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Residential Solar Solutions

Solar Panel Installation

Turn your roof into a power plant with a custom-designed system installed by accredited electricians.

Electricity bills are climbing while your roof sits unused. A properly sized solar system—matched to your usage, installed to code and connected to the grid—cuts your dependence on rising network tariffs. Solar Advice handles everything from roof inspection and system design through to grid connection paperwork, monitoring setup and handover.

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Why your roof could power your home instead of paying rising network charges.

Electricity network tariffs have climbed faster than most household incomes, and that trend is not slowing. Your roof gets six to seven peak sun hours most days and generates power exactly when the grid is busiest—yet most homes leave that potential untapped. Battery storage has become cheaper, but a properly sized solar system starts paying for itself through bill reduction long before you add batteries.

A professional installation by an SAA-accredited electrician ensures your system is sized to match your consumption, installed to code and connected to the grid safely. You'll know the exact output you can expect, the rebates you qualify for, and how to monitor performance daily. Most systems reach payback in five to eight years and generate free power for another twenty.

What this covers

  1. 01

    Site Assessment and Roof Inspection

    We inspect your roof's condition, pitch, orientation and shading, test your switchboard and metering, and review your recent power bills to size the system correctly. A structural engineer's report is arranged if needed.

  2. 02

    System Design and Modelling

    We calculate the best array size for your usage, select tier-one panels and an inverter matched to your roof and power supply, and model your expected generation and bill savings. The design is shown to you in writing before any order is placed.

  3. 03

    Installation and Connection

    Our SAA-accredited electricians install your panels, inverter, racking, isolators and safety switches to Australian standards. We lodge grid connection paperwork with your distribution network and arrange the final network inspection and export approval.

  4. 04

    Monitoring Setup and Handover

    Your monitoring app is configured and tested, and you're shown how to read generation, export and daily savings. You receive a handover pack with performance data, warranty certificates and contact details for future support.

  5. 05

    Battery Storage Integration

    If you're adding a battery now or later, we design and install the system with battery-ready switchboard wiring and compatible inverter firmware. We can also help you apply for the Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate.

How to choose the right system size for your home.

System size in kilowatts (kW) should match your average daily consumption. Review your last twelve months of power bills: most Australian homes use 15–25 kWh per day. A 6.6 kW system on a single-storey home typically generates 20–28 kWh per day depending on location and season; a 10 kW system on a double-storey home generates 30–42 kWh per day. High-usage households with air conditioning, pools or electric hot water may need 13 kW or larger.

Your installer will use your consumption data and your postcode's solar zone (which determines the STC multiplier under the SRES) to recommend the sweet spot: large enough to cut your bill significantly, but not so large that most output goes unused and exports to the grid for a lower feed-in tariff. Oversizing can reduce your return on investment; undersizing leaves potential on the table. The site assessment includes a written modelling report showing your expected generation month by month, your estimated bill savings and your payback timeline.

If you expect your usage to increase (for example, you're planning to add air conditioning or an electric vehicle), design the system to accommodate that growth. Many modern inverters can handle additional panels later without needing a complete redesign.

Roof type, pitch and orientation: how they affect your system.

Solar panels perform best on south-facing roofs in Australia between 15° and 40° pitch. Tile roofs (terracotta, concrete and Colorbond) are ideal because flashing (waterproofing boots) is well proven. Tin (corrugated metal), metal and fibre cement roofs are also suitable with proper racking and flashing. Flat roofs need weighted ballast racking instead of roof penetrations, which is more expensive but equally reliable.

If your roof faces north-west, east or west, you'll generate less midday power but more in afternoon and evening—useful if you use air conditioning late in the day or charge an electric vehicle after work. Shading from trees, buildings or terrain reduces output and should be mapped during the site assessment. If significant shading is unavoidable, we discuss options including partial shading (using microinverters or power optimisers on affected panels), repositioning arrays, or trimming vegetation with the owner's consent.

Multi-storey homes often have multiple roof planes at different angles. Your installer can split the array across two or three sections with separate inverters (or one three-phase inverter) if it improves output and future expansion options. Roof age and condition matter: if your roof will need replacement within five years, it's worth planning that work before or alongside your solar project to avoid disturbing the system later.

Pricing guide

How much does solar installation cost in Australia?

Total cost depends on system size (kW), panel and inverter brand tier, roof type and pitch, switchboard condition, single or three-phase supply, and available rebates. After accounting for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) under the federal SRES, the net cost to you is typically 20–30% lower than the before-rebate price. Your distribution network, postcode and any state-specific incentives also influence the final figure.

  • System size in kilowatts (kW) and number of panels
  • Panel and inverter brand tier (tier-one vs. mid-tier)
  • Roof type (tile, tin, metal, fibre cement) and pitch (15°–40° ideal)
  • Switchboard condition and whether single or three-phase electrical supply
  • Distance from switchboard to roof and cable run complexity
  • Available rebates: STCs under federal SRES, state top-up schemes, and Cheaper Home Batteries Program for storage
Job typeLowTypicalHigh
6.6 kW system, single-storey tile roof, south-facing$4,000$5,200$6,500
10 kW system, double-storey home, mixed shading$6,500$7,500$8,500
13 kW system, high-usage household, three-phase upgrade$8,500$9,000$9,500
Upgrade from 5 kW to 10 kW with new inverter and battery-ready wiring$5,000$6,500$7,500

Prices shown are market guidance ranges in AUD and include GST. They are not promises. Final quotes vary by postcode, roof condition and retailer choice. Your installer will provide a detailed written quote after the site assessment. If you're adding a battery, expect an additional $8,000–$15,000 depending on capacity; the Cheaper Home Batteries Program subsidy (from 1 May 2026) reduces this by up to $12,600 for a 10 kWh system. Confirm current rebate amounts with the Clean Energy Regulator or your state energy agency.

Typically included

  • Free site assessment, roof inspection and switchboard check
  • System design, modelling and written quote with bill-savings estimate
  • Supply and installation of tier-one panels, inverter, racking and isolators
  • Installation by SAA-accredited electrician to Australian Standards
  • Grid connection paperwork, network application and liaison
  • Final network inspection, export approval and sign-off
  • Monitoring app setup, testing and handover training

Often excluded

  • Roof repairs or replacement (separate trade quotation required)
  • Structural engineer's report (arranged and charged separately if roof assessment reveals concerns)
  • Switchboard replacement or electrical upgrades beyond standard solar safety switches and isolators
  • Battery storage, inverter upgrade or three-phase power installation (quoted separately if needed)

Do not commit to an installation without a written site assessment, system design and itemised quote. Avoid quotes that do not clearly state system size (kW), panel and inverter model, roof orientation, expected generation (kWh/year) and your estimated net cost after rebates. If your roof is in poor condition, over twenty-five years old, or shows signs of structural movement, the installer will recommend a professional roof inspection before proceeding. Confirm your eligibility for STCs and any state rebates; some programs have income or postcode restrictions.

Questions to ask every installer

  1. 1Is your installer SAA accredited, and can you confirm their current accreditation number?
  2. 2Will you provide a written site assessment report and system design before I commit?
  3. 3How do you handle grid connection paperwork and communication with my distribution network?
  4. 4What warranty do you offer on the system as a whole, and what do the panel and inverter manufacturers cover?
  5. 5Can you provide references from customers with similar roof type and system size to mine?

Local solar data

How much power does solar make in Victoria?

Each kW of panels in Victoria makes about 1,366 kWh a year (Melbourne data). That means a 6.6kW system makes around 9,016 kWh a year, or about 25 kWh on an average day. Melbourne averages 4.8 peak sun hours a day.

Figures use PVWatts modelling for a north-facing (south-facing in the northern hemisphere) roof at 20°. Your actual output depends on shade, roof direction and the panels you choose.

CityNetworkkWh per kW a yearSun hours a dayGrid price per kWhYearly saving, 6.6kW
Melbourne VIC — 1,366 4.76 — —

Incentives that apply in Victoria

National · battery

Cheaper Home Batteries

About $252/kWh for the first 14 kWh, $151/kWh to 28 kWh and $38/kWh to 50 kWh (2026 rate)

Battery 5–100 kWh, able to join a VPP, connected to rooftop solar

Source: DCCEEW Cheaper Home Batteries, from 1 May 2026 · checked 2026-10-16

National · solar

Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs)

Upfront discount: kW × zone multiplier × deeming years × STC price

Systems up to 100kW installed by an SAA-accredited installer

Source: SRES: zone multiplier × 5-year deeming × $38 per STC · checked 2026-10-16

VIC · hot water

Solar Victoria hot water rebate

up to $1,400 locally made, $1,000 other

Same $150,000 income cap

Source: Solar Victoria, from 1 July 2026 · checked 2026-10-16

VIC · solar

Solar Victoria panel rebate

up to $1,400

Combined household income $150,000 or less

Source: Solar Victoria, from 1 July 2026 · checked 2026-10-16

Sources: PVWatts v8 (north-facing 20°, 14% losses, nearest station) · SRES: zone multiplier × 5-year deeming × $38 per STC · DCCEEW Cheaper Home Batteries, from 1 May 2026 · Solar Victoria, from 1 July 2026

Brands we install

Brands we install

Ask us about current stock and warranty terms for each brand.

Panels
JinkoTrinaLONGiAikoRECCanadian SolarSunPower (Maxeon)
Inverters
FroniusSungrowSolarEdgeEnphaseGoodWeHuawei
Batteries
Tesla PowerwallSigenergyBYDAlpha ESSEnphase IQ BatterySungrow SBRFranklinWH

Questions

Common questions

Still have questions? Ask us or call 0485868633.

How much does a typical solar system cost in Australia?
A 6.6 kW system typically costs $4,000–$6,500 after factoring in system size, roof type, panel tier and available rebates. A 10 kW system ranges $6,500–$8,500. Larger 13 kW+ systems for high-usage households cost $8,500–$9,500. The Clean Energy Regulator's Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) provide an upfront discount calculated as system size (kW) × zone multiplier × 5-year deeming period × $38 per STC. Your distribution network, switchboard condition, roof pitch and single or three-phase power supply also affect the final quote.
What does a solar installation include?
A full installation covers site assessment and roof condition check, system design matched to your usage patterns, tier-one panels and a matched inverter, roof racking and isolators, installation by an SAA-accredited electrician, grid connection paperwork and lodgement, and setup of your monitoring app so you can track generation in real time. Solar Advice also provides you with a handover pack explaining your system, how to read the app and when to contact us for performance issues.
Do I need council approval or permits for solar panels?
Most residential solar installations are approved by your local council as part of a development assessment, but some postcodes or heritage areas have stricter rules. Your installer will check your council's requirements during the site survey and include any necessary applications in the project timeline. Grid connection requires an application to your distribution network operator (for example, Ausgrid in Sydney, Powercor in Victoria); Solar Advice lodges this on your behalf as part of the installation fee.
How long does a solar installation take?
A typical residential installation takes one to three days on site, depending on system size and roof complexity. Grid connection approval from your distribution network can take four to eight weeks after installation. From first contact to system live and monitoring running, most projects are complete within six to twelve weeks. Complex multi-storey homes or systems over 13 kW may take longer.
What rebates and incentives are available?
The federal Small-scale Technology Certificates (SRES) scheme offers an upfront discount on the cost of your system. The amount depends on your location (STC zone), system size and the 5-year deeming period; in 2025–2026 the benchmark is $38 per STC. From 1 July 2025, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program subsidises battery storage at $252/kWh for the first 14 kWh, $151/kWh from 14–28 kWh and $38/kWh from 28–50 kWh (2026 rate). Many states also run top-up rebates. Confirm current amounts with the Clean Energy Regulator or your state energy agency, as rates change on set dates.
Will solar panels work on my roof type and pitch?
Solar panels work on tile, tin (corrugated metal), metal and fibre cement roofs. Pitch between 15° and 40° is ideal; flat roofs need weighted ballast racking instead of roof penetrations. South-facing panels in Australia generate the most power, but north-west and east-west orientations are also viable depending on your usage profile. Your site assessment includes a full roof condition check; if roof repairs are needed before installation, Solar Advice can recommend a qualified roofer or schedule the work alongside your solar project.
What happens if I move house or change electricity retailer?
Your solar system stays with the property and is included in the sale. The new owner inherits the system warranty and monitoring access, though they'll need to set up their own retailer account and elect to join (or not) the federal STC scheme. Your retailer does not affect your solar system's operation; panels send power to your home and the grid regardless of which retailer manages your bill. If you move, ask Solar Advice about decommissioning and removal options.
What warranty do I get on panels and inverter?
Tier-one panel brands typically provide a 25-year power output warranty (80% minimum at year 25) and a 10–12 year product warranty. Inverters carry a 5–10 year product warranty depending on brand, with extended warranties available. All components are covered under the 2016-year system warranty from Solar Advice. Review your warranty paperwork at handover and register your products with the manufacturer to protect your coverage; Solar Advice helps with this during setup.

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