Solar Payback Calculator Australia
Value the solar you use and export, then test whether projected bill savings recover the installed cost.
kWh from your installer quote or an official solar estimator
Percentage used on site instead of exported
Fills both tariffs with the median published flat-rate market offer. Replace them with the rates on your bill.
c/kWh incl. GST · NSW market: 29.49c–35.01c, median 32.52c
c/kWh exported · NSW market: 1c–3c, median 2.54c
Percentage per year from the panel warranty or quote
A planning estimate only. Weather, shading, curtailment, tariff changes, maintenance and equipment replacement can materially change the result.
State tariff ranges: flat-rate residential market offers published under the Consumer Data Right, collected 20 September 2026. Time-of-use and stepped plans are excluded.
What this estimate includes
- Separates higher-value self-consumption from exported electricity.
- Uses installed cost after rebates or incentives.
- Allows for annual panel-output degradation and maintenance.
- Shows payback, first-year return and long-term net benefit.
Frequently asked questions
How is solar payback calculated?
Payback is reached when cumulative electricity-bill savings equal the installed cost after incentives. This estimate values solar used on site at the import tariff and exported solar at the feed-in tariff.
Why is self-consumed solar worth more?
The Australian Government explains that households usually save most by using their solar generation directly, because it avoids the retail import tariff rather than earning only the export tariff.
Should I include a battery?
Use the combined installed cost and adjust annual generation use only if you have a credible battery estimate. Energy.gov.au notes that batteries often pay back more slowly than solar alone and may not recover their cost within their lifetime.
What can change the actual payback?
Weather, shading, roof orientation, export limits, maintenance, equipment replacement, tariff changes and how much electricity you use during solar hours can all change the outcome.
Tax Accuracy & Sources
Reviewed: 13 August 2026 · Tax year: Not tax-year dependent
Illustrative solar-only or combined-system cash-flow estimate. Excludes financing costs, tariff escalation, tax, inverter replacement and non-financial benefits.