Solar panels can be a great investment opportunity. But only if you get the right ones for your property and take the time to consider all the costs involved, and then compare it to your initial investment.
This article will assist you in performing exactly this. The average cost for solar panels in Australia is $5,250 for a 5kWh system. But we need to break it down further to get a more detailed picture of the cost of solar panels.
Solar Panels Cost in 2021 – Understanding the Breakdown
Before we jump into the cost of solar panels, we need to understand a little bit more about how the process works. First, when you see a price advertised by a provider, it includes the installation cost.
For most solar companies, the installation is included in the price. However, this cost will typically include the total cost after the rebate has been applied. This actually makes your job a whole lot easier – you are getting the exact cost for the advertised solar system and the install. It makes everything a lot clearer for you without any of those annoying additional charges.
The next thing to consider is that the cost of solar panels varies greatly state by state. This is because the rebates in different states can be vastly different. The table below outlines the differences in costs depending on where you live. They are not huge and the difference between the lowest and highest state is around $500.
Third, is that the price per solar panel varies depending on system size. These are 1.5 kWh, 2 kWh, 3 kWh, 4 kWh, 5 kWh, 6 kWh. The system that is the most suitable depends on your current electrical consumption. Specialised components within the system can also increase or decrease the cost, including the battery, inverter, and solar panel type.
Average Cost Per Solar System
The system size is the main consideration in terms of the cost of solar panels. The bigger the system, the more energy it will produce. But it’s little use getting a 6kWh system for a small house with moderate energy usage. It all depends on how much energy you use. The following table outlines the total average cost for the different systems in 2021. A typical family household will need a 4kWh or 5kWh system.
System Size | Average Cost |
1.5 kWh | $2,909 |
2 kWh | $3,211 |
3 kWh | $3,655 |
4 kWh | $4,201 |
5 kWh | $4,633 |
6 kWh | $5,466 |
Solar Panels 2021 – Cost Per State
The following table should give you an indication as to the cost of solar panels in each state. This average cost includes installation. You can observe that the average cost for a solar system to support a family between 4 – 5 people would be $4,000 – $5,000.
State | 1.5 kW | 2kW | 3kW | 4Kw | 5Kw | 6Kw |
New South Wales | $2,950 | $3,230 | $3,690 | $4,055 | $4,450 | $5,166 |
Victoria | $3,215 | $3,478 | $3,984 | $4,599 | $5,440 | $6,650 |
South Australia | $2,792 | $3,150 | $3,650 | $4,185 | $4,722 | $5,320 |
Western Australia | $2,450 | $2,710 | $3,010 | $3,540 | $3,650 | $4,210 |
Capital Territory | $2,770 | $3,080 | $3,740 | $4,180 | $4,560 | $5,810 |
Queensland | $3,280 | $3,620 | $3,860 | $4,650 | $4,980 | $5,638 |
Total Average | $2,909 | $3,211 | $3,655 | $4,201 | $4,633 | $5,466 |
Working Out Energy Consumption
Figuring out how much energy you use is not actually all that hard. It’s really just a matter of looking back through historical records to see your energy bill the past couple of years. Compare the amount of energy you use with what the proposed solar panels will produce. But for a quick guide, the table below should suffice so you can understand what kind of system you need to purchase.
Keep in mind that most households actually have relatively standardized energy consumption, more so than you would believe despite all the variables. Similar sized households tend to have similar energy usage across Australia.
Home Size | Solar System size | Panel Number | Number of Residents |
Small | 1.5KW | 6 | 1 – 2 |
Small to Medium | 2KW | 8 | 2 – 3 |
Medium | 3KW | 12 | 3 – 4 |
Medium to Large | 4KW | 16 | 4 – 5 |
Large | 5KW | 20 | 5 – 6 |
Very Large | 6KW | 24 | 6 – 7 |
Conclusion
The cost of solar panels in Australia in 2021 will depend on your state and the size of the solar panel system. However, the total average is $5,250 for the most common system size – 5kWh. This will power a typical home of 4 – 5 people with standard energy consumption.
To make even more savings on your solar panels, consider using Roland Lawrence Electrical. With 40 years of combined experience, a 10-year warranty, CEC Certification, and a 5 Star Google Rating, Roland Lawrence Electrical can provide you with the best solar panels in Sydney.
We are a family run business that works with established brands using only the highest quality components.
Call now on 02 9567 5886 for a free quote and take advantage of enormous savings on your energy bill.
What is the cost per kWh?
This basically means the price you pay per kWh produced. It is a very ‘pure’ metric because you know exactly how much you are paying per given energy unit. A very affordable solar panel system would cost around $1,000 per kWh produced. This represents good value for money, all other variables remaining equal.
What is the cost per Watt?
To make things even more granular, you can gauge the price of the solar system against a given watt of energy. In Australia, the price per watt is around $1.04 based on a 5kWh system. A $5,200 5kWh solar panel system generates 5000 watts. Paying $5,200 and getting 5000 watts = $1.04 per watt. This is a lot better than other countries, where you might pay $3.00 per watt. Australia’s energy rates are very competitive. Keep in mind that the bigger the system, the more energy you will save per watt. This is because you are saving on installation costs.
Can I really save money with solar panels?
Absolutely. In fact, it’s one of the quickest and most direct ways to save money. You should expect to break even within 5 years or so. After this, you benefit from free electricity, for life, assuming the rates remain constant. The government rebates make solar panels an excellent investment, despite the upfront cost.
How can I reduce solar panel costs and maximise efficiency?
There are many ways to enhance the efficiency of your solar panels. They should be facing North and not under shade, so they get as much Sun as they can. The tilt/angle should be as advantageous as possible. Make sure you clear the panels once a year, as the dust can reduce efficiency by up to 20%. Using a solar battery can also help you to save up energy and use it when it is needed, without having to resort to the grid.
To really get the most of solar panels, work with industry professionals such as Roland Lawrence Electrical. We are accredited solar panel professionals as well as experienced electricians, so you are assured of the most energy-efficient solar panels possible for your unique property.
Call for a quick and easy quote on 02 9567 5886.