How to Get Solar Battery Quotes in Australia (Without Getting Ripped Off)

Getting quotes for a solar battery system should be straightforward. In practice, the process is a minefield of pushy salespeople, misleading comparisons, and quotes that leave out things that matter. Here's how to navigate it without getting burned.

Before You Start: Know Your Numbers

Before talking to any installer, gather this information:

Your average daily electricity consumption (from your bill or retailer portal)
Your current tariff type (flat rate, TOU, or controlled load)
Your current feed-in tariff rate
If you have existing solar: your average daily generation and export
Your rough budget range

Going into quotes with this data means installers will give you more accurate, more useful savings estimates. Without it, you'll get generic estimates that may not reflect your actual situation.

How Many Quotes Do You Need?

Three quotes minimum, four is better. The price variation between quotes for an identical system can be $2,000–$5,000. Getting multiple quotes serves two purposes: it reveals the competitive price for your system, and it gives you exposure to multiple installers' recommendations and approaches — which can itself be educational.

How to Find Installers

Option 1: Quote Platforms

PowerSmarter and other platforms connect you with vetted installers in your area. The advantage: they've done some pre-screening. The caution: check platform ownership (see our separate article on this) and understand their business model.

Option 2: Direct Referrals

Ask neighbours who've recently installed solar + battery. Battery installations are visible — you may notice neighbours who've recently had work done. Direct referrals from satisfied customers are among the most reliable ways to find quality installers.

Option 3: Clean Energy Council Accredited Installers

The Clean Energy Council's "Find an Installer" tool lists CEC-accredited businesses. All on the list have at minimum passed CEC's accreditation requirements. Cross-reference with Google Reviews before contacting.

The First Contact: What to Say

When you first contact an installer for a quote, the conversation should include:

Your average daily electricity consumption and current tariff
Whether you already have solar (if so: system size, age, inverter brand)
What you're looking for (battery only, or solar + battery)
Your budget range (if you're willing to share it)
A specific ask for their SAA accreditation number upfront

An installer who can't or won't provide their SAA accreditation number in the first conversation should not be on your shortlist.

The Site Visit: Don't Skip This

A proper quote for a battery installation requires a site visit. An installer who quotes you over the phone or via email without visiting your property can't properly assess:

Roof condition and mounting requirements
Switchboard condition and whether upgrades are needed
Optimal battery mounting location
Cable run lengths and complexity
Shading and panel orientation

A remote quote has to make assumptions about all of these. If the assumptions are wrong, you end up with surprise costs post-contract. Insist on a site visit before committing to any quote.

Comparing the Quotes You Receive

Don't compare quotes on headline price alone. Use these steps:

Calculate $/usable kWh for each battery quote
List what's included in each quote and identify any gaps
Verify CHBP handling — confirm the rebate is being applied correctly
Compare warranty terms — both product and workmanship
Assess savings estimates — are they based on your data?

Red Flags That Should End the Conversation

Pressure to sign on the day — "This price is only available today"
No site visit before quoting
Can't provide SAA accreditation number
Unusually low quote (below the lower bounds of typical pricing for similar systems)
Battery or inverter brand you can't find any reviews of
High-pressure follow-up calls and texts

Negotiating

Battery quotes have some room for negotiation — particularly on installer margin and product choice. Specific things to ask about:

"If I accept within the week, can you offer a better price?"
"What's included in that price that I could remove to reduce cost?"
"Is there any flexibility on your labour rate if I provide access for a full day rather than a split job?"

Don't negotiate purely on price at the expense of quality. An installer who drops their price dramatically without explanation has either over-quoted originally or is cutting something that matters.

When to Sign

Sign when you have:

Three or more competitive quotes
Verified the installer's credentials
Understood exactly what's included
Confirmed CHBP eligibility
Received warranty terms in writing
Confirmed the lead time relative to any deadlines you care about