Straight answers about solar, batteries, and saving money on your energy bills in Perth.
A typical 6.6kW system in Perth generates about 28kWh on an average day. Use 30-40% of that directly (avoiding 32c/kWh grid power) and export the rest at DEBS rates, and our modelled Perth scenarios put most homes around $1,500-$2,500 a year. Add a battery and self-consumption climbs to 70-85%, so the savings grow with it. Your own number really comes down to how and when you use power, so run our calculator for an estimate built on your bill.
For a standard 6.6kW system in Perth, modelled payback typically runs 3-5 years once federal STC rebates come off the price (~$1,800 off in 2026) — actual results vary with usage, roof orientation, and shading. Bigger systems (10kW+) can pay back in 2-3 years if you use a lot of power during the day. Batteries take longer, typically 7-12 years, but they add backup power and let you store more of your own solar instead of selling it back cheaply. These figures assume current Synergy rates, which have been rising 2-5% a year.
Two main rebates: (1) Federal STCs — an upfront discount applied by your installer, currently worth about $1,400-$3,700 for a typical 5-13kW solar system in Perth Zone 3. This reduces each year until 2030. (2) WA Battery Scheme — $130/kWh for Synergy customers (max $1,300, 10kWh cap). Your battery must be on Synergy's Supported Solutions List (SSL). Both rebates can be claimed together.
Yes. All calculators, analysis tools, and recommendations are free for WA households. We make money when you request quotes — installers pay a referral fee to receive your enquiry. This fee is paid by the installer, not you. We don't receive commissions from manufacturers, and we don't inflate savings estimates to push you toward more expensive systems. Our disclosure page explains this in detail.
For most Perth households, solar-only is the better financial decision first. Modelled payback is typically much faster (3-5 years vs 7-12 years for batteries; actual results vary). Add a battery later if: you use most power in the evening, you want backup during outages, or you want to maximise self-consumption above 30-35%. If you already have solar and are on the A1 tariff, a battery paired with Midday Saver can shift your economics significantly.
Most Perth households without solar are fine on A1 (flat rate at 32.4c/kWh). If you have solar, Midday Saver is often better — you pay just 8.6c during solar hours (9am-3pm) but 53.8c during peak (3-9pm). It's worth switching if your 3-9pm usage is below 28.8% of your total. If you have an EV, the EV Add-On tariff drops overnight charging to 19.4c. Our calculator recommends the best tariff for your specific usage pattern.
Synergy bills roughly every 60 days (not quarterly). Each bill shows your supply charge (~$1.16/day) plus energy usage. The average Perth household pays $300-$600 per billing period. If you have solar, your bill also shows export credits (DEBS or REBS). You receive about 6 bills per year.
Solar panels alone shut down during a blackout (safety requirement — they can't feed power into a dead grid). You need a battery with backup capability to keep power during outages. Not all batteries support backup — check the specs. Typical 10kWh batteries can run lights, fridge, and internet for 8-12 hours. Larger systems (13.5kWh+) can power most of a house overnight.
Up to 3 verified installers in your area receive your details. They typically contact you within 24-48 hours by phone or email. You're under no obligation — compare their quotes, ask questions, and take your time deciding. We don't share your details beyond the matched installers, and you control who contacts you.
Our estimates use real Synergy tariff rates (updated when rates change), Bureau of Meteorology solar data for Perth, and current federal/state rebate values. They assume typical installation conditions — north-facing roof, minimal shading, standard equipment. Your actual savings may vary based on your specific roof angle, shading, equipment quality, and usage patterns. We recommend using our estimates as a starting point and getting a site assessment from an installer for precise figures.
Run the calculator for an answer built on your own usage, or email us and a real person will help.