A good quote lets you see exactly what you're buying, what the discount is, who is doing the work and what happens if something goes wrong. A weak one gives you a total and a few product names. Use the table below as a checklist, then read the sections after it for the detail.
| Check | What a good quote shows |
|---|---|
| System size | Panel capacity in kW, the number of panels, and the inverter's output in kW. The two are often different, and both should be written down. |
| Named equipment | Make and model of the panels, inverter and battery (not just "tier 1" or "premium"). |
| Layout | Where the panels will go on your roof, and a note about shading. |
| The discount | The federal discount as its own line, with the number of certificates (STCs) and the price per certificate it assumes. |
| Total price | The price you pay after the discount, including GST, and what is not included. |
| Who installs | The installer's NSW electrical licence number and their accreditation details, which you can check. |
| Network approval | Who applies to the network, whether the fee is included, and any export limit that applies to you. |
| Warranties | What each warranty covers, for how long, and who you contact. |
| Payment and timing | The deposit, when the balance is due, the expected install date, and what happens if the discount changes. |
1. The system itself
- Panel kW and inverter kW. It's common and fine to install more panel capacity than the inverter's rated output, as our sizing guide explains, but the quote should state both numbers so you know what you're getting.
- Named products. Ask for the exact model numbers. For the federal discount, the panels and inverter need to be on the Clean Energy Council's approved lists, so check the model on the Clean Energy Council products program pages. Products can be removed from the list, so check close to the date you sign.
- A design that reflects your home. The quote should mention your roof and your usage. If it reads the same as the neighbour's, ask why.
- Inverter and a future battery. If you might add a battery later, ask whether the inverter can take one, or whether a second inverter would be needed.
2. The discount and the price
The main federal discount on rooftop solar is applied by the installer and shows up on your quote as a reduction in price. The Clean Energy Regulator describes how the number of certificates is worked out, and our rebates guide summarises it. On the quote, look for:
- the number of STCs assumed and the dollar value per STC, so you can see how the discount was calculated;
- for a battery, the discount under the Cheaper Home Batteries Program shown the same way;
- a statement about what happens to the price if the discount changes before installation, since the discount is based on the installation date;
- the final price including GST, plus a clear list of what's excluded.
Common exclusions to ask about: switchboard upgrades, a change from single-phase to three-phase, meter changes, tile roof work, scaffolding or extra access equipment for a high roof, long cable runs, and network fees. A cheaper quote that leaves these out may not be cheaper once they're added. Our cost guide has published average prices to put a quote in context.
3. Who is doing the work
- Licence. In NSW, solar installation is electrical work, so the business should hold a NSW electrical contractor licence. You can check a licence number on the Service NSW website.
- Accreditation. For the federal discount, the installer needs to be accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia, according to the Clean Energy Regulator's rooftop solar page. Ask for the accreditation number and check it. Ask any installer, us included.
- Who turns up. Ask whether the people on your roof are the installer's employees or subcontractors, and who will be on site to commission the system. For the battery program, the official page says the installer should be on site for set-up, installation and commissioning.
- Network application. Your local distributor has to approve the connection. In Greater Sydney that's Ausgrid or Endeavour Energy, depending on where you live. Ask who handles it and whether it's included.
4. Batteries: extra things to check
- Usable capacity, not just the label. The discount and the savings both depend on the usable kWh. Ask for it.
- Backup. Does it include backup in a blackout, and for which circuits? Not every battery does this automatically.
- Location. Where it will be installed, and whether that place is allowed and suitable.
- Virtual power plants. If the quote assumes you'll join one, read the terms about how much of your battery can be used.
For whether a battery suits you at all, see is a home battery worth it in NSW.
5. Warranties
There are usually several separate warranties: the panels (the product itself and the output over time), the inverter, the battery, and the installer's own workmanship. Ask for each in writing, with the length and what it covers. Check what it takes to make a claim and who you contact, particularly if the installer closes. We haven't put typical lengths here, because they vary by product and installer.
6. Payment, timing and your rights
- Deposit and payment schedule. Know how much is due when you sign, when the balance is due, and what you get for each payment.
- Install date. Ask for an expected date, and what happens if it slips, especially around a date when a discount steps down.
- Cooling-off. If a salesperson approached you without an invitation, for example by knocking on your door or phoning you, an unsolicited sale in NSW gives you 10 business days to cancel without penalty, and the supplier can't take payment or supply services during that time. See the NSW Government page on unsolicited consumer agreements. If you asked for the quote, this protection doesn't automatically apply, so read the cancellation terms before you sign.
Warning signs
- Pressure to sign today because a discount is "ending". The discount is based on installation date, not on when you sign, so ask for the details in writing.
- A quote with no model numbers, no layout and no mention of your usage.
- The discount isn't shown as a line, or the number of certificates isn't stated.
- Savings claims with no explanation of the usage and rates they assume.
- An installer who can't give you a licence number or accreditation number when asked.
Common questions
How many quotes should I get?
More than one. The government pages say the same. Compare line by line, not by total, because they may not include the same things.
Does an installer need to visit my house before quoting?
Not always. We look at your roof using satellite imagery, with a site visit where needed, and your usage. Some jobs, such as a battery installation or a complex roof, are better checked in person.
Is the cheapest quote the best?
Not necessarily. Equipment, what's included and who is liable if something goes wrong all differ. If the cheaper one omits things the other includes, it isn't really cheaper.
What if the installer says the rebate is ending soon?
Ask which discount, and the date. The Clean Energy Regulator says the battery discount depends on the installation date. If the date could change, check what the quote says about price changes.
Can I show you a quote I've already received?
Yes. Send it to us and we'll tell you what we'd want clarified before you sign it, whether or not you use us.
See what ours looks like
Send us your address and a recent bill. Our written quote names the equipment, shows the discount as a separate line and explains the system size.
More guides: NSW solar and battery rebates · What solar and batteries cost · Is solar worth it with low feed-in tariffs? · All guides
Sources: Clean Energy Regulator; Clean Energy Council; Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water; NSW Government. Checked 28 October 2026. General information only, not legal or financial advice.