After about 5 months of steady declines since about August of 2015, the average price of solar PV system prices rose slightly (approximately 5c/W) between December of 2015 and January of 2016. The increases occurred in nearly all capital cities and across nearly all system sizes.
Average solar PV system prices for January 2016
All prices in the table below include the federal STC incentive which installers ordinarily include in final system prices. GST is also included.
Solar system prices for January: $/W averages, highs & lows
About STCs
STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 78c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 67c/W for Melbourne & Tasmania.
Components used
The table below contains the brands of inverters and solar modules used in installations as listed by installers. ‘Premium’ product offerings are not included.
| City | Panel brands used | Inverter brands used |
| Adelaide, SA | BenQ, Canadian, JA Solar, Jinko, Hanwha Q-Cells, Renasola, Simax, SunEd, Yingli | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Growatt, SMA, SolarMax, Sungrow, Surpass, ZeverSolar |
| Brisbane, QLD | Australia Premium Solar, Canadian, CSun, LG, Luxen, Hanwha Q-Cells, ReneSola, Risen, Suntech, TopSola, Trina | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Eltek, JFY, REA, Schneider, SMA, Sungrow, ZeverSolar |
| Canberra, ACT | Jinko, Opal, Phono, Hanwha Q-Cells, Yingli, Trina, SunEd | ABB/Power-One, Delta, ZeverSolar, JFY, SMA, Fronius, Sungrow |
| Melbourne, VIC | BLD, Canadian Solar, CSun, Jinko, Hanwha Q-Cells, Phono, ReneSola, SolarWorld, SunEd | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Delta, JFY, SMA, Sungrow, ZeverSolar |
| Tasmania | REC, [Own-brand] | Fronius, SMA, Sungrow |
| Sydney, NSW | Canadian, CSun, Hanwha Q-Cells, Jinko, LG, Opal, [Own-brand], TopSola, Yingli | ABB/Power-One, Fronius, Growatt, Samil, SMA, Sungrow, ZeverSolar |
| Perth, WA | Perlight, ET Solar, TN Solar, ReneSola, SolarWorld | ABB/Power-One, Delta, Goodwe, SMA, Sungrow |
Historic solar PV system prices (since August 2012)
All $/W solar system prices (Historic)
The chart below provides an at-a-glance look at solar PV system pricing trends since August 2012. Data points are the average of average $/W for each system size (1.5kW-5kW until Nov 2013, then also including 10kW from Dec 2013).
A note about the ‘Solar Choice discount’
From August 2012 until November 2015, calculations for our monthly Residential Solar Price Index articles excluded the discount available through Solar Choice network installers exclusively to Solar Choice customers. From last month we have excluded this figure, which works out to approximately 14c/W in most instances. The chart below retroactively applies this amount to every month since the Price Index’s inception. (N.b. We are planning on fixing this properly in the near future for those who are after more accurate figures, but for the time being the chart below provides a close approximation.)
About this data
Tables and charts included in this article were compiled using data from Solar Choice’s installer network database, which contains regularly-updated pricing and product details from over 100 solar installation companies across Australia. Prices do not ordinarily incorporate meter installation fees or additional costs for difficult installations. The discount available to Solar Choice customers is also excluded from calculations, as are prices for ‘premium’ installer offerings. Except in the final chart, average pricing figures for all of Australia are not weighted.
© 2016 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
