1.5kW and 2kW solar PV system prices continue to rise from April to May while 3kW-5kW remain steady and 10kW system prices have fallen. This month’s article includes for the first time an indexed chart tracking weighted average $/W prices of solar systems in Australia, in order to provide an at-a-glance perspective on how prices have changed over time.
May 2014 solar PV system prices
All prices in the table below are inclusive of the federal STC incentive which installers ordinarily include in final system prices.
Solar system prices for May: $/W averages, highs & lows
About STCs
STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 71c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 61c/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’ offerings are not included.
| City | Panel brands used | Inverter brands used |
| Adelaide, SA | ReneSola, Hanover, Q-Cells, BenQ/AU Optronics, Lightway, Trina, Jinko, Canadian |
SolarMax, SMA, Power-One Aurora, Fronius, Growatt |
| Brisbane, QLD | ReneSola, Perlight, Canadian, Yingli, Trina, REC, LG, Seraphim, Top Solar, Jinko | SolarMax, JFY, Eltek, SMA, Samil, Power-One Aurora, Zever, Fronius |
| Canberra, ACT | ReneSola, Q-Cells, Phoenix, Jinko, Yingli | JFY, Growatt, Fronius, Power-One Aurora |
| Melbourne, VIC | Trina, ReneSola, BenQ/AU Optronics, SolarWorld, Yingli, Lightway, Canadian, Jinko Solar | SolarMax, Power-One Aurora, Latronics, Fronius, SMA, Samil |
| Tasmania | Jinko, Q-Cells | Fronius, Power-One Aurora |
| Sydney, NSW | ReneSola, Trina, Munchen, Phono Solar, Top Solar, Tianwei, Jinko, Hanwha, Canadian Solar | Power-One Aurora, SolarMax, Fronius, JFY, KStar, Sharp, Samil, Delta |
| Perth, WA | GY, Hanover, Jinko, ReneSola, Canadian Solar | JFY, Growatt, SMA, Power-One Aurora, SolarMax, Delta, Fronius |
Historic solar PV system prices (since August 2012)
Indexed $/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). As can be seen, on the whole, solar system prices have been rising in recent months, mainly due to price increases among 1.5kW and 2kW solar systems. As per the charts above, prices for systems larger than 2kW have remained steady.
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 125 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.
About Solar Choice
Solar Choice is a solar PV installation and advice service based in Sydney, NSW, providing free Solar Quote Comparisons for residential solar customers Australia-wide. Solar Choice’s commercial wing, Solar Choice Commercial, manages tenders for medium- to large-scale solar projects for a wide range of clients. Solar Choice also develops large-scale and utility-scale solar projects of its own.
© 2014 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
