☀️ Peak sun hours in Australia
Australia is very sunny. Peak sun hours range from about 3.5–4.5 in the southern cities to well over 5.5–6 in the north and centre. Even the "low" areas beat most of Europe.
| Region | Approx. peak sun hours (annual avg) |
|---|---|
| Darwin & the tropical north | ~5.5 – 6.0 |
| Alice Springs & the centre | ~5.8 – 6.5 |
| Brisbane & Queensland | ~5.0 – 5.5 |
| Perth & Adelaide | ~4.8 – 5.5 |
| Sydney | ~4.0 – 4.5 |
| Melbourne & the south | ~3.5 – 4.2 |
Use your local figure in the solar panel calculator and the energy production calculator. Background: peak sun hours by location.
⚡ Electricity prices in Australia
Australian households pay some of the higher electricity prices in the world — roughly 25–35 cents (AUD) per kWh, depending on the state and retailer. That high grid price is a big part of why self-consumed solar is so valuable here: every kWh you use from your own panels avoids that full retail rate.
💸 Incentives & net metering
The federal STC scheme (Small-scale Technology Certificates) gives an upfront discount worth thousands of dollars on a typical system — it's usually already subtracted from the quoted price. On top, a feed-in tariff pays you for exported energy, though rates are now modest (around 5–10 c/kWh) and vary by state and retailer, so it's best to size for self-consumption first.
💰 System cost & payback in Australia
After the STC rebate, Australian prices are among the lowest in the world — often around $0.90–$1.30 (AUD) per watt installed:
| System size | Approx. cost | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | ~$5,000 – 9,000 AUD (after STC) | The most popular home size |
| 10 kW | ~$8,000 – 13,000 AUD (after STC) | Larger home |
| 13 kW | ~$10,000 – 17,000 AUD (after STC) | Large home / small business |
Work out your own numbers with the ROI calculator and the bill savings calculator, or design the whole system with the system report builder.
💡 Local insight: Australia
Because systems are so cheap after the STC rebate and grid power is expensive, Australian paybacks are often just 3–6 years — among the fastest anywhere. The key is to size for self-consumption (use your own power during the day) since feed-in tariffs are now low; adding a battery or shifting big loads to daytime boosts the return.
🧰 Solar tools
Plan your system with these:
- Solar panel calculator — how many panels for your usage and sun hours.
- Solar bill savings calculator — how much you'll save.
- ROI calculator — payback period.
- Battery calculator — if you want backup.
- Full system report — design the whole system in one page.
Related reading: how many panels to run a house, solar panels in hot climates, and how long do solar batteries last.
❓ Frequently asked questions
How many peak sun hours does Australia get?
From about 3.5–4.5 in Melbourne and the south, up to 5.5–6.5 in the north and centre (Darwin, Alice Springs). Sydney is around 4–4.5 and Perth/Adelaide about 4.8–5.5.
Is solar worth it in Australia?
Very much so. Cheap systems (after the STC rebate) plus high electricity prices give some of the world's fastest paybacks, commonly 3–6 years.
What is the STC rebate?
The Small-scale Technology Certificate scheme is a federal incentive that discounts the upfront cost of a solar system by thousands of dollars — normally already included in the price you're quoted.
How much does a solar system cost in Australia?
A popular 6.6 kW system is often around $5,000–$9,000 AUD after the STC rebate, working out to roughly $0.90–$1.30 per watt.
Note: Australian electricity prices, the STC rebate value and state feed-in tariffs change over time. These figures are approximate, for planning only — verify with your retailer and a local installer.