Solar PV Price Index–February 2014

Average prices for systems of all common sizes included (1.5kW-10kW) in almost all cities have increased this month, with 1.5kW systems rising the most. Systems in Canberra appeared to undergo a decrease across the board, but this was due mainly to the replacement of one installer in the relatively small data set (3 installers) with a new addition to the Solar Choice network. Solar system prices for Tasmania have been re-included in this month’s Solar PV Price Index after being left out for January.

Average solar system prices by city and some

All prices in the table below are inclusive of the federal STC incentive.

Solar Choice average solar PV system prices Feb 2014

Solar system prices for February 2014: $/W averages, highs & lows

Hobart, Tasmania remains the city with the highest solar installation prices–although this month Adelaide steals that crown for 1.5kW and 2kW systems, according to Solar Choice’s data. Perth and Sydney, meanwhile, offer the least expensive systems for all sizes. (High and low 10kW system prices were left out for Canberra, as only 1 installer had 10kW pricing listed.)

Solar Choice PV system prices avg high low Feb 2014

About STCs

STCs accounted for a price reduction of approximately 71c/W for Zone 3 cities (Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane), and around 65c/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’ options are not included.

City Panel brands used Inverter brands used
Adelaide, SA ReneSola, Hanover, Q-Cells, Munchen, BenQ/AU Optronics, EC Solar
SolarMax, SMA, Power-One Aurora, Fronius, Growatt, Samil, Delta
Brisbane, QLD ReneSola, Perlight, Canadian, Q-Cells, ZNshine, EC Solar, REC, LG, Seraphim, SolarMax, JFY, Eltek, SMA, Samil, Growatt, Power-One Aurora, Zever, Fronius, Think Power
Canberra, ACT ReneSola, Q-Cells, Phoenix, BLD JFY, Growatt, Power-One Aurora
Melbourne, VIC Trina, ReneSola, Q-Cells, Phono Solar, BenQ/AU Optronics, SolarWorld, Ulica, Yingli, Aleo, Hyundai SolarMax, Power-One Aurora, Latronics, Samil, Growatt, Fronius, SMA, Enphase
Tasmania ReneSola, Munchen, Q-Cells Samil, Growatt, SolarMax, Fronius, Delta, Power-one Aurora
Sydney, NSW Conergy, Hanover, ReneSola, Trina, Munchen, Phono Solar, Yingli, Tianwei SMA, Power-One Aurora, Growatt, SolarMax, Sungrow, Fronius, Delta, Samil, JFY, KStar
Perth, WA GY, Hanover, Yingli, ReneSola JFY, Growatt, SMA, Power-One Aurora, SolarMax, Samil, Fronius

Historic solar PV system prices (since August 2012)

Solar Choice 1-5kW Solar PV system prices Feb 2014

Solar Choice 2kW solar PV system prices Feb 2014

Solar Choice 3kW solar system prices Feb 2014

Solar Choice 4kW solar system prices Feb 2014

Solar Choice 5kW solar system prices Feb 2014

Solar Choice 10kW solar system prices Feb 2014

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.

About Solar Choice

Solar Choice is a solar PV installation and advice service based in Sydney, NSW, providing free Solar Quote Comparisons for residential solar customers Australia-wide. Solar Choice’s commercial wing, Solar Choice Commercial, manages tenders for medium- to large-scale solar projects for a wide range of clients. Solar Choice also develops large-scale and utility-scale solar projects of its own.

© 2014 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

James Martin II