Solar Costs
Commercial Solar System Costs
Commercial solar panel and system costs — what impacts price and how to get an accurate estimate for your business.
#You'll Be in Great Company —
From Local Businesses to National Brands.
Across IT, Print, LED, AV and Commercial Solar solutions Australia-wide.
What do commercial solar panels cost?
Commercial solar pricing is usually quoted as an installed system price — not just the panels. That installed price typically includes panels, inverters, mounting, labour, safety requirements, testing and sign-off.
To provide an accurate estimate, the quote needs to reflect your site and your usage profile.
To price your site, we typically need:
- Your electricity bill or interval data (if available)
- Available roof/space and any constraints (access, shading, roof condition)
- Electrical and connection details (standard supply vs more complex requirements)
#What affects the cost of a commercial solar system?
Not every item below applies to every site — these are the main variables that influence commercial solar pricing.
System size (kW)
Larger systems cost more overall, but often reduce cost per kW. The right size depends on demand, available space and how much solar can be used on site.
Operating hours & load profile
How your site uses electricity affects how much solar is used on site. Usage that overlaps with generation generally improves value.
Roof type & site conditions
Roof type, access, shading and condition affect installation complexity, compliance and overall installation cost.
Electrical & switchboard upgrades
Some sites require electrical upgrades to meet compliance, metering or capacity requirements, which can affect cost and timelines.
Grid connection & approvals
Network requirements, export limits and approvals vary by location and can affect both price and delivery timeframes.
Engineering, design & monitoring
Engineering requirements and commissioning affect cost. Monitoring supports performance tracking and issue detection.
Quality, warranties and ongoing support
Equipment quality and warranty coverage affect price. Higher-quality components and stronger support can increase upfront cost but reduce long-term risk.
Battery storage (optional)
Battery storage affects scope and cost. It may suit sites that want to increase self-use of solar, improve resilience, or manage peak demand. Some businesses include storage upfront; others add it later once usage is clear.
What return can you expect from commercial solar?
Most businesses want to know two things: how much will it save and how long until it pays for itself?
For many commercial sites, payback is often around 1.8 to 4 years, depending on electricity rates, how your site uses power, system size and site requirements.
Payback is typically stronger when:
- your business uses more of the solar power it generates (instead of exporting it)
- the system is sized to match demand (not just roof space)
- solar offsets steady day-to-day loads (HVAC, refrigeration, equipment, lighting)
- key constraints are handled early (roof, switchboard, approvals)
If you want a site-specific estimate, we can model your usage and provide expected savings and payback for your site.
#Finance or Capex - Which is right for your business?
Funding changes the commercial decision. The right approach depends on how you prefer to use capital and how you evaluate payback.
Finance
- Preserves capital for operations or growth
- Spreads cost over time with predictable payments
- Often suited to staged installs or multi-site rollouts
- Can also support a storage add-on later if required
Capex (pay upfront)
- Own the system from day one
- Typically maximises lifetime return once payback is achieved
- Straightforward for single-site installs where capital is available
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.