Price of solar systems reach all-time low in Australia

The Solar Choice Price Index provides a monthly update of the cost of solar across Australia, and the latest update shows that solar PV systems have reached an all-time low for residential and commercial customers.

The average price for all solar system prices dropped on average by approximately $200 at the beginning of November, with Melbourne and Brisbane remaining the most expensive cities in which to install a PV system despite reductions there as well.

One reason for the high price in Melbourne is that Victorian installers are also  responsible for a portion of the work done in Tasmania, therefore ticking the cost for Melbourne up slightly.

Sydney and Perth continue to be the cities with the lowest-priced systems in the country.

With a decrease in system cost has come a reduction in the cost per watt. Compared to October 2012, the cost we per watt is now approximately 9 cents cheaper across the board, with Melbourne seeing the greatest decrease at around 20 cents per watt. At the beginning of October, the average cost per watt for a 1.5kW system was $2.82, compared to $2.50 per watt at the beginning of November — the average cost of a 5kW solar PV system in Melbourne has dropped by 34¢ per watt.

Overall, the cost of systems have dropped considerably in such a short time, including the price of high-end premium systems.

Compared to the beginning of October, a premium 1.5kW system can be almost $1,000 cheaper, 2kW or 3kW premium systems may be $3,000 less expensive, the maximum cost for a premium 4kW system is nearly $6,000 less expensive, and the top price for a 5kW system has been reduced by over $6,000.

This article was first published on CleanTechnica. Reproduced with permission.

Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.

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