7 kW solar prices in each capital city
| City | Standard | Per watt | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adelaide | $6,140 | $0.88 | $7,510 |
| Brisbane | $7,120 | $1.02 | $8,440 |
| Canberra | $6,440 | $0.92 | $7,570 |
| Darwin | $10,490 | $1.50 | $12,680 |
| Hobart | $7,940 | $1.13 | $9,310 |
| Melbourne | $6,490 | $0.93 | $7,570 |
| Sydney | $6,450 | $0.92 | $7,640 |
| Perth | $5,470 | $0.78 | $6,770 |
| National average | $7,070 | $1.01 | $8,440 |
The prices above already take off the federal discount. In 2026 a 7 kW system creates 48 small-scale technology certificates (STCs) in zone 3, which covers Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra, and 41 in zone 4, which covers Melbourne and Hobart. At the $40 Clearing House price that is up to $1,920 and $1,640, though certificates usually trade a little below it. See how STCs work.
How much power a 7 kW system makes
| CER zone | Example places | Per day | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | Alice Springs | 31.1 kWh | 11,354 kWh |
| Zone 2 | Darwin | 29.5 kWh | 10,752 kWh |
| Zone 3 | Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra | 26.5 kWh | 9,674 kWh |
| Zone 4 | Melbourne, Hobart | 22.7 kWh | 8,295 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 7 kW system suits
- Four or more people, or homes using 20 to 30 kWh a day.
- Roofs split east and west, where more panels make up for a lower peak.
- Homes adding a battery, where daytime solar also has to charge storage.
A good fit for east and west roofs
Panels facing east and west make less at midday but spread output across the morning and afternoon, which matches when most homes use power. A 7 kW array split across both faces can keep a 5 kW inverter busy from early morning to late afternoon. The extra kilowatt costs about $740 more than 6 kW on the national averages.
Check how your network treats a bigger array. On single-phase connections, many networks cap inverter capacity and exports, so a 7 kW array usually still sits on a 5 kW inverter. See roof direction and shading.
Common questions
The national average is $7,070 for a standard installation and $8,440 for premium, after the STC discount and including GST, from the Solar Choice Price Index for October 2026.
About 26.5 kWh a day in zone 3 cities such as Sydney and Brisbane, and 22.7 kWh in Melbourne and Hobart, averaged over a year on Clean Energy Regulator ratings.
It makes a little more power for a few hundred dollars more. It suits bigger households, east and west roofs, and homes adding a battery. On a single-phase connection it usually still uses a 5 kW inverter.
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.