South Australia is the country’s cheapest state for solar installation, with average installation costs nationwide at $0.89 per watt.
Installation rates in South Australia were just $0.80 per watt, according to a report by Compare the Market, making the state the cheapest region in any country studied to install solar energy facilities. Western Australia and Queensland ranked second and third in Australia, with rates of $0.82 and $0.85 per watt, respectively.
“Solar energy is simply cheaper to produce than relying on the volatile price of coal and gas, plus rising network infrastructure costs such as poles and wires,” said Compare the Market head of Energy Meredith O’Brien.
“One of the biggest deterrents to solar power is the upfront costs required for installation, but depending on the size of the unit you choose, the savings can outweigh the cost quickly.”
Solar power use has surged in Australia, with energy output from rooftop solar facilities up 18% in 2024. Renewable energy provided three quarters of the power in Australia’s National Energy Market for the first time on 6 November.
Tasmania was the country’s most expensive state to install solar capabilities at $1.08 per watt, Compare the Market found.
Australia’s solar installation prices are more than $2.00 cheaper than much of the United States and Canada, according to the report
Ontario, Canada’s cheapest province to install solar facilities, posted costs of $3.04 per watt. Its most expensive regions, Newfoundland & Labrador and Nunavut, saw costs of $4.82 per watt.
In the United States, meanwhile, the cheapest state was Georgia at $3.58 per watt, while the most expensive was Maine at $4.41 per watt. The U.S.' average installation cost was $4.00 per watt.
