6 kW solar prices in each capital city
| City | Standard | Per watt | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | $5,320 | $0.89 | $6,550 |
| Brisbane | $6,210 | $1.03 | $7,390 |
| Canberra | $5,700 | $0.95 | $6,920 |
| Darwin | $9,890 | $1.65 | $11,630 |
| Hobart | $6,950 | $1.16 | $8,250 |
| Melbourne | $5,810 | $0.97 | $6,730 |
| Sydney | $5,750 | $0.96 | $6,750 |
| Perth | $5,030 | $0.84 | $6,150 |
| National average | $6,330 | $1.05 | $7,550 |
The prices above already take off the federal discount. In 2026 a 6 kW system creates 41 small-scale technology certificates (STCs) in zone 3, which covers Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, and 35 in zone 4, which covers Melbourne and Hobart. At the $40 Clearing House price that is up to $1,640 and $1,400, though certificates usually trade a little below it. See how STCs work.
How much power a 6 kW system makes
| CER zone | Example places | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Alice Springs | 26.7 kWh | 9,732 kWh |
| Zone 2 | Darwin | 25.2 kWh | 9,216 kWh |
| Zone 3 | Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra | 22.7 kWh | 8,292 kWh |
| Zone 4 | Melbourne, Hobart | 19.5 kWh | 7,110 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 6 kW system suits
- Three to four person households using about 15 to 25 kWh a day.
- Homes with air conditioning, a pool pump or a heat pump that can run in the middle of the day.
- Owners planning a battery later, who want enough spare solar to charge it.
Why 6.6 kW is so popular
A 6.6 kW array paired with a 5 kW inverter fits two rules at once. Clean Energy Council design guidelines let panels run up to 133% of inverter capacity, and many networks have set a 5 kW export limit on single-phase homes. The extra panels lift output in the mornings, afternoons and winter without needing a bigger inverter.
The Solar Choice index publishes 6 kW and 7 kW prices rather than 6.6 kW, so expect a 6.6 kW quote to sit between them: about $6,330 to $7,070 on the national averages.
Inverter clipping is normal
On a clear summer midday, a 6.6 kW array can produce more than a 5 kW inverter can pass through, so the peak is trimmed. The energy lost is small compared with what the extra panels add at other times.
Common questions
Solar Choice publishes 6 kW and 7 kW averages, of $6,330 and $7,070 nationally for standard systems in October 2026. A 6.6 kW system usually prices between the two, after the STC discount and including GST.
About 25.0 kWh a day averaged over a year in zone 3 cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and about 21.4 kWh in Melbourne and Hobart, using Clean Energy Regulator zone ratings.
Clean Energy Council design guidelines allow panels up to 133% of inverter capacity. The extra panels keep a 5 kW inverter busy for longer each day and suit networks with a 5 kW export limit.
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.