Average residential solar system prices have leveled out, changing little between October and November according to figures from the Solar Choice installer network database. This follows about four months of steady declines amid questions about the future of the Renewable Energy Target. Although overall average prices were steady, closer examination shows some variability in prices between cities and system sizes. This month, systems were dearest in Hobart and Canberra, while prices were generally lowest in Perth.
November 2014 average solar PV system prices
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 November: Dollar-per-watt averages, highs & lows
About STCs
STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 70c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 66c/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, Jinko, Lightway, Q.CELLS, RenaSola, Solar Juice, Trina, Yingli | SMA, Power-One Aurora, Delta, Fronius, Growatt, Samil, Schneider, SolarMax |
| Brisbane, QLD | Canadian Solar, CSUN, Jinko, LG, Luxen, RenaSola, Suntech, Yingli | Power-One Aurora, Eltek, Fronius, Growatt, JFY, Samil, Schneider, SMA, Sungrow, Zever |
| Canberra, ACT | Jinko, Q.CELLS, ReneSola, Solar Juice, Trina, Yingli | Power-One Aurora, Delta, Fronius, Growatt, JFY, Samil, SMA |
| Melbourne, VIC | Jinko, RenaSola, Solar Juice, Solarworld, Trina, Yingli | Power-One Aurora, Fronius, Growatt, Samil, SMA, SolarMax |
| Tasmania | ReneSola, Jinko, Solar Juice, Yingli | Power-One Aurora, Fronius, Samil, SolarMax |
| Sydney, NSW | ReneSola, Hanwha, Yingli, Trina, Top Solar, Jinko, Solar Juice, Munchen, Canadian | Power-One Aurora, Eversolar, Fronius, Growatt, Power-One Aurora, Samil, SMA, SolarMax, UNO |
| Perth, WA | Jinko, Solar Juice, Trina | Power-One Aurora, Fronius, Delta, GoodWe, JFY, Samil |
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 September 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).
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 provides an impartial solar energy Quote Comparison service for Australian consumers by delivering market transparency from a network of over 100 leading installers nation-wide. Since 2008, we’ve delivered our free Solar Quote Comparisons to over 85,000 Australian households. Solar Choice’s commercial wing, Solar Choice Commercial, compares the market for systems from 30kW to 100kW, and manages tenders for projects up to 2MW. Solar Choice also develops its own very large-scale solar farm projects.
© 2014 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
When you say $, do you mean USD or Australia dollar.
Thank for your great information.
Prasart
Hi Prasart,
All numbers in this series are in AUD.
Thank you.
Finally, do you have any information on the installation cost of solar batteries?
Jess
Hi Jess,
We are working on making it possible for customers to compare energy storage options side-by-side on our platform. There will be an announcement when this functionality is available.
Thank you. Great information!
Further, do you have any information for ongoing costs (maintenance) for solar panel systems and solar battery systems?
Jess
Hi Jess,
At about year 5, 7 or 10 you’ll generally have to replace a solar system’s inverter, but besides that there are no standard maintenance actions that cost anything for a solar system owner. As far as energy storage goes, depending on the type of technology used, there will also be a 5-10 year replacement period. We don’t have much info about the exact costs at this point, however.
Hi,
I was wondering whether these prices include installation costs (including labor costs associated with installation)?
Thanks,
Jess
Hi Jess,
Yes, the prices include labor costs, and GST as well. They are the final out-of-pocket solar system installation costs.
Hi
I just want to know how does the government’s rebet for solar panel?
I heart the government is rebeting up to $4000 per household for inversting into solar. Therefore, I spend about $5000 for my solar system. Will I just have to pay $1000 for that system?
Thanks you
Hi Sheng,
The amount of the rebate available through the federal government’s Renewable Energy Target depends on the size of the system that you purchase. You can read more about how it works here.
Roughly speaking, for every watt (W) of solar capacity that you install, this subsidy will reduce the overall system price by 60¢-70¢/W. So, for example, a 3kW system in Sydney would be eligible for a rebate of about (3000W x 70¢ =) ~$2,100.
You can learn more about system prices by reading our historic solar PV price index articles or by requesting a Solar Quote Comparison by filling out the form to the right of this page.