Key points
- Seven in-depth guides cover solar panels, batteries, rebates, feed-in tariffs, electrification, commercial solar and maintenance.
- Two local guides explain the rules, rebates and networks in Adelaide and Melbourne.
- Every guide links to detailed articles, all updated for the 2026 rule changes, with sources listed.
Going solar involves more decisions than it used to. Rebates change every six months, feed-in tariffs have fallen, batteries now attract a large federal discount, and South Australia and Victoria each have their own network rules. Our solar guides bring all of it together in plain English, so you can work out what makes sense for your home or business before you ask for a quote.
Each guide below is a complete overview of one topic, with links to detailed articles on the specific questions people ask us most.
Home solar panels
How big a system you need, what it should cost in 2026, how much power it will produce, and how to compare panels, inverters and quotes. Start here if you’re buying solar for the first time or replacing an old system.
Read the home solar panels buying guide. Popular articles: what size solar system do I need, solar panel costs in Adelaide and solar panel costs in Melbourne.
Solar batteries
Battery prices after the federal discount, how to size a battery from your bills, adding one to existing solar, blackout backup, virtual power plants and how long batteries last. The federal discount steps down on 1 January 2027, so timing matters.
Read the complete guide to home solar batteries. Popular articles: how much a solar battery costs and whether a battery is worth it.
Solar and battery rebates
What you can claim in 2026: federal STCs for solar, the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, Victoria’s Solar Homes rebate and loans, Victorian Energy Upgrades, and the incentives still available in South Australia. Includes worked examples of stacking incentives.
Read the solar and battery rebates guide. Popular articles: how STCs are calculated and solar rebates in South Australia.
Feed-in tariffs, bills and savings
With no minimum feed-in tariff in either state, the value of solar now comes from using it yourself. This guide covers feed-in tariffs, time-of-use plans, the free midday power offers in SA and Victoria, export limits and realistic payback periods.
Read the solar savings and feed-in tariffs guide. Popular articles: solar payback period in 2026 and Solar Sharer vs Midday Power Saver.
Home electrification
Pairing solar with heat pump hot water, reverse-cycle air conditioning, induction cooking and EV charging, and what Victoria’s 2027 gas rules mean for your home. Electrifying is how most households get the biggest savings from their panels.
Read the home electrification guide. Popular articles: heat pump hot water with solar and charging an EV with solar.
Commercial solar
For business owners: system costs from 20 kW upwards, the October 2026 expansion of STCs to systems up to 1 MW, tax treatment, demand charges, batteries and solar for farms and wineries.
Read the commercial solar guide. Popular articles: the commercial solar rebate up to 1 MW and commercial solar costs in 2026.
Solar maintenance and repairs
Keeping an existing system performing: cleaning, monitoring, common faults, inverter replacement, panel lifespan, bird-proofing and upgrading older systems safely.
Read the solar maintenance and repairs guide. Popular articles: solar not working? common problems and when to replace a solar inverter.
Local guides: Adelaide and Melbourne
Solar works differently in each state. South Australia has SA Power Networks’ flexible exports and Smarter Homes rules, and no state rebate. Victoria has five electricity distributors, the Solar Homes rebate and new gas rules from 2027. Our local guides bring the relevant rules, prices and articles together for each city.
- Solar panels Adelaide – output, prices, SA Power Networks rules, incentives and batteries for South Australian homes and businesses.
- Solar panels Melbourne – output, prices, the Solar Homes rebate, Victorian networks and gas rules for Melbourne homes and businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Are these solar guides specific to South Australia and Victoria?
Yes. Our guides are written for homes and businesses in South Australia and Victoria, where Solar Beat installs. They cover the federal schemes that apply everywhere, such as STCs and the Cheaper Home Batteries Program, plus the state rules, rebates, networks and tariffs that are different in Adelaide and Melbourne.
How often are the guides updated?
Rebates, feed-in tariffs and network rules change several times a year, so we review the guides when the rules change. Each article lists its sources and the date of the information. Always check the official source or ask us before relying on a specific rebate amount or deadline.
Where should I start if I am new to solar?
Start with the home solar panels buying guide to understand system sizes, prices and quotes, then read the solar rebates guide to see what you can claim. If you already have solar, the batteries and feed-in tariffs guides will show you how to get more value from it.
Ready to talk about your own home or business? Browse our home solar packages and commercial solar systems, or get a free, no-obligation quote from our Adelaide and Melbourne team.
About these guides: written by the Solar Beat team using official sources including the Clean Energy Regulator, DCCEEW, Solar Victoria, the Essential Services Commission, the Australian Energy Regulator and SA Power Networks. Each article lists its own sources and dates.
