Solar Panels Brisbane: Compare Cost & Installers in 2023
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Over 30% of households in Brisbane have solar panels installed, and it’s little wonder, with the average price of $5,560 for solar installation Brisbane. With generous solar rebates, feed-in tariffs and interest-free loans, now has never been a better time to install a solar PV system.
The average cost of a solar panel system in Brisbane, QLD, Australia, is approximately $5,560 for a 6.6kW system (the most popular size). This net price includes the QLD government rebate, which fluctuates with the Small-scale Technology certificate prices.
The size of the solar power system that is best for you will depend on your energy usage, so take a look at the average power bill in summer and winter and work out your power usage per day.
Solar panels Brisbane can easily meet your current power usage needs.
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| Installtion Price | Rebate Amount | Net Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Cost Per KW Brisbane | $632 | $1,073 |
| 3kW | $1,304 | $4,108 |
| 5kW | $2,173 | $5,748 |
| 6.6kW | $2,844 | $7,042 |
| 7kW | $3,042 | $7,499 |
| 8kW | $3,476 | $8,264 |
| 9kW | $3,911 | $8,985 |
| 10kW | $4,345 | $9,667 |
Solar battery cost in Brisbane
The cost of a solar battery backup system in Brisbane will greatly depend on the size of your system. Most households will use 30% of their power throughout the day and 70% at night, so the battery storage system needs to hold 70% of your daily usage.
A 6.6kW solar power system generates 26kW per day. With the 30/70 split means you will need to store 18 KW for use at night. A Tesla PowerWall2 stores 14kWh and costs $12,500. By managing your power usage more carefully and running washing machines, pool pumps and airconditioning at peak daytime periods, you can get away with a 14kW battery.
Government solar rebates in Brisbane
With the federal government STC solar rebate scheme, you will receive a rebate based on the size of your solar power system. The government solar rebate in QLD varies depending on what STC zone your city falls in. For instance, a 6.6kW solar power system gets 85 STCs (STC zone 3), which translates to $3,392.
To know the amount of your rebate in QLD, you should multiply the kW solar panels, deeming the period of your panels, zone rating, and spot STC price. The results you get will be your rebate.
The following are the government rebates in QLQ.
| System Size | Rebate Amount |
|---|---|
| 2kW | $998 |
| 3kW | $1,516 |
| 4kW | $2,035 |
| 5kW | $2,554 |
| 6kW | $3,072 |
| 10kW | $5,147 |
Solar battery rebates Brisbane QLD
Currently, the Queensland government is not offering a point of sale rebate on solar battery storage, but they are, however, offering eligible households and businesses can apply for up to $4,500 of interest-free loans to purchase solar panels to pay back in 7 years.
You can also apply for up to a $6,000 solar battery loan payable in 10 years or a $3,000 grant.
What STC zone is Brisbane?
Brisbane falls in STC zone 1, which means it gets 1.622 STCs. With the STC rates, you can easily calculate the cost of the system you would like to buy. Small-scale Technology Certificate or STC rating is based on the amount of sunlight your city gets on a yearly basis.
Solar power system output in Brisbane
Different systems have different power outputs. The system you choose should be enough for your home to ensure you get enough power at all times. Your roof’s size and the number of people in your household will determine the size of the solar system you install.
Check out the different solar sizes and their outputs below.
| System Size | Output |
|---|---|
| 1kW | 4.3kWh |
| 1.5kW | 6.45 kWh |
| 3kW | 8.6 kWh |
| 3kW | 12.9 kWh |
| 4kW | 17.2 kWh |
| 5kW | 21.5 kWh |
| 6kW | 25.24 kWh |
| 10kW | 38.5kWh |
Solar Rebate Calculator
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Average solar system payback period for Brisbane residents
The payback period for the average solar power system in Brisbane is 4 years. Households that decide to add solar batteries, will see the payback period stretch to 10 years.
Payback periods are calculated based on the energy cost or the per kW price you pay from your energy retailer and the amount of energy your solar power system produces in the Brisbane sunshine.
Feed-in tariffs are also a big part of this and can reduce payback periods by half.
Is solar worth it in Brisbane?
Yes, the typical solar power system in Brisbane can offer households up to $2,850 in savings each year. With the average solar system installation price in Brisbane of $6,350 (6.6kW) and a 20-year warranty, it’s easy to see the Return On Investment ROI you will enjoy when installing solar panels.
Solar Feed-in tariffs for Brisbane QLD
If you are looking for the best Feed-in tariff in QLD, ensure you select the best provider to get the best rewards. Different providers offer different rates, and the rates also depend on the size of your solar.
Below are some of the best FiT providers you should consider working with to save your surplus energy.
Best Overall
| Min FiT | Max FiT |
|---|---|
| 11.2c | 16c |
Click Energy is another great provider that awards you a minimum of 11c per kWh and a maximum of 16c per kWh. It is one of the best FiT providers in Australia, and it will award you every cent for your energy.
So, if you want a reliable FiT provider, Click Energy should be on top of your list.
Runner up
| Min FiT | Max FiT |
|---|---|
| 10.2c | 10.2c |
Red Energy is one of the best in the market as it offers outstanding rates per kWh. For every kWh, you will receive 10.2c. This is a good solid market price from this well-known market leader in green energy.
With Red Energy, you will be able to conserve excess power and get paid for it. You will, therefore, be able to reduce the payback time of your system.
Great All-rounder
| Min FiT | Max FiT |
|---|---|
| 8.5c | 44c |
DoDo is another great FiT company worth your consideration. It offers a minimum of 8.5c and a maximum of 44.0c, which is a great offer for your surplus energy. This provider is reliable, and it will not lock you into an unwanted contract. This means you have all the power to stay or move at any time.
This provider offers various payment options and gives you the freedom to choose the payment option that suits you. It also allows you to remotely monitor and manage your account through an online account management tool called my dodo.
Is Brisbane a good climate for solar?
Brisbane is a good climate for solar because it receives a large amount of sunshine throughout the year. Generally, the average temperatures in Australia range between 20-35 degrees Celsius in summer and 3-20 degrees Celsius in winter. This means the climate is favourable for solar installation across the whole of Australia.
Percentage of Brisbane households with solar installed
According to the Australian PV Institute figures, the percentage of homes with solar power in QLD is 39.8%. This makes it the leader in the nation because so many people have installed solar power.
Solar panels in Brisbane will save you money!
A solar panel system will save you up to $400 per year per kW. The average size solar system in Brisbane is 6kWh and saves the owner up to $2,400.
A big part of this is the use of feed-in tariffs, which allows you to feed excess solar energy produced into the power grid. Each kW you send to the grid earns you credits. This allows you to draw on the grid at night at a very large discount.
Solar installations for businesses in Brisbane
Getting a solar power system installed on your business makes more sense than residential solar panels, as you use most of the energy throughout the day. Leading solar companies in Brisbane offer commercial solar installations are competitive prices. Commercial systems can be as small as 10kW and go up to 100kW. The STC solar rebate still applies to businesses.
How does a solar panel system work?
Solar energy is generated when solar PV cells convert the light from the sun into electricity. Clean energy from solar is so abundant that the sunlight that hits the earth in just 1 hour and 30 minutes is enough to run the entire plant for a year.
By mounting solar panels on our rooftops, we can generate our electricity all year round and help Queensland hit it’s 2030 and 2050 renewable energy targets.
Solar installation for renters in Brisbane
Residents in Brisbane can’t install solar systems on rental properties they live in. The Queensland state government has announced a solar for rentals trial to encourage landlords to install solar. With 35% of homes in Brisbane occupied by tenants, this is a necessary gap in the market to bridge.
What should I look for when hiring Brisbane solar installer?
When selecting a solar installer in Queensland, you need to pay attention to a few key areas to be sure you are getting a quality system from an expert installer at reasonable market prices.
Accredited – Solar installers in Brisbane need to have Clean Energy Council CEC accreditation. They should also have a License number which is displayed on their quotation.
Experience – Using a company with more than five years of installing solar panels is a good sign. Fly-by-night companies usually go out of business in a year or two, so anyone still in the game after five years is a sure thing.
Market reputation – Check their rating across various platforms. Don’t just check one source like Google reviews; check 3 or 4 and make sure their rating is consistent. I’ve seen many companies abandon Google reviews and promote their True Local reviews because they were scalded by previous companies on that platform.
Market knowledge – Having a fine minute conversation with a solar installer will alert you to their knowledge base and should have you feeling confident you are in good hands. If they don’t seem too sure of themselves, it’s probably best to move on.
Offers more than one system brand – Find a company offering different solar panels and inverters. That way, you can go with mid or high-quality equipment.
Competitive prices – Be sure to get at least three quotes before deciding on a company. I’ve heard too many stories of customers going with the first company that quotes their job and paying way too much for a poor-quality system.
How to find the optimal solar system size for your home
The work out the best size solar system for your home, take your daily kWh energy usage, then divide that by your peak sunlight hours to get the kW output.
If your daily usage is 26kWh and in Brisbane, you get 4 peak hours of sunlight (11am – 3pm) 26/ 4 = 6.5kW.
To work out the number of solar panels, you will need for a 6.5kW system, take the Watt output and divide it by the Watt output of a single panel
6,500 w / 420w panels = 15.4
In the above example, you will need 16 x 420 watt solar panels.
FAQs
How long do solar panels last?
Solar panels have a lifetime of approximately 25 to 30 years according to the industry standard lifespan. After this period, the productivity of the panels reduces by more than 20%. So, once your system reaches 30 years, you should start thinking about a new system.
Optimal solar panel orientation and angle in Brisbane
The optimal solar panel orientation is true north and about 28 degrees. The panels receive a lot of sunlight at this angle, making it the perfect angle for most households. A 10-degree tilt may be added to allow the panels to self-clean whenever it rains.
Are solar panels worth it?
Yes, solar panels are worth it because you will be able to reduce or eliminate your monthly and annual electricity bills. Although the installation cost is high, you can buy a good system and benefit from the state incentives. You can also find a good FiT provider that will help you reduce the systems’ payback time.
What is the maintenance cost of solar panels?
The average yearly maintenance cost of solar panel systems in Brisbane is $125. Solar panels are relatively low maintenance but occasionally will need a wash for max light penetration if they get dusty or covered in bird droppings.
It is recommended to keep panels clean as it keeps your system operating at peak performance and to use a professional service. If you use the wrong product, you can damage your panels.
Solar panel prices by city