Solar Panels Paddington
1870s–1920s homes in Waverley / City of Sydney. Local costs, rebates & the honest truth about solar in Paddington.
Get My Solar Score — Paddington ☀Home / Locations / Sydney / Paddington
LAST UPDATED: MARCH 2026 · DATA: CLEAN ENERGY REGULATOR & STATE SOURCES
$4,200
6.6kW from
$1,450
Annual savings
4.6h
Daily sun
3–5yr
Payback
14%
Have solar
Solar in Paddington — What You Need to Know
Paddington's Victorian terraces are iconic — and a real challenge for solar. Heritage conservation area rules apply across most of the suburb, meaning panels must not be visible from the street. Rear-of-roof installations on north-facing back slopes are the go-to solution. Many homeowners use micro-inverters to work around the partial shading from neighbouring terraces and mature street trees.
Paddington solar fact
Paddington has one of the highest rates of micro-inverter use in Australia due to heritage shading constraints
Estimated Monthly Output — 6.6kW in Paddington
kWh/month · peak month: Dec (535 kWh)
System Costs in Paddington 2021
| System | Cost after STCs | Annual savings | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5kW | $4,200–$4,620 | $1,087+ | 3–5 yrs |
| 6.6kW ★ | $4,200–$6,500 | $1,450 | 3–5 yrs |
| 10kW | $5,460–$8,450 | $2,029+ | 3–5 yrs |
Rebates for Paddington Homeowners
All Paddington homeowners access the federal STC rebate — worth $3,000–$4,500 off a 6.6kW system in Zone 2. Your installer applies this at point of sale.
FAQs — Solar in Paddington
How much do solar panels cost in Paddington?
A 6.6kW system in Paddington (2021) costs $4,200–$6,500 after federal STC rebates. Paddington is in STC Zone 2, meaning $3,000–$4,500 off upfront.
What solar rebates are available in Paddington?
Paddington homeowners access the federal STC scheme ($3,000–$4,500 off). See current NSW state programs at our rebates page.
Is solar worth it in Paddington?
Yes — Paddington earns a Solar Suitability Grade of B+ (Good). With 4.6h daily sun and 33c/kWh rates, a 6.6kW system saves $1,450/year and pays back in 3–5 years.
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Going Solar in Paddington
Paddington, in the Sydney region of NSW, receives approximately 4.6 peak sun hours per day — above the national average of 4.2 hours. With electricity rates of approximately 33c/kWh and Zone 2 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) applying in this area, the financial case for solar in Paddington is moderate.
At 30% solar adoption, Paddington is in the growth phase of solar adoption. 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 Paddington costs approximately $4,200–$6,500 after STC rebates. At 4.6h daily sun and 33c/kWh electricity, you can expect annual savings of approximately $70 — giving a payback period of 57.1–92.9 years, followed by 20+ years of near-free electricity.
The electricity network in Paddington is managed by Ausgrid, Endeavour Energy, or Essential Energy. Ausgrid covers most of Sydney metro. Endeavour Energy covers the western suburbs and Illawarra. Essential Energy covers regional NSW. 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 Paddington
Homeowners in Paddington () access the following solar incentives in 2026:
Zone 2 FEDERAL STCs
Zone 2 STCs worth approximately $2,800–$3,400 off a 6.6kW system. STCs are applied as a point-of-sale discount — your installer handles the paperwork.
STATE: NSW
Empowering Homes interest-free loans for eligible households
FEED-IN TARIFF
NSW currently offers approximately 5.5c/kWh for excess solar exported to the grid. Self-consumption saves 33c/kWh — 6.0x more than exporting.
What Size Solar System for Paddington?
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 Paddington, common household sizes are:
With NSW's feed-in tariff at 5.5c/kWh and electricity at 33c/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 Paddington
With dozens of solar installers operating in the Sydney area, choosing the right one for Paddington 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 Paddington — saving you the time of calling around. Every installer in our network has verified reviews and local Sydney experience.