Average prices for systems of all common sizes included (1.5kW-10kW) in almost all cities have increased this month, with 1.5kW systems rising the most. Systems in Canberra appeared to undergo a decrease across the board, but this was due mainly to the replacement of one installer in the relatively small data set (3 installers) with a new addition to the Solar Choice network. Solar system prices for Tasmania have been re-included in this month’s Solar PV Price Index after being left out for January.
Average solar system prices by city and some
All prices in the table below are inclusive of the federal STC incentive.
Solar system prices for February 2014: $/W averages, highs & lows
Hobart, Tasmania remains the city with the highest solar installation prices–although this month Adelaide steals that crown for 1.5kW and 2kW systems, according to Solar Choice’s data. Perth and Sydney, meanwhile, offer the least expensive systems for all sizes. (High and low 10kW system prices were left out for Canberra, as only 1 installer had 10kW pricing listed.)
About STCs
STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 71c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 65c/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’ options are not included.
| City | Panel brands used | Inverter brands used |
| Adelaide, SA | ReneSola, Hanover, Q-Cells, Munchen, BenQ/AU Optronics, EC Solar |
SolarMax, SMA, Power-One Aurora, Fronius, Growatt, Samil, Delta |
| Brisbane, QLD | ReneSola, Perlight, Canadian, Q-Cells, ZNshine, EC Solar, REC, LG, Seraphim, | SolarMax, JFY, Eltek, SMA, Samil, Growatt, Power-One Aurora, Zever, Fronius, Think Power |
| Canberra, ACT | ReneSola, Q-Cells, Phoenix, BLD | JFY, Growatt, Power-One Aurora |
| Melbourne, VIC | Trina, ReneSola, Q-Cells, Phono Solar, BenQ/AU Optronics, SolarWorld, Ulica, Yingli, Aleo, Hyundai | SolarMax, Power-One Aurora, Latronics, Samil, Growatt, Fronius, SMA, Enphase |
| Tasmania | ReneSola, Munchen, Q-Cells | Samil, Growatt, SolarMax, Fronius, Delta, Power-one Aurora |
| Sydney, NSW | Conergy, Hanover, ReneSola, Trina, Munchen, Phono Solar, Yingli, Tianwei | SMA, Power-One Aurora, Growatt, SolarMax, Sungrow, Fronius, Delta, Samil, JFY, KStar |
| Perth, WA | GY, Hanover, Yingli, ReneSola | JFY, Growatt, SMA, Power-One Aurora, SolarMax, Samil, Fronius |
Historic solar PV system prices (since August 2012)
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.
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
He is now the communications manager for energy technology startup SwitchDin, but remains an occasional contributor to the Solar Choice blog.
James lives in Newcastle in a house with a weird solar system.
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