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LAST UPDATED: MARCH 2026 · DATA: CLEAN ENERGY REGULATOR & STATE SOURCES
Craigieburn solar fact
Craigieburn is Melbourne's fastest-growing solar suburb — 43% adoption in a suburb that barely existed 20 years ago — because Hume City's bulk-buy program and builder-installed solar in new estates have made it the city's best example of solar going mainstream at suburb scale
Estimated Monthly Output — 6.6kW
kWh/month · peak: Dec (465 kWh)
Solar in Craigieburn — What You Need to Know
Craigieburn sits at Melbourne's northern edge, a suburb that grew from farmland to 35,000 residents between 2000 and 2020 through a succession of master-planned residential estates. This growth timing was solar-fortunate: estates developed after 2012 routinely include solar conduit as standard, reducing installation costs by $400–500, and many post-2018 developments include 6.6kW systems as part of the standard build package. Hume City Council has been extraordinarily active on solar, running one of Victoria's largest community bulk-buy programs that has delivered 1,200+ systems since 2019 at prices 18–22% below market. Craigieburn's flat topography and newer housing stock mean installations are straightforward and cost-effective, and the suburb's young family demographics (median age 29, high proportion of dual-income households) create strong motivation to reduce the growing household electricity bills. Battery attachment rate is 39% — Melbourne's second highest after Casey — driven by builder promotions that include battery as an upgrade option at point of construction.
Solar Panel Cost in Craigieburn 2026
| System | Cost after STCs | Annual savings | Feed-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5kW | $3141–$3696 | $1680+ | 3.3c |
| 6.6kW ★ | $3696–$4956 | $2240 | 3.3c |
| 10kW | $4804–$6442 | $3136+ | 3.3c |
FAQs — Solar in Craigieburn
How much do solar panels cost in Craigieburn?
A 6.6kW system in Craigieburn 3064 costs $3696–$4956 after federal STC rebates in 2026.
Is solar worth it in Craigieburn?
Craigieburn earns a A- (Very Good) solar grade with a score of 84/100. 43% of homes here already have solar.
What size solar system for Craigieburn?
6.6kW suits most Craigieburn homes. Larger homes with pools or EVs should consider 10kW+. VIC's feed-in tariff is 3.3c.
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Going Solar in Craigieburn
Craigieburn, in the Melbourne region of VIC, receives approximately 4.0 peak sun hours per day — close to the national average of 4.2 hours. With electricity rates of approximately 30c/kWh and Zone 3 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) applying in this area, the financial case for solar in Craigieburn is moderate.
At 43% solar adoption, Craigieburn is already a solar leader in the region. This means experienced local installers are readily available and the grid operator has well-established processes for residential solar connections.
A 6.6kW solar system in Craigieburn costs approximately $3696–$4956 after STC rebates. At 4.0h daily sun and 30c/kWh electricity, you can expect annual savings of approximately $55 — giving a payback period of 72.7–118.2 years, followed by 20+ years of near-free electricity.
The electricity network in Craigieburn is managed by AusNet, CitiPower, Powercor, United Energy, or Jemena. AusNet covers Melbourne's east, United Energy the south-east, Powercor the west, CitiPower the inner city, and Jemena the north. For residential systems above 5kW, a network connection application is typically required — your installer will handle this as part of the installation process.
Solar Rebates in Craigieburn
Homeowners in Craigieburn () access the following solar incentives in 2026:
Zone 3 FEDERAL STCs
Zone 3 STCs worth approximately $2,200–$2,700 off a 6.6kW system. STCs are applied as a point-of-sale discount — your installer handles the paperwork.
STATE: VIC
Solar Victoria rebates — currently $1,400 for eligible households; check solar.vic.gov.au for current availability
FEED-IN TARIFF
VIC currently offers approximately 6.7c/kWh for excess solar exported to the grid. Self-consumption saves 30c/kWh — 4.5x more than exporting.
What Size Solar System for Craigieburn?
The right system size depends on your electricity usage. A quick rule: divide your quarterly bill by $100 to get your ideal system size in kW. For Craigieburn, common household sizes are:
With VIC's feed-in tariff at 6.7c/kWh and electricity at 30c/kWh, the priority is maximising self-consumption rather than grid export. If your household is away during peak solar generation hours (10am–3pm), adding a battery to shift solar to evening use improves payback. See our solar battery guide for battery options and payback analysis.
Compare all system sizes — 5kW to 13kW →More Guides
How to Choose a Solar Installer in Craigieburn
With dozens of solar installers operating in the Melbourne area, choosing the right one for Craigieburn requires a few checks. Here's what to look for:
Our free solar score tool connects you with up to 3 CEC-accredited, vetted installers in Craigieburn — saving you the time of calling around. Every installer in our network has verified reviews and local Melbourne experience.