Is solar worth it in Australia in 2026?

For most owner-occupier households with reasonable daytime usage and a competitive system price, rooftop solar still pays back well within the system’s life. But “worth it” is specific to your usage rate, your daytime consumption and your feed-in tariff — which is why we steer you to your own numbers rather than a national average.

Does it depend on which state I’m in?

Yes. Electricity prices, feed-in tariffs and solar generation all vary by state, and they pull in different directions. We use our state feed-in tariff data and the electricity Reference Price Index to frame the answer per state — and we show a being-verified state wherever a figure isn’t yet confirmed, rather than inventing one.

Should I switch electricity plans before going solar?

Often, yes — switching to a cheaper plan is free and immediate, while solar is a multi-year investment. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, but it’s worth knowing what a plan switch saves first. Our solar-vs-switching page weighs them side by side.

Why don’t you just show me a payback figure for my state?

Because an honest payback figure needs verified feed-in and price data for your area, and some of that is still being confirmed. We’d rather show the framework and the live inputs than publish a number that looks precise but isn’t sourced.

Is solar worth it in your state?

“Worth it” isn’t one number — it depends on what you pay for power, how much you use during the day, and your feed-in tariff. Here’s the framework we use, built on real feed-in and price data. Where a figure for your state is still being confirmed, we say so rather than invent a payback number.

Your electricity usage rate

The more you pay per kWh, the more each unit of self-consumed solar saves you. This is usually the single biggest lever — bigger than the feed-in tariff for most homes.

How much you use during the day

Solar is most valuable when you use the power as it’s generated. Daytime households (working from home, pool pumps, EV charging) get more out of the same system than homes that are empty until evening.

Your feed-in tariff

Surplus you don’t use is exported at your feed-in rate, which is typically far lower than what you pay to buy power back. That gap is why self-consumption matters so much.

Your system price and any rebates

A lower post-rebate price obviously shortens payback. The federal STC rebate applies everywhere; state incentives, where they exist, help further.

The live inputs for your state

A per-state payback answer needs two verified inputs: your current electricity price and your feed-in tariff. We’re confirming both before we publish state payback figures.

Feed-in tariff by stateVerifiedsee rates by state
Current electricity price (per-zone)Being verifiedReference Price Index

In the meantime, you can run your own figures on the solar payback calculator.

Before you commit: is switching plans the faster win?

Switching to a cheaper electricity plan is free and takes effect in days; solar is a multi-year investment. If you’re paying well above the reference price, a plan switch may save more, sooner — and it doesn’t stop you adding solar later. See how the two stack up on solar vs switching retailers, or compare current prices on the Reference Price Index and electricity prices by state.

Common questions

Is solar worth it in Australia in 2026?: For most owner-occupier households with reasonable daytime usage and a competitive system price, rooftop solar still pays back well within the system’s life. But “worth it” is specific to your usage rate, your daytime consumption and your feed-in tariff — which is why we steer you to your own numbers rather than a national average.
Does it depend on which state I’m in?: Yes. Electricity prices, feed-in tariffs and solar generation all vary by state, and they pull in different directions. We use our state feed-in tariff data and the electricity Reference Price Index to frame the answer per state — and we show a being-verified state wherever a figure isn’t yet confirmed, rather than inventing one.
Should I switch electricity plans before going solar?: Often, yes — switching to a cheaper plan is free and immediate, while solar is a multi-year investment. The two aren’t mutually exclusive, but it’s worth knowing what a plan switch saves first. Our solar-vs-switching page weighs them side by side.
Why don’t you just show me a payback figure for my state?: Because an honest payback figure needs verified feed-in and price data for your area, and some of that is still being confirmed. We’d rather show the framework and the live inputs than publish a number that looks precise but isn’t sourced.

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Reviewed by James Baker, Founder, EnergyPlans.com.au. Source data is being verified. Methodology.