Solar FAQ

A quality 6.6kW system in Australia typically costs $4,500–$7,000 after federal STC rebates in 2026, depending on your state, panel brand, and installer. A larger 10kW system typically runs $7,000–$9,500. Adding a 10kWh battery typically adds $8,000–$14,000. Use our Savings Calculator or get a personalised free quote for your home.

Absolutely. For most homeowners solar is one of the best financial decisions available in 2026. The average payback on a quality 6.6kW system is 3–5 years, with annual savings of $1,500–$2,900 depending on usage and location. Panel warranties run 25 years — meaning 20+ years of effectively free electricity after payback. With electricity prices continuing to rise, the case for solar gets stronger each year.

For most Australian homes, a 6.6kW system (around 16–22 panels) is the sweet spot — it's the most popular size and offers excellent value. If your quarterly bill is consistently over $400, you have an EV, or you're planning to add a battery, a 10kW+ system may deliver better returns. A CEC-accredited installer will assess your usage and roof to recommend the right size.

Annual savings for a typical household with a 6.6kW system range from $1,500 to $2,900 per year. Your actual savings depend on how much electricity you use, how much you consume during the day (vs. exporting), your electricity rate, and your location's sunlight. The best way to estimate your savings is to use our Savings Calculator or get a personalised quote.

Yes — research consistently shows solar panels add value to Australian homes. A quality solar system is viewed favourably by buyers as it reduces ongoing running costs. While the exact uplift varies by market and property, many studies suggest solar can add $5,000–$20,000+ to property value, particularly in areas with high electricity costs.

The main federal incentive is the Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme, which discounts the upfront cost of your system by $2,500–$3,500 for a typical 6.6kW system. Several states offer additional incentives: Victoria has the Solar Homes Program (up to $1,400 panels + $2,950 battery), South Australia has the Home Battery Scheme, and the ACT offers 0% interest loans. See our full Rebate Guide for details.

Yes, for the federal STC rebate. Your CEC-accredited installer creates and assigns the Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) on your behalf, then deducts the equivalent dollar value directly from your quoted price. You don't need to do any paperwork. State-based rebates may require a separate application — your installer will guide you.

Yes. The federal STC scheme reduces by one deeming year each January 1st and will end on 31 December 2030. This means the rebate is worth slightly less each year. If you're planning to go solar, acting sooner locks in a higher rebate value. The reduction each year is modest but meaningful over several years.

A feed-in tariff is the rate your energy retailer pays you for surplus solar electricity you export back to the grid. In 2026, typical FiT rates range from 4c–12c per kWh depending on your state and retailer. Because FiTs are relatively low, the best strategy is to maximise self-consumption — run major appliances (dishwasher, washing machine, EV charging) during solar generation hours (approx. 9am–3pm).

A Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer has completed approved training, complies with Australian installation standards (AS/NZS 5033), and is authorised to install systems qualifying for the federal solar rebate (STCs). You must use a CEC-accredited installer to access government rebates. Every installer in the SunDone network is CEC-accredited and fully insured.

A standard residential solar installation typically takes 1–2 days. However, the lead time from quote to installation can vary from 2–8 weeks depending on installer availability, grid connection approval from your network operator, and whether any electrical upgrades are required. Getting your quote early means getting into the queue sooner.

Any time of year works — solar panels generate power year-round. But installers are often less busy and more price-competitive in autumn and winter (March to August). Summer brings the longest days and highest generation potential but also the longest install queues and sometimes less competitive pricing due to high demand.

Standard grid-connected solar systems automatically shut down during a blackout for safety reasons (to protect linesmen working on the grid). If you want power during blackouts, you need a battery with a "blackout protection" or "island mode" feature. Some hybrid inverters also offer limited backup functionality. Discuss your requirements with your installer if backup power is important to you.

Most Australian homes are suitable for solar. Ideal conditions are a north-facing roof (or east/west for a spread of generation across the day) with minimal shading from trees or structures between 9am–3pm. A good installer will perform a site assessment, check roof structural integrity, and design a system to maximise your specific roof's output. Flat or low-pitch roofs can often be accommodated with tilt frames.

Solar PV systems are generally low-maintenance. Rain naturally cleans most panels. However, periodic checks are recommended: inspect for debris or bird nesting under panels annually, monitor your system's output via its app or monitoring portal, and have a qualified electrician inspect connections every 5 years. Most warranties require professional servicing for claims to remain valid.

Batteries are becoming increasingly popular and are worth considering if: (1) you use most of your electricity in the evenings, (2) blackout protection is important to you, or (3) you have a large system generating significant excess. However, batteries have a longer payback period (typically 8–12 years) than panels alone. If your main goal is financial return, panels-only is still the better investment for most households in 2026. That said, battery prices continue to fall.

A 10kWh home battery (the most common size for Australian homes) typically costs $8,000–$14,000 installed in 2026. State rebates (VIC up to $2,950, SA up to $2,000) can significantly reduce the net cost. Popular models include the Tesla Powerwall 3, Sungrow SBR, BYD Battery-Box, and Enphase IQ. Your installer can advise on which battery suits your system and usage.

Yes, in most cases. AC-coupled batteries (like some Powerwall configurations) can be added to virtually any existing solar system. DC-coupled batteries typically require a compatible hybrid inverter, which may mean replacing your existing inverter. A qualified installer can assess your current system and recommend the most cost-effective retrofit option.

Genuinely free. We may earn a referral fee from the installer if and when you choose to proceed with an installation — but only then, and it never affects your quoted price (installers factor our fee into their standard pricing structure). The matching service is completely free with zero obligation, ever. You can get a quote and simply not proceed — no problem at all.

Every installer in our network must hold current CEC accreditation, carry appropriate public liability and workers compensation insurance, maintain verifiable 4★+ customer review ratings, and meet our quality and conduct standards. We audit the network regularly and remove underperformers immediately. We've removed installers for pricing practices, quality issues, and not respecting customers' "not interested" responses.

No. Your matched installer contacts you once to deliver a quote. If you're not interested, say so — our network guidelines require them to respect that immediately with no follow-up whatsoever. We take this seriously and remove installers who don't comply. We do not share your details with multiple installers — just one match.

We have CEC-accredited installers across all of Australia — metropolitan areas, regional centres, and many rural areas. Coverage is strongest in QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, and WA. If we don't have an installer in your specific area, we'll let you know rather than sending you an unvetted contact. Enter your postcode in our quote form to check availability in your area.

Our matching service is designed for homeowners or those with authority to approve work on a property. Renters typically cannot install solar without landlord consent and wouldn't own the system anyway. If you're a property investor looking to install solar on a rental, that's absolutely something we can help with — many investors do this to attract tenants and improve property value.