Common questions
How much solar do I actually need?
Work it off consumption, not roof space. A household using 25kWh a day wants roughly 8–10kW in Brisbane. The trap is oversizing for export — feed-in tariffs are down around 4–6c now, so a system built to cover what you use during daylight beats a bigger one that sells power back cheaply.
Is the government rebate still available?
The federal STC scheme still applies and we deduct it from the price you’re quoted, so the figures on our solar page are what you actually pay. The rebate steps down each year, so a system costs a little more the longer you wait. Battery incentives change more often — we’ll tell you what’s current when you ask.
What's the cheapest solar quote catch?
Usually one of three things: entry-tier panels and an inverter brand with no local support, a price that excludes the switchboard work your house needs, or an installer who subcontracts and disappears. Ask any quoter who is physically installing it, what happens if the inverter fails in year six, and whether the board is included.
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
Open the box and look. Round ceramic fuses mean it’s decades old and has no earth leakage protection. If there’s no row of switches with TEST printed on them, you have no RCDs. If there’s no spare space, solar or an EV charger won’t fit without work. Any of those and it’s worth a quote.
Do you charge a call-out fee?
For service work it’s $120 covering the first half hour, then charged by the hour — and we tell you the rate before we come. Quotes for solar, switchboards and planned jobs are free. After-hours emergency callouts carry a surcharge we’ll state on the phone before dispatching anyone.
Can I add a battery to solar I already have?
Almost always. If you have a hybrid inverter it’s straightforward. If you have a standard string inverter, we add an AC-coupled battery alongside it, which works fine and avoids replacing good equipment. We’ll check what you’ve got from a photo of the inverter label.
How long does a solar install take?
One day for most single-storey homes, two if there’s switchboard work or a tile roof needing new mounting. Power is off for about two hours. From signing to generating is typically three weeks, most of it waiting on the Energex connection approval rather than on us.
Do you do rental properties and strata?
Yes. For rentals we handle smoke alarm compliance, safety switch installation and the entry condition electrical report landlords need. For strata we work with committees and building managers, and we can invoice the body corporate directly with a report for their records.