Pros and Cons of Solar Energy in 2025

As we approach 2025, solar energy has solidified its place as the leading choice for residential and commercial energy solutions in Australia. The ongoing technological advancements, combined with the global push for sustainability, are making solar more accessible and efficient than ever before.

Understanding the evolving landscape of solar energy in 2025 is essential for making informed decisions. As the solar industry grows and technology advances, the potential benefits of solar energy become increasingly compelling for Australian homes and businesses.

Below, we discuss the pros and cons of installing a solar system in 2025.

1. Reduces Electricity Prices

By now, it’s no surprise that installing solar on your property can reduce your electricity bills. By harnessing the sun’s power during the day, you can power any appliances in your home directly through solar energy rather than drawing energy from the grid; essentially, you can power your home for free during the daytime.

With solar installed, you can minimise your need for grid power by maximising your solar self-consumption. This means that if you use appliances such as the dishwasher or washing machine and power any pool cleaning during the day, you're taking advantage of your solar energy.

Read More: 5 Ways to Maximise Your Solar Energy Consumption

By reducing your reliance on the grid during the day, your overall energy consumption from the grid decreases, leading to a significant drop in your electricity costs over each billing period. For our customers, having a well-designed and installed solar system tailored to their energy needs has saved them an average of 50% off their electricity bills.

2. Solar Storage Can Eliminate Electricity Bills

In addition to the savings accrued from solar, if you pair your solar system with a solar battery, you have the potential to eliminate electricity bills.

Solar batteries store excess energy generated during the day, which can be used at night or during cloudy periods. This ability to use stored solar energy means you may not need to purchase electricity from the grid at all, providing a level of energy independence that is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Read More: Why Are People Buying Solar Batteries in Australia?

Solar batteries also provide backup power during inclement weather and/or a grid outage. Because the harsh Australian climate often brings storms that can shut down the grid, more Queensland homeowners are choosing to install solar batteries for extra protection.

Read More: Will My Solar Still Work During a Power Outage?

3. Excess Solar Can Earn You Money

So, what happens to the excess solar you generate if you don’t have solar batteries to store it in? Any excess solar energy generated by your system will be sent to the grid and you’ll get paid for that electricity as a credit on your next bill.

Electricity providers provide a feed-in tariff for their customers. This tariff is the rate the provider will pay you for the energy you give to the grid from your solar system. As of 2025, electricity providers offer an average tariff between 4 to 8 cents per kWh.

While feed-in tariffs have reduced over the years and will continue to do so, they at least provide some reward for having excess solar, which (we suppose) is better than nothing. We always recommend using as much of your solar within your home as possible, as your return on investment is directly proportional to how much you can self-consume (versus trying to sell it for minor credits).

Read More: Feed-In Tariffs vs. Solar System Sizing

4. Solar Rebates Available in Australia in 2025

The most significant rebate currently available to homeowners or small business owners in Australia is the STCs system. Early in the 2010s, the Australian Federal Government released their Renewable Energy Target Scheme, designed to incentivise renewable energy generation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This scheme encourages Australians to install solar systems in return for Small-scale Technology Certificates, otherwise known as STCs. These STCs signify a trade, allowing owners to receive a ‘rebate’ on their solar system. The STC system uses this rebate to offset the total cost of the installation and reduce the initial cost.

Read More: What are STCs?

The Renewable Energy Target Scheme, and the associated STC system, are set to expire their current form in 2030. Because of this, the value of STCs diminishes as we approach 2030.

Our rule of thumb: 

The sooner you purchase solar, the larger your rebate will be, as the value of STCs reduces over time.

5. Environmentally Conscious Living

Utilising solar energy means powering your home or business with a renewable source that significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Solar energy is an infinitely renewable energy source, meaning, we can’t run out of it as long as the sun keeps shining. Installing a solar system on your property allows you to cultivate clean energy to keep your home powered.

By opting for solar energy and switching to a clean and renewable energy source, not only will your household contribute to a longer-term reduction in the population’s reliance on coal-fired electricity, but it will also help reduce your carbon footprint. Relying on the grid’s electricity contributes to the demand for non-renewable, coal-fired power - which happens to be one of Australia’s largest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions.

By opting for solar power, households can lower their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable environment. On average, Australian households save between 0.5 to 1 tonne of CO₂ from being released for every MWh of solar energy they use. This shift from fossil fuels to clean energy helps combat climate change and preserve natural resources for future generations, aligning with global efforts to protect the planet.

Read More: Solar trumps Nuclear

6. Low Maintenance Required

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are known for their low maintenance requirements, making them an attractive long-term investment. If you’ve chosen a reliable solar installer (like us!), they will design a system that can be installed and left to run its course, as the system should require minimal maintenance.

Your solar panels should only need to be cleaned once a year, depending on the location of your home (dusty or salty regions might require more frequent cleaning). In addition to that, we recommend having your system serviced every one to two years. The right installer will offer in-house service support and should monitor your system to make sure it is working properly for you.

Read More: How Often Should Solar Panels Be Serviced?

Additionally, many manufacturers offer warranties extending beyond 25 years, providing peace of mind and underscoring the durability and reliability of solar technology. This minimal upkeep, combined with their longevity, ensures that solar panels provide a steady source of clean energy with little hassle.

1. The Initial Cost is Considerable

Installing a solar system on your property bears a considerable upfront cost. The price of the installation will include the solar components and the labour required to install them, but the price can vary depending on a few factors:

• The solar PV size and inverter capacity
• The specific panels, inverter and battery components selected
• Any installation costs that are subject to a site inspection (such as the height of the building and type of roof material)

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In 2025, Queensland homeowners can expect to pay roughly $6,500 for a 6kW system, or $9,000 for a 10kW system. The average payback period for a residential solar system with a 25-year lifespan is 3-4 years.

When selecting a solar installer, you must choose one who will perform a site inspection before providing you with a complete quote. Every property is different, therefore the cost of the installation can vary from a ‘standard’ price depending on your property and your energy goals. A site inspection and fixed price will help you avoid any surprise fees on the day of installation.

Read More: I'm thinking of having a solar system installed... What's the process?

The initial costs often pose a barrier for many potential adopters. However, it is important to remember that until 2030, Australians are eligible for the renewable energy rebate scheme, which can save you a couple thousand dollars off the total price. Plus, the payback period is relatively short in comparison to the lifetime of the system.

2. Solar Energy is Weather Dependent

As significant as the benefits of solar energy are, it would be remiss to ignore the fact that solar doesn’t perform in inclement weather. Because solar panels convert sunshine into electricity, when the sun isn’t shining, your panels can’t get much done. This leaves them unable to produce electricity overnight or on significantly cloudy days.

This variability means that solar energy might not consistently meet all your power needs without other components, such as microinverters (which help to optimise solar production in shaded/cloudy areas) or a reliable solar storage solution.

Read More: Why You Need a Microinverter For Your Solar System

Areas with ample sunshine will yield better performance from solar panels, whereas regions with frequent cloudy or rainy weather may see less consistent results. Therefore, understanding your local climate is crucial for evaluating the potential effectiveness of a solar system on your property.

3. Solar Storage is Expensive

While solar batteries have become popular and accessible to the average Australian, they remain a relatively costly investment. Our solar battery customers are opting for batteries to break away from the grid and achieve energy independence, rather than treating it like a cheap add-on to their solar system.

In the last few years, we have seen more battery options enter the Australian market, with notable companies such as Tesla, Sungrow, Sigenergy, SolarEdge & BYD offering home battery solutions. This expansion of the market means that the average 13kWh home battery will set consumers back roughly $10,000 - $15,000  on top of their solar installation.

For most, solar batteries aren’t yet a part of the standard investment they are willing to make. However, this psychology is slowly changing as the battery market changes. Recently, we have seen a rise in the ‘battery-ready’ inverter - which offers customers the option to install a hybrid inverter that can easily integrate with a battery later.

Read More: The Key Differences Between Grid-Tied, Off-Grid and Solar Hybrid Systems

4. Components Gradually Degrade Over Time

It may be hard to admit, but unfortunately, all solar components such as panels, inverters and batteries will degrade and decrease in efficiency over time. If you’ve chosen a reliable solar installer, they will provide you with a forecast of the project efficiency for each component in your system, so you can know exactly what to expect with your investment.

Not unlike other technology, your solar components are covered by a warranty from the manufacturer. Quality solar panels typically have 25+ years, inverters usually have 10-15 years and batteries typically have 10-year warranties. It’s important to check with your installer what the warranty is for each component and ensure you keep a copy of the warranty paperwork on file.

As mentioned above, it’s also recommended to service your solar system every one to two years. This servicing helps to ensure that your system maintains its maximum efficiency for as long as possible. A reputable solar installer will offer after-installation servicing, which is something you want to look for before committing.

Need after-sales support? Contact our service team here.

Solar power stands out for its potential to significantly reduce electricity bills, contribute to environmental sustainability, and provide a reliable, low-maintenance energy source. With the added advantage of selling excess energy back to the grid and benefiting from Australian solar rebates, the financial incentives are compelling.

However, the upfront costs and the gradual decrease in panel efficiency over time are essential considerations. The reliance on weather conditions and the still relatively high cost of solar batteries add to the complexities. Despite these hurdles, the long-term benefits can be substantial, especially when factoring in reduced carbon footprints and increased energy independence.

Ultimately, the decision to go solar should be informed by a thorough understanding of both the advantages and limitations. By carefully weighing these factors, you can make a well-rounded decision that meets your financial and environmental goals.

Springers Solar | Queensland's Most Experienced Solar Installer

Springers Solar provides quality components with proven performance, backed by industry-leading warranties, and dedicated after-sales support. Thousands of satisfied customers over 23 years of operation make Springers Solar one of the most established and experienced solar companies in Australia. 

Springers Solar has received multiple awards for design and installation and is a certified/preferred installer for a large range of solar panel, inverter, and solar battery manufacturers, including Sungrow, Tesla, and SolarEdge. 

Our dedicated in-house team of electrical engineers, project managers, solar PV designers, solar installers, and electricians work closely with you before, during, and long after your project is completed. Springers Solar offers an industry-leading 10-year workmanship warranty which is a testament to our qualified staff and offers you outstanding value and peace of mind.