Energy prices are getting out of hand. We’ve just learned that there will be another energy increase this year of 8.9%.
Bills are up, usage is up, and the idea of installing solar sounds much more attractive. And then the questions start piling up.
- Is now a good time to buy?
- Why is everyone quoting different prices?
- Is the government still doing rebates, or did that quietly disappear?
- What the hell is a kilowatt hour, and why do I suddenly care so much about it?
If you’re a homeowner in NSW stuck in the middle of this decision, this article is for you. We will walk you through exactly what a solar system costs, what’s behind those prices, what rebates are available, and how long it takes to start seeing your money return.
Just a proper, no-nonsense breakdown of what it’ll cost and what you’ll save.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What Does Solar Cost Per kW in NSW?
- What Does a Solar Panel System Cost at PSC?
- What Else is Included in a PSC Quote?
- Why Do Solar Panel Prices Vary So Much?
- What Rebates Are Available for Solar Energy in NSW?
- What Are the Long-Term Savings for Solar Energy?
- Are There Hidden Costs to Watch Out For?
By the end of this article, you’ll understand solar costs and how they compare to PSC’s pricing.
What Does Solar Cost Per kW in NSW?
Let’s start with the most common question: “How much does solar cost?”
Most solar quotes in NSW price the system based on dollars per watt. Since systems are sold by the kilowatt (1,000 watts), here’s a rough guide of what you can expect in 2025:
With prices like this, why would you consider a microinverter system? Here’s a little perspective: a microinverter system will usually cost a few thousand dollars more upfront, but you’re getting a decentralised system that works better in the shade, lasts longer, and tells you exactly how each panel is performing.
String systems are cheaper upfront, but less efficient over time and often need one or two inverter replacements over their lifetime.
They also don’t cope well with shade, dirt, or anything that drops a panel’s performance. They work like Christmas lights: one bulb goes, and the whole string dims.
Paying a premium means maximising your system’s efficiency. You get what you pay for, after all.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about weighing the cost of solar against the cost of the grid, you might want to check out the following article titled, Cost of Solar Panels vs. Cost of Energy from the Grid.
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What Does a Solar Panel System Cost at PSC?
We know we have a reputation for being more expensive than the competition. This reputation has more to do with the Enphase microinverter systems we sell than anything else we do.
We install so much more than microinverters.
If we use the same average system size of 10kW and compare the pricing at PSC, you’ll see the following:
Enphase Microinverter 10kW System: $13,055
Sungrow String Inverter 10kW System: $10,900
We also offer two other types of systems that are a little more difficult to explain in regarding costs. The following systems include solar batteries in addition to the solar panels and inverter or microinverters. The price below includes the rebate amount deducted from the cost.
It’s a package deal for an entire energy system.
Sigenergy SigenStor 10kW System with 8kWh Battery: $13,100
Tesla Powerwall 3 10kW System with 13.5kWh Battery: $17,800
The SigenStor system is particularly good value. These all-in-one systems deliver such value because of the solar battery. Coupling batteries with panels is the only way to reduce your bills to near zero.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar payback periods, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is the Payback Period for Solar Panels in Australia?
What Else is Included in a PSC Quote?
We offer more than just installation. When you sign up for solar with PSC, you enter a partnership. That partnership starts with you receiving a quote from one of our consultants.
- Our consultants will work with you to customise a system to your unique energy needs and goals. After that, they hand your system off to our installation team.
- Once your system is commissioned, you enter our service database and deal with us directly should anything happen to your system. We’ll help you repair and replace anything that needs doing. We fulfil your warranties along with the manufacturer.
- Our team guarantees a 10-year workmanship warranty.
This is the promise of a full-service, in-house team. We guide you through every step of the solar installation process, doing everything in-house. From your initial quote to fulfilling warranties for your system, you count on us.
Our competition mostly follows a sales and subcontractor business model. In this situation, a company will sell you the system and then hire electrician subcontractors to install the system.
The downside of working with these companies is that whenever anything breaks down on your system, the company and the subcontractor spend a couple of weeks (at least) pointing fingers at each other with you in the middle.
Meanwhile, you’re paying for grid electricity again. Sometimes for months.
PSC doesn’t do this. It’s why we have a reputation for being pricier than we actually are. A full-time service department and an in-house team for sales and installation set us apart.
And we’re doing all this at competitive price points.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of a good installer for your solar (the most important component of any system, seriously), you might want to check out the following article titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
Power up your savings. Click here.
Why Do Solar Panel Prices Vary So Much?
So, why are there wild price swings between quotes? Here’s what drives solar prices up or down:
1. System Size
More kilowatts mean more panels which costs more money. But this also provides better savings.
2. Type of Inverter
Microinverters cost more but are more efficient and generate consistent energy than the competition. String inverters are cheaper but more prone to performance drops and failures.
3. Roof Complexity
Tiled roofs, steep pitches, second storeys, and multiple orientations will increase the installation cost. These are obstacles for solar installers.
4. Installer Reputation
Companies that do everything in-house (like PSC) might charge more, but you get better quality. Subcontractors are often cheaper because they charge by the panel, which means they’re incentivised to rush by the company that sold the system.
5. Monitoring Equipment
Microinverter systems have an energy usage monitoring app comes included. Same with Powerwall and SigenStor. On string systems, it’s sometimes extra. You absolutely want it. Otherwise, you’re flying blind. You wouldn’t buy a car without a speedometer.
6. Warranties
Components with long warranties cost more but also save you from surprises later. Microinverters come with a 25-year warranty, while string inverters are usually warranted for 5 – 10 years.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about our service department at PSC, you might want to check out the following article titled, Penrith Solar Centre’s Service Department Safeguards the Future of Your System.
What Rebates Are Available for Solar Energy in NSW?
There are two main rebates you need to know about.
Federal Rebate: The STC Scheme
This is the “solar rebate” everyone talks about. It’s not a flat amount; it’s based on how big your system is and how much sunlight your postcode gets.
The bigger the system, the bigger the rebate.
But please remember that this rebate is shrinking every year until it hits zero in 2030. If you’re sitting on the fence, time is literally money.
NSW Battery Rebate Ends, New VPP Incentive Begins
The NSW Government has quietly confirmed that its upfront battery rebate, officially known as the Home Battery Installation Incentive, will end on 30 June 2025. After that, it’s being replaced by an expanded Virtual Power Plant (VPP) incentive starting 1 July 2025.
Key Dates and Limitations
- NSW battery rebate ends on 30 June 2025.
- Federal battery rebate begins on 1 July 2025.
- You cannot claim both for the same battery install.
- NSW attempted to make the two rebates stackable but ultimately failed.
What This Means for Homeowners
- You can still technically apply for the NSW rebate until the end of June 2025.
- But in most cases, it now makes more financial sense to wait for the federal battery rebate.
- The NSW rebate program, despite over 11,400 installations, has struggled with rollout issues and limited availability.
Changes to the NSW VPP Incentive
- The previous VPP structure paid households twice: once when joining and again three years later.
- From 1 July 2025, the program shifts to a single upfront payment of up to $1,500, based on battery size.
- Example payments include:
- ~$550 for a 10kWh battery
- ~$1,500 for a 27kWh battery
- Estimated at roughly ~$55 per usable kWh
- Batteries must be between 2–28kWh to qualify.
- The VPP incentive can be claimed alongside the federal battery rebate.
- If you already own an eligible battery, you may still qualify for the VPP incentive by enrolling through an Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP).
If you’re interested in learning about the rebate for solar, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Does the Solar Rebate Work?
Let’s talk solar savings. Click here.
What Are the Long-Term Savings for Solar Energy?
This is where things get interesting.
Let’s say you install a 10kW solar system. Here’s what the numbers might look like.
Payback period systems:
- Under 3 years for a Sungrow string system.
- ~4.5 years for an Enphase microinverter system.
- ~5 years for SigenStor or Powerwall 3 systems.
That’s a pretty fast turnaround for each system.
Now, if you invest in a system with a battery, like the Sigenergy SigenStor, and shift more of your usage into the evening, you can save even more, up to 90–100% of your energy bill, depending on how you use your power.
Here’s how that works:
- Solar panels cover your daytime usage: During sunny hours, your panels power your home directly. Any extra energy charges the battery.
- The SigenStor battery stores the excess: Instead of exporting surplus power to the grid for a tiny feed-in tariff, you store it for your use at night or when energy costs a lot.
- Night-time usage is powered by your battery: Lights, cooking, entertainment, and heating/cooling after sunset are all covered.
- SigenStor is three-phase compatible: If your home has three-phase power, SigenStor can back up the entire house, not just a single phase like most batteries.
- Smart energy shifting: Use the battery’s intelligent control to avoid peak electricity prices and time your usage for maximum savings.
- Blackout protection: You’re not just saving money; you’re keeping the lights (and fridge) on during outages.
In many homes, this setup gets bills down to near zero. You still might get a connection fee from your retailer, but your actual energy usage costs? Gone.
When attaching a solar battery to an existing system, it costs much more than purchasing a combo system like SigenStor or Powerwall 3.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about the cost of SigenStor, we recommend you check out the following article titled, How Much Does the Sigenergy SigenStor Cost?
Get started with solar. Click here.
Are There Hidden Costs to Watch Out For?
Yep. Let’s call them the “gotchas.”
- Switchboard upgrades – $1,000 to $3,000 if yours is outdated
- Three-phase homes – You might need extra balancing gear
- Roof reinforcements – Possible for older homes
- Meter upgrades – Required for all systems feeding back to the grid
Always ask for an itemised quote. And if a quote seems suspiciously cheap, it probably skips something you’ll miss later.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about your energy needs, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Solar Do You Need?
Let’s go solar today. Click here.
So… Is Now a Good Time to Go Solar?
If you’re waiting for prices to drop, you might be stuck waiting while your energy bills keep climbing.
Panel prices have already hit rock bottom. Rebates are phasing out. And electricity isn’t getting any cheaper. So, unless your roof is falling apart or your budget is maxed out, the sooner you install solar, the better the return.
Think of it this way: Every day you wait is another day of paying $0.38 per kWh to a retailer who doesn’t even say thanks. And they’re raising prices by 8.9% soon.
Solar is no longer a fringe interest for the eco-minded. It’s now smart money, especially in a state where sunshine is free, and electricity is not.
At PSC, we know a thing or two about solar. After all, we install it all day, every day. We’re here for the day you’re ready to begin your solar journey. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning more about solar systems, you might want to check out our introductory article titled, New to Solar: Start Here.
