Where in Australia does solar and battery pay the best?

How the capital cities compare on savings, payback and long-term returns.

4 sections3 min readUpdated 12 Oct 2026

Waterfront homes in Burraneer, Sydney, seen from above — Photo: Pexels

$4,005

Darwin, highest modelled saving a year

3.61 yrs

Canberra–Queanbeyan, second-fastest payback

$2,852

Melbourne, lowest capital, still a 4.34-year payback

Short answer. Darwin saves the most from solar and a battery ($4,005 a year, 3.14-year payback), followed by Canberra–Queanbeyan ($3,379, 3.61 years). Melbourne is lowest at $2,852 but still models a 4.34-year payback. Outside Darwin, the capitals are close.

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How do the capitals compare?

EnergyBrain’s Rooftop Valuation Report, Australia (March 2026) modelled 8.4 million rooftops across Australia. Here is how the capital cities compare:

Source: EnergyBrain, Rooftop Valuation Report, Australia (March 2026). Modelled averages for an optimised 13.2 kW solar and 30 kWh battery system, net of STC incentives. Not quotes.
City	Yearly saving	Payback	IRR	20-year return
Adelaide	$3,081	4.09 years	23.7%	$46,303
Brisbane	$3,141	3.98 years	24.4%	$47,572
Canberra–Queanbeyan	$3,379	3.61 years	27%	$52,512
Darwin	$4,005	3.14 years	31.7%	$64,447
Hobart	$3,151	3.75 years	27.5%	$49,604
Melbourne	$2,852	4.34 years	22.1%	$42,119
Perth	$3,253	4.04 years	24.2%	$49,232
Sydney	$3,284	3.88 years	24.9%	$50,078

What stands out?

Darwin is well ahead on saving, payback, return and long-term value.
The rest are close. Outside Darwin, the capitals sit within a few hundred dollars a year of each other.
Melbourne ranks last on every measure, yet still models a 22.1% return.

Why do cities differ?

Sunlight, roofs, local electricity prices and incentives all vary by place. If you are thinking about moving, the modelling shows solid returns in every capital, but your own roof decides yours.

Regional towns can do even better: see Best places in Australia for solar savings.

Your city matters. So does your street.

Emily measures your actual roof and shows what solar and a battery could save at your address. No sign-up, no installer calls unless you ask.

Check your home

Frequently asked questions

Is solar worth it in Melbourne?

Melbourne has the lowest modelled returns of the capitals, but the average home still saves $2,852 a year, with a 4.34-year payback.

Is solar worth it in Sydney or Brisbane?

Both sit mid-table, with modelled paybacks of about 3.9 and 4.0 years.

Keep reading

BY TOWNBest places in Australia for solar savingsRead guide →PAYBACKIs solar and battery worth it?Read guide →

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.