The Top 6 Regrets Solar Homeowners Have – And How To Avoid Them
- Avoid getting ripped off
- Know what questions to ask
- Find the right installer
Independent Advice Since 2009
Independent Advice Since 2009
17,500+ 5-star reviews combined
Get tiny bills for decades by avoiding these 6 regrets
‘How many panels should I buy?’
I get asked this question daily. My answer is invariably: Put on as much solar as you can reasonably fit and afford.
The max you can install depends on a few things, like available roof space and limits set by your local electricity network. A smart installer is a godsend here, as they will leverage the rules to get as much solar as possible on.
I’ve never heard a homeowner regret buying a large solar system. But I hear all the time from homeowners who wish they had installed more panels when they had the chance. Adding panels to an existing system is expensive and complicated.
Even if you “don’t need” a bigger solar system right now, you probably will in the future when you add a battery and an electric car to your home. If you buy a smaller system, you’ll likely be disappointed, especially when winter comes.
Unfortunately, all the hype in the mainstream media about batteries has made people question the viability of solar without batteries – to the extent that people are waiting for ‘affordable batteries’ before they invest in solar.
Don’t get me wrong – with the right installer, using certain brands, it is possible to get a great deal on a solar and battery system when you buy them in one hit.
If you can get such a deal – go for it. But if you can’t – or if they’re still outside your budget – my advice remains ‘don’t wait to put on solar’.
Every day you don’t have solar is another day you do have to pay high electricity bills. A well designed solar system without batteries can give you tiny bills.
Waiting 2, 3 or 4 years for batteries to become affordable means another 2, 3 or 4 years of high bills. One day, batteries will make lots of sense – and when that day comes they can easily be added to any existing solar system using a method called AC coupling.
So don’t lose years of savings waiting for cheap batteries to arrive.
Consider going solar now – with the knowledge that you can easily retrofit batteries later when they will pay for themselves – not before.
I swear this isn’t a shameless plug for the free service that my website provides. It’s absolutely critical to get multiple quotes wherever possible (and not just when it comes to solar!).
By having multiple companies give you a breakdown on how much solar will cost you, you can gain a real understanding of whether solar is right for your budget, and whether or not you’re being ripped off (in either price or quality).
If you see a finance deal claiming ‘no interest’, the devil is in the details.
Some state governments – such as Victoria – offer genuine, taxpayer-subsidised, no-interest finance for some of the purchase price. For example, in VIC, the interest-free solar loan is only $1,400.
Otherwise, the solar installer has partnered with a “Buy Now Pay Later” (BNPL) company to finance the whole deal.
Don’t be fooled by the “0%” spruiked by BNPL companies into thinking you are getting cheap finance! They simply add a 15-25% merchant fee – absorbed into the total price you pay – to cover the finance costs.
For an $8,000 system purchased with 0% finance, the solar provider might only receive $6,000.
Invariably, you pay the merchant fee through inferior quality componentry or a higher retail price than a comparable self-funded system.
Organising your finance independently and avoiding the easy-sign-up, ‘no interest’ deals usually results in a better overall deal.
High-pressure, commission-based doorknockers are notorious for doing one (or more!) of the following:
1) Quoting cheap gear at an eye-watering price (I’ve seen 6.6kW systems worth $5,000 quoted for $15,000).
2) Getting their foot in your door by talking about ‘no upfront cost’ deals, which imply solar is free but are just monthly payment plans adding 25% to the cash price.
3) Claiming the solar rebate ends soon, so you’d better sign before it runs out!
I’ve heard of so many bad experiences, my advice is: Do not entertain doorknockers.
But if you do, at the very least, don’t sign anything and get quotes for comparison
If you’re looking to get quotes for solar from installers within our trusted network, that are looking out for your needs (and not just their own wallet) then simply
The best deal is rarely the cheapest deal. This is something we all understand intuitively.
So why are we so easily seduced by unbelievably cheap solar deals that seem totally believable?
If you want the cheapest solar systems on the market, just type “cheap solar” into Google and click on the Google Ad that promises a 6.6kW system for under $3,000 (At time of writing a quality 6.6kW installation will cost approx $5,000 – $9,000). It really is that simple.
But if you use my service, you should get great deals on quality hardware that *will* be installed with care. The prices will be competitive because the installers are competing with their peers, but I want to be transparent with you. You’ll almost always be able to find a cheaper solar system elsewhere.
Many of the companies that advertise these ‘too good to be true’ deals have approached me asking to join the SolarQuotes network. I turn them down.
I don’t do this because I am trying to manipulate the market or keep great deals away from my visitors.
I do this because I have run SolarQuotes since 2009 with a very simple philosophy: If I would not recommend a company to my grandmother, I will not recommend them through SolarQuotes.
See what others say about SolarQuotes:
The three quotes I got from SolarQuotes’ recommended provider/installers were excellent. All were small-scale, personal approach entities with copious and thorough information on my solar needs. Genuinely impressed with SolarQuotes, and I’m a research-savvy academic, not given to over-effusive praise!
Dr Rob Robertson
Very convenient for me as a solar panel ignoramus. With so many installers to choose from, the three referrals obtained proved ideal.
Marcia Attwood
Solar quotes helped me to navigate the minefield and weed out the cowboys. Made a final decision based on information and advice from the website. Certainly not the cheapest however confident I have a system that will last at least 25 years with minimal issues. Without Solar quotes would probably ended up with a ‘too good to be true’ offer and all the accompanying issues
Mark Ratclffe
Solar Quotes is a “must use” site for anyone planning to install a solar system. The solar installers suggested by Finn were prompt in contacting us and arranging a visit to gauge our needs. The quotes given to us were competitive. We have accepted a quote and hope to have the system installed in the next 2 weeks.
Stuart
This is the second time I have used SolarQuotes. The first a few years ago was for a solar panels rooftop system. I received 3 excellent recommendations and my system was installed well. This time I am looking at adding a battery. Again 3 recommendations all of which appear to be excellent. Well presented quotes and communication to establish what I have and my needs.
John Wylie
17,500+ 5-star reviews combined
I’m a Chartered Electrical Engineer, Solar and Energy Efficiency nut, dad, and founder of SolarQuotes.com.au. My last “real job” was working for the CSIRO in their renewable energy division.
Since 2009, SolarQuotes has published 78,913 uncensored reviews of 2,775 solar installation companies and provided solar quotes to over 767,000 Australians, helping them find the right installer.