SOLAR

Solar at Smart Energy Market

Smart Energy Market brings together the latest pricing data, installer feedback, panel testing results, and government rebate information so you get one clear picture — without the sales pitch. Whether you are comparing system sizes, shortlisting panel brands, or figuring out what the rebate changes mean for your budget, this page has the answers Australian homeowners actually need in 2026.

Solar System Costs in 2026

Solar prices have continued to ease in 2026 as panel module costs keep falling — down roughly 15% from 2025. The STC rebate has stepped down again, with the deeming period dropping from 6 years to 5 years on 1 January 2026, reducing the point-of-sale discount by $300–$600 depending on system size. Net result: entry-level systems are noticeably cheaper, mid-range prices are broadly flat.

All prices below are after the federal STC rebate, applied at point of sale by your installer:

5 kW — $3,500 to $6,500
6.6 kW — $4,000 to $7,000
10 kW — $7,500 to $12,000
13.3 kW — $9,000 to $14,500

The national average cost per watt in 2026 sits at $0.88 to $0.95 fully installed including GST and the STC discount. Bigger systems have a lower cost per watt because fixed installation costs are spread across more panels — a 13.3 kW system costs roughly 2.5 times a 5 kW system, not 2.6 times.

Entry-level systems use budget panels with shorter warranties. Mid-range and premium systems use N-type TOPCon or HJT cells, with efficiencies above 22% and warranties of 25–30 years. The STC scheme continues its planned wind-down toward closure in 2030, with the deeming period dropping by one year every January 1st. Installing in 2026 captures a better rebate than waiting until 2027.

The STC scheme is on a planned wind-down, ending in 2030. The deeming period now sits at 5 years and will reduce by one year every January 1st until it reaches zero. This means the rebate will be slightly smaller each year going forward — one more reason not to delay if solar is on your plans.

Solar by Location

Where you live directly shapes how much energy your system produces, what state incentives you can access, and how much your exported solar is worth. The same 10 kW system performs very differently in Darwin compared to Hobart.

Our city guides cover Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and major regional centres. Each one includes expected energy output per kilowatt, average household savings based on local tariffs, available state rebates, and realistic payback periods for your area.

2026 peak sun hours by city (approximate daily average):

Solar by System Size

Getting the size right is one of the most consequential decisions in your solar journey. 6.6 kW solar systems remain very popular in 2026 — they represent a sizing sweet spot providing strong value for money while being small enough to fit on nearly all roofs. But this default is no longer the right answer for many households.

The most reliable way to size a system is to look at your actual electricity consumption. Your bill should show kilowatt-hours used in the billing period. Convert this to a daily average and use the full 12-month average — summer and winter consumption differ significantly for most households.

Quick sizing rule of thumb: Take your average daily usage in kWh → multiply by 1.25 → divide by your city's peak sun hours. The result is your minimum recommended system size in kW.

Sizing by household type:

5 kW — 1–2 person household, modest usage, no EV or battery plans
6.6 kW — family of 3–4, standard usage, pool or ducted A/C
10 kW — family of 4+, high usage, EV-ready, future battery
13.3 kW+ — large home, battery + EV combination, maximum independence

Adding an electric vehicle increases household electricity use by 2,000–3,500 kWh per year. For EV households, most Sydney installers now recommend 8 kW or larger systems. The same applies in other major cities. If an EV, battery, or ducted heating is in your near-term plans, size up now — the marginal cost of going from 6.6 kW to 10 kW is significantly cheaper than adding capacity later.

A 6.6 kW system with 15 panels at modern 440 W wattages needs approximately 28–32 square metres of clear, oriented roof space. A 10 kW system with 22 panels needs 42–48 square metres. Your installer should provide a roof layout diagram and shade analysis before you commit.

Compare Solar Brands

ustralia's residential market is now almost entirely N-type territory. PERC (P-type) panels are increasingly being displaced from the upper half of the market as N-type TOPCon, IBC, HJT, and ABC cells have reached competitive pricing with better efficiency and temperature performance. If a quote includes PERC panels in 2026, push back and ask why.

The main tiers explained:

Premium — highest efficiency, best warranties, local support networks. Best for limited roof space, coastal properties, or buyers who want maximum peace of mind.

Mid-range — strong efficiency, proven reliability, good value per watt. Suits most Australian households.

Budget — adequate performance but shorter warranties, less established local support. Higher risk over a 25-year system life.

What to compare when brands are on the table: The four metrics that matter most are warranty length (product and performance), efficiency under standard test conditions, Bloomberg NEF Tier 1 status (indicates financial stability of the manufacturer, not panel quality directly), and degradation rate — leading 2026 N-type panels degrade as little as 0.2% per year.

Best Solar Panels for 2026

Each year we review panel rankings from Solar Choice, Gridly, SolarQuotes, Energy Matters, and independent installer surveys, then combine them into our own assessment of what is actually worth buying in Australia right now. In 2026, the standout performers are:

Aiko Neostar 2S (455 W) — Best overall Aiko Solar took out the top spot in the 2026 SolarQuotes Installers' Choice Awards, earning 27% of installer votes across Australia — a remarkable result for a brand that only launched in Australia in March 2024. The Neostar features a low temperature coefficient of around -0.26°C/%, a 25-year product warranty, and a 30-year performance warranty — among the best coverage available. Its ABC (All Back Contact) cell technology delivers up to 24% efficiency, among the highest of any mass-produced panel. The honest trade-off is limited local track record.

REC Alpha Pure RX (470 W) — Best for coastal and premium buyers REC Solar has been a trusted name in the Australian market for over a decade. The Alpha Pure RX delivers 22.6% efficiency with a 25-year product warranty and is built with strong salt-mist resistance, making it the go-to recommendation for coastal suburbs. REC has a slightly better temperature coefficient at -0.24°C/%, which gives it a marginal edge in cooler Australian climates like Melbourne, Hobart, or Canberra.

Trina Vertex S+ (440 W) — Best value, most widely installed The Trina Vertex S+ is the most popular solar panel in the Australian residential market in 2026. At 22.53% efficiency with N-type TOPCon cells, it delivers excellent performance at a mid-range price. Trina has a large, established Australian support network and consistent installer confidence. The safe, proven choice for families who want strong value without taking a chance on newer brands.

Jinko Tiger Neo (440 W) — Best mid-range N-type Jinko is one of the world's largest solar manufacturers. The Tiger Neo series uses N-type TOPCon technology that improves efficiency and reduces degradation compared with older PERC designs, and is known for offering strong performance at competitive prices. Jinko offers a 25-year product warranty with a performance guarantee of approximately 87% original output after 30 years, and has well-established local offices in Australia to handle claims efficiently.

LONGi Hi-MO X6 (440 W) — Best for value-focused buyers with roof space LONGi is a major global manufacturer and a leader in high-efficiency solar cells. The Hi-MO X6 uses advanced back-contact technology to achieve efficiencies approaching 23% and is widely regarded as reliable and cost-effective across Australia. A strong choice if you have ample roof space and want a proven, Tier 1 panel at a competitive price per watt.

SunPower Maxeon 6 — Best for maximum longevity SunPower, now under the Maxeon brand for its premium panels, consistently ranks among the top for efficiency and durability, with an industry-leading 40-year warranty when installed by an authorised installer and registered. Their innovative design reduces common failure points, ensuring reliable performance. Price is significantly higher than other options — justified for buyers who plan to stay in their home for 20+ years and want the lowest possible degradation rate.

Solar Panel Sizes

Panel sizes are measured in watts, and in 2025 most panels range between 400 W and 440 W. The higher the wattage, the fewer panels you need to reach your desired system size. However, roof shape and shading can affect how panels are arranged.

We explain:

How panel wattage affects system design
Roof layout considerations for portrait vs landscape mounting
Trade-offs between premium and budget panels

This section helps you understand how installers design systems to maximise your roof space and energy generation.

Solar Panel Reviews

Hearing from real homeowners and installers is invaluable. Our review section provides detailed insights into:

Durability over time in Australian heat, storms, and coastal environments
Customer support from manufacturers and warranty responsiveness
Installer feedback on brands that are easy or difficult to work with

By reading genuine experiences, you can avoid potential pitfalls and choose panels that deliver reliable results.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Solar panels have no moving parts and need far less attention than most household systems. But low maintenance is not zero maintenance — and neglecting the basics costs you in lost output.

Dirty panels can lose 5% to 20% of their energy output depending on how much dust has accumulated and the local environment. In most parts of Australia, rainfall washes away light dust naturally — but heavier soiling from bird droppings, pollen, or construction dust requires manual cleaning.

How often to clean: For most households, cleaning once or twice a year is sufficient. You may need more frequent cleaning if your panels are near dusty roads, construction sites, coastal salt spray, or under trees with sap or leaf drop. For Perth homes in particular, cleaning every 12–18 months is standard. Dusty inland suburbs may need it annually or more.

How to clean safely: Use warm water and a soft brush or squeegee with a long handle. Avoid high-pressure water — it can damage the anti-reflective coating. Clean early morning or late afternoon when panels are cool. Rinse thoroughly to remove soap residue, as leftover detergent attracts dust. Never climb on panels. If your roof is steep or multi-storey, hire a professional.

Professional servicing: Get your solar system professionally serviced at least every two years by a licensed electrician accredited with Solar Accreditation Australia. Servicing covers electrical equipment, cabling, and a thorough visual inspection for cracks, chips, and discoloration — issues that monitoring apps won't always catch. The federal government's energy.gov.au recommends servicing every two years, conducted by an accredited solar installer or qualified electrician.

Using your monitoring app: Check your inverter's status lights and review your monitoring app regularly. A 6 kW system in Melbourne should produce roughly 24–30 kWh on a good sunny day. If output drops significantly without a weather explanation, it is time to investigate.

Maintenance milestones:

Ongoing — monitor daily output via app, flag unexpected dips
Annually — rinse if dusty or coastal, trim shading vegetation
Every 2 years — professional safety inspection of wiring, isolators, and inverter
Year 10–15 — inverter typically needs replacement (budget $1,500–$2,500)
Year 25+ — quality N-type panels still producing approximately 80–87% of original output