Solar Savings Calculator — How Much Could You Save?

Written by Jacob, Last reviewed 2026. This guide is for informational purposes only — see methodology.

Solar savings boil down to two numbers: how much power you use during the day (self-consumption) and what your electricity retailer charges for what you still pull from the grid. The rest is details — important ones, but details all the same.

Your electricity bill is the best place to start. It tells you both your usage patterns and your tariff rate, which is what you need for a realistic savings estimate.

How Solar Savings Work

Solar savings come from two places:

• Self-consumption — Using solar power directly instead of buying from the grid. Saves you the full retail price, typically 25 to 35 cents per kWh.
• Export — Sending excess solar to the grid for a feed-in tariff, typically 5 to 12 cents per kWh.

Self-consumption drives the bulk of your savings. Every kWh you pull from your solar system replaces one you'd otherwise buy at retail. Exporting still earns, but at a much lower rate. A home using 40% of a 6.6kW system's output directly and exporting the rest might see $800–$1,200 in annual savings. Push self-consumption to 60% and savings climb noticeably — without adding a single panel.

What Determines Your Savings

Your usage patterns

Run appliances during the day — washing machine, dishwasher, pool pump, air conditioning — and you'll naturally use more solar directly. If most of your energy use is evening, you'll export more and save less.

Your electricity tariff

What you pay per kWh determines the value of self-consumption. Flat rate tariff? Every self-consumed kWh saves the same amount. Time-of-use tariff? Savings can be higher during peak periods when power costs more.

System size and generation

A 6.6kW system in a good location might generate roughly 24 kWh per day on average, varying by season. More generation means more potential savings — but only if you can use or export it. Oversizing beyond daytime needs means more export at the lower tariff rate.

Seasonal variation

Solar generation peaks in summer, drops in winter. Your usage probably shifts too — air con in summer, heating in winter. A realistic savings estimate accounts for these variations across the full year.

Estimated Savings Ranges

For a typical Australian home with a 6.6kW system and moderate daytime occupancy, annual savings might fall in the range of $800 to $1,500^[1]. High daytime usage pushes towards the upper end or beyond. Mostly exporting? Savings will be more modest.

Your bill is the best starting point for a real savings figure. A calculator that reads your actual usage and tariff will beat any general estimate.

Solar Savings Over 10 and 20 Years

Solar panels can generate for 25 years or more, so cumulative savings add up. A system saving $1,200 per year would save roughly $12,000 over 10 years and around $24,000 over 20 years, before accounting for degradation or electricity price changes.

Electricity prices have historically risen, which could increase future savings. But panel output gradually declines too. Both factors need to be in the mix for any long-term estimate.

This guide is for informational purposes only. Solar savings are estimates and will vary based on your specific circumstances, energy usage, weather, and future electricity prices.