How to read a solar quote without getting taken for a ride.

The 30-second take

• A real quote itemises panels, inverter, mounting, install labour, STC discount, and (if applicable) battery + rebate.
• STC discount should be a separate line — not bundled into "after-rebate price" without showing the math.
• Workmanship warranty, manufacturer warranties, and post-install support terms all belong in writing.
• Watch for: "top-quality" panels without a model number, vague "high-quality inverter", >50% deposit ask, no payment milestones.
• If the quote is older than 30 days, the STC value may have shifted — ask for a re-pricing.

What a real quote contains

A proper Australian solar quote in 2026 should have six clearly itemised lines. If any are missing or bundled into a vague total, ask why before you go any further.

• Panels — brand, exact model number, count, total kW capacity. Not "tier-1 panels" — "Jinko JKM440N-54HL4R-V, 15 panels, 6.6 kW".
• Inverter — brand, exact model, kW rating, single/three-phase. "Fronius Primo GEN24 5.0" not "high-quality 5kW inverter".
• Mounting + cabling + isolators + meter — usually one combined line. Should include a note about whether your switchboard needs an upgrade.
• Install labour — typically rolled in but should be visible.
• STC discount — your number of STCs × current spot price, shown as a separate line. If the quote says "after rebate $X" without showing the STC math, ask for the breakdown.
• Battery + CHBP discount (if applicable) — battery brand, exact model, usable kWh, then the Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate as a separate line with the STC factor and spot price.

Where installers hide costs

Three common ways a quote’s real cost gets obscured.

• "Switchboard upgrade if required" — verbal. Older homes often need a switchboard upgrade to handle a new solar circuit. If it’s not in the written quote, you’ll be hit with $800–$2,000 mid-install when there’s nothing you can do about it. Demand a site inspection before quote and an inclusive price.
• STC value locked at quote vs install date. STC certificates trade on an open market — typically $36–$39 each. If your install slips past 30 days and the STC price drops, who absorbs the difference? Get this in writing.
• Battery rebate quoted as a flat number. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program has a tiered structure (100% factor 0–14 kWh, 60% factor 14–28 kWh). If your battery is over 14 kWh and the quote shows a single rebate figure, ask for the tier split — it changes the effective $/kWh.

The four things to demand in writing

• Installer workmanship warranty — 10 years minimum, signed warranty document.
• Manufacturer warranty registration — confirmation the installer will register each component with the manufacturer for warranty validity. (Eligible Fronius and Enphase products have warranty extensions that require registration to activate.)
• Payment milestones — deposit %, progress payment trigger, final payment trigger. Deposit should be <10%.
• Defect-period and post-install support terms — what happens in the first 12 months, who comes out for a service call, how long a callback takes.

What a good quote looks like vs a bad one

A good quote is 3–5 pages with the line items above, every brand and model number specified, the STC math shown, the warranty document attached, and a clear next step. A bad quote is a one-page PDF with a single total, "quality components", and a phone number.

If a quote feels deliberately vague, it almost certainly is. Push for specifics or move on.

Read next

• How to choose a good solar installer
• Understanding STCs (federal rebate math)
• Cheaper Home Batteries Program explained

Sources

• cleanenergyregulator.gov.au — STC calculation
• cleanenergycouncil.org.au — approved retailer code