Solar Panel Calculator: Is Solar Worth It for Your Home in 2026?
A standard 6.6kW solar system costs around $7,600 installed before rebates, or $1.15 per watt. The federal STC rebate reduces that to roughly $4,000 to $5,000 out of pocket for most Australian households. With electricity rates running at 30 to 45 cents per kWh across the country, the typical payback period sits between 3 and 5 years.
But the smarter question is not just whether solar pays back. It is whether solar is the best first move for your home. A heat pump hot water system can cost $1,200 out of pocket and pay back in under 18 months. Insulation may beat solar in a cold climate. If you have a gas bill, switching off gas entirely might deliver a higher net present value than panels alone.
Enter your postcode and home details below. The calculator models solar alongside 14 other upgrades, ranks them by net present value, and tells you the optimal sequence. Solar may well come first. But you will know for certain rather than guessing.
How the Solar Calculator Works
Why Order Matters
Solar's value depends on your energy usage pattern, current appliances, and what upgrades you plan to add later. A heat pump or EV charger installed after solar can dramatically improve solar utilisation, changing the whole-of-home NPV calculation.
What We Calculate for Solar
The model accounts for panel degradation (0.5% per year), current feed-in tariff rates for your state, the STC deeming period to 2030, grid rate escalation, and self-consumption ratios based on your household size and appliance mix.
Beyond Solar
Results show all 15 upgrade types ranked by net present value, not just solar. You will see where solar sits in the optimal sequence and what comes before or after it. Batteries, heat pumps, insulation, and EV costs are all compared on the same basis.
Solar Panel FAQ
How much does a solar system cost in Australia in 2026?
A standard 6.6kW solar system costs around $7,600 before rebates, or roughly $1.15 per watt installed. After applying Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), the out-of-pocket cost typically falls to $4,000 to $5,000 depending on your state and the number of STCs your system qualifies for. Larger 10kW systems run $10,000 to $13,000 before rebates. Prices vary by installer quality, panel brand, and location.
What is the payback period for solar panels?
Most Australian homes see a payback period of 3 to 5 years on solar. NSW and QLD homes with high electricity usage often pay back in under 4 years. SA and VIC can be slightly longer due to lower feed-in tariffs, but the high grid rates mean self-consumption savings are still strong. Our calculator models your specific postcode, household size, and usage to give you a more precise figure.
How do STCs (solar rebates) work?
Small-scale Technology Certificates are a federal subsidy issued under the Renewable Energy Target. The number of STCs your system earns depends on system size, your location (solar irradiance zone), and the number of years remaining in the STC deeming period, which ends in 2030. Installers typically deduct the STC value from your upfront cost, so you never need to claim them yourself. A 6.6kW system in Sydney currently earns around 80 to 90 STCs, worth approximately $2,800 to $3,400.
Should I get solar before or after a battery?
In most cases, yes. Solar almost always has a higher NPV than a battery alone, and adding a battery after solar makes sense once feed-in tariffs drop or your self-consumption rate increases. Installing a battery before solar is rarely optimal because a battery has nothing cheap to charge from. The one exception is if you are already on solar and your feed-in tariff has dropped below 5 cents per kWh, which makes self-consumption via a battery increasingly valuable. Our calculator sequences upgrades to find the optimal order for your specific situation.
Does solar work in cloudy climates?
Yes. Solar panels generate electricity from diffuse light, not just direct sunlight, so they still produce power on overcast days. Melbourne and Hobart receive less irradiance than Brisbane or Perth, but systems still pay back within 4 to 6 years in those cities. Our calculator uses climate-zone-adjusted irradiance data to account for your location, so you get an honest payback estimate rather than one optimised for Queensland sun.
Further Reading
State-by-state breakdown of solar costs, rebates, and 15-year savings.
See how solar ranks for a typical 3-bedroom home in New South Wales.
See how solar and gas-switching compare in Victoria with current rebates.
Queensland gets more sun, but feed-in tariffs are low. See the real numbers.
Full explanation of the NPV model, panel degradation assumptions, and STC calculations.
Under the Hood
Enter your postcode first
Assumptions like electricity rates, sun hours, and gas prices are tailored to your location.