price column, treat it with suspicion — it usually means generic gear with short warranty.
- Add state stacking rebates from your state's rebate page for the most accurate net out-of-pocket.
Get the exact price for your address
Index pricing is averaged across our installer network. Your specific quote depends on roof orientation, panel count, switchboard age, DNSP, and which installer matches your area. The 30-second eligibility check gives you an exact rebate amount in 24–48 hours, no obligation.
Common questions
How much do solar panels cost in Australia in May 2026?
In May 2026, a typical fully-installed 6.6 kW solar system costs around $5,800 to $7,500 retail before rebates, depending on state, panel brand, and inverter choice. After the federal STC rebate (about $1,000–$1,650 for 2026 installs, depending on STC zone) and any state programs, most Australian households pay around $4,000 to $6,000 net for panels-only — substantially less if a battery is included due to the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program.
Why do solar prices vary by state?
Three reasons: (1) State rebates change the net price — Victoria's Solar Homes rebate and the ACT's loan stack substantially reduce out-of-pocket cost. (2) Network connection (DNSP) fees differ. (3) Local installer density affects competition; high-density metros like Sydney and Melbourne are typically 5–10% cheaper than regional areas at the same retail tier.
What's a fair price for a 6.6 kW solar system?
A fair fully-installed price for a 6.6 kW system in 2026 sits between $5,500 (budget tier, generic panels and inverter) and $9,000 (premium tier, Trina/REC/JA Solar panels with a Fronius or SMA inverter). Anything under $5,000 is usually a sign of low-quality components or aggressive marketing tactics. Anything over $10,000 is overpriced unless it includes a battery.
Are solar prices going up or down in 2026?
Hardware down, net cost up. Panel hardware prices have trended down 5–10% per year. But the federal STC step-down (deeming dropped from 5 years in 2025 to 4 years in 2026, and again to 3 in 2027) lifts net cost to households by roughly 20–25% each January as the scheme winds down. Net effect: 2026 is meaningfully cheaper than 2027 will be.
How often is this price index updated?
We refresh this index every month, drawing from our installer network's quoted prices to verified leads. Last updated May 2026.