Nationally, average solar energy system prices have risen for the second month in a row, according to data from the Solar Choice installer network database. Prices for 1.5kW, 2kW and 10kW systems rose in all capital cities, while prices for the most popular system sizes (3kW, 4kW and 5kW) showed more variation from place to place, holding steady in some cities, rising in others and declining notably in Brisbane and Canberra.
May 2015 average solar PV system prices
All prices in the table below include the federal STC incentive which installers ordinarily include in final system prices. GST is also included.
Solar system prices for May: $/W averages, highs & lows
About STCs
STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 79c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 63c/W for Melbourne & Tasmania.
Components used
The table below contains the brands of inverters and solar modules used in installations as listed by installers. ‘Premium’ product offerings are not included.
| City | Panel brands used | Inverter brands used |
| Adelaide, SA | Jinko, ReneSola, Sunrise Solartech, BenQ, Simax, Hanwha Q-Cells, Lightway, Trina | Fronius, Growatt, Zeversolar, SMA, Surpass, ABB/PowerOne Aurora, SMA, Delta, Schneider-Xantrex |
| Brisbane, QLD | ReneSola, Jinko, Australia Premium Solar, Jinko, Luxen, LG, Canadian Solar, Hanwha Q-Cells, REC, Suntech | Fronius, Zeversolar, ABB/PowerOne Aurora, JFY, SMA, Eltek, REA Powered Micro, Samil Power, Schneider-Xantrex, Growatt |
| Canberra, ACT | Jinko, Hanwha Q-Cells, Trina | JFY, ABB/Power-One Aurora, Delta |
| Melbourne, VIC | ReneSola, TDG, Jinko, Yingli, SolarWorld, Canadian Solar | Fronius, Delta, ABB/Power-One Aurora, SMA, Zeversolar |
| Tasmania | ReneSola, Hanwha Q-Cells, Yingli | Fronius, Samil, ABB/Power-One Aurora |
| Sydney, NSW | LG, Yingli, Hanwha Q-Cells, Top Solar, Suntech, CSun, Jinko, ReneSola, Trina, Canadian Solar | SMA, UNO, ABB/Aurora Power-One, Samil Power, Fronius, Growatt, Zeversolar, Eversolar, Sungrow |
| Perth, WA | TN, ET | GoodWe, ABB/Aurora Power-One, SMA, Delta, JFY |
Historic solar PV system prices (since August 2012)
Indexed $/W solar system prices (Historic)
The chart below provides an at-a-glance look at solar PV system pricing trends since September 2012. Data points are the average of average $/W for each system size (1.5kW-5kW until Nov 2013, then also including 10kW from Dec 2013).
About this data
Tables and charts included in this article were compiled using data from Solar Choice’s installer network database, which contains regularly-updated pricing and product details from over 125 solar installation companies across Australia. Prices do not ordinarily incorporate meter installation fees or additional costs for difficult installations. The discount available to Solar Choice customers is also excluded from calculations, as are prices for ‘premium’ installer offerings. Except in the final chart, average pricing figures for all of Australia are not weighted.
© 2015 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
