As of June 2025, there were 5,157 approved solar panels, inverters and household battery products available to Australian solar installers, according to the Clean Energy Council. With so many products, system sizes, warranties, prices and installation options, knowing what suits your property and which quote offers genuine value can make buying a solar system feel overwhelming.
If you’ve already decided solar is worth it but aren’t sure how to compare what’s on offer, this guide to buying a solar system in Australia breaks the process into clear steps. It also includes a handy checklist to help homeowners and business owners assess systems, quotes and installers before committing.
Your Solar Buying Roadmap (Table of Contents)
After more than 15 years working on solar installation and repairs throughout Melbourne, Teaslec has found choosing the right system often comes down to three key things:
- Work out what your property needs. Check your electricity use, roof and suitable system size.
- Compare the complete system. Explore your options for solar panels, inverters and battery options to find your right setup.
- Check what may affect the end cost. Compare costs, rebates, quote inclusions and installers before signing a contract.
Step 1: Work Out What You Need From a Solar System
Knowing what you need from a setup can help you narrow down your options when you’re buying a solar system. Your current electricity use, roof, property and potential future needs can all affect what may be the right-sized system.
Review Your Electricity Use
To start working out what size solar system you need, take a look at your recent power bills. Focus on how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) your home or business uses each day, on average, comparing different seasons when you may use more electricity, like for air-conditioning in summer. The time of day you use that electricity also matters as solar power is usually most valuable when used directly instead of exporting unused power to the grid. For example:
| Usage Scenario | Typical Usage Patterns | What it May Mean For Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Home is occupied during the day | Appliances, heating, cooling or home-office equipment running during solar hours | More solar can be used as it’s generated |
| Home is empty until the evening | Most cooking, laundry and entertainment happens after sunset | A battery or changes to appliance timing may be worth considering |
| Business operating in daylight hours | Equipment, lighting and cooling run while panels are generating energy | Strong potential to use a high share of the power produced |
Also consider what may change over the next few years. If you’re considering purchasing an electric vehicle (EV), installing a pool or heat pump, switching to electric cooking or expanding your business, it could increase your electricity demand. More on how this may impact your product options later.
Assess Your Roof & Electrical Setup
Then there is the amount of space on your roof, as well as the layout of your property. What can impact your solar includes:
- Direction and pitch: North-facing panels typically generate the most electricity overall. East-facing panels can generate earlier in the day, while west-facing panels continue later in the afternoon.
- Shade: Trees, nearby buildings, chimneys and other roof features can cause shading, reducing output or affecting how the system should be configured.
- Roof condition: Roofs with ageing tiles, damaged roofing or an upcoming replacement may need to be handled before installation.
- Electrical setup: The installer may need to check the meter, switchboard and single-phase or three-phase supply.
- Export limits: The local electricity distributor may restrict how much excess solar can be sent to the grid.
Sometimes, a mix of panel directions can be more useful than placing them all in the same direction. For example, east and west-facing panels may spread your generation out throughout the day to properly match your usage. Knowing this ahead of time can help you when you get to assessing quotes.
A Teaslec Solar Example
A homeowner contacted Teaslec after several cheaper solar companies said their roof was too shaded for solar. Brad and our team assessed the property and found a setup that could work, showing how a detailed roof assessment can uncover options that a standard recommendation may miss.
Choose the Right System Size
Something that’s important to know when buying a solar system is that the size is measured in kilowatts (kW), while electricity consumption is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). So, a 6.6 kW system describes the combined rated capacity of the panels under standard testing, not that the system produces 6.6 kWh every hour.
The right sized system should balance:
- Current electricity consumption and usage times.
- Expected future demand.
- Available unshaded roof space.
- Budget and expected savings.
- Inverter capacity and distributor limits.
“A power bill gives solar installers a starting point. It doesn’t tell us the whole story. We also look at when the property uses electricity, what the roof allows for and what may be added later, if things change. That’s how we recommend a system size that will continue to make sense now and in the future.”
Even if a standard package looks like it suits the property, the proposal should still explain why. Look for an estimated annual output and clear reasoning behind why a specific size has been recommended rather than accepting a particular package simply because it’s popular.
Step 2: Choose the Right Solar System Components
Every solar system is made up of several parts, the panels being just one. There’s the inverter, mounting, monitoring and any battery storage that can all impact how the system performs, what it costs and how easy it will be to manage it in the long term, so all need to be considered.
Compare Solar Panels
Solar panel specifications can be one of the most confusing parts, but there are a few details that do most of the work.
- Wattage: The maximum rated output of an individual panel under standard test conditions.
- Efficiency: How effective the panel is at turning sunlight into electricity. For limited roof space, higher efficiency can be very valuable.
- Product warranty: Covers manufacturing defects and faults with the physical panels.
- Performance warranty: Guarantees the output will remain above a stated level as the panel gradually degrades.
- Australian support: A long warranty is more useful when the manufacturer has an established local presence and a clear claims process.
Solar Victoria recommends looking for panels guaranteed to retain at least 90% production after 10 years and 80% after 25 years. The panel model should also be on the Clean Energy Council’s approved product list, especially if solar rebates or Small-scale Technology Certificates are included in the quote.
If there’s only a small amount of unshaded roof space available, then premium high-efficiency panels may make sense. For larger, clear roofs, a reliable mid-range panel may produce the required system output at a lower overall cost. This is where your solar panel installation needs to balance the product specifications with your property layout and needs.
Compare Solar Inverters
Inverters are what converts the direct current generated by the panels into alternating current your property can actually use. It also controls a lot of the solar system’s monitoring and performance, so it’s a very important part to compare when buying a solar system.
| Equipment Option | Commonly Suited To | Main Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| String inverter | Straightforward roofs with little shade and panels grouped together in similar directions | Usually the more affordable option, although one central inverter controls the system |
| Microinverters | Complex roof layouts, multiple panel directions or properties needing panel-level monitoring | Each panel operates independently, but systems typically cost more |
| Power optimisers | Roofs where only some panels need individual optimisation | Adds panel-level control while still using a central inverter |
| Hybrid inverter | Properties planning to install a compatible battery either now or in the future | May simplify future storage, but compatibility still needs to be checked |
| Higher-efficiency panels | Small roofs where every panel position needs to generate more power | Greater output per square metre may come with a higher price |
| Solar battery | High evening usage, lower feed-in returns or a need for backup power | Adds significant cost and needs to be sized around your actual energy use |
When you’re at the stage of comparing options for solar inverter installation, make sure you check the inverter’s capacity, warranty, monitoring features, installation location and local manufacturer support.
Consider Solar Battery Storage
If you tend to use more power in the evening, solar battery storage is something to consider. It stores the power not used during the day, so it can be used at other times.
When comparing storage options, look at:
- Usable storage capacity
- Maximum power output
- Backup capability during an outage
- Battery and inverter compatibility
- Cycle and product warranties
- Monitoring and virtual power plant compatibility
- Options for expanding capacity later
Keep in mind, there are battery-ready and battery-compatible solar systems. Discussing this in the initial design step, even if it’s a thought for the future, is important to make sure you have options.
“We don’t choose panels, inverters and batteries as singular products. They need to work together, along with being compatible with the roof layout, monitoring and future plans. A premium panel can’t make up for a system design that doesn’t suit the property.”
Step 3: Understand the Cost of Buying Solar
There are a lot of aspects that can impact the cost of buying solar, including the size, equipment, installation complexity and any electrical upgrades that may be needed. As an example, CHOICE lists indicative installation prices for good-quality solar, including full installation and the federal STC discount:
| System Size | Indicative Installed Price |
|---|---|
| 5 kW | $4,500 to $8,000 |
| 6.6 kW | $5,500 to $9,000 |
| 10 kW | $8,000 to $13,000 |
This does not include state or territory incentives or account for commercial or more complex residential installations.
Solar Rebates & Incentives
You may also be able to help reduce the cost of buying a solar system using relevant solar rebates and incentives.
| Incentive | Who it May Support | Potential Saving |
|---|---|---|
| Federal STCs | Eligible solar systems under 100 kW | Applied as an upfront discount in the quote |
| Victorian solar panel rebate | Eligible households | Up to 50% of the remaining cost, capped at $1,400 |
| Victorian business solar discount | Eligible systems between 30 kW and 200 kW | Upfront discount through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program |
| Cheaper Home Batteries Program | Eligible households and small businesses | Designed to reduce eligible battery costs by around 30% |
Always check your eligibility before accepting a quote or paying a non-refundable deposit. Eligibility requirements, rebates and incentives can change, so it’s best to confirm before locking anything in.
Feed-in tariffs are also separate from these incentives. They are payments made by your electricity retailer for excess solar sent to the grid after installation.
The upfront price is only one part of the value of solar. Solar Victoria estimates an eligible Victorian household system could pay for itself within three to five years with the state rebate applied, or around seven to nine years without it. That’s why Teaslec always recommends comparing more than the final figure at the bottom of the page, looking at the system size, projected savings and installation inclusions to see the true value.
Step 4: Compare Solar Quotes Properly
A lower quote can feel like an easy win, but it may not always be the better deal once you add in missing work, product differences and after-sales support. Teaclec recommends looking beyond the final figure and comparing exactly what each installer is offering. While Solar Victoria always recommends getting at least three quotes for the same system size and setup.
| What to Check | What the Quote Should Show |
|---|---|
| System design | Number of panels, total capacity, inverter size and proposed roof layout |
| Equipment | Exact makes and model numbers for panels, inverter, battery and monitoring |
| Expected performance | Estimated annual generation and the assumptions used to calculate savings |
| Installation | Mounting, cabling, grid applications and any meter or switchboard work |
| Total cost | GST, eligible STC discount and rebates, additional fees and possible variations |
| Warranties | Product, performance and workmanship periods, plus who handles each claim |
| Handover and support | Monitoring setup, operating instructions, compliance documents and after-sales contact |
| Payment | Deposit, progress payments, final balance and total cost under any finance arrangement |
A Cheaper Quote May Not Cost Less
A quote may look $1,000 cheaper but excludes a required switchboard upgrade, consumption monitoring and additional roof-access costs. Another may include all three and provide a longer workmanship warranty. Over our 15+ years in Melbourne, our team at Teaslec has often been called in to repair solar systems originally chosen because they came with the cheapest quote, only to later discover the exclusions or later repair costs can quickly surpass that initial saving.
Always check the assumptions behind any projected savings too. Electricity tariffs, feed-in rates, daytime usage, shading and annual generation estimates can all change the result.
As for any unclear inclusions, exclusions or possible extra costs, you want to be fully comfortable and in understanding before signing anything. Your final contract should also identify the exact products being installed and explain what happens if a model needs to be substituted.
Step 5: Choose a Reputable Solar Installer
In some cases, the company providing the quote is not the same team who will be completing the installation. When choosing a solar system installer, confirm:
- The installer holds an unrestricted Victorian electrical licence and current Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation.
- Anyone installing a battery has the appropriate SAA battery endorsement.
- The retailer is authorised for any Victorian rebate being claimed.
- The quote identifies who will complete the work and any use of subcontractors.
- Product and workmanship warranties are provided in writing.
- Access to local after-sales and warranty support is available.
As of 2024, the Clean Energy Council no longer accredits installers. This responsibility is now with Solar Accreditation Australia.
Also be cautious of high-pressure sales tactics, guaranteed savings, vague equipment descriptions or a business that won’t identify their installer. Reputable companies should also be up front and be able to explain their recommendation, manage the required grid and compliance paperwork.
Your Final Solar Buying Checklist
Before signing, confirm that:
- Electricity use and future demand has been reviewed
- The roof, shade and electrical setup have been assessed
- The recommended system size has been explained
- Exact panel, inverter and battery models are listed on the quote
- Equipment appears on the approved product lists
- Expected output and savings assumptions are realistic
- Installation inclusions and possible extra costs are clear
- Rebates and eligibility have been confirmed
- Product and workmanship warranties are in writing
- The retailer and installer credentials have been checked
- Grid approval, monitoring and handover are included
- After-sales support and warranty contacts are provided
FAQ About Buying a Solar System
A Final Note Before Buying a Solar System
The right solar system should make sense for how you use electricity, your property and your future plans, not just what looks good on paper. By comparing the exact products, inclusions, warranties and installer support behind each quote, you can make your decision with a lot more confidence.
For a tailored system recommendation and detailed quote, speak to our team at Teaslec. We’ll assess your roof, electricity use and goals before recommending a system, backed by 15+ years of helping homes and businesses choose the right solar system..
