The typical solar panel cost in Australia in November 2026 is about A$5,000 to A$9,000 for a fully installed 6.6 kW system and A$8,400 to A$12,000 for 10 kW in most capital cities, after the federal STC discount and including GST. Before that discount, the 6.6 kW system is roughly A$6,600 to A$10,600. That is about A$0.85 to A$1.10 per watt.
The figures come from the Solar Choice Price Index dated 1 November 2026 and the SolarQuotes cost guide updated 12 October 2026. This is desk research; we collected no quotes ourselves.
Key facts
- The Solar Choice Price Index for 1 November 2026 puts the average 6 kW solar system in Australia at A$6,350 and the average 10 kW system at A$9,830, installed, after the STC discount and including GST.
- Perth is the cheapest capital city for a 6 kW solar system in the Solar Choice Price Index for 1 November 2026 at A$5,230, and Darwin is the dearest at A$9,890.
- A 6.6 kW solar system installed in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra in 2026 creates 45 small-scale technology certificates, worth about A$1,620 at an assumed A$36 each (our assumption, see below).
- On 1 January 2027 the Clean Energy Regulator’s deeming period for new solar systems falls from 5 years to 4, cutting the STC discount on a 6.6 kW system in those cities by about A$324.
Solar panel cost by system size (November 2026)
Rooftop solar in Australia costs roughly A$1,000 per kW installed after the STC discount. The table shows installed prices by size, checked in November 2026. The STC column is our calculation for zone 3 (Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra) at A$36 per certificate.
| System size | Solar Choice average after STCs (1 Nov 2026) | SolarQuotes typical range after STCs (Oct 2026) | STC discount, 2026 | SolarQuotes range before STCs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 kW | A$4,120 | A$3,500 to A$5,500 | A$720 | A$4,200 to A$6,200 |
| 5 kW | A$5,560 | A$5,000 to A$7,500 | A$1,224 | A$6,200 to A$8,700 |
| 6.6 kW | A$6,350 (6 kW) | A$6,000 to A$9,000 | A$1,620 | A$7,600 to A$10,600 |
| 8 kW | Not published | A$7,500 to A$11,000 | A$1,980 | A$9,500 to A$13,000 |
| 10 kW | A$9,830 | A$9,000 to A$12,000 | A$2,484 | A$11,500 to A$14,500 |
| 13.2 kW | Not published | A$11,000 to A$16,000 (13 kW) | A$3,276 | A$14,300 to A$19,300 |
Solar Choice averages standard offers; SolarQuotes reports prices its users paid, so its range sits higher. With 440 W panels, 6.6 kW is 15 panels, 10 kW is 23 and 13.2 kW is 30.
15 kW and 20 kW: neither source publishes a current price. SolarQuotes’ rule of thumb of about A$1,000 per kW suggests roughly A$15,000 and A$20,000 after STCs, a starting estimate only. The 2026 zone 3 STC discount is A$3,708 and A$4,968 respectively.
6.6kW solar system price
A 6.6 kW solar system costs about A$5,000 to A$9,000 installed in November 2026, after the STC discount. Solar Choice puts standard systems at A$5,000 to A$6,000 in most states; SolarQuotes reports A$6,000 to A$9,000 paid.
5kW solar system price
A 5 kW solar system costs about A$4,400 to A$7,500 installed in November 2026, after the STC discount. The Solar Choice average is A$5,560, only about A$800 below 6 kW, so 5 kW mainly suits small roofs.
13kW solar system price
A 13 kW solar system costs about A$11,000 to A$16,000 installed, according to SolarQuotes in October 2026. See our 10 kW solar system price guide and our guide to what size solar system you need before going this large.
Solar panel price by capital city
Solar is cheapest in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney and dearest in Darwin and Hobart. The table shows the Solar Choice Price Index for 1 November 2026 (standard offers, after STCs, including GST). Price per watt is our division of the 6 kW price. Daily output is the energy.gov.au average generation per kW, multiplied by 6.6.
| Capital city | 5 kW | 6 kW | 10 kW | 6 kW price per watt | Average daily output, 6.6 kW |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | A$4,870 | A$5,470 | A$8,610 | A$0.91 | 27.7 kWh |
| Brisbane | A$5,540 | A$6,200 | A$9,350 | A$1.03 | 27.7 kWh |
| Canberra | A$5,170 | A$5,790 | A$8,580 | A$0.97 | 28.4 kWh |
| Darwin | A$8,470 | A$9,890 | A$14,930 | A$1.65 | 29.0 kWh |
| Hobart | A$5,890 | A$6,680 | A$11,080 | A$1.11 | 23.1 kWh |
| Melbourne | A$5,120 | A$5,750 | A$8,870 | A$0.96 | 23.8 kWh |
| Perth | A$4,400 | A$5,230 | A$8,410 | A$0.87 | 29.0 kWh |
| Sydney | A$5,000 | A$5,800 | A$8,810 | A$0.97 | 26.4 kWh |
| All capitals | A$5,560 | A$6,350 | A$9,830 | A$1.06 | Varies |
SolarQuotes puts the gap between states mostly down to how many installers compete locally.
Cost of solar panels per kW and per watt
The cost of solar panels per kW in Australia is about A$850 to A$1,100 installed after STCs in November 2026 (A$0.85 to A$1.10 per watt), outside Darwin. Solar Choice quotes A$0.88 to A$0.95 per watt nationally for 2026, and SolarQuotes uses about A$1,000 per kW as a rule of thumb.
Cost per watt is the installed price divided by panel capacity in watts, so A$6,600 for 6.6 kW is A$1.00 per watt. SolarQuotes estimates budget panels make up only about 23% of the pre-rebate cost of a 10 kW system.
What changes the price
The type of installer you choose is the biggest price factor, according to SolarQuotes’ October 2026 guide. Its other main drivers:
- Panel tier. Premium offers run 20% to 30% above standard (Solar Choice).
- Inverter. A premium inverter can add about A$1,500 to a 10 kW system.
- Roof and wiring. Double-storey homes, tiled roofs, pitches above 25 degrees and long cable runs cost extra.
- Electrical work. Switchboard or mains upgrades, three-phase inverters, microinverters or optimisers.
- Location. Local competition and travel distance.
How the STC discount applies
The STC discount takes about A$248 per kW off a solar system installed in 2026 in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra, and almost every advertised price already includes it. A small-scale technology certificate (STC) is a tradable certificate created when an eligible solar system is installed; the installer sells it and passes the value on as an upfront discount.
The number of certificates is system size in kW, multiplied by the Clean Energy Regulator’s postcode zone rating, multiplied by the deeming period, rounded down. The deeming period is the number of years of generation counted: 5 for systems installed in 2026 and 4 for 2027.
Worked example, 6.6 kW in Sydney (zone 3, rating 1.382):
- Installed in 2026: 6.6 x 1.382 x 5 = 45 certificates, x A$36 = A$1,620
- Installed in 2027: 6.6 x 1.382 x 4 = 36 certificates, x A$36 = A$1,296
Certificate value: Demand Manager’s spot market showed A$39.60 per STC on 12 November 2026, and the Clean Energy Regulator’s Clearing House price is A$40. We use a cautious A$36 as our own assumption for what a buyer sees after installer fees and margin; we found no published source for A$36, so at A$40 these figures would be about 11% higher. The table is our calculation from Clean Energy Regulator ratings, checked in November 2026.
| System size | Zone 3, 2026 | Zone 3, 2027 | Zone 4 (Melbourne, Hobart), 2026 | Zone 4, 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | A$1,620 | A$1,296 | A$1,404 | A$1,116 |
| 10 kW | A$2,484 | A$1,980 | A$2,124 | A$1,692 |
| 13.2 kW | A$3,276 | A$2,592 | A$2,808 | A$2,232 |
Darwin is in zone 2 (rating 1.536), where 6.6 kW earns 50 certificates, or A$1,800 in 2026. The installation date counts, not the day you sign. Our STC rebate explainer covers eligibility and the scheme’s end in 2030.
Budget vs premium solar panel price
Premium equipment adds roughly A$1,150 to a 6 kW system and A$1,800 to a 10 kW system on Solar Choice’s November 2026 averages (A$7,500 against A$6,350, and A$11,620 against A$9,830). SolarQuotes estimates the panel hardware gap alone at about A$3,600 across 10 kW.
The table shows Solar Choice’s estimated 2026 retail prices per panel, hardware only.
| Panel brand | Price per watt | Price per panel |
|---|---|---|
| Jinko | A$0.25 to A$0.28 | A$95 to A$130 |
| Aiko | A$0.31 | A$125 to A$150 |
| SunPower | A$0.44 to A$0.47 | A$190 to A$220 |
| REC | A$0.63 to A$0.70 | A$250 to A$300 or more |
The extra buys slower degradation, better heat performance and longer warranties, though SolarQuotes argued in October 2026 that premium panels are now hard to justify on money alone. Compare our picks for the best value solar panels and the best premium solar panels.
What a cheap quote leaves out
A quote far below the index figures often leaves something out. Check whether the headline figure covers:
- Double-storey, tile roof, steep pitch or split-array charges
- Switchboard or mains upgrades
- A consumption meter and GST (charged on the price before the STC discount)
- Named panel and inverter models, and a written workmanship warranty
In our directory, 103 of 1,611 listed installers (6.4%) described themselves as affordable or cheap when queried on 2 August 2026.
Is it worth it? A worked payback example
A 6.6 kW solar system in Sydney pays for itself in about 4.5 years if the household uses 40% of the output, and about 7.5 years at 20%. This is our calculation, not a measured result.
Assumptions: A$6,500 installed after STCs. Output of 26.4 kWh a day, about 9,636 kWh a year (energy.gov.au, 4.0 kWh per kW per day for Sydney). Usage rate of 33.1c per kWh, the 2026-27 Ausgrid reference rate in our average electricity bill guide. Feed-in rate of 3c per kWh.
| Share of solar used at home | Bill saving per year | Export credits per year | Total per year | Simple payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40% | A$1,276 | A$173 | A$1,449 | 4.5 years |
| 20% | A$638 | A$231 | A$869 | 7.5 years |
Where it does not pay: panels you cannot use. Going from 6.6 kW to 13.2 kW costs about A$5,000 to A$7,000 more on SolarQuotes’ ranges. If all of the extra 9,636 kWh a year were exported at 3c, it would earn about A$289 a year: a payback of more than 17 years.
What to check on your quote
A good solar quote states the system size, the exact equipment, the price before and after STCs, and every extra. Before you sign:
- Compare the price per watt against the capital city table above, and confirm the panel and inverter models.
- Check the number of STCs, the certificate price, and whether the discount is guaranteed if installation slips into 2027.
- Check the retailer on the Clean Energy Council approved retailer list (New Energy Tech Consumer Code) and the installer on the Solar Accreditation Australia register yourself.
- Get at least three quotes. Our guide on how to compare solar quotes has a checklist, and you can find local installers in our directory.
FAQ
How much do solar panels cost in Australia in 2026?
Solar panels cost about A$5,000 to A$9,000 for a fully installed 6.6 kW system in Australia in November 2026, after the STC discount and including GST. The Solar Choice Price Index for 1 November 2026 puts the average 6 kW system at A$6,350 and the average 10 kW system at A$9,830.
How much does a 6.6kW solar system cost?
A 6.6 kW solar system costs about A$5,000 to A$9,000 installed after the STC discount, as at November 2026. Solar Choice puts standard systems at A$5,000 to A$6,000; premium equipment or a difficult roof costs more.
How much does a 10kW solar system cost?
A 10 kW solar system costs about A$8,400 to A$12,000 installed in most Australian capital cities in November 2026, after the STC discount. The Solar Choice average is A$9,830, from A$8,410 in Perth to A$14,930 in Darwin.
How much does a single solar panel cost?
A single solar panel costs about A$80 to A$300 or more at retail in Australia in 2026, according to Solar Choice. That is hardware only and excludes the inverter, installation and GST.
Will solar panels be more expensive in 2027?
The STC discount shrinks on 1 January 2027, adding about A$324 to the net price of a 6.6 kW system and about A$504 to a 10 kW system in zone 3 at our assumed A$36 per certificate, because the deeming period drops from 5 years to 4.
Is the STC rebate already included in advertised solar prices?
Yes, almost all advertised solar prices in Australia already include the STC discount. Ask for the certificate count and price on the quote.
Sources
- Solar Choice Price Index, November 2026
- SolarQuotes, How Much Do Solar Panels Cost? (updated 12 October 2026)
- SolarQuotes, The Solar Panel Rebate (updated 12 November 2026)
- Demand Manager, STC spot price (12 November 2026)
- Clean Energy Regulator, Calculate small-scale technology certificate entitlements
- Clean Energy Regulator, Postcode zone ratings and zones for solar panel systems
- energy.gov.au, Solar panels
About this guide
Written by the Solar Cobber editorial team from independent desk research, with prices and rules checked against the sources above in November 2026. Solar Cobber is a free directory that may earn referral or advertising fees from installers. Commercial relationships never affect our content. Prices are published ranges, not quotes, and this is general information, not financial advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.
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