Solar Costs
Commercial Solar System Costs for Businesses
Commercial solar pricing varies because every site is different — roof type, system size, energy profile, switchboard requirements, and whether you choose Capex or finance all influence the final cost. This page explains what impacts price and how to get an accurate estimate for your business.
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What does commercial solar cost in Australia?
Commercial solar systems are typically priced based on system size (kW), site complexity, and electrical requirements. As a general guide:
- Small commercial systems (20–50kW): often lower total cost, quicker approvals
- Mid-size systems (50–150kW): strong ROI for warehouses, clubs, offices
- Large-scale systems (150kW+): best suited to high daytime load sites and multi-site businesses
The most accurate way to price your system is to assess your site and energy profile — because the lowest $/kW isn’t always the best long-term outcome. We provide tailored estimates after a feasibility review so you’re not working off generic online pricing.
#What impacts the cost of a commercial solar system?
Commercial solar pricing is affected by far more than panel count. The biggest cost drivers include your system size, your site conditions, your electrical infrastructure, and approvals.
System size (kW)
Larger systems (e.g. 100kW, 250kW, 500kW+) often have a lower cost per kW, but may require more approvals and engineering depending on export limits and network requirements.
Operating Hours & Load Profile
Your operating hours and load profile determine how much solar power you actually use onsite — which directly impacts savings, payback, and the ideal system size.
Roof Type & Site Conditions
Roof type and condition (flat vs pitched, age, access and structural requirements) can affect installation complexity, compliance, and overall cost.
Electrical & Switchboard Upgrades
Some sites require electrical upgrades for compliance, metering, export limits or switchboard capacity — which can influence both cost and project timeline.
Grid Connection & Approvals
Grid approvals and connection requirements vary by network. Larger systems or high-export sites may involve additional engineering, documentation and approval steps.
Engineering, Design & Monitoring
Engineering complexity (multi-roof sites, shading, wind/loading requirements, and mounting method) plus monitoring and performance reporting can influence cost — but it protects long-term returns.
What return can you expect from commercial solar?
The return on commercial solar depends on how much solar energy your business can use during operating hours.
ROI is typically stronger when:
- you use more electricity during the day
- your site can support a larger system
- you can shift loads into solar hours
- you add monitoring (or battery storage where it suits)
Commercial solar can help deliver:
- lower operating costs
- predictable savings over time
- improved energy resilience
- stronger sustainability outcomes for tenders and reporting
A feasibility assessment gives you a clearer view of payback, savings potential and system suitability.
#Finance or Capex - Which is right for your business?
Some businesses prefer to purchase outright (Capex). Others choose finance to keep capital available and align repayments with savings.
Capex may suit you if:
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you want maximum long-term return
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you prefer asset ownership
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you have budget allocated for energy upgrades
Finance may suit you if:
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you want predictable monthly payments
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you’re preserving working capital
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you want to improve cashflow soone
Commercial Solar Overview
#Solar options for different types of commercial sites
Commercial solar isn’t the same for every business. The right setup depends on your roof space, land availability, operations and energy use. Below is an overview of the main commercial solar system types used across Australia from rooftop systems and solar car parks to agricultural solar and large-scale ground-mount installations.
Rooftop Solar Panels for Business
Rooftop commercial solar is the most common choice for offices, warehouses, retail sites and community facilities. It uses existing roof space to offset daytime electricity costs and reduce grid dependence.
Solar Car Park Canopies
Solar car park structures generate onsite energy while providing shaded parking for staff, visitors or customers. A practical solution for shopping centres, clubs, schools, industrial sites and large commercial precincts.
Agri-Solar & Agricultural Solar Systems
Agri-solar helps reduce energy costs across irrigation, storage, livestock operations and general farm activities. A suitable option for farms, vineyards, orchards, nurseries, wineries and rural or regional properties.
Solar Farms & Ground-Mount Systems
Ground-mounted solar systems are ideal for organisations with available land and higher energy needs. These solutions support commercial solar farms and large-scale installations across industrial sites, regional facilities and rural operations.
Battery Storage
Battery systems can help reduce peak demand charges, support operations during outages and make better use of the solar you generate. If you're exploring energy resilience or looking to get more value from your solar system, you can learn more below.
EV Charging
We provide integrated EV charging options for commercial and industrial environments, with systems that work seamlessly alongside your solar installation. Explore the different charging options available for your site below.
#Government Incentives for Commercial Solar
Reduce the upfront cost of your commercial solar system with Australian government rebates and incentives.
Most businesses qualify for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which provide an upfront discount that reduces your installation cost immediately. Many organisations can also benefit from instant asset write-off, accelerated depreciation and other tax-effective incentives.
Every solar proposal includes a clear breakdown of the rebates and incentives your business is eligible for - so you can see the savings from day one.
#Request Commercial Solar Pricing for your Business
Every business is different — and so is every solar solution. Sharp EIT Solutions designs commercial solar systems tailored to your building, energy needs, and growth plans. Request your no-obligation pricing estimate today and discover how much your business could save with solar.
#Your Questions About Commercial Solar Costs
Commercial solar system costs in Australia vary depending on system size (kW), site conditions, grid requirements and whether you choose capex or finance. The fastest way to get accurate pricing is a feasibility assessment that matches your system design to your operating hours and electricity usage.
For a full overview of options, visit our Commercial Solar Solutions page.
Commercial solar pricing is affected by more than panel count. Key cost drivers include system size (kW), roof structure, switchboard upgrades, export limits, engineering requirements, approvals and monitoring. Sites with complex roofs, shading or higher export requirements typically require more design and compliance work.
Learn more about commercial solar system sizes.
For most Australian businesses, commercial solar is worth it when you can use more of the energy during operating hours. ROI improves when your business has consistent daytime usage, demand charges, or the ability to shift load into solar hours. A tailored feasibility assessment gives the clearest view of expected savings and payback.
See how commercial solar works across different industries on Commercial Solar Solutions.
Commercial solar payback depends on energy usage patterns, system size, electricity tariffs, and whether battery storage is included. Many sites see payback within a few years, but the only accurate number comes from modelling your load profile and onsite usage.
For ROI drivers and payback factors, explore commercial solar system costs or request a feasibility assessment.
Yes. Many businesses choose commercial solar finance to reduce upfront costs and align repayments with savings. Whether finance or capex is better depends on your cashflow goals, payback expectations and business structure.
Compare options on our Solar Finance Options for Australian Businesses page.
The right system size depends on your energy usage, operating hours, roof space, and whether your business can consume solar energy onsite. Bigger isn’t always better — systems should be designed around your usage profile and export limits.
View typical sizing ranges on System Sizes or start at Commercial Solar Solutions for a full overview.
Sometimes, yes. Commercial solar may require switchboard upgrades for safety and compliance, and many sites need grid approval depending on system size and export limits. These factors affect both cost and install timelines.
Yes. Sharp EIT delivers commercial solar installation projects Australia-wide. We design systems around operating hours and usage, and manage feasibility, engineering and approvals so businesses can move forward with confidence.
Learn more about our approach on Commercial Solar Solutions.