Brisbane solar panels: Prices and installers

Brisbane solar power

Sunny Brisbane is the ideal place to install a solar power system. Not only do solar panels in Brisbane generate more power than their southern counterparts in Sydney and Melbourne, but the increase in sunshine hours also entitles you to receive a greater solar rebate.

A typical 5kW system in Brisbane generates, on average, 21kWh of electricity every day. The average household uses 18kWh of electricity every day, so theoretically, a 5kW system can power the average Brisbane household. However, it is essential to perform your calculations, especially as your electricity consumption habits play a significant part in how much you can save. Solar panel output will also vary a little depending on your rooftop.

The table below shows the solar panel output of varying system sizes in Brisbane:

Brisbane solar panel output

Panel orientation for Brisbane conditions

For generating solar power in Brisbane, it is best to position your panels so that they face north. If for example, you are only able to position your panels on a west facing rooftop, this is ok; keep in mind that they will still generate as much solar power as panels in Melbourne that face north.

Optimum panel angle for Brisbane conditions

It is best to position your panels at the same angle as the latitude of the location to maximise year-round solar production; for Brisbane, this means that a solar panel angle of 27.5° is optimal. If your roof pitch is not exactly 27.5° do not despair, the panel angle is not typically a decisive factor. For example, a higher pitch will receive more sun in winter when the sun travels at a lower arc, and this may be advantageous depending on your consumption habits.

Solar panel prices in Brisbane

A 6.6kW system in Brisbane is likely to cost between $6,000 – $8,500. This price includes your solar rebate. The variance reflects the quality of the system you opt for and the reputation and reliability of the installation company.

The table below shows prices for different system sizes in Brisbane:

Brisbane solar prices

You will find cheaper solar panel deals, but we prefer to use prices that reflect the cost of a good, reliable solar panel system. We recommend avoiding bargain basement solar packages that risk the safety and longevity of your solar power system.

Queensland rebates and incentives

Federal government solar rebate

If you are a Brisbane resident, you’ll receive a larger solar rebate than if you were living in Victoria, because your roof receives more sunshine. You may receive as much as $2,520 off a full-priced 6.6kW system.

You need to have your system installed by a Clean Energy Council accredited installer to get your rebate. The panels and inverter you buy must also appear on the CEC’s list of approved products. If you buy a panel and battery system, the battery needs to be approved by the CEC too.

Queensland feed-in tariffs

Feed-in tariffs vary between retailers in Brisbane and all of Queensland. For the Brisbane metropolitan area, feed-in tariffs typically range from 5 – 15c for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity your system exports back to the grid.

Typical payback and savings in Brisbane

If you are using around 40% of your total electricity usage during daylight hours, it is possible to payback your system in five years in Brisbane. More importantly, if you install a system larger than 6.6kW, you can save upwards of $55,000 over the life of the solar panels.

The graphic below shows payback and savings results from our calculator for a typical 6.6kW system in Brisbane:

Brisbane solar panel installers

Finding a good installer company and buying quality solar panels is vital to the performance and longevity of your system. We’ve put together a guide to help you find a good installation company. We have summarised some of they key points from that guide below:

• Compare warranties for installation, panels and the entire system
• Assess the sales conduct and years in business of your installer
• Assess the accreditation credentials of your solar company

Why get quotes from us?

Our quote service

Alternatively, our quote service can help you find a reliable and reputable Brisbane installer company. We only refer customers to solar companies that:

• Supply approved solar panels
• Use CEC accredited installers
• Are CEC approved solar retailers
• Provide an entire system warranty of five years