{
  "_meta": {
    "title": "Sourced component cost floors and price driver premiums, residential rooftop solar, Australia",
    "compiled_on": "2026-10-27",
    "currency": "AUD",
    "rules": "Every number comes from a page fetched on 2026-10-27 unless the note says otherwise. Values are {value, unit, source_url, source_name, source_date, note}. source_date is the date shown on the page, or 'fetched 2026-10-27' where the page is undated. null means no acceptable source was found. 'weak' in a note means the figure should be treated with caution (search snippet only, undated, single secondary source, or a derived figure with stated assumptions).",
    "gst_convention": "Wholesaler list prices are ex GST as published. Retail and installer-facing cost guides are inc GST unless noted. The floor calculation adds 10 percent GST to the ex GST subtotal.",
    "primary_wholesaler": "Greentech (formerly BayWa r.e. Solar Shop Australia), solarshop.greentech.com.au. Prices are shown to anyone, ex GST, and the site says a free account gives 'instant access to our trade pricing'. Footer dated 2026. Prices and stock are a snapshot taken 2026-10-27."
  },

  "panel_cost_per_watt_by_tier": {
    "budget": {
      "value": [0.37, 0.45],
      "unit": "AUD per W, ex GST, supply only",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/solar-modules",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop (ex BayWa r.e.), solar modules category",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27 (page footer 2026)",
      "note": "Trina Vertex S+ 515W (NEG18R.28) $188.00 ex GST = $0.365/W; Trina Vertex S+ 475W black frame $200.00 = $0.42/W; Trina Vertex S+ 450W black $200.00 = $0.44/W; Trina Vertex S+ bifacial 440W $198.00 = $0.45/W; Trina 625W $200.00 = $0.32/W (large format, commercial size). No Jinko or Longi listed on this wholesaler. Cross checks: SolarQuotes (Finn Peacock, updated 12 Oct 2026) says a budget panel such as Jinko is 'around $140 per panel' (at 440W that is $0.32/W, GST basis not stated); Why Solar (Bec Ramirez, updated 30 Sep 2026) estimates budget panels at $0.25 to $0.35/W panels only. Floor used in too_cheap_floor is the primary wholesaler figure $0.365/W."
    },
    "mid": {
      "value": [0.50, 0.51],
      "unit": "AUD per W, ex GST, supply only",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/solar-modules",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop (ex BayWa r.e.), solar modules category",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27 (page footer 2026)",
      "note": "AIKO Neostar 2P 470W $236.00 ex GST = $0.50/W; WINAICO 465W all black $239.00 = $0.51/W; WINAICO bifacial 520W $258.00 = $0.50/W; WINAICO 485W bifacial ultra black $295.00 = $0.61/W. Why Solar (30 Sep 2026) estimate for mid range: $0.35 to $0.50/W."
    },
    "premium": {
      "value": [0.60, 0.80],
      "unit": "AUD per W, retail per panel, GST basis not stated",
      "source_url": "https://aussiesolartech.com.au/products/rec-solar-panels/",
      "source_name": "Aussie Solar Tech, REC solar panels page",
      "source_date": "undated page, text refers to 'the early 2026 price environment'; fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "weak. Page says REC premium modules are 'typically priced between $250 and $400 per panel at retail (around $0.60 to $0.80 per watt for models like the Alpha Pure-R series)'. Retailer page, not a wholesaler list, and the same page has inconsistent system prices. Cross checks: SolarQuotes (12 Oct 2026) says a premium panel such as SunPower 'could easily cost over $290 each'; Why Solar (30 Sep 2026) estimate for premium: $0.50 to $0.70/W. No REC or Maxeon listing was found on the Greentech price list."
    },
    "typical_panel_wattage_2026": {
      "value": [400, 440],
      "unit": "W per panel",
      "source_url": "https://www.whysolar.com.au/blog/solar-panel-sizes-dimensions-australia",
      "source_name": "Why Solar, Solar panel sizes and dimensions Australia (Andy McMaster)",
      "source_date": "published 24 Feb 2026, updated 16 Oct 2026",
      "note": "Page: 'most common residential solar panel in Australia in 2026 is rated between 400W and 440W' and '6.6kW system (15 x 440W panels)'. The Greentech wholesaler catalogue currently lists residential modules from 440W to 520W, so 440W is the conservative basis used here (15 panels for 6.6 kW)."
    }
  },

  "inverter_cost_by_type": {
    "string_5kw_single_phase_budget_class": {
      "value": 1090.11,
      "unit": "AUD each, ex GST",
      "source_url": "https://sparkydirect.com.au/p/sungrow-sg5.0rs-5000w-double-mppt-string-inverter-for-600-vdc",
      "source_name": "Sparky Direct, Sungrow SG5.0RS product page",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27 (page footer 2026)",
      "note": "Sungrow SG5.0RS listed at $1,090.11 ex GST ($1,199.12 inc GST), special order 4 to 7 days. Sungrow is the cheapest mainstream single phase 5 kW unit found on a public Australian price list. No public Australian list price was found for GoodWe DNS G3 5kW or Growatt MIN 5000TL-X (an eBay listing at about $711 was not used). Used as the inverter floor."
    },
    "string_5kw_single_phase_fronius_class": {
      "value": 2444.00,
      "unit": "AUD each, ex GST",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/Fronius-Primo-GEN24-5.0-SC",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop, Fronius Primo GEN24 5.0 SC",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27 (restock dates Oct and Nov 2026 shown)",
      "note": "Fronius Primo GEN24 5.0 SC $2,444.00 ex GST. Other Primo GEN24 SC sizes: 3.0 $1,949, 3.6 $2,310, 4.0 $2,325, 4.6 $2,475, 6.0 $2,849."
    },
    "string_8_to_10kw_three_phase": {
      "value": [2129.00, 4124.00],
      "unit": "AUD each, ex GST",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/inverters",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop, inverters category",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "SMA Sunny Tripower 8.0 $2,129.00; Fronius Symo GEN24 8.0 SC $3,899.00; Fronius Symo GEN24 10.0 SC $4,124.00; Fronius Symo GEN24 6.0 $1,999.00. Budget three phase units on the same list: Sofar 5kW 3P grid inverter $874.00, Huawei 8kW 3 phase $500.00 and Huawei 10kW 3 phase $600.00 (the Huawei prices look like clearance pricing and are flagged weak)."
    },
    "hybrid_5_to_10kw": {
      "value": [3449.00, 5399.00],
      "unit": "AUD each, ex GST",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/inverters",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop, inverters category",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "Fronius Primo GEN24 5.0 Plus SC (single phase hybrid) $3,449.00; Primo GEN24 6.0 Plus SC $3,899.00; Primo GEN24 8.0 Plus $4,499.00; Primo GEN24 10.0 Plus $5,099.00; Symo GEN24 5.0 Plus SC (three phase hybrid) $3,824.00; Symo GEN24 10.0 Plus SC $5,399.00. No Sungrow SH or GoodWe EH/ET hybrid pricing found on a public list."
    },
    "microinverter_per_panel_enphase_iq8": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "AUD per unit, ex GST",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": null,
      "source_date": null,
      "note": "No Australian price list or dated Australian publication with a per unit IQ8 price was found. Greentech does not list Enphase; Solar Proof shows no price; AC Solar Warehouse (Enphase distributor) is login only. System level estimate only: Why Solar (30 Sep 2026) puts microinverters at $2,500 to $4,000 versus string $1,000 to $2,000 for a residential system."
    },
    "dc_optimiser_per_panel": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "AUD per unit, ex GST",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": null,
      "source_date": null,
      "note": "No Australian priced listing found for Tigo TS4-A-O or SolarEdge S440 (Greentech lists only the Tigo Access Point at $113.00 and Tigo Cloud Connect Advanced kit at $570.00 ex GST; Solar Proof shows no price; a 2023 eBay listing was not used)."
    }
  },

  "racking_per_kw": {
    "tin_roof": {
      "value": 76,
      "unit": "AUD per kW, ex GST, derived",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/Antai-Silver-Tin-Kit-2.0kW",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop, Antai Silver Tin Kit 2.0kW and Antai Black Rail 4.6m",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "weak (derived). Antai Silver Tin Kit 2.0kW $56.00 ex GST contains 14 mid clamps, 8 end clamps, 14 earthing clips, 2 rail splices, 16 tin roof brackets, 2 grounding lugs; rail sold separately; Antai rail 4.6 m $35.00 (black, listed on home page). Assumption for 6.6 kW with 15 panels in two portrait rows: 4 kits ($224) plus 8 rails of 4.6 m ($280) = $504, which is $76/kW. Clenergy tin bracket $3.00 and universal clamp $3.00 each on the same list. A Renogy AU blog figure of about AUD 0.13/W (about $130/kW) appeared in search results but the page body could not be read, so it is not used."
    },
    "tile_roof": {
      "value": 113,
      "unit": "AUD per kW, ex GST, derived",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/mounting-systems",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop, mounting systems category",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "weak (derived). Antai Silver Tile Kit 2.0kW $116.00 ex GST versus tin kit $56.00 (tile hooks replace tin brackets). Same assumption as tin: 4 kits ($464) plus 8 rails ($280) = $744, which is $113/kW. Tile hardware premium over tin is therefore about $60 per 2 kW kit, or about $198 per 6.6 kW system, before extra labour."
    }
  },

  "labour": {
    "hours_on_site_6_6kw": {
      "value": [8, 24],
      "unit": "hours on site (whole job, elapsed)",
      "source_url": "https://www.finder.com.au/energy/solar-power/solar-panel-installation-process",
      "source_name": "Finder, What to expect during solar panel installation (Mariam Gabaji)",
      "source_date": "updated 24 Sep 2026",
      "note": "Finder: 'A standard home system can often be installed in a day' and 'Putting the panels on your roof usually takes 1-3 days'. Plico Energy (updated 17 Sep 2025): 'it usually takes one day to install solar panels'. No Australian source stating crew size was found; the floor assumes a two person crew for one 8 hour day (16 labour hours) and flags this as an assumption. Older benchmark: RMI/GTRI 'Lessons From Australia' (2014, reported by Solar Power World 10 May 2019) gave an Australian median total install time of 6.1 labour hours per kW, which would be about 40 labour hours for 6.6 kW; dated, weak."
    },
    "crew_size": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "persons",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": null,
      "source_date": null,
      "note": "No published Australian source found. Floor assumes 1 licensed electrician plus 1 installer (the minimum for supervised electrical work)."
    },
    "award_rates_electrical_contracting_award_ma000025": {
      "value": {
        "grade_1_hourly": 26.44,
        "grade_2_hourly": 26.66,
        "grade_3_hourly": 27.55,
        "grade_5_hourly": 29.45,
        "grade_6_hourly": 30.38,
        "industry_allowance_per_week": 41.41,
        "electricians_licence_allowance_per_week": 40.29,
        "tool_allowance_per_week_grade_5_plus": 22.31
      },
      "unit": "AUD, minimum full time adult rates, 38 hour week",
      "source_url": "https://library.fairwork.gov.au/award/?krn=MA000025",
      "source_name": "Fair Work Commission, Electrical, Electronic and Communications Contracting Award 2020 [MA000025], clauses 16.2 and 18.3",
      "source_date": "rates operative from 1 July 2026 (ppc 01Jul26); tool allowance annotated ppc 01Jul24",
      "note": "Grade 5 is the tradesperson (licensed electrician) level. Derived all purpose hourly rates: grade 5 = 29.45 + (41.41 + 40.29 + 22.31)/38 = $32.19/h; grade 1 = 26.44 + 41.41/38 = $27.53/h. Cross check: RosterElf 2026/27 sheet (sourced from the Fair Work pay guide published 24 June 2026) shows grade 5 $31.13/h and grade 1 $27.53/h all purpose (excludes licence allowance), casual grade 5 $38.91/h. The Fair Work Ombudsman pay guide PDF itself returned HTTP 503 on 2026-10-27. On costs (superannuation, leave, workers compensation) are not included in these rates."
    },
    "market_electrician_hourly_rates_by_city": {
      "value": {
        "national_range": [80, 150],
        "national_typical": 100,
        "sydney_from": 92,
        "melbourne_from": 84,
        "brisbane_from": 80,
        "perth_from": 84,
        "adelaide_from": 74,
        "hobart_from": 72,
        "canberra_from": 76,
        "darwin_from": 80,
        "callout_fee": [50, 150]
      },
      "unit": "AUD per hour charged to customers, inc GST",
      "source_url": "https://whatsthedamage.com.au/electrician-cost/",
      "source_name": "What's The Damage, Electrician cost Australia",
      "source_date": "last verified October 2026",
      "note": "Estimate from an Australian cost guide ('cross-referenced against 90+ Australian trade pricing sources', 'Estimates only'). City figures are the guide's 'From' per hour rates. These are charge out rates for general electrical work, not solar crew rates."
    },
    "market_installer_non_electrician_rates_by_city": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "AUD per hour",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": null,
      "source_date": null,
      "note": "No dated Australian source found for solar installer (non electrician) charge out rates by city. Use award grade 1 to 3 as the floor."
    },
    "labour_share_of_job": {
      "value": [15, 30],
      "unit": "percent of retail job revenue",
      "source_url": "https://www.whysolar.com.au/industry/solar-installer-profit-margins",
      "source_name": "Why Solar, Solar installer profit margins in Australia (2026 benchmarks)",
      "source_date": "undated, '2026 Benchmarks', fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "Why Solar: labour (electricians, apprentices, subcontractors) 15 to 20 percent of revenue; hardware 40 to 50 percent; overheads 10 to 15 percent; customer acquisition 5 to 10 percent; gross margin 20 to 35 percent. Solar X Energy 2026 guide (undated) says labour is 'roughly 20-30%' of total installation expense. Both are estimates; weak."
    }
  },

  "compliance_and_connection": {
    "saa_accreditation_first_accreditation": {
      "value": 884.13,
      "unit": "AUD inc GST per accreditation category, 12 month validity",
      "source_url": "https://saaustralia.com.au/applications/",
      "source_name": "Solar Accreditation Australia, Apply for accreditation",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27 (page footer 2026)",
      "note": "First accreditation (GCPV, GCBS or SPS): application fee $665.97 plus registration fee $218.16 = $884.13 inc GST, '1-year period'. Additional accreditation category: same $884.13. SAA FAQ page: accreditation is issued for 12 months; 100 CPD points required every 12 months. Renewal fee is not published on the pages fetched (null). Business.gov.au ABLIS listing says 'Fees are determined during the application process'."
    },
    "saa_accreditation_renewal": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "AUD",
      "source_url": "https://saaustralia.com.au/frequently-asked-questions/",
      "source_name": "Solar Accreditation Australia FAQ",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27",
      "note": "FAQ refers to a Renewals page in the SAA portal for renewal fees; amount not published on the public pages fetched."
    },
    "stc_cer_processing_fee": {
      "value": 0.47,
      "unit": "AUD per STC created",
      "source_url": "https://greendeal.com.au/news/21",
      "source_name": "Greendeal (STC trader), September 2026 promotion notice",
      "source_date": "3 Sep 2026",
      "note": "Notice states the offered rate is 'Including the $0.47/STC CER processing fee'. Trader margins (the gap between the market price and what a trader pays an installer) are not published as a fee; the same trader offered $42.47 per STC next day payment in September 2026 for a battery promotion, which is a price not a fee."
    },
    "stc_market_price_assumption": {
      "value": 39.85,
      "unit": "AUD per STC",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": "Client supplied assumption for this brief",
      "source_date": "2026-10-27",
      "note": "Not independently sourced from a fetched page. Nearest fetched reference points: Greendeal September 2026 promotional rate $42.47 inc $0.47 fee; CER March quarter 2025 report reported in search results at $39.90 (snippet only, weak). The CER June quarter 2026 report page (updated 6 Oct 2026) refers to Figure 3.10 STC spot and clearing house prices but the values are in a workbook not read."
    },
    "cec_netcc_retailer_fees": {
      "value": {"application_fee": 480, "annual_fee": [800, 10000]},
      "unit": "AUD",
      "source_url": "https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/netcc-changes-mb3012/",
      "source_name": "SolarQuotes, NETCC proposed changes (Michael Bloch)",
      "source_date": "20 Sep 2024",
      "note": "weak (2024). New Energy Tech Consumer Code (administered by the Clean Energy Council): application fee $480; annual fees $800 to $10,000 scaled by prior year new energy tech sales. Current 2026 schedule not found on a public page."
    },
    "grid_application_fees_by_distributor": {
      "value": {
        "ausgrid_nsw_single_phase_up_to_10kw": 24.40,
        "ausgrid_nsw_single_phase_10_to_30kw": 138.35,
        "jemena_vic_inverter_energy_system_application_to_20_sep_2026": 550,
        "jemena_vic_inverter_energy_system_application_from_21_sep_2026": 700,
        "sa_power_networks_small_eg_up_to_30kva": null,
        "united_energy_vic_residential_fixed_fee": null,
        "energex_qld_negotiated_under_30kva_ex_gst": [143.31, 429.52],
        "western_power_wa_residential_inverter_application": null,
        "essential_energy_nsw_technical_review_ex_gst_2022": 123.38
      },
      "unit": "AUD per application",
      "source_url": "https://www.ausgrid.com.au/connections/fees-contracts-and-policies/connection-charges/solar-charges",
      "source_name": "Ausgrid solar charges page; Jemena connection charges page; United Energy renewable generators page; SA Power Networks small embedded generation page",
      "source_date": "Ausgrid page footer 2026 (fetched 2026-10-27); Jemena page states fee change date 21 Sep 2026; United Energy 'as at September 2026'; SAPN undated",
      "note": "Ausgrid: 'typical fee' $24.40 inc GST for single phase up to 10 kW and three phase up to 10 kW per phase; $138.35 for 10 to 30 kW. Jemena (https://www.jemena.com.au/electricity/solar-connections/solar-support-hub-for-customers/connection-charges/): $550 for applications on or before 20 Sep 2026, $700 from 21 Sep 2026, GST status not stated; some residential rows show $0 basic service. United Energy (https://www.unitedenergy.com.au/partners/renewable-generators): fees are time based (engineer $259.24 + GST per hour), no fixed residential fee listed. SAPN (https://www.sapowernetworks.com.au/connections/solar-and-other-generators/small-embedded-generation/): up to 30 kVA auto approved, no fee mentioned. Energex (https://www.energex.com.au/contractors/electrical-partners-alert/2026/new-lv-solar-and-renewable-enquiry,-and-application-fees-effective-1-july-2026): figures from search snippet only, direct fetch returned 403, weak; basic connections go through the Model Standing Offer and no fee was confirmed. Western Power 2026-27 price list (https://www.erawa.com.au/sites/default/files/2026-27-price-list-for-the-western-power-network.PDF, pricing year from 1 July 2026): residential new connection point fee $0.00, but no specific residential inverter application fee identified. Essential Energy figure is from a 2022 notice found in search results, weak."
    },
    "meter_exchange_fee_by_state": {
      "value": {"national_range": [0, 300], "nsw": null, "vic": null, "qld": null, "sa": null, "wa": null, "tas": null, "act": null, "nt": null},
      "unit": "AUD inc GST per meter change",
      "source_url": "https://whysolar.com.au/solutions/solar-panels/cost",
      "source_name": "Why Solar, Solar panel cost Australia 2026 (Bec Ramirez)",
      "source_date": "updated 30 Sep 2026",
      "note": "Why Solar lists 'Meter change: $0 to $300' as a common extra. New Life in Aus (19 Jul 2026) lists meter change $0 to $500. Retailer fee schedules (AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, Red Energy) could not be fetched on 2026-10-27 (403, 404 or 503), so no state by state figure is recorded."
    },
    "electrical_certificate_fees": {
      "value": {
        "vic_coes_prescribed_esvconnect_2026_27": 39.70,
        "vic_coes_prescribed_paper_2026_27": 43.20,
        "nsw_ccew_regulator_fee": 0,
        "sa_ecoc_system_fee": 0,
        "qld_certificate_of_testing_and_compliance": null,
        "wa_notice_of_completion": null,
        "tas_certificate_of_electrical_compliance": null,
        "act": null,
        "nt": null
      },
      "unit": "AUD per certificate",
      "source_url": "https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/certificates-electrical-safety/fees",
      "source_name": "Energy Safe Victoria, Certificates of Electrical Safety fees",
      "source_date": "FY 2026-27 table, effective 1 July 2026",
      "note": "VIC: prescribed COES via ESVConnect $39.70 (fee unit $17.27), paper $43.20; ESV states the purchase does not attract GST; contractors may add a handling fee. NSW: the NSW Government electrical compliance page (last updated 19 Oct 2026, https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/compliance-and-regulation/electricians/electrical-compliance-requirements) sets out CCEW lodgement via the BCNSW eCert portal from 1 July 2026 and mentions no lodgement fee. SA: Office of the Technical Regulator eCoC page reported in search results as 'free for electrical, gas and plumbing contractors' (direct fetch returned 403; weak). QLD, WA, TAS, ACT, NT: no fee schedule found."
    },
    "council_or_heritage_permit_fees": {
      "value": {"vic_vicsmart_class_7_works_10000_or_less": 233.10, "vic_vicsmart_class_8_works_over_10000": 500.80, "vic_vicsmart_class_10_other": 233.10},
      "unit": "AUD, GST exempt, 2026-27",
      "source_url": "https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/planning-fees",
      "source_name": "Knox City Council planning fees (statutory VicSmart fees, fee unit $17.27)",
      "source_date": "1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027",
      "note": "Applies only where a planning permit is needed. Solar Victoria (updated 11 Sep 2025, https://www.solar.vic.gov.au/solar-heritage-listed-properties): in a Heritage Overlay no permit is needed if panels are not visible from a street (other than a lane) or public park; otherwise a planning permit is required and many councils use VicSmart. Yarra City Council has stated it charges no application fee for solar in heritage overlays (search snippet only, page returned 403; weak). No fee data found for other states."
    }
  },

  "price_driver_premiums": {
    "two_storey_edge_protection_or_scaffold": {
      "value": [1000, 3500],
      "unit": "AUD per job, inc GST",
      "source_url": "https://whatsthedamage.com.au/scaffolding-cost-sydney/",
      "source_name": "What's The Damage, Scaffolding cost Sydney",
      "source_date": "last reviewed October 2026",
      "note": "Roof edge protection or guardrail supplied, installed and dismantled: $1,000 to $3,500 per job, typically $2,000 (guide notes this line is for a single storey house, so two storey can be higher); multi level scaffold $4,000 to $14,000 per job; standard scaffold hire $150 to $600 per week. Solar specific estimates: Why Solar (30 Sep 2026) multi storey access $300 to $1,000; New Life in Aus (19 Jul 2026) two storey or steep roof $300 to $1,500. WHS requirement: WorkSafe WA information sheet 'Managing the risks of falls from roofs in the housing construction industry' (file dated Feb 2026, https://www.worksafe.wa.gov.au/system/files/documents/2026-02/WS_BR_Managing-risk-falls-housing-construction-industry.pdf): work with a potential fall of 2 metres or more is high risk construction work requiring a SWMS; compliant edge protection where the fall risk is 2 m or more from a scaffold, fixed stair, landing or slab, or 3 m or more from any other edge; Regulation 79 of the WHS Regulations applies from 1 Oct 2026. Enforcement: WorkSafe Victoria fine of $70,000 (12 Oct 2026) for two workers installing solar on a two storey roof without guard railing (HSE Blog, 15 Oct 2026). SafeWork NSW 2024 rooftop solar findings: only 46 percent of sites had edge protection."
    },
    "tile_versus_tin": {
      "value": [200, 600],
      "unit": "AUD per job, extra labour, inc GST",
      "source_url": "https://newlifeinaus.com.au/solar-panel-cost-australia/",
      "source_name": "New Life in Aus, Solar panel cost Australia (Shoumya Chowdhury)",
      "source_date": "published 19 Jul 2026",
      "note": "Tile roof $200 to $600 extra (New Life in Aus); Solar X Energy 2026 guide: tile roofs add $300 to $600 to labour. Hardware premium from the Greentech price list: tile kit $116.00 versus tin kit $56.00 per 2 kW ex GST, about $198 extra per 6.6 kW."
    },
    "three_phase_inverter_upcharge": {
      "value": [375, 1500],
      "unit": "AUD, inverter supply difference ex GST (low) to installed estimate inc GST (high)",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/inverters",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop inverters; New Life in Aus",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27; 19 Jul 2026",
      "note": "Wholesale: Fronius Symo GEN24 5.0 SC $2,948 versus Primo GEN24 5.0 SC $2,444 = $504 ex GST; Symo GEN24 5.0 Plus SC $3,824 versus Primo GEN24 5.0 Plus SC $3,449 = $375 ex GST. Installed estimate: New Life in Aus, three phase inverter $600 to $1,500 more than single phase. Converting a single phase supply to three phase is separate: Why Solar 10 kW article $1,000 to $3,000 (search snippet, weak)."
    },
    "switchboard_upgrade": {
      "value": [500, 2500],
      "unit": "AUD per job, inc GST",
      "source_url": "https://www.voltflow.net/blog/switchboard-upgrade-cost-australia-2026",
      "source_name": "VoltFlow, Switchboard upgrade cost Australia 2026",
      "source_date": "updated April 2026",
      "note": "VoltFlow: standard residential replacement $800 to $2,500; 'Budget A$500-1,500 for switchboard modifications alongside solar'; making a board solar ready adds $100 to $300; new circuit $150 to $300. Why Solar (30 Sep 2026): $500 to $1,500. New Life in Aus (19 Jul 2026): $800 to $2,500. Solar X Energy (2026): $600 to $1,500 for ceramic fuse boards."
    },
    "export_limiter_or_dynamic_export_device": {
      "value": [200, 500],
      "unit": "AUD per job, inc GST",
      "source_url": "https://whysolar.com.au/solutions/solar-panels/cost",
      "source_name": "Why Solar, Solar panel cost Australia 2026",
      "source_date": "updated 30 Sep 2026",
      "note": "Why Solar: export limiting $200 to $500. Hardware on the Greentech list (ex GST): Fronius Smart Meter 63A-1 $225.00, Fronius Smart Meter 63A-3 $525.00, GoodWe 3 phase GMK330 smart meter $275.00, Generation Signalling Device (used for SA relevant agent compliance) $149.00, DRM interface $135.00."
    },
    "tilt_frames": {
      "value": [75, 250],
      "unit": "AUD per kW (hardware ex GST at low end, installed estimate at high end)",
      "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/mounting-systems",
      "source_name": "Greentech Solar Shop mounting systems; SolarQuotes",
      "source_date": "fetched 2026-10-27; 9 Sep 2024",
      "note": "Hardware: Antai Black Tilt Kit 2kW 10-15 degrees $150.00 and 15-30 degrees $174.00 ex GST ($75 to $87 per kW). Installed estimate: SolarQuotes (Anthony Bennett, 9 Sep 2024): 'around $250/kW or $1500 on your 6.6kW system' (author's own arithmetic does not reconcile exactly); weak and dated."
    },
    "long_cable_run_distance_from_switchboard": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "AUD per metre or per job",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": null,
      "source_date": null,
      "note": "No Australian source with a dollar figure found. Cable list prices for reference (Greentech, ex GST): KUKA PV twin core 4mm2 1500V $179.30 (roll length not stated), KUKA earth cable 4mm2 $118.00."
    },
    "travel_surcharge_outside_metro": {
      "value": null,
      "unit": "AUD per km or per job",
      "source_url": null,
      "source_name": null,
      "source_date": null,
      "note": "No dated Australian source found. Solar Choice's index methodology (as republished) notes its prices 'exclude travel costs or additional charges for special circumstances (e.g. slate roof or 2-story+ building)'."
    },
    "shading_solutions_optimisers_or_micros": {
      "value": [1500, 2000],
      "unit": "AUD per residential system, inc GST (difference between microinverter and string system estimates)",
      "source_url": "https://whysolar.com.au/solutions/solar-panels/cost",
      "source_name": "Why Solar, Solar panel cost Australia 2026",
      "source_date": "updated 30 Sep 2026",
      "note": "Derived from Why Solar estimates: microinverters $2,500 to $4,000 versus string inverter $1,000 to $2,000. Per panel optimiser or microinverter pricing in AUD could not be sourced (see inverter_cost_by_type). SolarQuotes (12 Oct 2026) says premium inverter brands can add about $1,500 over a budget unit."
    }
  },

  "too_cheap_floor": {
    "method": "Sum of the lowest sourced ex GST figures for compliant hardware and award labour for a 6.6 kW single storey tin roof system, plus unavoidable per job compliance costs, plus 10 percent GST, less the STC value at the client assumption of $39.85 per certificate. On costs, balance of system (isolators, conduit, cable), consumables, vehicle, insurance, overheads, warranty provision, sales and margin are all excluded, so the real minimum viable price is higher. This is a floor, not a fair price.",
    "stc_calculation": {
      "formula": "STCs = system kW x zone rating x deeming period, rounded down",
      "deeming_period_2026": 5,
      "deeming_source_url": "https://cer.gov.au/RET/Scheme-participants-and-industry/Agents-and-installers/Deeming-period-decline",
      "deeming_source_name": "Clean Energy Regulator, Deeming period decline (2026 = 5 years)",
      "deeming_source_date": "last updated 18 Sep 2026",
      "zone_3_rating": 1.382,
      "zone_4_rating": 1.185,
      "zone_rating_source_note": "weak: the CER page 'Calculate small-scale technology certificate entitlements' (last updated 18 Sep 2026) confirms the 5 year deeming period and the round down rule but holds the zone ratings in a PDF that was not read; the 1.382 and 1.185 values come from search result snippets (Wikipedia SRES entry and calculators). Cross check: Why Solar (30 Sep 2026) gives a 6.6 kW STC rebate of $1,482 to $2,014, consistent with 39 to 45 STCs at roughly $38 to $45.",
      "zone_3_stcs": "floor(6.6 x 1.382 x 5) = floor(45.606) = 45",
      "zone_4_stcs": "floor(6.6 x 1.185 x 5) = floor(39.105) = 39",
      "zone_3_stc_value": "45 x 39.85 = 1793.25",
      "zone_4_stc_value": "39 x 39.85 = 1554.15"
    },
    "components_ex_gst": {
      "panels": {"value": 2409.00, "arithmetic": "6,600 W x $0.365/W (Trina Vertex S+ 515W at $188.00 ex GST, Greentech) = $2,409", "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/products/category/solar-modules"},
      "inverter": {"value": 1090.11, "arithmetic": "Sungrow SG5.0RS $1,090.11 ex GST (Sparky Direct)", "source_url": "https://sparkydirect.com.au/p/sungrow-sg5.0rs-5000w-double-mppt-string-inverter-for-600-vdc"},
      "racking_tin": {"value": 504.00, "arithmetic": "4 x Antai Silver Tin Kit 2.0kW at $56.00 = $224 plus 8 x Antai rail 4.6 m at $35.00 = $280; total $504 (layout assumption: 15 panels, two rows)", "source_url": "https://solarshop.greentech.com.au/Antai-Silver-Tin-Kit-2.0kW"},
      "labour_minimum": {"value": 477.76, "arithmetic": "1 electrician grade 5 at $32.19/h all purpose x 8 h = $257.52 plus 1 installer grade 1 at $27.53/h x 8 h = $220.24; total $477.76 (one day on site per Finder 24 Sep 2026; crew of two is an assumption; award rates from MA000025 operative 1 July 2026; excludes superannuation, leave loading, workers compensation and travel time)", "source_url": "https://library.fairwork.gov.au/award/?krn=MA000025"},
      "compliance_zone_3_sydney_ausgrid": {"value": 43.33, "arithmetic": "STC CER processing fee 45 x $0.47 = $21.15 plus Ausgrid application $24.40 inc GST = $22.18 ex GST plus NSW CCEW regulator fee $0; total $43.33. Meter change taken at the $0 end of the Why Solar $0 to $300 range. SAA accreditation ($884.13 per year) and NETCC fees are business level costs not allocated per job.", "source_url": "https://www.ausgrid.com.au/connections/fees-contracts-and-policies/connection-charges/solar-charges"},
      "compliance_zone_4_melbourne": {"value": 58.03, "arithmetic": "STC CER processing fee 39 x $0.47 = $18.33 plus VIC prescribed COES $39.70 plus distributor application fee excluded because it varies from $0 (basic service rows) to $700 (Jemena from 21 Sep 2026); total $58.03", "source_url": "https://www.energysafe.vic.gov.au/certificates-electrical-safety/fees"}
    },
    "zone_3_arithmetic": {
      "subtotal_ex_gst": "2409.00 + 1090.11 + 504.00 + 477.76 + 43.33 = 4524.20",
      "gst": "4524.20 x 0.10 = 452.42",
      "total_inc_gst_before_stc": "4524.20 + 452.42 = 4976.62",
      "less_stc_value": "4976.62 - 1793.25 = 3183.37",
      "floor_after_stc": 3183
    },
    "zone_4_arithmetic": {
      "subtotal_ex_gst": "2409.00 + 1090.11 + 504.00 + 477.76 + 58.03 = 4538.90",
      "gst": "4538.90 x 0.10 = 453.89",
      "total_inc_gst_before_stc": "4538.90 + 453.89 = 4992.79",
      "less_stc_value": "4992.79 - 1554.15 = 3438.64",
      "floor_after_stc": 3439,
      "note": "Add $700 where the distributor is Jemena (application fee from 21 Sep 2026)."
    },
    "statement": "Any after-STC quote below $3,183 for a 6.6 kW system in Zone 3 cannot cover compliant hardware and labour at the floors above. In Zone 4 the equivalent figure is $3,439.",
    "sensitivity": {
      "labour_at_40_hours": "If labour is taken at the dated RMI 2014 benchmark of 6.1 h/kW (about 40 h, split 20 h electrician and 20 h installer) labour becomes 20 x 32.19 + 20 x 27.53 = $1,194.40, lifting the Zone 3 floor to about $3,972 after STC.",
      "panels_at_why_solar_budget_low": "At the Why Solar budget estimate of $0.25/W, panels fall to $1,650 and the Zone 3 floor falls to about $2,348 after STC; this is an estimate, not a price list, so it is not used as the headline.",
      "bos_not_included": "Minimum balance of system from the Greentech list (one roll KUKA PV twin core 4mm2 $179.30, earth cable $118.00, 4 MC4 pairs $16.00 = $313.30 ex GST, DC and AC isolators not priced) would add about $345 inc GST."
    }
  },

  "solar_choice_index_oct_2026": {
    "status": "not_fetched",
    "page_url": "https://www.solarchoice.net.au/solar-panels/solar-power-system-prices/",
    "attempts": "WebFetch of the www and non-www URLs, the WordPress REST endpoint and a Wayback snapshot all failed on 2026-10-27 (HTTP 403 from solarchoice.net.au; web.archive.org not reachable from this environment). A curl with a browser user agent was blocked by the session's permission policy as bot check circumvention, so it was not retried.",
    "month_label": null,
    "page_date": null,
    "residential_avg_dollars_per_watt_by_city_standard": null,
    "residential_avg_dollars_per_watt_by_city_premium": null,
    "residential_avg_price_by_size_by_city": null,
    "commercial_index": null,
    "data_basis_note": "Solar Choice's index figures are installer offers submitted to the Solar Choice quote platform by its installer network, not quotes collected from homeowners. Methodology as republished by RenewEconomy and One Step Off The Grid (older editions, found in search results on 2026-10-27, weak): prices are net of the federal STC incentive and inclusive of GST; in most instances they exclude meter change fees, travel costs and special circumstance charges such as slate roofs or two storey buildings; residential index covers 1.5 kW to 10 kW, commercial 10 kW to 100 kW; updated monthly.",
    "unverified_snippet": "A search engine summary on 2026-10-27 attributed to the October 2026 index a national average of $4,130 for 3 kW and $9,810 for 10 kW. These numbers were not seen on a fetched page and must be verified against the live page before use."
  },

  "competitor_figures_for_reference": {
    "solarquotes": {
      "page_url": "https://www.solarquotes.com.au/panels/cost/",
      "author": "Finn Peacock, Chartered Electrical Engineer; fact checked by Ronald Brakels",
      "updated": "12 Oct 2026",
      "figures": {
        "3kw": [3500, 5500],
        "5kw": [5000, 7500],
        "6_6kw": [6000, 9000],
        "8kw": [7500, 11000],
        "10kw": [9000, 12000],
        "10kw_average_statement": "around $10,000",
        "13kw": [11000, 16000],
        "per_kw_rule": "budget about $1,000 per kW installed for a decent quality system",
        "budget_panel_per_panel": "Jinko around $140 per panel",
        "premium_panel_per_panel": "SunPower could easily cost over $290 each",
        "premium_inverter_premium": "about $1,500 over a budget unit",
        "stc_10kw": "around $2,500 (also stated as about $3,000 elsewhere on the page)"
      },
      "note": "Price basis (before or after STC) was not stated unambiguously in the fetched summary; SolarQuotes normally quotes installed prices after the STC discount. Verify before quoting. No city table on the page; it says NT and Tasmania are among the most expensive."
    },
    "whysolar": {
      "page_url": "https://whysolar.com.au/solutions/solar-panels/cost",
      "author": "Bec Ramirez",
      "published": "11 Feb 2026",
      "updated": "30 Sep 2026",
      "figures": {
        "6_6kw_installed": [5500, 8000],
        "6_6kw_stc": [1482, 2014],
        "6_6kw_after_stc": [3486, 6518],
        "10kw_installed": [8000, 12000],
        "10kw_stc": [2242, 3078],
        "10kw_after_stc": [4922, 9758],
        "5kw_installed": [4500, 6500],
        "8kw_installed": [7000, 10000],
        "13kw_installed": [10000, 15000],
        "by_city_6_6kw_installed": {"sydney": [5800, 7500], "melbourne": [5500, 7200], "brisbane": [5200, 6800], "perth": [5000, 6500], "adelaide": [5300, 7000]},
        "by_city_10kw_installed": {"sydney": [8500, 11000], "melbourne": [8000, 10500], "brisbane": [7500, 10000], "perth": [7200, 9500], "adelaide": [7800, 10200]},
        "panel_per_watt_tiers": {"budget": [0.25, 0.35], "mid": [0.35, 0.50], "premium": [0.50, 0.70]},
        "inverters": {"string": [1000, 2000], "microinverters": [2500, 4000]},
        "extras": {"switchboard": [500, 1500], "meter_change": [0, 300], "roof_repairs": [200, 2000], "multi_storey_access": [300, 1000], "export_limiting": [200, 500]}
      },
      "note": "Installed figures are stated before STC with the STC and after STC figures shown separately."
    }
  }
}