Solar & energy in Darwin

Excellent sun. 1:1 feed-in tariff up to 45 kWh/day. Battery scheme offers $6,000 grant. Cyclone season requires robust mounting.

Avg electricity rate
R0.28/kWh
Australia average
Peak sun hours
5.8
Annual average
Net metering
good
Feed-in tariff (one-for-one up to 45kWh/day)
Solar friendliness
★★★★★
Out of 5

Key facts

  • RegionNorthern Territory
  • CountryAustralia
  • CityDarwin
  • Average rateR0.28/kWh
  • Peak rate (TOU)R0.45/kWh
  • Off-peak rate (TOU)R0.12/kWh
  • Peak sun hours5.8 hrs/day
  • Net metering policyFeed-in tariff (one-for-one up to 45kWh/day)
  • NM qualityGood
  • Solar friendliness rating★★★★★/5

Available incentives

  • STCs
  • NT Home and Business Battery Scheme

Net metering quality

Quality of net metering policy (higher = better for solar economics):

Good — Feed-in tariff (one-for-one up to 45kWh/day)

What this means

Good net metering policies keep solar profitable with reasonable payback periods.

Example: 900 kWh/month household in Darwin

At 5.8 peak sun hours and a 400W panel, you'd need approximately 15 panels (6.0 kW system) to cover your usage. That produces ~10,924 kWh/year, saving about R3,059/year at the 0.28/kWh local rate.

Run the full calculator

Going solar in Darwin

Darwin, in Northern Territory, Australia, has 5.8 average peak sun hours per day — excellent for solar. The local electricity rate is R0.28/kWh, below the Australia average.

Net metering in Darwin is rated good. Feed-in tariff (one-for-one up to 45kWh/day). This significantly affects solar payback: with excellent net metering, every excess kWh you produce is credited at full retail value; with poor net metering, exports may be worth only 10-30% of retail, making battery storage much more attractive.

Available incentives include: STCs, NT Home and Business Battery Scheme. These can substantially reduce the upfront cost of solar and battery installations. Note: the US federal solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. State and local incentives still vary by region. South African taxpayers can claim accelerated depreciation under SARS section 12B.

Next steps

Use the Solar Panel Sizing Calculator with 5.8 peak sun hours to find out exactly how many panels you need. Then check the Solar Savings Calculator for a 25-year projection using the local R0.28/kWh rate. If net metering is poor in Darwin, also run the Battery ROI Calculator — batteries may be essential rather than optional.