Solar panels Cairns

Cairns is one of the best locations to install a solar system in Australia for year-round production.

The tropical climate in the greater Cairns region, means that winters typically see far more sunshine than other locations in Queensland. With such good solar conditions, it’s no wonder nearly 54%¹ of households in Cairns have already installed a solar system. As of May 2026, 59,885 systems have been installed on the estimated 111,122² homes in Cairns.

Our guide to installing solar panels in Cairns covers everything you need to know including: available rebates, payback periods, and tips for choosing the right solar installer. The data published on this page focuses on the five Local Government Areas that make up the greater Cairns region:

• Cairns Region
• Cassowary Coast Region
• Douglas Shire
• Mareeba Shire
• Tablelands Regional Council
• Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire

Sources:
¹ Clean Energy Regulator install data for the Cairns region.
² ABS Census data (2021) factoring in 1% growth.

Is it worth installing solar panels in Cairns?

Yes, weather conditions in Cairns are ideal for generating solar power.

As a region, Cairns enjoys around particularly good solar conditions year-round with less of a deviance between seasonal production figures. A typical solar system in Cairns will produce 16.4% more electricity than a system in Brisbane. When compared to solar on the Gold Coast, solar panels in Cairns produce 18.5% more during the winter months. These consistent monthly production totals are one of the reasons why Cairns enjoys one of the fastest solar payback periods of anywhere in the country.

The table below shows the average daily output (kWh) of 1kW of solar in major cities across the four seasons:

As a guide, a 6.6kW system in Cairns can generate on average 27.7 kWh of electricity per day. Paired with a solar battery, a 6.6kW system would be sufficient to cover the electricity needs of most Cairns households storing enough energy for use during evening hours.

Cairns solar output by system size

Cairns solar panel prices

The average cost of solar panels in Cairns is primarily determined by the size of the solar system.

Good quality solar panels typically average around $1,000 per kW in Cairns. The table below shows average prices for different system sizes:

Cairns solar cost by system size

Note: Solar Calculator publishes the average price for quality installations from reputable installers and panel brands. The prices mentioned above may be slightly higher than the “cheapest” advertised prices for Solar in Cairns. Pricing is intended to provide a realistic guide for quality installation and parts.

Solar panel & battery combination pricing in Cairns

Installing a solar battery alongside solar panels in Cairns can – in many cases – entirely offset your electricity bill. The table below outlines typical system costs based on panel capacity paired with a 13.5 kWh battery.

Note: Solar battery adoption has historically lagged well behind solar panels in terms of mainstream adoption (~40% vs. ~4%). Generous battery incentives and diminishing feed-in-tariffs in QLD mean that solar battery adoption is rising.

Solar rebates available in Cairns

1. Federal solar panel rebate

The Federal solar panel rebate is available to all Cairns residents looking to install a solar system in 2026. It saves up to a quarter off the full price of a solar panel system. Typically, a 6.6kW system attracts savings of around $1,800, an 8kW system can save approximately $2,200, a 10kW system $2,760, and a 13kW system can save up to $3,560.

The eligibility criteria for the solar rebate is easily met when selecting good products from an accredited installer.

2. Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate

The Cheaper Home Batteries Program run by the Australian Government provides a rebate on new solar battery installations. On average, the rebate reduces the upfront install cost by around 25%. The battery rebate is worth approximately $252 per kWh of battery capacity installed. A 10 kWh battery attracts a rebate of around $2,516.

3. QLD landlord rebate

In addition to the two federal rebates, investment property owners in Cairns can participate in the Queensland government's Supercharged Solar for Renters program. Under the scheme, landlords in Queensland can receive a rebate worth up to $3,500 for installing solar on a rental property. The rebate scales with system size: $2,500 for a 3-4kW system, $3,000 for 4-5kW, and $3,500 for anything over 5kW. This scheme is only available for rented properties – owner occupiers cannot apply.

4. Feed-in Tariff (Ergon Energy – Cairns)

The QCA (Queensland Competition Authority) mandates a minimum feed-in tariff rate of 8.66c / kWh for Ergon Energy customers in regional Queensland – including Cairns – for 2025-26, though this is set to drop to 6.15c / kWh from 1 July 2026. While this is a steep drop off from the 12.3c / kWh offered in 2023/24, it’s still one of the better deals available to retail customers in Australia.

Payback and savings for solar in Cairns

Average electricity bills in Cairns vary according to the size of the household. Electricity use is typically higher in summer when air conditioners are used heavily to combat the region's humid weather.

Average payback period (panels only)

The table below shows the average savings and payback periods for various solar panel systems in Cairns:

Note: Savings are calculated using a self-consumption rate of 37% – energy used directly in the home saves at the retail rate of $0.32/kWh, while the remaining 63% exported to the Ergon grid earns 8.66c / kWh. A payback of around 6 years is standard for Cairns, though individual results will vary.

Average payback period system with a battery

The table below shows the average savings and payback period for different sized panel systems with a 13.5 kWh battery in Cairns:

Note: Adding a 13.5kWh battery lifts self-consumption from an average of 37% without a battery to around 70%, reducing evening grid reliance and maximising the value of every kWh generated. These figures reflect system costs after applying the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate.

Comparing solar installers in Cairns

Choosing an experienced solar installer in Cairns is one of the most important decisions that you will make when installing solar. Contrary to popular belief, getting the most out of your solar panels isn’t always as straight forward as most people assume.

An experienced installer ensures you’re installing hardware from a reputable company, and you’re backed by a product and workmanship warranty. Not only that, but a good installer will also ensure that your solar panels are oriented correctly to maximise sunlight exposure and solar production. In Cairns, that typically means north facing panels that are tilted at an angle to generate the most energy possible all year around.

Our tips for choosing solar installers in Cairns

• Assess the credentials and experience of the installer
• Review their reputation – online reviews make this easy
• Assess what is actually included in your quote and watch out for add-ons
• Ask them their rationale behind suggesting certain hardware
• Ask them about similar installs in the area and performance from those setups

Lastly, and most importantly – go with your gut. There is no shortage of solar installers in Cairns. The ones recommended through our website are part of a select group that meet our strict quality standards. Installers are there to help – not just to sell. You can trust the recommendations and after sales / warranty assurances of a reputable installer.