How to Quote a Solar Panel Installation in Australia
A solar quote is really several quotes in one — panels, inverter, mounting, a switchboard that might need upgrading, and increasingly a battery. Here's how to itemise a solar install so a tricky roof doesn't wipe your margin.
A solar quote is several quotes in one: panels, an inverter, a mounting kit, the electrical work, a switchboard that might need upgrading, and — more and more often — a battery. Miss one line and a two-day job on an awkward roof can eat the profit. This guide walks through what a solar installation quote should itemise, what the parts and labour cost in 2026, and the errors that quietly cost sparkies money.
What a solar quote must itemise
Break a solar job into its parts and price each one — a lump sum hides the bits that catch you out. A clear quote separates:
- Panels — brand, model and wattage, with the count and system size (kW) stated.
- Inverter — string, micro or hybrid; a battery-ready hybrid costs more up front, so name it.
- Battery (if included) — capacity in kWh and the model, on its own line.
- Mounting and roof kit — priced to the roof type, since tile, tin and decramastic aren't the same job.
- Electrical — wiring, conduit, isolators, safety switches and any meter box or switchboard upgrade.
- STC rebate — shown as a separate discount, never buried in the base price.
Component and battery costs in 2026
A common residential system is 6.6kW — around 18 x 370W or 16 x 415W panels. Panels run $200–$350 per panel ex-GST, and the inverter and battery are your other big-ticket items. Pull live pricing from suppliers like Rexel or MM Electrical, because stock and rates move.
| Component | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Panel (per panel) | $200–$350 ex-GST | Varies by brand, wattage and efficiency |
| String inverter | $1,000–$2,500 | Sungrow, Fronius; sized to the array |
| Hybrid inverter | $2,000–$4,000 | Battery-ready; costs more up front |
| Battery (10kWh) | $8,000–$12,000 installed | The single biggest line on the job |
Add mounting, wiring and a possible meter box upgrade on top. GST applies to the total — quote it clearly rather than surprising the customer at the invoice.
Labour, access and the site check
A standard 6.6kW system is about two tradies for one to two days. What blows that out is the roof and the access, so walk the site before you price it — allow 45 minutes for a proper look.
- Roof type sets the pace: tile is quicker than corrugated iron or decramastic.
- Two-storey or steep roofs add scaffolding and safety gear — often half a day on their own.
- Shading from trees, chimneys or a neighbour's roof changes the panel layout and the output you can promise.
- Roof condition — older roofs may need reinforcement before anything gets bolted down.
- Switchboard and meter box — check there's room for the inverter feed and battery, and quote an upgrade if there isn't.
Warranties and compliance
Solar is a long-term purchase, so the warranties and the standards you install to are part of what you're selling. Spell them out.
- Product warranty — panels 10–25 years, inverters 5–10 years, batteries around 10 years or a set cycle count.
- Performance warranty — panels typically guarantee around 85% of output after 25 years; state it.
- Workmanship warranty — your install, usually 5–10 years.
- CEC-approved products only — panels, inverters and batteries must be on the Clean Energy Council list.
- Standards — the install must meet AS/NZS 3000 (wiring), AS/NZS 5033 (PV arrays) and AS/NZS 4777 (grid connection); name the exact panel and inverter models so there's no doubt.
Common mistakes that undercut your profit
- Underquoting labour on a tricky roof. An extra half-day for scaffolding or difficult access can wipe the profit off a small system. Price the roof, not just the panels.
- Ignoring material price movement. Panel and inverter prices shift. Pull current pricing and put a short validity period — around 30 days — on the quote.
- No contingency for surprises. An asbestos find or an unexpected switchboard upgrade shouldn't come out of your pocket. Build in a 5–10% buffer.
- Vague inverter details. Leaving out the exact inverter and any optimisers invites scope creep. Name the model and spell out what's included.
- Forgetting the paperwork. Grid-connection applications, certifications and council permits are real costs. Leave them out of an 'all-inclusive' price and you're absorbing them.
Pro tips for a solar quote that holds
- Specify exact panel, inverter and battery models in writing.
- Price scaffolding and safety gear separately, especially on two-storey jobs.
- Show the STC rebate as its own line so the customer sees the discount, not a mystery number.
- Pull current supplier pricing the day you quote.
- Carry a 5–10% contingency for site surprises.
- Confirm roof type and condition on site — old roofs may need reinforcing first.
ServiceYak keeps your panel, inverter, battery and labour rates in a reusable kit, so you can build an itemised solar quote on the roof — STC discount and GST handled — and email the PDF before you're back down the ladder.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 6.6kW solar system cost to install?
The parts drive it: panels at $200–$350 each ex-GST, plus the inverter, mounting and electrical. The STC rebate comes off the top as a discount. A 10kWh battery adds roughly $8,000–$12,000 installed, so a system with storage is a very different quote to one without.
Should I include a battery in the solar quote?
Only if the customer wants one, and always as a separate line. A 10kWh battery adds around $8,000–$12,000 installed, so quoting it inside the system price hides the biggest number on the job. A battery-ready hybrid inverter is a good middle option if they want to add storage later.
What standards does a solar install have to meet?
The core three are AS/NZS 3000 for wiring, AS/NZS 5033 for the PV array, and AS/NZS 4777 for grid connection, using only Clean Energy Council-approved products. Name the exact panel and inverter models in the quote so compliance is clear.