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Quote Evaluation Checklist

Tick each item off as you review a solar quote. Spots red flags, hidden costs and missing inclusions before you sign anything.

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📊 Your score at a glance

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Quote confidence score–
✅ Strong quote — all key items confirmed. Go ahead with confidence.
⚠️ Most items confirmed — a few gaps to follow up before signing.
🚩 Several items unchecked — get answers before you proceed.
🏗️ Installer Credentials 0 / 7
CEC-accredited installer Must Have
Verify at solaraccreditation.com.au. Required by law for grid-connected systems and to claim STCs (rebate).
Electrical contractor licence (A-grade electrician)
All grid-connected wiring must be done by a licensed electrician. Ask for their licence number.
Public liability insurance (minimum $10M) Must Have
Protects you if something goes wrong during installation. Ask for certificate of currency.
Workers' compensation insurance
Covers installer's employees while working on your roof. Your home insurance won't cover this.
Local company with verifiable address
Not a pop-up or interstate company. Search ABN and address. Local companies are more likely to honour warranties.
Genuine reviews (Google, Product Review, SolarQuotes)
Look for 50+ reviews with specific detail. Beware of sudden influxes of generic 5-star reviews.
No pressure to sign on the day
Legitimate installers encourage you to take your time. Pressure to sign is a red flag.
⚡ Solar Panels 0 / 9
Exact make and model specified in writing Must Have
Never accept "panels TBC" or a brand name without model number. You need to know exactly what's being installed.
Panels on CEC approved product list Must Have
Check solaraccreditation.com.au. Non-listed panels don't qualify for the STC rebate.
IEC 61215 and IEC 61730 certifications
Baseline international standards for performance and safety. Non-negotiable.
Positive-only power tolerance (0/+W) Check This
Avoid panels with ±3% or negative tolerance — you could receive panels weaker than advertised.
Product (workmanship) warranty: minimum 12 years
Covers manufacturing defects. Premium brands offer 15–25 years. Less than 10 years is below industry standard.
Performance warranty: minimum 80% at 25 years
The linear performance guarantee. Top-tier brands now offer 87%+ at 25–30 years.
Australian warranty support (local office or agent)
A 25-year warranty from a manufacturer with no Australian presence is nearly impossible to enforce.
Panel efficiency ≥ 20% (≥ 22% for limited roof space)
Lower efficiency isn't necessarily bad — it just means more panels for the same output.
Temperature coefficient stated (–0.35%/°C or better)
Especially important in hot climates (QLD, NT, WA, SA). Lower is better for Australian summers.
🔌 Inverter 0 / 7
Exact brand and model specified in writing Must Have
The inverter is the brain of your system. Never accept a quote without a specific model.
CEC approved inverter list Must Have
Like panels, inverters must be CEC-listed to qualify for rebates. Verify at solaraccreditation.com.au.
Inverter warranty: minimum 5 years (10 preferred)
Leading brands (Fronius, SolarEdge, Sungrow, Enphase) offer 10–12 years. Some can be extended for a fee.
Australian service centre or local distributor
Inverters are the most likely component to fail. Local service means faster repair turnaround.
Monitoring app/portal included Check This
All modern inverters include monitoring. If yours doesn't, you'll have no way to spot underperformance early.
Inverter sized correctly (90–110% of panel capacity)
Oversizing panels relative to inverter (up to 133%) is normal and allowed under CEC design guidelines.
Hybrid inverter if battery is planned (now or later)
Standard string inverters can't charge batteries. If you might add storage, plan for this from the start.
🔧 Installation & Design 0 / 8
Site assessment done (in-person or satellite) Must Have
A quote without assessing your roof orientation, shading, and switchboard is just guessing.
Shading analysis performed
Shading on even one panel can reduce whole-string output significantly. Good installers model this.
CEC-compliant design (AS/NZS 4777 and wiring rules)
Ask if the system will be designed to CEC installation guidelines. This is legally required.
Mounting system brand and spec included
Cheap racking fails in high winds. Look for reputable brands (IronRidge, Clenergy, Radiant, Schletter).
Grid connection application managed by installer Check This
Your DNSP application can take 2–8 weeks. Confirm the installer handles this, not you.
Metering upgrade included (if needed)
Most homes need a smart meter to measure solar exports and earn feed-in tariffs. Confirm who pays for it.
Estimated annual generation (kWh) stated
A reputable quote will include a year-1 generation estimate. If the number seems unusually high, ask why.
Roof penetrations to be sealed and weatherproofed
Confirm cables and fixings will be properly sealed. Poor sealing = future leak = expensive repair.
🛡️ Warranties & After-Sales 0 / 7
Installer workmanship warranty: minimum 5 years Must Have
Required of all CEC-accredited installers. Covers their labour, wiring, mounting, and roof penetrations.
Warranty claim process clearly explained
Who do you call if a panel fails in year 8? Is it the installer or the manufacturer? Get this in writing.
Labour costs for warranty replacements addressed Check This
Most panel warranties cover the part only, not the $300–$800 call-out to replace it. Who covers labour?
Inverter replacement process explained
Inverters are the component most likely to need replacing mid-system life. Know the process before it happens.
Post-installation commissioning and handover included
A good installer will walk you through the monitoring app, show you the system is producing, and provide all documents.
Certificate of Electrical Safety (COES) provided
Mandatory in most states after installation. You should receive this document — it proves the work is compliant.
STC assignment paperwork explained
The STC rebate is typically assigned to the installer in exchange for a discount on your invoice. This should be transparent in the contract.
📄 Contract & Pricing 0 / 8
Full written quote with itemised pricing Must Have
Panels, inverter, racking, labour, metering and grid connection fees should all be listed separately.
STC rebate amount clearly shown Must Have
The government rebate should be clearly deducted from the total price, not hidden in a "discounted" headline price.
Deposit amount is reasonable (max 10–20%) Check This
A deposit over 30–40% from a company you've not dealt with before is a significant risk.
Price lock / validity period stated
How long is this quote valid? Material costs can change. A price lock of 30–60 days is reasonable.
Cooling-off period acknowledged (consumer rights)
Under Australian Consumer Law you may have a cooling-off period. High-pressure "sign now" contracts that deny this are a red flag.
Exclusions clearly listed (scaffolding, switchboard upgrades, etc.)
Common hidden extras include switchboard upgrades ($500–$1,500), scaffolding ($500–$2,000), and metering upgrade fees.
Price is in line with market rates Check This
6.6kW: ~$5,500–$7,500 installed after rebate. 10kW: ~$7,500–$11,000. Significantly lower = quality concern. Higher = verify what's included.
No "too good to be true" claims
Be sceptical of claimed payback periods under 3 years, efficiency claims over 26%, or savings that seem unrealistically high.

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