Solar Panel Costs for Homes – Solar panels cost, on average, about $16,000, or between $3,500 to $35,000 depending on the type and model. While solar panels can help save you money on energy costs, it’s important to know the overall startup solar panel costs so you can plan a budget.
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Can I just add solar panels to my system?
Can You Add Solar Panels To An Existing System? – Yes, it is possible to expand most solar energy systems, but it isn’t always cost-effective for various reasons. In some cases, adding solar panels might be more complicated and expensive than it may seem, but it is typically feasible.
Expanding might involve modifying or adjusting part of the original system setup. For example, if the system has a string inverter and it doesn’t have additional capacity, you will need to supplement or upgrade the inverter. If the system is a ground mount, you might need to add another racking system.
If the homeowner wants to add a battery bank and solar panels, it might also be necessary to install a larger inverter.
How many solar panels can you have on your house?
What is the maximum domestic system size you recommend? Are you wondering what the maximum domestic system size is for your building? Getting the right size for your domestic system can be tricky to figure out. This can be made especially difficult when faced with tons of technical jargon.
- The short answer: We typically recommend that the maximum domestic system size is, or 16 standard panels (240W-250W) and takes up around 26m² of the roof area – the equivalent of just under two and a half parking spaces.
- The reason we recommend this is that once you install a system larger than this size, the rate you are paid per unit of electricity you generates decreases, often meaning that to obtain the same returns you need to have a 7-8kWp system or more.
Many homes do not have this amount of roof space and may only be able to install 5-6kWp. 
What is the biggest solar system I can put on my house?
Solar system capacity limitations & requirements by state & network – We’ve been in touch with all of Australia’s distribution network operators in an attempt to work out what the rules are from one network to another. To the extent possible these rules have been verified with each of the networks but many reserve the right to review each connection on a case-by-case basis.
- As a general rule, 5kW tends to be the upper system size limit for single-phase connections, but some networks allow up to 10kW.
- There are lots of variations to this theme, however.
- Some networks will allow larger sizes than those outlined below, pending specific approval from the network.
- Some networks count battery inverter capacity towards your total allowable inverter capacity, while at least one network (ActewAGL) does not class battery storage as ‘generation’ and therefore does not.
Some networks currently set the limits in terms of kilowatts (kW), while others use kilo-volt-amperes (kVA) – usually based on the inverter capacity, but sometimes on the peak solar array capacity. It’s complicated!
| State or Territory | Network | Description | References |
| ACT | ActewAGL | Single phase: 5kW maximum 3-phase: Up to 30kWLarger systems require additional technical study before approval can be granted.If the site has single phase supply, the maximum size system that can be installed is 5kW, for 3-phase supply it is up to 30kW.The 5kW limit applies to the AC output of the inverter only. ActewAGL considers energy storage systems, such as battery banks, not to be a source of generation and therefore the 5kW limit does not apply to these systems.Customers who wish to install larger than 5kW on single phase supply must install an export limiting device (either via inverter or additional devices) to ensure that output from the system never exceeds this limit. | Solar connections |
| NSW | Ausgrid | Small-scale systems limited to 10kW (inverter capacity) Installations greater than 10kw but less than 30kw are classed as large scale generation and requires submission of an additional embedded generator connection application. A formal generator connection agreement may be required depending on the size of the generating system. | Connection requirements |
| Essential | An application for solar connection will automaticall be approved if the system is ≤3kW Rural or ≤5kW urban, and application meets all other requirements. At times export limitation may be required because of network constraints. Inverter capacity limits include battery inverter (if separate from solar inverter). | Connection to network information pack | |
| Endeavour | Single phase: Up to 5kW 3-phase: Up to 30kW | Installing a new solar generator at your house | |
| QLD | Energex | Single phase: Up to 5kVA inverter capacity.3-phase: up to 15kVA inverter capacity. IES systems above 5kVA per phase that intend to export power to the grid will be subject to a technical assessment. | Connection standard for solar systems up to 30kVA |
| Ergon | Single-phase: Up to 10kVA inverter capacity, but only 5kVA allowed for export. Systems with equal to or less than 3.5kVA inverter capacity will receive automatic approval.3-phase: Up to 30kVA inverter capacity, but only 15kVA allowed for export.Higher export limits on both single and 3-phase connections are possible, but will generally require making an application with their retailer to upgrade service to dual phase or 3-phase. | Connection standard for micro energy generation units | |
| NT (Darwin) | PowerWater | For ‘class 1′ small-scale systems – Single phase: Up to 5kVA 3-phase: Up to 7kVA inverter capacity. | Solar PV systems |
| SA | SA Power Networks | Single phase: Up to 5kW 3-phase: Up to 30kW(Battery inverter capacity is counted towards total allowable capacity.) | Embedded generation |
| TAS | Tas Networks | Single phase: Systems over 10kW must have export limiting technology 3-phase: Systems over 30kW must have export limiting technology | Connecting micro generation systems |
| VIC | United Energy | Single phase: 10kW system size limit 3-phase: 30kW system size limitThese limits are for ‘basic’ connections. Larger systems may be permitted but will require additional technical study before approval can be granted. | Solar Energy |
| Citipower / Powercor | Single phase: Up to 5kW system size limit (by inverter) 3-phase: Up to 30kW system size limit (by inverter – 10kW per phase)Depending on the transformer size and existing inverter connections an inverter smaller than 5kW may be required.For three phase transformers, assessment of larger inverter systems can be undertaken; fees may apply. | Solar and other generation | |
| Jemena | Single phase: Up to 10kVA (by inverter) 3-phase: Up to 30kVA (by inverter – 10kW per phase)Battery inverter capacity is counted towards total allowable capacity. | Embedded generation – preliminary enquiry | |
| Ausnet | Single phase: Up to 10kW system size limit (5kW export limit) 3-phase: Up to 30kW system size by limit (15kW export limit)Ausnet has an online assessment tool to help customers and installers determine the ‘pre-approval’ limits in their specific area. | Solar capacity pre-approval | |
| WA | Western Power | Single Phase: up to 5kVA Three Phase: up to 15kVA | Solar, batteries & electric vehicles |
| Horizon | System size limits vary dramatically depending on capacity on the local network. Additional grid protection technology (such as ‘solar smoothing’ and export limiting) may be required for systems in excess of the stated size limits. Please refer to feed-in tariff eligibility calculator via link to the right. | Eligiblity to install solar and buyback schemes |
How hard is it to add solar panels to an existing system?
How to Upgrade Your Solar System – It’s relatively easy to add panels to an existing system; many of the more difficult steps, such as tying your system to the grid, will already be complete. You can explore several options for a system upgrade, depending on your available roof space and the specifications of your solar system.
It’s best to hire your original solar installer for any upgrade to your system. They’ll likely honor the initial warranties on your solar system after the upgrade. Changing installers for an expansion can void any current warranties on your system because the original installer can’t verify the work of another contractor.
This is important to consider, as the warranties on solar systems can be very long.
