Solar and Battery Package Prices in Australia 2026: Full Breakdown

Solar and battery packages have become the default way Australians buy home energy systems in 2026. Installers bundle the panels, hybrid inverter, battery, and installation into a single quoted price, which is almost always cheaper than piecing together the components yourself.

But "package deal" does not mean one price fits all. What you pay depends heavily on system size, battery brand, where you live, and which rebates you can claim. This guide breaks down what solar and battery packages actually cost across Australia right now, so you can walk into a quoting conversation with realistic numbers.

A standard solar and battery package includes four main components. First, the solar panels themselves, typically Tier 1 brands like Trina, Jinko, LONGi, or Canadian Solar. Second, a hybrid inverter that manages power flow between the panels, battery, your home, and the grid. Brands like Sungrow, Fronius, GoodWe, and Huawei dominate the residential market. Third, the battery unit, most commonly a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) system from Tesla, BYD, Sungrow, or Huawei. Fourth, all the installation work: mounting, wiring, meter upgrades, council compliance, and commissioning.

The hybrid inverter is the piece that makes a package more cost-effective than buying solar now and a battery later. When you install solar first with a standard string inverter, adding a battery down the track often means swapping the inverter out entirely or paying extra for an AC-coupled battery. Buying together means the inverter is sized correctly from day one.

These are typical installed prices in 2026 before any state rebates but after the federal STC solar rebate. The battery component may also qualify for the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate, which can knock a further $2,000 to $4,000 off depending on battery size.

The sticker price of a solar and battery package is fairly similar across the country, but the effective price (what you actually pay after rebates) varies significantly by state. Some states offer generous battery incentives that stack on top of the federal program. Others offer very little beyond the national STC discount.

Two households buying the same system size can end up paying very different amounts. The biggest variable is the battery brand. A Sungrow SBR 9.6kWh is one of the cheapest reputable batteries on the market, while a Tesla Powerwall 3 at 13.5kWh commands a premium for its integrated inverter, active cooling, and broader VPP support. Choosing Sungrow or BYD over Tesla can save $2,000 to $5,000 on an otherwise similar package.

The inverter matters too. If you choose a Tesla Powerwall 3, the inverter is built in, so you do not need a separate one. With other batteries, you need a compatible hybrid inverter. Fronius and SMA tend to cost more than Sungrow or GoodWe, but some installers prefer them for reliability and after-sales support.

Installation complexity is the third major factor. A single-storey home with a north-facing roof and a meter box right next to the switchboard is the easiest (and cheapest) install. Multi-storey homes, steep or tiled roofs, long cable runs from the roof to the battery location, asbestos eaves, or switchboard upgrades all add cost. Expect $500 to $2,000 in extras if your install is not straightforward.

Finally, the panel brand makes a smaller but still noticeable difference. Premium panels like REC or SunPower add $1,000 to $2,000 to the package compared to standard Tier 1 options like Jinko or Trina. For most households, the standard Tier 1 panels offer excellent value, and the money is better spent on a larger battery.

Almost always, yes. There are three reasons. First, you only pay for one installation visit. Electrician labour is a significant chunk of any solar or battery install, and doing everything in a single visit saves $800 to $1,500 in labour alone. Second, the hybrid inverter costs roughly the same as a standard solar inverter, but if you install solar first with a standard inverter and add a battery later, you will likely need to replace the inverter or pay more for an AC-coupled battery. That swap costs $1,000 to $2,000. Third, installers typically offer a modest discount on the hardware itself when selling a bundled package, because they are making a larger sale.

The one scenario where buying separately makes sense is if you genuinely cannot afford a battery right now. Installing solar-only today and adding a battery in two to three years is still a reasonable strategy, especially since battery prices continue to fall. Just make sure your installer fits a hybrid inverter from the start to avoid the inverter swap cost later. Most good installers will recommend this anyway.

Oversizing your system wastes money. Undersizing means you still draw too much from the grid in the evening. Getting the right match matters more than chasing the biggest system you can afford.

Get at least three quotes from CEC-accredited installers. Pricing varies more than you would expect, even for identical equipment. Make sure each quote specifies the exact panel model, inverter model, battery model, and what is included in the installation scope. Vague quotes that list "Tier 1 panels" without naming the brand are a red flag.

Check whether the federal Cheaper Home Batteries rebate has been applied as a point-of-sale discount. Some quotes show it, others do not, which makes apples-to-apples comparison difficult. Ask explicitly. Also confirm whether your state rebate is included or needs to be applied for separately.

Timing matters too. The federal battery rebate shifts to tiered pricing from May 2026, which will likely reduce the per-kWh discount. If you are on the fence, locking in the current rate could save you a meaningful amount. That said, do not let urgency push you into a system that is not right for your home.