Compare Solar & Battery Quotes from Trusted Installers Near You

Buying Solar Power or a Home Battery in Australia

A well-designed rooftop solar system can substantially reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy from the grid. Adding a home battery can take that further by storing electricity for use after the sun goes down, during higher-priced electricity periods or, with suitable equipment and system design, during a blackout.

But solar and battery systems are not one-size-fits-all. The right system depends on how much electricity you use, when you use it, your roof, local network limits, electricity tariff, future energy needs, budget and whether backup power is important to you.

Comparing several detailed quotes can help you see not only the difference in equipment and price, but also how different installers propose to design the system around your home.

How Does Rooftop Solar Reduce Your Electricity Bill?

Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours. The electricity is first available to power appliances operating in your home. Electricity that isn't being used may then be exported to the grid, stored in a battery where one is installed, or curtailed if the system is unable to export it.

Solar electricity used directly in the home is generally more valuable than exported electricity because retail electricity prices are commonly higher than solar feed-in tariffs.

This is called solar self-consumption. Increasing self-consumption can involve moving flexible electricity use into daylight hours — for example, running a dishwasher, washing machine, pool pump, heat pump hot water system or EV charger while solar generation is available.

A battery provides another option by storing surplus electricity and making it available later.

Understanding kW and kWh

Two measurements appear constantly when comparing solar and battery quotes: kilowatts (kW) and kilowatt-hours (kWh). They sound similar but measure different things.

A simple way to understand the difference is to think about water flowing from a tap. kW is like the flow rate — how quickly the water is coming out. kWh is like the total amount of water collected in a tank — how much you have altogether.

With electricity:

• kW measures power — how quickly electricity is being generated, supplied or used at a particular moment. A 10 kW solar system describes the combined rated generating capacity of its solar panels. A 5 kW battery inverter may be able to supply up to around 5 kW of power at a time.
• kWh measures energy — how much electricity is generated, used or stored over time. For example, supplying 5 kW continuously for two hours equals 10 kWh of energy. A battery with 10 kWh of usable capacity can store approximately 10 kWh of energy.

This also helps explain battery specifications. In simple terms, a 10 kWh battery supplying 5 kW continuously could provide that power for about two hours, while supplying 1 kW could last about ten hours, although actual performance depends on the battery and operating conditions.

Both measurements matter. A battery might have plenty of stored energy in kWh but insufficient power in kW to run several high-powered appliances at the same time. Conversely, a battery capable of delivering a lot of power but with relatively little stored energy may run those appliances strongly, but not for very long.

What Size Solar System Should You Install?

There is no single correct solar-system size for every home.

A good installer should consider your current electricity consumption, when you use electricity, available roof area, shading, orientation, budget, electricity tariff, local network restrictions and likely future energy use.

If you have a smart meter, interval data showing your electricity consumption throughout the day can be particularly useful. Twelve months of data can reveal seasonal changes and help an installer understand when the home is actually using energy rather than relying only on the total consumption shown on a quarterly bill.

Future electricity use deserves serious consideration because a quality solar system may remain on the roof for 20 years or more.

Tell prospective installers if you expect to:

• buy an electric vehicle;
• install a home battery;
• replace gas hot water with a heat pump;
• switch from gas to induction cooking;
• install additional air conditioning or electric heating;
• add a pool, spa or workshop equipment;
• extend the home; or
• otherwise increase household electricity consumption.

Installing additional solar later can be possible, but expanding an existing system is not always as simple or inexpensive as adding more panels. Inverter capacity, product compatibility, current standards, roof space and network connection rules can all affect an upgrade.

Should You Fill the Roof with Solar Panels?

Larger solar systems have become increasingly attractive as panel prices have fallen and households electrify more of their transport, hot water, cooking and heating.

However, simply filling every available section of roof isn't automatically the best financial choice for every property.

The installer should consider:

• how much additional generation you can use;
• whether surplus energy can charge a battery;
• the feed-in tariff available for exports;
• network connection and export limits;
• shading throughout the year;
• roof orientation and available space;
• the additional system cost; and
• your likely future electricity requirements.

Ask each installer why they recommend the proposed system size and what assumptions they have used when estimating generation and savings.

Roof Direction and Shading Matter

Solar panels do not need to face north to be worthwhile.

North-facing panels generally produce strong overall daily generation in much of Australia, while east-facing panels produce more electricity earlier in the day and west-facing panels produce more later in the afternoon.

A combination of orientations can sometimes spread generation across a longer part of the day and better match household consumption.

Shading can have a significant effect on output. Trees, neighbouring buildings, chimneys, roof structures and other obstructions should be considered as part of the design. Shade also changes with the season and the position of the sun.

Ask whether the quote includes a shade assessment and how any significant shading has influenced the proposed panel layout and inverter design.

String Inverter, Microinverters or Optimisers?

There are several ways to convert the DC electricity generated by solar panels into the AC electricity used by your home.

A string inverter is a central inverter connected to groups of solar panels. This is the most common arrangement and can provide excellent value where the roof layout is relatively straightforward.

Microinverters place a small inverter at individual panels, while power optimisers provide panel-level electronics used with a compatible central inverter.

Panel-level electronics can offer advantages for certain complex roofs, shading situations and monitoring requirements, but generally add cost and additional electronics to the roof.

There is no need to choose one architecture simply because it is described as more advanced. Ask the installer why their proposed inverter design is appropriate for your roof and what practical benefit the additional cost provides.

What Is a Hybrid Inverter?

A hybrid inverter combines solar-inverter and battery-inverter functions in one unit.

This can be convenient when solar and a compatible battery are being installed together, because one inverter can manage both systems.

If you are installing solar now but might add a battery later, a hybrid inverter may be worth discussing. However, buying a hybrid inverter does not guarantee compatibility with every battery you may want to buy in the future.

Battery compatibility, maximum supported capacity, charging and discharging power, communications protocols, warranty conditions and available battery models can all matter.

Ask the installer which batteries are currently compatible with the proposed inverter and what limitations would apply if storage were added later.

Network Export Limits

Your local electricity distribution network can restrict how much solar inverter capacity is connected to the grid and how much electricity the system is allowed to export.

An export limit does not necessarily mean your solar system itself must be the same size as that limit. Depending on the local network rules and system design, a larger solar system may be permitted while the inverter dynamically restricts how much electricity is exported.

This can still be useful where electricity is being consumed within the home or stored in a battery.

Network rules vary by location and can change. The solar retailer or installer should determine what connection and export limits apply to your property and explain how they affect the proposed system.

How Much Does Solar Cost in Australia?

Solar pricing varies according to system size, panel and inverter brands, roof construction, building height, site access, installation complexity, switchboard requirements and where you live.

As a broad 2026 guide, SolarQuotes reports that Australians purchasing a 10 kW solar system over the previous two years paid an average of around $10,000 fully installed, with individual reported prices ranging considerably above and below that figure.

Roughly $1,000 per kW installed can currently be a useful starting point for estimating a decent-quality straightforward residential installation, but it should not be treated as a quotation or target price.

Premium equipment, difficult roofs, multi-storey properties, switchboard upgrades, complicated cable runs, regional travel and specialised system designs can increase the cost.

Very low advertised prices deserve careful scrutiny. Compare exactly which panel, inverter, mounting equipment, installation work, warranty support and after-sales service are included rather than comparing headline price alone.

How the Federal Solar Incentive Works

Eligible rooftop solar installations can receive Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) through the Australian Government's Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

In most residential installations, the homeowner assigns the right to create the STCs to a registered agent in exchange for an upfront reduction in the purchase price. This is what is commonly referred to as the federal solar rebate.

The number of certificates available depends on factors including the solar-system size, installation location and remaining deeming period under the scheme. The value of each certificate also varies with the STC market.

The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is scheduled to run until the end of 2030, so the number of certificates available for newly installed solar reduces as the scheme approaches its end.

For an eligible small-scale solar installation, equipment must meet the applicable scheme requirements and the system must be designed and installed by appropriately accredited professionals.

Importantly, installer accreditation is now administered by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). The Clean Energy Council (CEC) continues to maintain approved-product lists used by the scheme.

Does Solar Still Make Sense Without a Battery?

Yes. A battery is not required for rooftop solar to reduce electricity bills.

Solar-only systems remain a relatively simple way to reduce electricity purchased from the grid, particularly where a meaningful portion of household consumption occurs during daylight hours.

You can also improve solar self-consumption by shifting flexible loads into the daytime.

Whether adding a battery improves the overall financial result depends on its installed cost, your electricity usage pattern, solar generation, tariff, available incentives and how the battery will be operated.

What Does a Home Battery Actually Do?

A home battery stores electricity so it can be used later.

In a typical solar household, the battery charges when solar generation exceeds household consumption and then supplies some of that energy when solar generation falls or electricity prices are higher.

Depending on the system and electricity tariff, batteries can also be charged from the grid during inexpensive periods and discharged during higher-priced periods.

A battery may help:

• increase solar self-consumption;
• reduce evening and overnight grid electricity purchases;
• make greater use of solar where exports are restricted;
• shift electricity use away from expensive tariff periods;
• provide backup electricity where the system is designed for it; and
• participate in compatible energy services such as a Virtual Power Plant.

How Big Should Your Home Battery Be?

Battery sizing should be based on how the household actually uses electricity rather than simply buying the largest system the budget allows.

Useful information includes:

• how much surplus solar is normally available for charging;
• evening and overnight electricity consumption;
• time-of-use electricity prices;
• whether grid charging will be used;
• which appliances need backup during outages;
• how long you want backup to last;
• future loads such as an EV; and
• the battery's usable capacity, output power and warranty conditions.

Smart-meter interval data can be particularly valuable for battery sizing because it shows when electricity is consumed rather than just the total amount used each day.

Ask the installer to explain how they calculated the proposed battery size and whether their recommendation is based on your actual consumption data.

Usable Capacity vs Nominal Capacity

Battery specifications may quote both nominal capacity and usable capacity.

Nominal capacity is the total theoretical amount of energy stored by the battery. Usable capacity is the portion made available to the homeowner under normal operation.

When comparing batteries, usable capacity is generally the more useful figure because it describes the energy the system is designed to make available.

Make sure competing quotes use the same type of capacity figure. Otherwise, two batteries that appear similar on paper may provide different amounts of usable storage.

Battery Capacity Isn't the Same as Battery Power

A battery also needs sufficient power to operate the appliances you expect it to supply.

For example, a large-capacity battery may hold enough energy to run essential household loads for many hours, but the inverter still needs enough output power to run those appliances simultaneously.

This is especially relevant where backup power is required for appliances with high running power or high startup loads.

Tell the installer which appliances you expect to operate from the battery and ask them to confirm whether the proposed system's continuous and surge power capabilities are suitable.

How Much Does a Home Battery Cost?

Battery prices have fallen significantly and the federal battery incentive has reduced the upfront cost of eligible systems further.

As a broad 2026 guide, SolarQuotes reports battery hardware prices of roughly $4,000 to $13,000 or more after the federal battery incentive, depending heavily on storage capacity and brand. Those hardware figures do not necessarily include installation.

Installation cost depends on the system, inverter arrangement, battery location, switchboard work, backup requirements, cabling and whether the battery is being installed at the same time as new solar.

A straightforward battery installation may still add several thousand dollars to the hardware cost, while more complex work can cost substantially more.

Compare the complete installed price after all incentives, rather than comparing the advertised battery price alone.

The Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program

Eligible home batteries can receive STCs through the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which operates through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Current eligibility rules include requirements relating to battery capacity, approved equipment, solar connection, installer accreditation and technical capability.

In general, an eligible battery must have a nominal capacity of at least 5 kWh and no more than 100 kWh. The rebate calculation is based on usable capacity and only the first 50 kWh of usable storage can receive STCs.

Since 1 May 2026, support is progressively tapered according to usable battery capacity:

• the applicable STC factor is applied at 100% for capacity up to 14 kWh;
• capacity above 14 kWh and up to 28 kWh receives 60% of the applicable factor; and
• capacity above 28 kWh and up to 50 kWh receives 15% of the applicable factor.

The underlying STC factor also reduces periodically as the program progresses towards 2030. This means an old advertisement quoting a particular battery rebate amount should not be assumed to remain current.

Eligible grid-connected battery systems must also be technically capable of participating in a Virtual Power Plant. You do not have to join a VPP simply to receive the federal battery incentive.

Other state or territory incentives may sometimes be available and may be able to operate alongside the federal program, subject to each program's eligibility conditions.

Ask the installer to separately identify the normal installed price, federal STC discount, any state or territory incentive, and the final amount you will actually pay.

Can You Add a Battery to Existing Solar?

In many cases, yes.

The most suitable approach depends on the existing solar inverter, system age, available equipment, switchboard, electrical supply and the battery you want to install.

An existing system with a compatible hybrid inverter may allow a battery to be added relatively simply.

Where the existing inverter isn't compatible, the installer may recommend replacing it with a suitable hybrid inverter or using a battery system with its own inverter.

AC-coupled batteries are another common way of adding storage to an existing solar system.

There is no single retrofit arrangement that is best for every home. Ask the installer to explain what equipment from the existing solar system will remain, what will be replaced, and why their proposed battery architecture suits the property.

Installing Solar and a Battery at the Same Time

Buying solar and a battery together can simplify system design because the installer can select panels, inverter, battery and monitoring equipment as one integrated system.

A compatible hybrid inverter may allow the solar and battery to share inverter hardware, and completing both installations together can reduce duplicated labour and electrical work.

However, integration should not be the only consideration. Compare the battery's usable capacity, power, warranty, backup capability, expandability, monitoring, Australian support and compatibility with future equipment.

Will a Solar Battery Keep the Lights On During a Blackout?

Not automatically.

Most standard grid-connected solar systems shut down during a blackout for electrical safety. This prevents the system from feeding electricity into network lines while technicians may be working on them.

A battery system can provide backup power, but only if the equipment and installation are designed and configured to operate independently from the grid during an outage.

Backup arrangements can vary considerably. A system may back up:

• only a few essential circuits;
• a larger group of household circuits; or
• potentially most of the home, subject to the battery and inverter's power limitations.

Some systems can continue using solar panels to recharge the battery during an extended grid outage, while other backup configurations cannot.

If backup is important, do not rely on the word "backup" alone. Ask the quote to state clearly:

• which circuits or appliances will be backed up;
• the maximum backup power available;
• whether high-startup loads are supported;
• whether the solar panels continue operating during a blackout;
• whether solar can recharge the battery while the grid remains down; and
• what happens when the battery reaches its minimum state of charge.

What Is a Virtual Power Plant?

A Virtual Power Plant, or VPP, connects many individual batteries through software so they can collectively respond to electricity-market and grid conditions.

Depending on the program, the VPP operator may sometimes charge or discharge part of your battery in return for financial benefits such as payments, bill credits or special electricity rates.

VPP arrangements vary considerably. Before joining one, check:

• who controls the battery and under what circumstances;
• how much stored energy can be exported;
• whether a minimum backup reserve can be maintained;
• payments, tariffs and other financial benefits;
• contract length and exit conditions;
• internet and communications requirements; and
• whether participation affects the battery warranty.

Federal battery rebate eligibility requires qualifying grid-connected equipment to be VPP-capable, but does not require you to actually participate in a VPP.

Battery Location Is Not Just a Matter of Convenience

Home batteries are subject to specific Australian installation requirements that affect where they can safely be located.

The installer must assess the proposed location against the relevant standards, manufacturer's requirements and state or territory electrical-safety rules.

Requirements can affect distances from doors, windows, habitable rooms, ignition sources and other parts of the building. Depending on the location and construction materials, additional protection may also be required.

Battery location can therefore affect installation cost. A location that appears convenient to the homeowner may not be compliant or practical.

Ask the installer to show you the proposed battery location before accepting the quote and explain any additional work required there.

Compare Battery Warranties Carefully

Many quality home batteries are marketed with warranties around ten years, but the headline number does not tell the whole story.

Warranty conditions may also limit:

• energy throughput;
• number of charge/discharge cycles;
• operating temperature;
• permitted charging behaviour;
• retained capacity at the end of the warranty;
• internet connectivity requirements; and
• how the battery may be used.

Check who is responsible for warranty support in Australia, whether labour and transport are included, and whether the manufacturer has an established Australian service network.

Battery storage is a long-term purchase. Strong local support can be more valuable than choosing an unfamiliar product solely because its advertised price is lower.

Installation Quality Matters More Than Brand Names Alone

Good solar panels, inverters and batteries can still perform poorly or create problems if the system is badly designed or installed.

The following information is intended to help homeowners understand some of the issues a professional installer may need to address. It is not an installation specification.

Depending on the property, the installer may need to consider:

• Roof condition: whether the roof is suitable for the proposed mounting system and likely system life.
• Shading and panel layout: how roof orientation, obstructions and seasonal shading affect generation.
• Switchboard and electrical supply: whether additional electrical work is required for a compliant installation.
• Inverter location: accessibility, weather exposure, ventilation, manufacturer requirements and cable routes.
• Battery location: compliance with battery installation requirements and suitable access for future servicing.
• Network connection: applicable connection, inverter and export limits.
• Monitoring: whether the system measures solar production only or also household consumption, grid imports, exports and battery operation.
• Future requirements: provision for EV charging, additional solar, batteries or other significant electrical loads where appropriate.

Electrical design, protection, cable sizing, inverter configuration, battery placement and grid connection requirements must be determined by appropriately qualified and accredited professionals for the individual property.

Use an Appropriately Accredited Installer

For eligible solar and battery systems to receive STCs under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, the system must meet applicable product, installation and accreditation requirements.

Solar Accreditation Australia administers installer and designer accreditation. Battery installers require the appropriate battery accreditation or endorsement for the work they perform.

Solar panels, inverters and batteries used for eligible installations must also meet the applicable Clean Energy Council approved-product requirements.

Accreditation does not replace state or territory licensing requirements. Electrical work must also be carried out under the appropriate electrical licences and comply with the laws applying where the property is located.

Before installation, you can ask for the installer's accreditation details and check that they hold the appropriate credentials for the system being installed.

What Should Be Included in a Solar Quote?

A useful solar quote should make it possible to understand exactly what you are buying and compare proposals on more than total price.

What Should Be Included in a Battery Quote?

If a battery is included, the quote should provide enough information to compare storage, power, backup functionality and rebate assumptions properly.

Be Careful with Savings and Payback Claims

Solar and battery financial returns vary substantially between households.

A payback estimate depends on assumptions about:

• future electricity prices;
• feed-in tariffs;
• solar generation;
• household electricity consumption;
• when electricity is consumed;
• battery efficiency and degradation;
• tariff changes;
• VPP payments where applicable;
• maintenance and replacement costs; and
• how long you remain at the property.

Rather than accepting a salesperson's headline payback figure, ask for the assumptions behind the calculation and compare them with your actual bills or smart-meter data.

Solar generally has a different financial profile from a battery, so ask for the expected solar and battery savings separately where both are being installed.

Choosing the Right Solar and Battery System

Start with your actual electricity use rather than a particular panel, inverter or battery brand.

Consider how your household uses electricity today, how that may change over the next several years, how much suitable roof space is available and whether backup power is important.

Solar can make sense without a battery. A battery may provide additional savings, flexibility and blackout protection, but the result depends heavily on system cost, usage pattern, electricity tariffs and how the battery is configured.

Don't choose equipment solely because it has the longest specification sheet, biggest rebate or lowest advertised price. A properly sized system, quality installation, appropriate equipment, realistic savings estimate, strong warranty support and an installer who will still be available after installation are all important.

Comparing several complete quotes allows you to see different approaches to system size, equipment, battery capacity, backup, installation and price before deciding what best suits your home and budget.