Where are the best returns?
EnergyBrain’s Rooftop Valuation Report, Australia (March 2026) modelled more than 8.4 million homes across 49 significant urban areas. The top 10 on each measure:
Highest return (IRR)
| # | Urban area | IRR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin | 31.7% |
| 2 | Launceston | 28.4% |
| 3 | Devonport | 28.3% |
| 4 | Hobart | 27.5% |
| 5 | Canberra–Queanbeyan | 27% |
| 6 | Albany | 25.9% |
| 7 | Mackay | 25.8% |
| 8 | Newcastle–Maitland; Bundaberg | 25.6% |
| 9 | Central Coast; Bunbury | 25.5% |
| 10 | Orange | 25.4% |
Fastest payback
| # | Urban area | Payback |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin | 3.14 years |
| 2 | Launceston | 3.40 years |
| 3 | Devonport | 3.45 years |
| 4 | Canberra–Queanbeyan | 3.61 years |
| 5 | Albany | 3.73 years |
| 6 | Hobart | 3.75 years |
| 7 | Mackay; Newcastle–Maitland | 3.80 years |
| 8 | Bowral–Mittagong; Central Coast | 3.82 years |
| 9 | Orange; Nowra–Bomaderry; Wollongong | 3.83 years |
| 10 | Tamworth | 3.84 years |
Highest yearly saving
| # | Urban area | Average yearly saving |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin | $4,005 |
| 2 | Launceston | $3,636 |
| 3 | Dubbo | $3,532 |
| 4 | Geraldton | $3,532 |
| 5 | Ballina | $3,530 |
| 6 | Devonport | $3,477 |
| 7 | Port Macquarie | $3,467 |
| 8 | Kalgoorlie–Boulder | $3,445 |
| 9 | Bathurst | $3,381 |
| 10 | Canberra–Queanbeyan | $3,379 |
Highest 20-year return
| # | Urban area | Average 20-year return |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darwin | $64,447 |
| 2 | Launceston | $57,328 |
| 3 | Devonport | $54,819 |
| 4 | Ballina | $53,637 |
| 5 | Geraldton | $53,629 |
| 6 | Dubbo | $53,481 |
| 7 | Port Macquarie | $52,867 |
| 8 | Canberra–Queanbeyan | $52,512 |
| 9 | Kalgoorlie–Boulder | $52,234 |
| 10 | Bathurst | $51,643 |
What does this tell us?
Darwin leads by a clear margin, but the rest of the field is tightly bunched. On yearly saving, second-placed Launceston ($3,636) and tenth-placed Canberra–Queanbeyan ($3,379) are only $257 apart.
Strong modelled returns are not limited to big cities. Dubbo, Geraldton and Ballina all out-save every capital except Darwin. Your own roof still decides your result.
See the numbers for your address
The report covers 49 urban areas, and Emily’s free assessment works for eligible addresses right across Australia. No sign-up, no installer calls unless you ask.
Frequently asked questions
Which regional town is best for solar in Australia?
Launceston and Devonport rank highest outside Darwin for payback, IRR and 20-year return in the modelling.
Is my area included?
The report covers 49 significant urban areas. The free assessment works for eligible addresses across Australia.
Keep reading
Sources
- EnergyBrain (March 2026), The Australian Rooftop Valuation Report, built on GreenSketch rooftop analysis
Editorial note (October 2026): figures in this article are modelled estimates from EnergyBrain’s Rooftop Valuation Report, Australia (March 2026), built on GreenSketch rooftop analysis of 8.4 million Australian homes. They are not quotes or a guarantee of savings, returns or performance for any individual home, and actual results will vary by property. Prices, rebates and incentives must be checked again for the date and location of any installation. This article is general information, not personalised financial advice.