Hobart's Solar Resource — Honest Numbers
Hobart averages 3.9 peak sun hours per day — the lowest of any Australian capital city, and meaningfully below Melbourne (4.4) or Adelaide (4.8). The southerly latitude (~43°S), frequent cloud cover, and short winter days all contribute to this lower figure.
That said, Hobart's solar story is more nuanced than the annual average suggests. Summer days in Hobart are long — the city sits at the same latitude south as Paris sits north, and December days see nearly 15 hours of daylight. On a clear summer day, a Hobart system can produce more than the same system in Darwin. The problem is the cloud, not the sun's position.
Winter is genuinely challenging. June and July in Hobart produce roughly a quarter of what December produces — the largest seasonal swing of any Australian capital. If you're sizing for winter self-sufficiency, you'll significantly oversize for summer. The right approach is to size for annual output and accept that winter will require more grid imports.
Monthly AC output per 1 kW installed — Hobart. The seasonal swing here is the largest of any Australian capital.
What System Size Do You Need?
Because Hobart's irradiance is lower, you need a larger system to cover the same annual usage than in northern cities. The table below uses Hobart's actual irradiance data. If you're considering electrifying your home (gas to heat pump), factor that increased electrical load into your sizing — and consider a 10 kW system rather than the standard 6.6 kW.
| Daily usage | Typical household | Recommended system | Est. annual output |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8–10 kWh | 1–2 person unit | 3 kW | ~3,240 kWh |
| 14–18 kWh | Average family home | 6.6 kW | ~7,130 kWh |
| 25–35 kWh | Large home / heat pumps | 10–13 kW | ~10,800–14,040 kWh |
Payback Period in Hobart
A typical 6.6 kW system in Hobart costs between $5,500 and $9,000 after the federal STC rebate (the STC rebate is lower in Hobart than in northern cities, as it's calculated based on irradiance zone — Hobart falls in a less favourable zone). Aurora Energy's electricity rates sit around 27–30c/kWh.
At those rates and with Hobart's lower irradiance, a 6.6 kW system saves roughly $700–$1,000 per year, putting payback at 7 to 10 years for most households. That's longer than mainland cities, but there's still 10–13 years of savings remaining within a standard panel warranty.
The Tasmanian case for solar has become more compelling in recent years as electricity rates have risen. Hobart households that have already switched from wood or gas heating to electric heat pumps — which is common in newer builds — tend to have higher electricity usage, which improves solar self-consumption and shortens payback.
Hobart's Case for Going Solar Anyway
The financial return in Hobart is real, if slower than the mainland. But there's another dimension worth considering: Tasmania's grid is predominantly hydro. Solar adds to an already low-emissions electricity supply, but the environmental motivation for solar in Hobart is different than in a coal-heavy state like NSW or Victoria.
For Hobart households, the stronger case for solar often comes down to hedging against future price rises and moving toward energy independence. Aurora Energy rates have increased substantially over the past decade, and a system installed today captures savings at today's rate while providing a hedge against future increases.
If you're already using electric heating and cooling (or planning to), the economics improve. A well-sized solar system plus a heat pump hot water system is often the highest-return combination in Hobart — the hot water system runs during daylight hours when solar production is highest, providing a large, reliable daytime load that absorbs otherwise-exported solar at the full import rate.
Battery Storage in Hobart
Hobart's battery economics are more marginal than in high-rate cities like Adelaide or Sydney. With electricity rates at ~28c and a feed-in tariff of around 6–8c/kWh (Aurora Energy), the import/export gap is narrower than in SA or NSW, and the battery has less solar surplus to capture given the lower annual output.
Battery payback in Hobart is typically 12–15+ years on current numbers — marginal against the battery's warranty period. The financial case for a battery is weaker here than anywhere else in Australia. Grid backup value (Hobart does experience outages, particularly during severe weather and Basslink interconnector faults) may be worth factoring into your decision independently of the financial return.
Common Questions About Solar in Hobart
Is solar worth it in Hobart?
Yes, with realistic expectations. Hobart has Australia's lowest solar irradiance, which extends payback to 7–10 years rather than the 4–6 years typical of mainland cities. But a 6.6 kW system still generates thousands of dollars in savings over 20 years. The question is whether the slower return suits your situation — and for most households staying in their home long-term, it does.
Why is the STC rebate lower in Hobart?
The federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) scheme calculates the rebate based on a system's expected lifetime output, which is determined by the solar irradiance zone. Hobart falls in Zone 4 (the least sunny zone), meaning the rebate is lower per kW installed than in Brisbane (Zone 1) or Sydney (Zone 2). The STC discount is still applied automatically by your installer — it's just smaller in absolute terms than it would be for the same system in a sunnier city.
Does cold weather affect solar panels in Hobart?
Cold temperatures actually improve panel efficiency — panels perform better in cool, clear conditions than in heat. Hobart's cool climate is an advantage on sunny days compared to Darwin or Adelaide. The challenge isn't the cold; it's the cloud cover and short winter days that reduce output. On a clear winter day in Hobart, panels produce efficiently — there just aren't as many such days as in the north.
What is the feed-in tariff in Tasmania?
Aurora Energy is the main electricity retailer in Tasmania and sets its own feed-in tariff. At time of writing, Aurora's solar feed-in rate sits at around 6–8c/kWh. There is no mandatory minimum feed-in tariff set by the Tasmanian government (unlike Victoria's ESC-set minimum). Check Aurora's current published rates before making purchasing decisions, as they are subject to change.
What size solar system do I need in Hobart?
For an average Hobart household using 14–18 kWh per day, a 6.6 kW system is the standard starting point — producing around 7,130 kWh per year. Because Hobart's irradiance is lower than mainland cities, you need more panels to cover the same usage. Sizing up to 10 kW is worth considering, especially if you're running electric heating or planning to add a heat pump hot water system.
Should I install solar in Hobart before replacing gas heating?
If you're planning to replace gas appliances (heating, hot water) with electric alternatives, it's generally worth sizing your solar system around the post-electrification load rather than your current usage. Gas to heat pump conversions can double or more your electricity consumption. A solar system sized for today's gas-reduced usage may feel undersized within a year if you then electrify. Consider the full picture — the calculator lets you model any daily usage figure you enter.
Compare Other Australian Cities
- Sydney, NSW — 5.1 peak sun hrs · high import rates (~39c/kWh)
- Brisbane, QLD — 5.5 peak sun hrs · strong east coast resource
- Melbourne, VIC — 4.4 peak sun hrs · Victorian Solar Homes rebate
- Perth, WA — 5.6 peak sun hrs · Australia's sunniest capital
- Adelaide, SA — 4.8 peak sun hrs · Australia's highest electricity rates
- Darwin, NT — outstanding dry-season solar resource
Run Your Hobart Estimate
Enter your Aurora Energy bill, your daily usage, and see a full 20-year cashflow — sized to Hobart's actual irradiance data, with honest seasonal numbers.
- ✓ Real irradiance data for Hobart
- ✓ Seasonal production modelled
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Estimates are based on satellite irradiance data for Hobart, TAS (lat -42.88, lon 147.33). Aurora Energy electricity rates and feed-in tariff are subject to change — verify current rates with Aurora Energy before making purchasing decisions. This tool is for indicative purposes only — always verify with a licensed installer before purchasing. SolarSimLab does not sell solar systems or refer installer leads.