Solar power in Hobart, explained plainly.

Does solar work in Hobart’s climate?

Hobart sits in Australia’s lowest-rated solar zone (STC Zone 4), so the same panel makes a little less here than in Queensland — and earns a slightly smaller rebate. But “less sun than the mainland” is not the same as “not worth it.” Two things work in Hobart’s favour:

• Cool, clear conditions keep panels efficient. Panels lose output as they heat up, so Hobart’s mild temperatures actually help — a cool sunny day outperforms a baking one.
• Long summer days. Hobart’s summer daylight runs late into the evening, so a well-oriented system generates strongly through the months you’re running fans, pumps and EVs.

A 13kW system on a typical Hobart home generates in the order of 15,300 kWh a year — plenty to cover a household’s daytime use and then some. See the full output and payback maths →

What size system suits a Hobart home?

TasNetworks lets you run up to a 10kW inverter on a single-phase connection, so most Hobart homes can fit around a 13kW system (≈13.3kW of panels on a 10kW inverter) — well past the old 6.6kW default. Because self-consumed power is worth roughly 3–4× what you’re paid to export, a bigger system you grow into — with an EV, a battery or an all-electric home — usually pays off better than a small one you quickly outgrow.

Local quirk: many older Hobart homes are two-phase (rare on the mainland), and your solar usually sits on just one phase — so it pays to put it on the phase carrying your daytime load. More on phases →

Rebates and feed-in tariff for Hobart homes

The main upfront help is the federal STC discount — about $3,400–$3,900 off a 13kW system in 2026, applied by your installer at the point of sale. Add a battery and the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program may apply. Once you’re generating, the regulated Aurora feed-in tariff is 8.782 c/kWh for 2025–26 — well below the retail price, which is exactly why a Hobart system should be designed around using your own power, not exporting it. The right electricity plan matters too.

Choosing a solar installer in Hobart

Look for an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) who quotes Tasmania-specific output (not mainland numbers), itemises the STC discount, and sizes the system to your usage rather than a one-size package. Solar Generation Tasmania is an SAA-accredited Tasmanian installer; its owners hold Master’s degrees in research and science and bring over a decade in technology and solar businesses to every system they design.

Common questions about solar in Hobart

How much do solar panels cost in Hobart?

There’s no single sticker price — it depends on the panels, inverter, roof access and whether you add a battery. The clearest Hobart numbers are the STC discount (about $3,400–$3,900 off a 13kW system in 2026) and payback of about 4–6 years when you use most of your own power. Always ask for an itemised quote.

How much electricity will solar panels generate in Hobart?

A 13kW system on a well-oriented Hobart roof generates roughly 15,300 kWh a year — higher in summer, lower in winter, with Hobart’s cool, clear air keeping panels efficient.

Is solar worth it in Hobart?

For most homes, yes. With retail power around 25–29 c/kWh and the feed-in tariff at 8.782 c/kWh, the value is in self-consumption. A well-sized system typically pays for itself in about 4–6 years.