Solar power in Launceston, explained plainly.

Solar in the northern Tasmanian climate

Like the rest of the state, Launceston sits in STC Zone 4 — the lowest-rated solar zone — so a panel here earns a slightly smaller rebate and makes a little less than on the mainland. But northern Tasmania has real advantages for solar:

• Warm, clear summers. The Tamar Valley sees long, bright summer days, when a well-oriented system generates strongly.
• Cool conditions keep panels efficient. Panels lose output as they heat up, so Tasmania’s mild temperatures help year-round.
• Watch winter shading and fog. Valley fog and a low winter sun mean roof orientation and shade-free placement matter more here — a good installer designs around it.

A 13kW system on a typical Launceston roof generates in the order of 15,000 kWh a year. See the full output and payback maths →

What size system suits a Launceston home?

TasNetworks lets you run up to a 10kW inverter on a single-phase connection, so most 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× the export rate, a system you grow into — with an EV, a battery or an all-electric home — usually beats a small one you quickly outgrow.

Local quirk: many older Tasmanian homes are two-phase, 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

The main upfront help is the federal STC discount — about $3,400–$3,900 off a 13kW system in 2026 — and, for storage, the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program. The regulated Aurora feed-in tariff is 8.782 c/kWh for 2025–26, well below retail, which is why a system here should be designed around using your own power. Pairing it with the right electricity plan matters too.

Choosing a solar installer in Launceston

Look for SAA (Solar Accreditation Australia) accreditation, Tasmania-specific output figures, an itemised STC discount, and a system sized to your usage. 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 Launceston

How much do solar panels cost in Launceston?

There’s no single price — it depends on the panels, inverter, roof and battery. The clearest numbers are the STC discount (about $3,400–$3,900 off a 13kW system in 2026) and payback of roughly 4–6 years. Always get an itemised quote.

How much electricity will solar panels generate in Launceston?

Roughly 15,000 kWh a year from a 13kW system on a well-oriented roof — strong in the Tamar Valley’s clear summers, lower in winter.

Is solar worth it in Launceston?

For most homes, yes — with retail power at 25–29 c/kWh and a feed-in tariff of 8.782 c/kWh, the value is in self-consumption, and a well-sized system pays back in about 4–6 years.