How to read a solar quote (and what should worry you)

The problem with comparing on price

Two quotes for '6.6 kW solar' can differ by thousands of dollars and be entirely fair, because they may not be describing the same thing. The specification, the design work behind it, and what happens after installation vary enormously between retailers.

The only way to compare meaningfully is to compare the same things. Here's the list.

What should be on the quote

Panel make, model and quantity - plus product warranty and performance warranty terms.

Inverter make, model, capacity, and product warranty.

Battery make, model, usable capacity (not just nominal), warranty term and cycle/throughput conditions, if applicable.

Total array size and the DC:AC ratio.

The STC discount, shown as a line item with the certificate count.

The battery rebate, if applicable, shown the same way.

Mounting system and whether roof type is accounted for.

What's included: grid application, metering, compliance documentation, monitoring.

Total price including GST, and what's specifically excluded.

The questions that reveal the design

Ask what self-consumption rate their savings figure assumes, and where it came from. Ask what your network's export limit is and whether the design respects it. Ask what happens if your switchboard needs upgrading - is that in the price or a variation later? Ask, for a tiled roof, who supplies replacement tiles if any crack.

A retailer who has actually engineered your system can answer these immediately. One who has sized off a price list will deflect.

Warning signs

Pressure tactics tied to rebate deadlines - rebates step down on published schedules, they don't vanish tomorrow. Guaranteed savings claims, which nobody can honestly make, since savings depend on your usage and future tariffs. A payback figure with no assumptions attached. A quote produced without anyone asking when you use power. Prices far below the market for the same specification, which usually means something is being left out of scope and will reappear as a variation.

Also: a deposit demanded before you've received a written design and full terms.

Your protections

Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply regardless of what any contract says. You're entitled to full pricing and terms in writing before you commit. If finance is involved, you're entitled to know how it affects the total price. And you're entitled to a complaints process - ours is published, and if we can't resolve something you can escalate to NSW Fair Trading.