Solar-only systems still deliver strong paybacks when daytime self-consumption is high. Batteries win when evening rates bite or export is limited — especially with the Cheaper Home Batteries Program live since 1 July 2025 at ~$372/kWh usable. This comparison helps Australian homeowners decide stage-one scope before requesting CEC-accredited quotes on MrSolar.
Tell us about your home. We'll match you with 3 local installers.
Indicative 2026 pricing: a typical 6.6kW system often quotes around $5,000–$8,000 after the STC discount (metro installs often $5,000–$7,500; premium/regional can run higher). See our solar cost guide.
Free for homeowners. Participating installers pay MrSolar a lead fee when matched — that does not buy a higher ranking in our guides or reviews. See how we match quotes and is MrSolar legit?
Lower capital, simpler approvals and proven STC discounts keep solar-only attractive. After STC, many metro 6.6kW systems quote $5,000–$8,000. If you are home in daylight or can timer-shift loads, you may not need storage yet. Design battery-ready switchboard space if night loads might grow. 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.
Low FiTs (often 2–10c/kWh by state), export limits in Adelaide/Sydney/SEQ, and expensive evening TOU rates favour storage. A 10 kWh usable battery receiving about $3,720 federally (~$372/kWh) plus any state support can transform evening economics. Without those drivers, batteries can sit under-utilised. 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.
Buying PV now and storage later works if the inverter pathway is planned. Retrofitting AC-coupled batteries is common; swapping to hybrid later costs more. If you definitely want backup circuits within a year, installing hybrid infrastructure first can reduce double labour. 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.
Use your interval data. Stress-test FiT at 3c. Include battery cycles, usable kWh and tariff. Ignore fake star ratings and miracle payback claims. Itemise STCs, state rebates and federal battery dollars on every quote. 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.
Daytime-rich homes: solar-only first. Evening-rich or export-limited homes: solar + battery. Compare both packages from three CEC-accredited installers via MrSolar with identical PV sizes so the battery delta is honest. 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.
If you are home in daylight, on a modest flat tariff, with free export headroom and limited evening load, solar-only after STCs can beat a rushed battery. Add storage when evening rates hurt, export is capped, or blackout resilience matters — then claim ~$372/kWh usable federal support correctly. 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.
Victorians should ask about Solar Homes battery pathways; Queenslanders about Battery Booster; South Australians about Home Battery Scheme context; ACT about Next Gen. Always itemise beside federal support. MrSolar’s CEC-accredited quotes should show the stack, not a mysterious bundled discount. 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.
Compare solar-only and solar-plus-battery packages — request CEC-accredited quotes on MrSolar.
Written and reviewed by Daniel (Marketplace lead, Epic Unicorn Pty Ltd). We build pages from Australian solar datasets and regulatory references, then map you to CEC-accredited installers only.
Join over 230,000 Australian homeowners who've used MrSolar to find their installer. No obligation, no spam — just competitive quotes from CEC-accredited professionals.
Get My Free Quotes →Takes 2 minutes. Free forever. CEC-accredited installers only.