How to Compare Solar Battery Quotes (Homeowner Checklist)

You've done the research, reached out to a few installers, and now you have three quotes sitting in your inbox — all for different systems, brands, and prices. How do you compare them fairly?

This is where most homeowners get confused. Here's a systematic checklist for making sense of competing battery quotes.

Step 1: Normalise on Usable kWh

Different quotes will often include different battery sizes. The only fair comparison is cost per usable kWh installed.

Formula: Installed price (including labour, meters, everything) ÷ Usable kWh = $/kWh installed

Example:

Quote A: $12,000 for a 10 kWh battery = $1,200/kWh
Quote B: $14,500 for a 13.5 kWh battery = $1,074/kWh
Quote C: $8,500 for a 9.6 kWh battery = $885/kWh

Suddenly Quote B looks more competitive than the headline price suggests. Don't compare dollars alone — compare dollars per usable kWh.

Step 2: Check What's Included

A battery quote can look cheap if it's missing line items that you'll eventually have to pay for anyway. Ask each installer to confirm their quote includes:

Battery hardware (brand, model, usable capacity)
Inverter (if not already installed)
All AC and DC cabling
Switchboard modifications (if required)
Smart meter upgrade (if required by your DNSP)
DNSP connection application fees
All grid approval fees
Installation labour (all trades)
Commissioning and monitoring setup

Any quote that doesn't include all of these should prompt a specific question: "What will it cost if this needs to be done?"

Step 3: Verify CHBP Eligibility

If the quote includes the CHBP rebate ($372/kWh), confirm:

The installer's SAA accreditation number (verify on the SAA website)
The battery is on the CEC approved battery storage list
The rebate is being applied correctly — $372 per usable kWh, capped at 50 kWh

A quote that shows an arbitrary "government rebate" deduction without clearly identifying it as CHBP should be questioned. Some installers apply rebates creatively.

Step 4: Compare Warranties Side by Side

Create a simple table:

Brand	Product Warranty	Capacity Retention	Installer Warranty
Tesla Powerwall 3	10 years	70% at 10 years	Ask installer
Sungrow SBR	10 years	70% at 10 years	Ask installer
[Quote brand]	?	?	?

Ask for installer workmanship warranty in writing. A quality installer typically offers 5 years on their work. Anything less than 2 years is a red flag.

Step 5: Check the Savings Estimates

Many quotes include a projected savings estimate. These should be scrutinised:

What electricity rate are they assuming? (Should match your actual tariff)
What feed-in tariff are they using? (Should be your current FiT, not an optimistic rate)
Are they using your actual consumption data, or generic household assumptions?
Are VPP income projections clearly labelled as variable/optional?

Generic calculators using "average household" assumptions for your specific home are less useful than estimates based on your actual interval data.

Step 6: Check Battery Brand Reputation and Support

For any brand you're not familiar with, check:

Is the brand actively selling in Australia with a local office or distributor? (Not just imported through a grey market channel)
Google the brand + "Australia warranty problem" or "Australia review"
Check Product Review for real owner feedback
Is the brand on the CEC approved battery storage list?

Step 7: Ask About After-Sales Support

What happens if something goes wrong 2 years after installation? Ask each installer:

Do they handle warranty claims on your behalf, or do you need to contact the manufacturer directly?
What's their typical response time for service calls?
Are they a locally based business that will still be operating in 5 years?

Red Flags That Should Raise Concerns

Quote with no itemised breakdown
Unverifiable SAA accreditation
Battery brand not on CEC approved list
CHBP rebate claimed but installer can't confirm eligibility details
Savings estimates that seem unusually high with no explanation
Pressure to sign before comparing other quotes

Take your time. A home battery is a 10+ year commitment. The difference between a great installer and a mediocre one can cost you thousands over the system's life — in unrealised savings, warranty headaches, and poor performance.