Lease vs Buy Solar Panels in Australia (2026)

Buying: you own the asset and usually the STCs

A purchase lets a CEC-accredited installer assign STCs as a point-of-sale discount. With spot $39.85 as of 2026-08-05, Zone 3 6.6kW systems point to about $1,435 off; many metro installs then quote $5,000–$8,000. You keep tariff flexibility and resale value in the home. Maintenance and inverter mid-life costs are yours — budget for them. Ask the installer to show the certificate or voucher maths with your postcode, the $39.85 spot assumption (as of 2026-08-05) where STCs apply, and a separate line for any Cheaper Home Batteries Program dollars (~$372/kWh usable since 1 July 2025). Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.

Leases and PPAs: lower entry, less control

Lease/PPA marketing emphasises little or no upfront cost and a monthly payment. Read who owns the system, who claims STCs, what happens if you sell the house, and whether production guarantees are audited. Some contracts restrict battery adds or roof works. “No upfront” is not “no cost”. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk.

Incentive transparency test

If a lease provider claims government support made the deal possible, ask for the STC and any state rebate maths in dollars. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program (~$372/kWh usable since 1 July 2025) similarly needs clear ownership eligibility if storage is bundled. Opaque incentive capture is a red flag. Ask the installer to show the certificate or voucher maths with your postcode, the $39.85 spot assumption (as of 2026-08-05) where STCs apply, and a separate line for any Cheaper Home Batteries Program dollars (~$372/kWh usable since 1 July 2025). Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.

Exit, movers and roof replacements

Buyers can relocate arrangements case-by-case; lease exits often include transfer fees or buyout formulas. Reroofing under a leased array needs landlord-style permission from the system owner. If you expect to move within five years, model exit costs before signing either path. A site assessment with photos, stringing plan and shade notes beats brochure layouts; mismatched orientations need separate MPPTs or module-level electronics. Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk.

Practical recommendation for most homes

When you can fund a purchase (cash or competitive loan), buying from CEC-accredited installers via MrSolar usually maximises transparency and long-term flexibility. Consider lease/PPA only after a solicitor or trusted adviser reviews the contract against three purchase quotes. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.

Who owns the STCs and the risk

Purchased systems typically see STC value as a point-of-sale discount via your CEC-accredited retailer/installer. Lease/PPA structures may allocate certificate value and performance risk differently — read who benefits if production disappoints. Ask the installer to show the certificate or voucher maths with your postcode, the $39.85 spot assumption (as of 2026-08-05) where STCs apply, and a separate line for any Cheaper Home Batteries Program dollars (~$372/kWh usable since 1 July 2025). Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk.

Exit fees, roof sales and moving house

Buying keeps the asset with the property (and usually helps at sale). Leases can complicate conveyancing with exit fees or transfer rules. If you might move within five years, model those clauses before signing a “no upfront cost” offer. A site assessment with photos, stringing plan and shade notes beats brochure layouts; mismatched orientations need separate MPPTs or module-level electronics. Use this comparison to brief installers with a clear preference and a fallback — then price both options with the same CEC-accredited shortlist via MrSolar so hardware choices stay constant. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.

Prefer clear ownership? Compare CEC-accredited purchase quotes on MrSolar before you sign a lease.

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