Solar Panels in Cairns, QLD

Solar in Cairns

Cairns is located in Far North or North Queensland, one of Australia's highest solar radiation regions. The tropical climate delivers long sunshine hours year-round, with minimal winter reduction compared to southern states. Solar panels in this region generate electricity consistently across all seasons, with particularly high output during the long summer days.

Ergon Energy — your electricity distributor

Ergon Energy operates the electricity distribution network across regional Queensland, covering approximately 1.7 million km² — around 97% of Queensland's land area. Cairns is located within the Ergon Energy network. Unlike South East Queensland, where feed-in tariffs are set by individual retailers, Ergon Energy customers in regional Queensland benefit from a regulated feed-in tariff determined annually by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA).

Feed-in tariff in Cairns

As a regional Queensland customer on the Ergon Energy network, your solar feed-in tariff is regulated by the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA). For 2025–26, the regulated rate is 8.66 cents per kilowatt-hour (c/kWh). This is the rate your electricity retailer is required to pay for solar electricity you export to the grid. This rate is reviewed and set annually by the QCA — it was 12.38 c/kWh in 2024–25, reducing to 8.66 c/kWh for 2025–26 to reflect lower wholesale electricity costs. Note: time-of-use export tariffs may differ — check with your retailer. Source: QCA Final Determination, Regional Queensland Feed-in Tariff 2025–26 (qca.org.au).

Battery storage incentives in Cairns

Queensland residents can access the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, which provides approximately 30% off the upfront cost of an eligible battery system (5–100 kWh nominal capacity). The program launched on 1 July 2025 and is administered by the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW). To access the discount, your installer must be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) and the battery must appear on the Clean Energy Council's approved product list. The battery must be paired with solar panels — grid-only battery installations are not eligible. The Queensland Government's Home Battery Booster rebate closed to new applications on 8 May 2024 and has not been replaced with a state-level program. Source: DCCEEW (dcceew.gov.au/energy/programs/cheaper-home-batteries).

Nearby areas

Common questions — solar in Cairns