Solar Installation in Melbourne
Solar makes financial sense for most Melbourne homes, but not for all of them, and not always in the way the sales pitch suggests. What actually determines whether it's worth it is your roof, your usage pattern, and whether you're home during the day — not the size of the system somebody wants to sell you.
What actually determines the payback
The single biggest factor is how much of your own generation you use rather than export. Feed-in tariffs are a fraction of what you pay to buy power back, so a household that's home during the day, or that shifts the dishwasher and washing machine to the middle of the day, does far better than one where everyone leaves at 8am. That's a bigger lever than an extra couple of kilowatts of panels.
Roof orientation and shading
North-facing is the textbook answer, but east-west split systems often suit real households better — they generate in the morning and the evening, which is when most people are actually home using power. Shading from a neighbouring tree or a chimney matters more than people expect, because it can knock out a whole string of panels. This has to be assessed on site.
Your switchboard, again
Solar needs to connect into your switchboard, and older boards frequently aren't up to it. If your board is full or outdated, it may need upgrading before solar can go on. Worth knowing before you sign anything, not after.
Batteries and EVs
A battery changes the maths, and so does an EV charger. If you're likely to get an electric car in the next few years, size the system with that in mind — it's far cheaper to install once than to come back and add to it later.
Rebates
Victorian solar rebates can significantly reduce the upfront cost, and eligibility depends on your circumstances. We'll talk you through what you're likely to qualify for honestly, rather than building it into a headline price and hoping.
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Request a Quote →Common Questions
What size solar system do I need?
It depends on your usage, your roof and whether you're home during the day. A 6.6kW system suits a lot of Melbourne households; larger makes sense if you use a lot of power during daylight or plan to add an EV or battery.
Is solar worth it in Melbourne?
For most homes, yes — but the payback depends heavily on how much of your own generation you actually use rather than export. If nobody's home during the day, the case is weaker unless you add a battery.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade for solar?
Sometimes. Solar connects into your switchboard, and older boards often lack the capacity or space. We check this before quoting rather than surprising you on installation day.
What about the Victorian solar rebate?
Rebates can meaningfully reduce the upfront cost and eligibility varies. We'll give you a straight answer about what you're likely to qualify for.