Solar Questions, Clearly Answered

A quality 6.6kW system in Australia typically costs $4,500–$7,000 after the federal STC rebate in 2026, depending on your state, panel brand, and installer. Smaller 3kW systems start from around $2,500–$3,500; larger 10kW+ systems can run $6,000–$10,000. Adding a 10kWh battery typically adds $8,000–$14,000 on top. Use our Savings Calculator for a personalised estimate, or get a free matched quote for an accurate figure.

For most Australian homeowners, yes - solar is one of the best financial decisions available. The average payback on a quality 6.6kW system is 3–5 years, with annual savings of $1,500–$2,700 depending on usage and location. Panel warranties run 25 years, meaning 20+ years of effectively free electricity after payback. Rising electricity tariffs continue to improve solar economics each year.

Savings depend on your electricity usage, your tariff rate, how much solar you self-consume during the day, and your system size. A typical household with a 6.6kW system that is home during the day can see annual savings of $1,800–$2,900. Use our free calculator to estimate your specific situation. A formal quote from a matched installer will include a personalised savings projection.

Payback periods vary by state and usage. As a rough guide: NSW/QLD homeowners typically see payback in 3–4 years; VIC/SA in 4–6 years; WA in 3–5 years. Households with higher electricity bills, north-facing roofs, and significant daytime usage recover their investment faster. Adding battery storage extends the payback period but provides additional benefits like blackout protection and greater grid independence.

Research consistently shows solar adds $15,000–$40,000 to residential property values in Australia. The exact impact depends on system size, location, and market conditions. The added value typically exceeds the cost of the system in competitive property markets, making solar a double win - ongoing bill savings while you live there, and improved resale value when you sell.

System size depends on your electricity consumption, roof space, and budget. A 3-person household with a $400–$500/qtr bill typically needs a 6.6kW system. Larger families or high-usage households may benefit from 10kW+. A north-facing roof allows for maximum generation. Our Savings Calculator estimates a recommended system size based on your bill and state, and your matched installer will propose the right size for your specific roof and usage profile.

The main incentive is the federal STC (Small-scale Technology Certificate) scheme, which gives all eligible homeowners a point-of-sale discount of approximately $2,500–$2,900 on a 6.6kW system in 2026. On top of that, several states offer additional rebates and loans: VIC (Solar Homes - up to $1,400), QLD (Battery Booster - up to $3,000), SA (Home Battery Scheme - up to $2,000), ACT (Sustainable Household - up to $15,000 interest-free loan). See the full Rebate Guide.

No - your CEC-accredited installer handles everything. They register your system with the Clean Energy Regulator, assign the certificates to a registered agent, and apply the discount directly to your invoice. You simply pay the discounted price. No paperwork required on your end.

It depends on your circumstances. STCs can be claimed on an upgrade if the original system was installed before 1 January 2007, or if you are adding genuinely new capacity (new panels and a new inverter) rather than simply replacing existing components. Your matched installer will confirm eligibility for your specific situation.

The STC scheme is legislated to close on 31 December 2030. The value of the discount reduces by one "deeming year" each January 1st. This means the rebate is at its highest right now - and will decrease each year until 2030. Acting sooner rather than later maximises the federal discount you receive.

The federal STC scheme is not means-tested and applies to all eligible homeowners regardless of income. Some state programs apply income caps - for example, the Victorian Solar Homes Program typically applies a combined household income cap of around $210,000. Check your state's specific criteria, or ask your matched installer.

There is no clawback. The STC discount was applied at the time of installation and is done. The solar system stays with the house. As noted above, solar typically adds significant value to the property - so selling with solar is generally a financial positive, not a negative.

Federal STCs and most state rebates require the property owner's consent and are typically only available to homeowners. However, some landlords are willing to install solar given the property value benefits - it's worth discussing with your landlord. Some states are developing renter-access pathways, but as of 2026 these remain limited.

A feed-in tariff (FiT) is the rate your electricity retailer pays you for excess solar power you export to the grid. In 2026, FiT rates in most states are 5–10 cents/kWh. Because your electricity tariff is typically 25–35c/kWh, it's far more valuable to use your solar power directly (self-consume) rather than export it - so running appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and EV chargers during the day maximises your return.

A CEC (Clean Energy Council) accredited installer has completed approved training, meets Australian Standards for electrical and solar installation, and is authorised to install systems that qualify for the federal STC rebate. You must use a CEC-accredited installer to access government rebates. Every installer in the ClearWatt Solar network is CEC-accredited and carries appropriate insurance.

A standard residential solar installation typically takes 1 day on-site. From quote acceptance to installation, the process usually takes 1–4 weeks depending on installer availability, grid connection approvals from your electricity network, and the complexity of your roof. Your installer will provide a more specific timeline.

Solar panels can be installed on most roof types, including colorbond, terracotta and concrete tiles, corrugated iron, and flat concrete roofs. North-facing roofs produce the most solar energy in Australia (15–20% more than east/west). South-facing panels are generally not recommended. Installers will assess your roof pitch, condition, and shading during the quoting process.

If your roof is in poor condition, it's generally recommended to repair or replace it before installing solar - particularly for tile roofs. Installing solar on a damaged roof can make future repairs more costly. Your installer will assess the roof during their site visit and advise if any pre-work is needed.

Yes, shading - from trees, chimneys, or neighbouring buildings - reduces solar output. Microinverters or DC optimisers can significantly mitigate shade losses by optimising each panel individually, rather than letting one shaded panel drag down the whole string. Discuss shading impacts with your installer, especially if your roof has partial shade during peak sun hours.

Quality solar systems typically include: 25-year product and performance warranty on panels (guaranteeing at least 80% output at year 25); 10-year product warranty on inverters (some brands offer 10–12 years); 5–10 year workmanship warranty on the installation itself. Always confirm warranties in writing before proceeding. ClearWatt Solar only matches with installers who use Tier 1 panels and reputable inverters.

In most cases, no council approval is required - residential solar installations are considered complying development in most states. However, heritage-listed properties, strata complexes, and some council areas may have additional requirements. Your installer will advise if any approvals are needed for your property.

Whether to add a battery depends on your goals. If maximising bill savings is your primary goal and you're home during the day, a battery may not be necessary - solar alone often delivers excellent returns. If you want blackout protection, greater grid independence, or to use solar power at night, a battery makes strong sense. Battery costs have fallen significantly and are now more financially viable for many households than they were 2–3 years ago.

A 10kWh home battery system installed in 2026 typically costs $8,000–$14,000 depending on brand, size, and installation complexity. After state rebates (QLD up to $3,000, SA up to $2,000, ACT up to $15,000 loan, VIC up to $1,400 for battery-inclusive Solar Homes), net costs can be significantly lower. Get a matched quote to see exact pricing for your state and home.

Yes, in most cases. Adding a battery to an existing solar system is possible but requires a compatible inverter or the addition of a battery-specific inverter. The easiest and most cost-effective approach is to install both solar and battery together. If you already have solar, your installer will assess compatibility with your existing system.

Most quality home batteries (e.g. Tesla Powerwall, sonnen, BYD) have a 10-year product warranty and are designed to last 10–15+ years before needing replacement. Battery capacity degrades slowly over time - most are warranted to retain at least 70% capacity at the end of their warranty period.

Genuinely free. We may earn a referral fee from the installer if and when you choose to proceed with an installation - but only if you proceed, and it never affects your quoted price. The matching service is completely free with zero obligation, ever.

After you complete the short quote request form, we use your postcode to identify the best-matched CEC-accredited installer in your area from our vetted network. We pass your details to that single installer, who contacts you to discuss your needs and prepare a quote. We match you with one installer only - not a panel of vendors competing for your details.

Every installer in our network must: hold current CEC accreditation; carry appropriate public liability and workers' compensation insurance; maintain verifiable 4★+ customer reviews; use quality Tier 1 panels and reputable inverters; and meet our ongoing conduct standards. We audit the network regularly and remove underperformers immediately.

No. Your matched installer contacts you once to deliver a quote. If you're not interested, say so - our network guidelines require them to respect that immediately with no follow-ups. We take this seriously and will remove installers who do not comply with our no-hassle policy.

We currently have the strongest coverage in NSW, VIC, QLD, and SA metro areas. We are expanding our network nationally. If we don't yet have a matched installer for your postcode, we'll let you know immediately rather than pass your details to an unsuitable match.

Yes. You can specify that you're looking for battery storage (with or without upgrading your solar) when filling in our quote form. We'll match you with an installer experienced in battery retrofits and additions who can assess your existing system's compatibility.