Solar Choice
Get an instant solar installation quote in your area


By
Mariam Gabaji&
Saakshi GuptaUpdated
Solar Choice
Get an instant solar installation quote in your area
Installing a rooftop solar system can be costly, but it's a solid way to save on power bills in the long run and support clean energy. Before you book it in, here's what to expect during solar panel installation.
Solar panels come in a range of sizes with differing costs. Along with solar panels, the cost of an inverter and installation fees will also be included in the final quote.
Depending on your budget and solar power consumption, you can also consider installing a home battery.
Prices start at roughly $3,000 for a 2kW standard solar system and can go up to $12,000 for a 15kW system.
According to Solar Choice, 6kW is the most common solar system size due to network restrictions and a typical electricity bill.
Adelaide residents can expect to pay between $3,790 and $7,500 for a 6kW system depending on the installer they choose.
A few things to know before contacting a solar panel retailer for a quote.
You should ideally request quotes from at least 3 retailers so that you can compare the prices, system sizes and customer reviews.
A quote should have a breakdown of all the costs, along with any rebates or discounts.
It should also include details of a system designed to fit the site, a list of components and a performance estimate.
You can get a free quote from Solar Choice within minutes. Just click on the green button to get started.
The returns from solar panels in Adelaide depend on several factors such as:
Because these factors vary so much between households, there's no single payback figure that suits everyone. Generally, the more of your solar power you use at home rather than export to the grid, the faster your system pays for itself.
You can head to our solar power payback guide to estimate your own payback period, as results vary based on your household's energy needs and consumption.
For instance, if you consume more energy than your solar system is capable of producing, you will be required to pay for the additional electricity sourced from the grid.
So, the returns won't be as good as when the output and your consumption match. It is also best if you can use most of the energy produced by the system to maximise the benefits of having solar.
A solar system is a significant investment so it is recommended that you go for a New Energy Tech Approved Seller.
This ensures that the work done in your home will meet the best industry standards, and the solar system installed will be safe and reliable.
You should pay attention to the quote documentation (and whether it has all the required details), warranty terms, and whether the installer is accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA).
The installer is required to either install the system themselves or be present at the site at least thrice during the installation process.
Most installers have a premium offer that is more expensive than average prices.
It typically comes with longer warranty periods and higher quality products. You can consider it if it fits your budget.
The solar system should ideally meet most of your daily energy usage.
You can go for a bigger solar system than required if you have the budget.
This would mean that any excess energy produced will be fed back into the grid and you will earn a solar feed-in tariff.
A bigger solar system can also shorten the payback time and address any increase in energy usage in the future.
There are a couple of incentives available in Adelaide to help you with your solar journey.
The scheme, under the Renewable Energy Target, creates a financial incentive for you to install solar panel systems (or other eligible renewable energy systems) through Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
You can assign the STCs to an installer to receive a discount or delayed cash payment in exchange. The scheme ends in 2030. Through the same scheme, the Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries program offers a discount on the purchase price of an eligible solar battery installed with a new or existing solar system, with support tapering for larger batteries and reducing over time.
The City of Adelaide's Sustainability Incentives Scheme offers rebates to residents, businesses and community groups in the City of Adelaide council area (postcodes 5000 to 5006), and tenants can apply for most incentives with their landlord's permission. Each rebate covers a percentage of your out-of-pocket cost, up to a cap. Residential incentives include:
Funding is limited and subject to the council's budget, so check the eligibility criteria and terms for each rebate before applying. The council says the scheme's funding for 2026-27 is fully allocated, so new applications may need to wait until it reopens. Check the council's website for the next funding round.
You only need to request quotes from retailers for the solar installation. Once you choose a retailer, the assigned installer will bring the components, including the solar panels, with them.
You should hire certified solar retailers and installers to install the solar panels. Doing it yourself could result in you losing out on rebates and warranties.
On the contrary, Domain Sustainability in Property Report 2022 found that houses with energy-efficient features had greater buyer interest as solar was seen as a bonus.
Good quality, well-maintained solar panels can last for about 25-30 years.
You will need to ask the landlord and get their go-ahead if you're interested in installing solar panels while renting.
A solar battery can be a great addition to your solar system as it saves excess solar power for later use and works as a backup in the event of a blackout. However, a battery is expensive and since it stores excess solar energy, you will also lose out on solar feed-in tariff. The Australian Government's Cheaper Home Batteries program can reduce the upfront cost of an eligible battery, and City of Adelaide residents may also be able to claim the council's battery rebate when the council's scheme reopens. It's still worth weighing the total cost against your expected savings before you buy.
The solar output will be hindered if the solar panels are partially shaded, but microinverters or power optimisers might make it work. However, installing solar panels on completely shaded roofs might not be worth the cost.
In most cases you don't but it's always best to double check with your council either way.
Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.
Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio
Saakshi Gupta is a writer for Finder. She has written for startups and other organisations. Her work has been published on Time Out Melbourne. Saakshi has a Master’s Degree in Media Communication from the University of Melbourne. See full bio
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