Solar payback calculator
See how long a solar system takes to pay for itself, based on your system size, power bill and how much you use during the day.
6.6kW is the most common home size.
Leave as is for a typical figure, or enter your quote.
- Yearly savings$1,420
- 10 year saving$14,200
How solar payback works
Payback is simply how long the savings take to cover what you paid for the system. The two biggest levers are how much power you use during daylight, when the panels are generating, and your electricity rate. Power you use yourself is worth far more than power you export, because feed-in tariffs are low.
This calculator uses an average of 4.0 kWh per day for every kilowatt of panels, which sits in the middle of the range across Australia. Sunnier states do a little better and the cooler southern states a little less. For an exact figure, use the generation estimate on your written quote.
| What helps payback | Why |
|---|---|
| Using power in the day | Self used power offsets your full rate |
| A higher electricity rate | Every kWh you avoid buying is worth more |
| A sharp install price | Less to pay back in the first place |
Handy gear for this job
Want to shift more usage into daylight hours? These can help.
- Smart plug with timerView on Amazon AU →
- Energy usage monitorView on Amazon AU →
- Smart power boardView on Amazon AU →
These are Amazon Australia links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the prices we publish.
Common questions
How long does solar take to pay off in Australia?
For a typical 6.6kW system most homes see payback in three to six years, depending on how much power they use during the day and their electricity rate. After that the savings are yours.
Does daytime usage really matter that much?
Yes. Power you use while the sun is up offsets your full electricity rate, often around 30 cents per kWh, while exported power might only earn 5 cents. Running appliances during the day speeds up payback a lot.
Is the feed-in tariff important?
It helps, but it is small compared with self used power. Do not pick a system purely on feed-in rate. Sizing it to your daytime use matters more.
These figures are estimates to help you plan and sense check quotes. They are not a quote. Site access, materials, finish and your location all move the final price. Always get two or three written quotes.
Know a fair price before you call
Browse the rest of the free calculators and hiring guides, or read the cost guides on the blog.