Payback calculator
How fast does solar pay itself off in Adelaide?
A typical Adelaide 6.6kW system pays back in 4 to 5 years - faster than almost anywhere else in Australia, because SA has the highest grid electricity prices. This calculator estimates your payback from your system size, daytime usage and grid rate.
Your scenario
Your payback
Choose your scenario and your estimated payback period, annual saving and 25-year return will appear here.
What drives Adelaide payback
The single biggest lever is self-consumption. Adelaide retailers pay roughly 2 to 8 cents per exported kWh, while peak grid electricity is 42 to 45 cents. Every unit you use directly from your panels is worth 5 to 20 times more than every unit you export. Shifting load to daytime - the pool pump, dishwasher, hot water boost - lifts self-consumption and shortens payback by 1 to 2 years.
For the full breakdown with worked examples for light, average and heavy households, see the solar payback period guide. To check your system size first, use the system size calculator.
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