5 kW solar prices in each capital city
| City | Standard | Per watt | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | $4,740 | $0.95 | $5,860 |
| Brisbane | $5,550 | $1.11 | $6,600 |
| Canberra | $5,120 | $1.02 | $6,150 |
| Darwin | $8,470 | $1.69 | $9,950 |
| Hobart | $6,100 | $1.22 | $7,230 |
| Melbourne | $5,140 | $1.03 | $5,970 |
| Sydney | $4,990 | $1.00 | $5,960 |
| Perth | $4,260 | $0.85 | $5,300 |
| National average | $5,550 | $1.11 | $6,630 |
The prices above already take off the federal discount. In 2026 a 5 kW system creates 34 small-scale technology certificates (STCs) in zone 3, which covers Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, and 29 in zone 4, which covers Melbourne and Hobart. At the $40 Clearing House price that is up to $1,360 and $1,160, though certificates usually trade a little below it. See how STCs work.
How much power a 5 kW system makes
| CER zone | Example places | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Alice Springs | 22.2 kWh | 8,110 kWh |
| Zone 2 | Darwin | 21.0 kWh | 7,680 kWh |
| Zone 3 | Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra | 18.9 kWh | 6,910 kWh |
| Zone 4 | Melbourne, Hobart | 16.2 kWh | 5,925 kWh |
The Clean Energy Regulator rates every postcode by how much sunshine it gets. Its zone ratings are averages for a well-placed system, so treat them as a guide. A north-facing roof with no shade comes closest to these figures; east and west roofs, shade and hot panels all make less. Run your own numbers in the solar calculator.
Who a 5 kW system suits
- Two to three person households using about 10 to 20 kWh a day.
- Homes where the network sets a 5 kW export limit and the owner does not plan to add a battery.
- Roofs with space for about a dozen panels on one or two faces.
5 kW or 6.6 kW?
The step from 5 kW to 6 kW costs about $780 on the national averages. Many installers now put 6.6 kW of panels on a 5 kW inverter. Clean Energy Council design guidelines, which installers must follow for STCs, allow panels up to 133% of the inverter's capacity, and 6.6 kW is 132% of 5 kW.
The bigger array keeps the inverter near full output for more of the day, including mornings, afternoons and cloudy days, while staying inside a 5 kW export limit. Read about export limits and see the 6 kW price guide.
Common questions
About $5,550 installed on the national average for a standard system, or $6,630 with premium parts, after the STC discount, from the Solar Choice Price Index for October 2026.
About twelve panels at 440 W each, which is a common size in 2026. Higher wattage panels need fewer. Each panel takes up about 2 square metres.
On Clean Energy Regulator ratings, about 18.9 kWh a day in zone 3 cities such as Sydney and Brisbane, and about 16.2 kWh in Melbourne and Hobart, averaged across the year.
Sources
System prices are from the Solar Choice Price Index, an industry average of installer quotes, as there is no government price series. Output and STC figures are from the Clean Energy Regulator. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.