If you’re like most Aussie families, you know how quickly energy bills can eat into your budget, especially when everyone’s home with the air con blasting or the kids are glued to their devices.

Thankfully, there’s a bright side: installing solar energy can save you thousands of dollars, and it’s easier than you might think. Let’s break down the cost benefits of solar installation to help you make an informed decision for your home.
How Much Can Solar Really Save You?
On average, Australian families can save between $800 and $2,000 every year just by installing energy panels. That’s enough for a family holiday, new school supplies, or a chunk towards your mortgage.
Over 25 years, a household can pocket $20,000 to $50,000 or more in savings, all just from using the sun that shines on your roof every day.
Recent research from the University of New South Wales backs this up, finding that rooftop solar can deliver the average household a $1,390 yearly saving. That’s not just a win for your wallet, it’s a huge win for your family’s future.
What Affects How Much You’ll Save?
1. The Size of Your Solar System
The bigger your system, the more electricity you’ll produce, and the more you’ll save.
For example, a popular 6.6kW system, ideal for a busy family home, can produce around 28kWh of electricity a day, covering most of your energy needs.
2. Feed-in Tariffs
When you make more electricity than you use, you can send it back to the grid and get paid for it through something called a feed-in tariff. Depending on where you live, you could earn 7 to 22 cents per kWh.
3. Battery Storage
If you want to really maximise your savings, adding a home battery means you can store solar energy for the evening peak, like during homework and dinner time. Batteries aren’t cheap, but federal and state rebates can knock costs down to $7,500 or less. Families with batteries typically save an extra $1,000 to $1,500 a year, with payback in about 5–7 years.
Government Help Makes it Even Better
There’s a reason Australia has some of the highest rates of solar in the world: the government has your back. Here are some of the incentives they offer to encourage you to go solar:
- Rebates help with upfront costs
- Interest-free loans are available in some states
- Feed-in tariffs put extra money back in your pocket
- Battery incentive programs are making storage more affordable than ever
The Bigger Picture: A Cleaner Future for Our Kids
Switching to solar isn’t just about savings, it’s also about creating a cleaner, greener future for your family.
As of 2025, renewable energy makes up 40% of Australia’s electricity market, and rooftop solar alone provides 30% of it. These figures are expected to keep growing as more families choose to switch to sustainable energy sources.
Some communities in Caloundra and Townsville are even setting up Local Renewable Energy Zones (LREZs) where families can share local solar power and save extra on expenses.
Is Solar Worth it for Your Family?
If you’re a homeowner thinking about ways to stretch your budget further, solar is a fantastic option. Not only can you slash your power bills by hundreds or even thousands of dollars each year, but you’ll also be helping build a healthier planet for your kids and grandkids.
With government help, growing technology, and endless Aussie sunshine, there’s never been a better time to switch to solar.
Sources:
- https://saegroup.com.au/blog/saving-with-solar-in-2024/
- https://www.solarcitizens.org.au/solar_potential_report_april_2024
- https://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wealth/labors-offer-to-subside-a-battery-for-rooftop-solar-is-appealing-but-do-the-numbers-stack-up/news-story/ed2c0fd09b457390a814e476f17e166a
- https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news-resources/clean-energy-australia-report
- https://www.energex.com.au/our-network/our-network-batteries/local-renewable-energy-zone-lrez-pilot