Updated on September 8, 2025
Folks get interested in solar for various reasons. Reducing our carbon footprint is a significant priority for investing in solar, but saving money is a close second. There are so many different considerations when pricing a solar system, but the biggest one is a very simple question: what does it cost?
Unfortunately, the answer to that question is a little complicated: it depends.
The solar industry is growing in leaps and bounds and evolving very quickly. Among the innovations are microinverter systems. Although they’ve been around for a while, they’re really gaining traction in Australia. Potential adopters are left wondering about the cost.
At PSC Energy, we want you to comprehensively understand this technology, why you might want to consider it, and how much it costs. In that spirit, you need to know that we install microinverter solar systems. We are biased on their efficiency and potential savings for customers. And we’re going to discuss them honestly and truthfully.
A lot of customers ask us why the cost fluctuates. We want you to be an informed shopper, even if you get your solar needs met somewhere else. In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- What is a Microinverter System?
- What Does a Microinverter System at PSC Energy Cost?
- What Factors Determine the Cost of a Microinverter System?
- What is Your Return on Investment?
- FAQ: Microinverter Price
If you’re looking for transparent and actionable information, you’re in the right place. So, pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and join us as we guide you through the costs of microinverter systems.
What is a Microinverter System?
Before we discuss the costs, it’s essential to understand what defines a microinverter system.
Every solar system has an inverter that converts direct current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power. The inverter does this because the sunlight the solar panels harvest is output as DC power, but your home appliances, lighting, and everything else runs on AC power.
A microinverter is just what it sounds like: an inverter, but micro. It’s a smaller piece of technology, an inverter, that is mounted on the underside of each solar panel. Every solar panel has its own microinverter. This differs from a string inverter system, where the inverter is typically mounted on the side of the house, converting DC power to AC power.
The design of microinverter systems optimises energy production by enabling each panel to operate independently. It’s a decentralised system; if one microinverter/panel combination fails, the other panel/microinverters continue harvesting sunshine and converting it to AC power – something that a string inverter system cannot do.
For more information on how a microinverter compares to string inverters, please read the following article: Microinverters vs. String Inverters: An Honest Comparison.
What Does a Microinverter System at PSC Energy Cost?
We’re not trying to be cute about our pricing; we are not being elusive. When it comes to pricing solar systems, there are varied prices because every installation is unique, and every customer’s needs are unique.
The short answer to the question of price is: it depends.
Larger systems are more cost-effective for you because our installation fee is included in the price. It’s priced this way because we’re an in-house installer who charges a flat day rate. However, a large or complicated installation usually requires more days. This will increase the installation price because of the additional day(s).
The pricing approximation will also include the STC (Small-scale Technology Certificate) rebate.
Solar sales companies that hire subcontractors for installations generally charge by the panel. And while you might save some money going with them for a smaller solar system (and you will because their installation costs at that level are much lower than ours), you will save money on larger solar systems by hiring us.
If you want more information on the differences between in-house installers and subcontractors, you can read this article about that very topic titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
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What Factors Determine the Cost of a Microinverter System?
When pricing a microinverter system, you want to look at the cost per watt.
Watt do you want me to do? Watt are you saying?
Sorry, that’s a little in-joke that folks in the solar industry like to throw around.
What’s a watt? A watt (abbreviated as W) is a small unit of measurement that’s used to quantify the rate of energy and power in electrical devices.
Watts provide us with insight into the potency and energy appetite of devices. Essentially, the higher the wattage, the swifter the device consumes or generates energy. Think of it as the speedometer for electricity, helping us gauge how power-hungry or powerful an electrical device is.
Generally, costs for string inverter systems are calculated at about a dollar per watt. If the system is small, they have a cheaper up-front cost than microinverters.
Pricing a solar system is a tricky business because it decreases the cost of your electricity bills.
How do you do the calculations for that?
It depends.
Several factors play a role in determining the overall cost of a microinverter solar system. These include:
- The cost of the microinverter.
- System size.
- Components
- Roof shape.
- Installation cost.
- Monitoring system cost.
What Does the Individual Microinverter Cost?
The short answer is around $150 – 180 each.
Worldwide, there are at least 20 different brands of microinverters, but the only one in Australia is from Enphase Energy. It’s a high-quality microinverter.
How Does Solar System Size Influence the Cost of the Microinverter System?
The size of your solar system, often measured in kilowatts (kW), directly impacts the overall cost of the system. Larger systems with more panels will naturally require more microinverters because there will be more panels under which they are mounted. More components mean the cost will be larger; there’s just more technology on your roof.
There are four key parts to a solar panel system.
Microinverter or Inverter: The microinverter or inverter (depending on the solar system) converts DC power into AC power.
Panels: Their job is to harvest that sweet, sweet sunshine. Solar panels can range from approximately $100 to $120 per panel, all the way up to about $350 to $400 per panel.
At PSC Energy, we look for a good, strong, mid-range panel. Something durable and backed by a 25-year warranty (at minimum). We don’t see the extra value in the more expensive brands when their warranties are the same and they have similar power output.
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing panels is the warranty. Investigate whether the warranty is backed by a company that will stand behind its products. Research the company and read reviews.
Another factor to explore is how accessible they are to you; do they have an office in Australia, and what is their claims process for warranties? The warranty process is something to remember when you’re pricing any technologies for your solar system.
Mounting System: This is the metal framework that holds your panels to the roof. We use Schletter mounting systems, which can be used on a variety of roof types: tile, tin, and everything in between.
Battery Storage: Solar system batteries store energy for use later, just like the smaller ones you might find in your household devices. This is an optional feature, but one you should consider when looking at the cost of a solar system. The only way to eliminate your energy bills is with a solar battery.
If you’re interested in solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, Are Solar Batteries Worth It in NSW? PSC’s Ultimate Guide for 2025.
Roof Shape
One of the biggest factors in determining a solar panel system is how many roof faces the system will be spread across. The more roof faces, the more labour and the more materials involved.
When we say “roof faces,” we’re discussing the aspects of the roof. What direction does each face of the roof, um… face? Is it to the north, south, east, or west? What is the tilt or orientation? This can affect the cost of labour for the installation.
The design and shape of your roof can affect the complexity of the installation process. If your roof has unique features, such as angles or obstructions, it may require additional labour and materials for proper microinverter placement, potentially increasing the overall cost.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about how your roof will affect your installations, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Does Your Roof Affect Your Installation?
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Installation Costs
The labour and installation expenses play a significant role in the total cost of your microinverter system. Factors such as the location of your home, the ease of access to the roof, and any necessary electrical work can influence installation costs.
At PSC Energy, our labour cost stays fixed as a day rate. The reason for this is that we’re an entirely full-service, in-house solar installation company, from information to installation and servicing. Many solar companies in Australia hire subcontractors for installation. We don’t use subcontractors; we have our own team of experts.
Subcontractors will charge more as the size of a string inverter solar system increases because they tend to charge by the panel. A good rule of thumb for the installation portion of those costs with a subcontractor is about $0.30 per watt, with the whole installation costing about $1.00 per watt.
So, if you’re installing an 11.7kW system (our current average size system we install), subcontractors would charge $3,510 for installation costs alone. That’s not far off from what PSC Energy charges for installation costs.
If the price goes up for a 16.2kW system installed by a subcontractor, it’s about $4,860 for the installation alone. For solar systems between 11.7kW and 16.2kW, PSC Energy is more cost-effective because we have fixed labour costs.
Of course, that fixed labour cost is a day rate. If the system is complicated or very large, it may be a two-day installation, which (as we mentioned earlier) will affect the cost of the system.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of your roof type and how it affects your solar installation, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Does Your Roof Affect Your Installation?
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Monitoring System Costs
Microinverter solar systems come with monitoring systems that display your consumption and production of energy and power. It’s important to know the energy use and production of your solar system because this information helps you make choices to maximise your energy usage.
At PSC Energy, we install Enphase microinverters. The system comes with a free app. It’s easy to use and intuitive. You’ll want to get used to checking in with it because optimising your system’s performance creates long-term savings.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of monitoring and programming your energy, you might want to check out the following article titled, What is Consumption Monitoring?
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What is Your Return on Investment?
When considering the cost of a microinverter solar system, it’s crucial to account for the potential return on investment. A solar system will lead to significant energy savings over time.
The average payback period for a residential solar system in New South Wales, Australia, ranges from 3 to 5 years. This means that the initial investment will be recouped in that timeframe through savings on electricity bills. And remember, the cost of electricity is rising.
Your electricity (after 3 – 5 years, once that system recoups its upfront cost) will then be free.
Keep in mind that the statistic is an average. It doesn’t take into account specific factors unique to you and your needs. Those needs might include your self-consumption patterns, how much electricity from your panels is being exported back to the grid for a feed-in tariff, and whether your system has a battery (or two).
Various government incentives, tax credits, and rebates can help offset the upfront costs. Depending on your location and local regulations, these financial incentives can substantially reduce the overall expense of your solar installation.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about solar and battery rebates in NSW, Australia, you might want to check out the following article titled, Ultimate Guide to Australia’s 2025 Solar Rebate and Battery Rebate: Federal and NSW Rebate for Solar.
Don’t Roll the Price On Solar!
The cost of a microinverter solar system can vary widely based on factors such as the cost of the microinverter, system size, roof shape, installation costs, and monitoring system costs.
Remember to also consider the return on investment. While the initial investment might seem substantial, it’s important to consider the long-term energy savings and potential financial incentives that can make solar power an economically viable and environmentally responsible choice.
The best advice we can give you is this: do your research and ask lots of questions.
If you ever want to know what goes into the price of a microinverter solar system, just ask the company you’re considering. They should be able to shed light on why one or more of the options will alter the cost.
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.
FAQ: Microinverter Price
What is a microinverter solar system?
A microinverter system puts a small inverter under each solar panel. Each panel turns DC power into AC power on the roof. The panels work on their own, so one weak panel does not drag down the rest. This design boosts safety, performance, and visibility of your system.
How is a microinverter different from a string inverter?
A string inverter sits on a wall and handles power from a whole group of panels. If shade or dirt hits one panel, the whole string can slow down. Microinverters convert power at each panel, so problems stay local, and the rest of the array keeps humming.
Why are microinverters popular in Australia now?
People want higher performance, better safety, and clear monitoring. Microinverters deliver all three. They also suit complex roofs with many faces and tilts, which are common in Aussie suburbs.
How much does a microinverter system at PSC Energy cost?
Pricing depends on your roof, system size, components, and labour days. Larger systems often deliver better value per watt because the fixed day-rate labour spreads across more panels. Your quote also includes the federal STC incentive as an upfront discount.
Why do prices for microinverter systems vary so much?
Every home is different. System size, panel model, roof complexity, switchboard work, single-phase vs three-phase gear, and monitoring or battery choices all change the price. Installer model matters too. In-house installers price labour by the day. Sales companies with subcontractors often price per panel.
What does “cost per watt” mean and why does it matter?
Cost per watt is the system price divided by total panel wattage. It helps you compare quotes of different sizes. Most cheap string systems price near one dollar per watt. Microinverter systems cost more per watt but return more energy and visibility over time.
How much does each microinverter cost?
Expect about $150 to $180 per microinverter. In Australia, Enphase is the main microinverter brand on the market and it leads in reliability and support.
How does system size affect total cost?
Bigger systems need more panels, racking, and microinverters, so the total goes up. The price per watt often goes down because fixed costs (like site setup and day-rate labour) spread across more panels. Bigger systems usually deliver faster payback if you use the energy well.
What hardware makes up the bill of materials?
You pay for panels, microinverters, mounting hardware, monitoring gear, cabling, and compliance items. You may also add a battery. Panel prices range widely by brand and warranty. We usually recommend strong mid-range panels with 25-year product warranties.
Do I need a battery with microinverters?
You do not need one, but a battery can turn daytime solar into night savings. Panels cut bills during the day. A battery covers the evening peak. If your goal is near-zero bills, you should consider a battery.
What is consumption monitoring and is it included?
Consumption monitoring shows how much energy you make, use, import, and export. You can see your patterns by the minute in an app. With Enphase systems, the monitoring hardware and app are part of the package. On many string systems, you must add extra hardware to get true consumption data.
How do roof faces and shade affect price and design?
More roof faces and complex layouts add labour and racking. Shade increases the value of microinverters because each panel works on its own. Designers may split arrays across north, east, and west to match your morning and evening usage.
How do installation models change cost and service?
In-house installers handle design, install, commissioning, monitoring setup, and warranty in one team. You get consistent quality and faster service. Sales companies that use subcontractors may be cheaper on small jobs, but support can be slower and less clear when something breaks.
How do microinverters perform with shade and dirt?
Much better than strings. If one panel is shaded or dirty, only that panel drops. The rest run at full tilt. You also see the problem in the app and can clean, or trim as needed.
What warranties should I look for?
Look for 25-year product warranties on panels and 25-year warranties on microinverters. Check that the brand has an Australian office and a clear claims process. Long, local warranties reduce risk and protect your payback.
Do microinverter systems include app-based alerts?
Yes. You get real-time production and consumption, historical graphs, and alerting for faults. This keeps your system efficient and safe and helps you catch issues early.
