How much does solar cost in Sydney in 2026?

The short answer

Most Sydney homes pay roughly $5,000 to $8,500 for a good-quality 6.6 kW solar system in 2026, after the federal rebate. Industry price surveys put the NSW average at about $6,500 for 6.6 kW, $9,800 for 10 kW and $12,800 for 13 kW.

Those prices already include the federal solar rebate, which takes about $1,710 off a 6.6 kW system installed in Sydney this year. Where your quote lands in the range depends mainly on the panels and inverter you choose, your roof, and any electrical work your home needs.

Typical prices by system size

Average prices from 2026 industry price surveys for NSW, rounded. Rebates estimated for Sydney (sunshine zone 3) at about $38 per certificate, rounded down to whole certificates.

Most Australian homes now install between 6.6 kW and 13 kW. The right size depends on how much power you use and when, how much roof space you have, whether you plan to add a battery or an electric car, and your network's export limit. We size systems from your actual power bills.

How the solar rebate works in Sydney

The federal solar rebate comes from the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. Your system creates small-scale technology certificates (STCs), and we take their value off your price:

6.6 kW × 1.382 (Sydney's zone rating) × 5 years left in the scheme = 45 certificates ≈ $1,710

The "years left" part drops by one every 1 January until the scheme ends in 2030, so the rebate shrinks every year. The same 6.6 kW system installed in 2027 would get about 36 certificates, roughly $1,368. Try your own numbers in our rebate estimator.

Adding a battery? The federal battery rebate is separate and takes about $3,458 off a 13.5 kWh battery installed by the end of 2026. In NSW, connecting the battery to an approved virtual power plant can add an extra state incentive.

What pushes the price up or down

• Panels and inverter. Premium tier-one panels and well-known inverter brands cost more but come with stronger warranties and support. This is the biggest difference between a cheap quote and a mid-range one.
• Your roof. Two-storey homes, steep pitches, terracotta or slate tiles, and flat roofs that need tilt frames all take more time and equipment.
• Shade and layout. If trees or chimneys shade part of the roof, or panels face several directions, microinverters or optimisers can help but add cost.
• Switchboard and meter. Older switchboards sometimes need an upgrade, and some homes need a new meter. These are usually extra, so check whether a quote includes them.
• Network rules. Sydney homes are on the Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy network, which sets how much you can export. That can affect which inverter and system size make sense.
• Who installs it. Experienced, accredited installers who stand behind their work cost a little more than the cheapest operators, and give you someone to call later.

What solar and a battery costs together

Industry surveys put a 6.6 kW system with a 13.5 kWh battery at around $17,000 in 2026, with the federal solar and battery discounts already off. A battery mainly pays off for homes that use a lot of power in the evening. Our guide Is a home battery worth it in 2026? goes through the numbers.

You can also start with solar now and add a battery later. Choosing a battery-ready (hybrid) inverter today can make that cheaper.

What you will save

Your savings come mostly from the solar power you use yourself, because that replaces power you would otherwise buy at full price. Power you send to the grid earns a feed-in tariff, which is usually only a few cents per kWh.

• Running the dishwasher, washing machine, pool pump or EV charger in the middle of the day gets more from your panels.
• Since 1 July 2026, NSW retailers have had to offer a Solar Sharer plan with at least three hours of free power in the middle of the day. It is optional and needs a smart meter. It can suit some homes, but you still pay for power outside those hours.
• A battery covers the evening, when power costs the most.

Every home is different, so we show your expected output and savings in your quote, based on your own bills.

How to compare solar quotes

1. Same size, same parts. Compare systems of a similar size, and check the exact panel and inverter brand and model on each quote.
2. Warranties. Look for the panel product and performance warranties, the inverter warranty and the installer's workmanship warranty. Ours is 10 years on installation and workmanship.
3. The rebate as a line item. The rebate should be shown clearly and already taken off the price.
4. What's not included. Check for exclusions such as switchboard upgrades, meter changes or tilt frames.
5. Accreditation. Make sure the system will be designed and installed by accredited installers, so it qualifies for the rebate.