Savings calculator · Worked example

Solar and battery for a $900 quarterly power bill in Melbourne

For a typical household paying $900 a quarter in Melbourne (3150), the system that pays back best is 2.85 kW solar + 29 kWh battery: $8,184 after rebates, about $3,204 saved in the first year, paid for itself in 2.5 years and $30,093 ahead after ten. Worked out 26 October 2026 on current prices, rebates and electricity plans.

Work it out for your own bill

The three worth comparing

Best over ten years

2.85 kW solar + 29 kWh battery

6 × JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0 Pro 475W N-Type Double Glass Monofacial (JAM54D40-475/LR) + ESY 30.7kWh 6kW 1-phase

Price after rebates
$8,184
Saving in year one
$3,204
Pays for itself in
2.5 years
Ahead after 10 years
$30,093

On Red Energy · Red Power5, plan checked 26 October 2026

Solar only: the lowest outlay

7.6 kW solar

16 × JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0 Pro 475W N-Type Double Glass Monofacial (JAM54D40-475/LR) + SolaX 7.5kW SP Hybrid Inverter (2 MPPT)

Price after rebates
$4,630
Saving in year one
$1,984
Pays for itself in
2.3 years
Ahead after 10 years
$18,798

On MYOB powered by OVO · The One Plan - OCT2026, plan checked 26 October 2026

Another battery to compare

2.85 kW solar + 29 kWh battery

6 × JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0 Pro 475W N-Type Double Glass Monofacial (JAM54D40-475/LR) + ESY 30.7kWh 10kW 1-phase

Price after rebates
$8,866
Saving in year one
$3,204
Pays for itself in
2.7 years
Ahead after 10 years
$29,411

On Red Energy · Red Power5, plan checked 26 October 2026

How this was worked out

  • A $900 quarterly bill, turned into daily use at typical Victoria rates for postcode 3150.
  • A typical household's day: no answers about pools, air conditioning or an electric car. Yours can change the answer, so the calculator asks.
  • Every system size the roof and the grid connection allow, with and without each battery we install, priced after the federal battery rebate and solar STCs.
  • Each system on the retail plan that saves it the most, from every plan published for the postcode.
  • Installed by Sunbridge Energy VIC. An estimate, not a quote: a site inspection and your real bill give exact figures.

Other bills

$600 a quarter$700 a quarter$800 a quarter$1000 a quarter$1100 a quarter$1200 a quarter

$900 in Western Sydney$900 in Brisbane