How much do Solar Panels Cost?

A full roof of solar panels can cost anywhere from $2,800 to $6,000, depending on the quality and wattage the panels can produce.

To produce maximal energy output solar panels should be cleaned once a year.  An annual clean can cost anywhere from $380 to $550, generally, prices are quoted per solar panel and can be anywhere from $4 to $10 each.

Solar panel price continues to go down in recent years. In Australia, the estimated solar panel cost per panel is estimated at $1.31 per watt as of January 2018. The figure represents an almost 40% drop in the price of a photovoltaic system since August 2012.

A bird’s eye view of solar panels on the roof of a house. | Source: Banana Solar Pty Ltd

Aside from the solar panel price, there are other costs to consider.

Installation: Installation cost depends on your location and how much kilowatts the solar panel is capable of producing.

Electrical: Electrical components and the mounting structure are some other additional expenses when building a solar panel.

Electrician costs: Labour costs, too, need to be factored.

All of these factors depend on which Australian state you are in or whether you are in the city or a rural area.

Need help installing solar panels? Look for local solar panel installers in our community today!

Installation of solar panels. | Source: Solarcel Energy

Price is what proponents of renewable energy are using to convince more people and industries lately for greater adoption of renewable energy. Wind and solar energy components saw a drastic slip in building costs in recent years.

However, the location is still a significant element affecting the solar panel price. The Renewable Energy Target, a federal government program, is the culprit behind the wide disparity in prices of solar panels across Australia. The program incentivises homes and other structures that embrace renewable energy. However, it implements a different zone rating for each state that directly impacts the price.

For example, solar panels cost $4,740 for a 2 kilowatts (kW) photovoltaic system in January 2018. The national price differs significantly from that of Darwin, where the panel price is at $8,100 for a 3kW solar panel system during the same period, and that in Sydney, New South Wales where it was at $3,890.

An aerial view of solar panels on a roof in Bondi. | Source: Banana Solar Pty Ltd

The mounting structure, electrical components, and labour costs are other factors you need to consider when deciding to install solar panels. Location still affects additional costs when installing a photovoltaic system. This is due to the prices of components used in the structure and the different hourly labour cost in different locations in Australia.

Electrical components

Components needed for this system includes wires, switches, breakers, and inverters. These parts each play an essential role in converting that sunlight into electrical energy you can use in your home.

Mounting structure

This component is an essential piece of the system. A photovoltaic system can use a good, quality mount for more than 20 years. We recommend that you choose a mount made from a material that is capable of withstanding harsh weather conditions. It is a given that your photovoltaic system is most likely to be installed in your home’s roof.

Labour cost

A licensed electrician is usually capable and the most dependable professional to install your photovoltaic system. Having a professional do all the work brings all the comfort that less is likely to go wrong while you are using it and that it will last for an extended period. Costs depend on your location, as different cities across Australia have varying hourly rates. Rates can go higher if you decide to work with a Clean Energy Council-accredited company.

The average cost of solar panels for home is around $3,000 to $6,000 for a quality 3kW photovoltaic system. While it might seem to be a big investment, you can be comforted about your contribution to the planet’s conservation and the long-term return of investment.

*The cost data is based on Oneflare and third-party sources