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Installing a rooftop solar system is a major long-term investment, but its cost is gradually decreasing as the energy prices increase. You can save on energy bills and support clean, renewable energy by going solar.
The cost of the solar panels will depend on the size you opt for. Along with solar panels, the cost of an inverter and installation fees will also be included in the final quote. A home battery is an optional addition that you can consider installing depending on your budget.
According to Solar Choice, solar panels of sizes ranging from 3kW to 10kW can set you back $4,850 to $8,520 on average in Canberra. Premium solar panel systems with better quality and service will cost you more.
The brand and quality of hardware, the installer's rates, and the rebates will influence the price you pay for a solar system.
You can get a free quote from Solar Choice.
A few things to know before contacting a solar panel retailer for a quote.
You should ideally request quotes from at least 3 retailers so that you can compare the prices, system sizes and customer reviews. A quote should have a breakdown of all the costs, along with any rebates or discounts. It should also include details of a system designed to fit the site, list of components and performance estimate.
You can get a free quote from Solar Choice.
You can earn a solar feed-in tariff for excess energy produced by your system that is fed back into the grid. Some providers offer a consistent feed-in tariff across plans, while others vary the rates, with dedicated solar plans usually having higher rates.
| Provider | Solar feed-in tariff |
|---|---|
| ActewAGL | ActewAGL VPP plan: 10c/kWh for the first 10kWh/day, 6c/kWh for the rest Other plans: 8c/lWh |
| Origin | Origin Solar Boost: 10c/kWh Other plans: 8c/kWh |
| Nectr | Nectr 100% Clean: 4.4c/kWh |
| EnergyAustralia | Solar Max plan: 10c/kWh Other plans: 7.6c/kWh |
| Red Energy | 6c/kWh |
| Energy Locals | 7c/kWh |
| CovaU | 5.5c/kWh |
The returns from solar panels in Canberra depend on a number of factors such as:
For instance, if you consume more energy than your solar system is capable of producing, the returns won't be as good as when the output and your consumption match. It is also best if you are able to use most of the energy produced by the system for maximised benefits. So, choosing an appropriately sized system for your consumption habits is important.
According to the Australian Energy Council's latest Solar Report, the payback period is around 9 years. You can save up to or more than $1,705 per year on your energy bill, as per Solar Choice.
A solar system is a significant investment so it is recommended that you go for a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer that only employs installers accredited by the Clean Energy Council. This ensures that the work done in your home will meet the best industry standards, and the solar system installed will be safe and reliable.
You should pay attention to the quote documentation (and whether it has all the required details), warranty terms, and the installer's accreditation ID. The installer is required to either install the system themselves or be present at the site at least thrice during the installation process.
Most installers have a premium offer that is more expensive than average prices. It typically comes with longer warranty periods and higher quality products. You can consider it if it fits your budget.
If the space on your roof permits, the solar system should meet most of your daily energy usage.
You can go for a bigger solar system than required if you have the budget, where any excess energy produced will be fed back into the grid and you will earn a solar feed-in tariff. A bigger solar system can also shorten the payback time and address any increase in energy usage in the future.
The scheme, under the Renewable Energy Target, creates a financial incentive for you to install solar panel systems (or other eligible renewable energy systems) through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs). You can assign the STCs to an installer to receive a discount or delayed cash payment in exchange. The scheme ends in 2030.
Under the scheme, eligible ACT residents can get a zero-interest loan from $2,000 to $15,000 to help with the cost of energy efficient products such as rooftop solar panels, battery storage systems, and more. The loan can be repaid over a period of 10 years. Depending on the credit check, you may be able to borrow more than $15,000 but interest may be charged on this additional amount.
Eligible Australian Pensioner Concession and Veterans' Affairs Gold Card can get a rebate of 50% of the total rooftop solar installation cost, up to $2,500. One rebate of 50% of the total installation cost of reverse cycle heating and cooling, hot water heat pumps and electric stove tops is also available.
You can get a rebate of 50% of the battery price or $3,500, whichever is lowest, if you get a battery installed by a Next Gen retailer. The rebate amount will automatically be included in your quote by the retailer.
Our energy guides can help you compare and understand what plan is best for you.
Best energy plans: 5 plans selected by our experts, assessed and updated regularly
Cheap energy plans: Find the cheapest energy plans available this month
Solar power plans: Got rooftop solar? Compare your options and save even more
Average energy bill: Find out how your energy bill compares to the rest of Australia
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