Solar Savings Calculator
Estimate your savings from installing solar panels based on your location, system size and current electricity costs.
Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates for general information purposes only. Results are based on standard formulas and may not reflect your individual circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do solar panels take to pay for themselves in Australia?
What size solar system do I need?
What is Solar Savings?
A solar savings calculator estimates the financial benefit of installing rooftop solar panels based on your location, system size, electricity usage patterns, and local feed-in tariff rates.
How this calculator works
The calculator uses average peak sun hours for your Australian city (ranging from 3.6 hours in Hobart to 5.5 hours in Perth) to estimate daily energy production. It then splits production between self-consumed electricity (which saves you your full retail rate, typically $0.25-0.35/kWh) and exported electricity (which earns the feed-in tariff, typically $0.04-0.08/kWh). Self-consumption is where the real savings are — the higher your self-consumption percentage, the faster the payback. Most Australian solar systems pay for themselves in 3-5 years and last 25+ years.
Typical Solar System Costs 2025-26
6.6 kW system (most common residential): $5,000-$8,000 fully installed (after STCs subsidy of ~$2,000-$2,500). 10 kW: $8,000-$13,000. Mid-tier panel brands: Trina, Jinko, Q.Cells. Premium: LG (discontinued), Sunpower, REC. Inverter brands: Fronius (premium), SMA, Sungrow (mid-range), Goodwe (budget). Avoid sub-$4,000 6.6kW deals — usually cheap components, poor install quality.
Why Self-Consumption Matters
Buy electricity at $0.30/kWh, sell at $0.05/kWh feed-in. If you consume 100% of your solar: save full $0.30. If you export 100%: only get $0.05. Typical home self-consumes 30-40% of solar production. Shift loads (dishwasher, laundry, EV charging, pool pump) to daylight hours to boost self-consumption to 60-80% — dramatically improves payback.
Payback Periods
Typical Australian payback: 3-6 years. Best states for solar: Perth (highest sun + decent FiT), Brisbane (lots of sun, lower retail rates), Adelaide (high retail rates make self-consumption super valuable). Worst: Hobart (lowest sun hours), parts of inner Sydney (shading on small roofs). Add ~$2,000-$3,000 to upfront cost if you need a switchboard upgrade.
Solar + Battery Considerations
Adding a battery (Tesla Powerwall ~$13k, BYD HVM ~$10k, Sungrow ~$8k) extends payback to 7-12 years. But batteries store solar for evening use, increasing self-consumption from ~40% to ~80-90%. With state rebates (SA $2-3k, VIC interest-free loan), batteries become more economic. Most cost-effective: get solar first, add battery later if economics improve.
Official Sources
All calculations are performed in your browser — your data never leaves your device. Results are for general guidance only and should not be considered professional financial advice.
Built and maintained by Konstantin Iakovlev. Data sourced from the ATO and official Australian government sources.