Solar potential in Forrest
Local solar output for Forrest, from satellite data, plus what Forrest homes usually need on the electrical side.
Updated November 2026 · Litmec Electrical, REC-10383
A 6.6 kW north-facing solar system in Forrest makes about 9,400 kWh a year, about the same as Melbourne: around 35 kWh a day in midsummer and 15 kWh a day in June. East or west-facing roofs make about 85% of that.
On a $450 quarterly bill, that could save roughly $600–800 a year. Forrest ranks 282nd of the 429 places across Victoria we've modelled for solar output.
Solar output in Forrest
- Output per kW, north
- 1,422 kWh/yr
- Output per kW, east / west
- 1,203 / 1,206
- Compared with Melbourne
- -1%
- Best month, per kW
- 5.3 kWh/day (Jan)
- Worst month, per kW
- 2.2 kWh/day (Jun)
- Council
- Colac Otway Shire
- Postcode
- 3236
- Region
- Surf Coast and the Otways
| System | North-facing, kWh/yr | East-facing, kWh/yr | West-facing, kWh/yr | June, kWh/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 kW | 9,385 | 7,938 | 7,963 | 14.6 |
| 8 kW | 11,376 | 9,622 | 9,652 | 17.7 |
| 10 kW | 14,220 | 12,027 | 12,065 | 22.1 |
| 13.2 kW | 18,770 | 15,876 | 15,926 | 29.2 |
These figures use satellite and weather data for Forrest from 2005 to 2023 and already allow for heat, wiring and inverter losses. They don't know your roof: shade, pitch and the faces available decide the real number. Try the roof calculator for your own direction and pitch.
Solar in the Surf Coast and the Otways
Coastal towns here get cool, cloudier winters, especially towards the Otways, so winter output is lower than inland and the value of solar is mostly made from spring to autumn. Salt air along the coast and the bushfire-prone bushland around many towns both shape how a system is specified.
The Surf Coast and Colac districts are on the Powercor network. Your distributor sets how much you can export and approves the connection; we apply for you before anything is ordered.
Acreage, sheds and pumps
Around Forrest, many properties have sheds, bores or pumps and long distances between buildings. Panels can go on a shed roof or a ground frame, cable runs are designed to keep voltage drop within the wiring rules, and daytime pumping is one of the cheapest ways to use your own solar. Some rural lines (including SWER lines) have tight export limits, which we confirm before you commit. Solar for rural properties.
Backup when the power goes out
Properties around Forrest can be on long rural lines that are exposed to storms and bushfire. Standard solar switches off in a blackout; a battery with backup wiring keeps the fridge, lights, internet and water pump running. How battery backup works.
Shading from trees
Tall trees are common in and around Forrest, and shade costs more output than roof direction does. We check shade across the year, including the low winter sun, and use optimisers or microinverters where a few panels can't avoid it.
What solar could save in Forrest
For a home paying $450 a quarter with someone in some days, the calculator suggests a 6.6 kW system saving about $600–800 a year, or $1,000–1,400 with a 10 kWh battery. Your own bill gives a better answer: use the calculator below.
How it works with Litmec
Litmec Electrical is a registered electrical contractor based in Newport, Melbourne, and sells solar and batteries across Victoria. For homes in Forrest we start with a free assessment: your bills, photos of your roof and switchboard, and satellite imagery. You get a written design and quote, we apply to your distributor to connect, and an accredited installer checks the site before anything is installed. Your contract and the 5-year whole-of-system warranty are with Litmec. Not sure what size you need? Try the system finder.
Nearby
- Solar in Beech Forest9,399 kWh/yr from 6.6 kW
- Solar in Deans Marsh9,190 kWh/yr from 6.6 kW
- Solar in Birregurra9,162 kWh/yr from 6.6 kW
- Solar in Lorne9,428 kWh/yr from 6.6 kW
- Solar in Colac9,108 kWh/yr from 6.6 kW
- Solar in Apollo Bay9,621 kWh/yr from 6.6 kW
All towns in the Surf Coast and the Otways · Solar across Victoria
Check your bill: solar for your Forrest home
A few quick questions, using Forrest's solar output. See the system that fits and what it could save, then get a free design and quote.
Building a new home? Skip the bill and send us your plans
Solar in Forrest: questions
How much power do solar panels make in Forrest?
Each kW of north-facing panels in Forrest makes about 1,422 kWh a year, so a 6.6 kW system makes about 9,400 kWh a year, or 26 kWh a day on average. East or west-facing panels make about 85% of that. (PVGIS satellite data.)
Is solar better in Forrest than in Melbourne?
In the model, panels in Forrest make about the same as Melbourne. Forrest ranks 282nd of the 429 Victorian locations we've modelled. Roof direction and shade still matter more than location: east or west panels cost about 15%, and a shaded roof can cost more.
Is solar worth it in Forrest?
For most owner-occupied homes with a typical bill, yes. On a $450 quarterly bill with someone home some days, a 6.6 kW system in Forrest could save roughly $600 to $800 a year. Bigger bills, electric heating and daytime loads save more.
Does Litmec install solar in Forrest?
Yes. We sell, design and warrant solar and battery systems across Victoria, including Forrest. We start with a free assessment from your bills and roof photos, and an accredited installer checks the site before installation. Your contract and 5-year warranty are with Litmec Electrical.
Can solar keep my power on during outages in Forrest?
Only with a battery designed for backup. Standard solar shuts down in a blackout. A backup-capable battery keeps chosen circuits, such as the fridge, lights, internet and water pump, running, and the panels recharge it in daylight.
Who is the electricity distributor in Forrest?
The Surf Coast and Colac districts are on the Powercor network. The distributor sets export limits and approves the connection; we apply on your behalf before the system is ordered.
See what your Forrest roof can do
Free assessment from a registered electrical contractor: your bill, your roof and your switchboard, with a written design and quote.