To compare solar quotes properly, line them up on five things before you look at the price: what is itemised, which panel and inverter brands are named, what the warranties actually cover, who does the install, and what support you get afterwards. Two quotes with the same system size can describe very different systems once you read past the total.
Most Sydney homeowners collect three solar panel quotes and end up comparing one number on each. Here is how to read them line by line and spot what a lower price leaves out.
Why Do Solar Quotes for the Same Home Look So Different?
Each installer quotes their own design, hardware and way of working. Two 6.6kW systems can share a headline figure and almost nothing else.
The gap usually comes from four places:
- Hardware: panel and inverter brands differ in efficiency, shade tolerance and who stands behind the warranty.
- Design: a system sized from your actual bills and roof layout will look different from one sized off a standard package.
- Labour: an in-house team of accredited electricians costs more than a crew paid per job.
- Scope: some quotes include switchboard work, tilt frames or monitoring. Others leave them out and add them as variations later.
What Should Be Itemised on Every Solar Quote?
A good quote lets you picture the finished system without a follow-up question. If a line is vague, ask for it in writing.
Every quote should name:
- System size in kilowatts, plus the number of panels.
- Panel brand and exact model, not “Tier 1 panels” or “equivalent”.
- Inverter brand, model and capacity, and whether it is a string inverter or microinverters.
- Mounting and roof work, including tilt frames, tile or metal roof allowances and cable routes.
- Electrical work, such as switchboard upgrades, isolators and meter changes, or a clear note that none are needed.
- Monitoring, so you can see what each part of the system is producing.
- Rebate treatment, with the small-scale technology certificate (STC) rebate shown as its own line.
- Warranty terms for panels, inverter and workmanship, each listed separately.
A missing line usually turns into an extra cost on install day.
Unsure what your quote leaves out?
We design each system around your bills and a roof assessment, and name every component on the quote.
How Do You Compare Panel and Inverter Warranties?
Compare who backs each warranty and what it covers, not just the number of years printed on the brochure. A long solar panel warranty is only worth something if the manufacturer still has an Australian presence when you need to claim.
Panels: product and performance warranties
The product warranty covers defects in the panel. The performance warranty promises a set share of rated output after a given number of years. Check both are listed against the exact model.
Inverters: the part most likely to need attention
The inverter works harder than any other component, so its warranty and service network matter. A string inverter, such as Sungrow, converts power for the whole array in one unit. Microinverters, such as Enphase, sit under each panel, which helps on shaded roofs or roofs facing several directions.
Workmanship: the installer’s own promise
Workmanship warranties cover the installation itself: roof penetrations, wiring and mounting. We back every solar installation with a lifetime workmanship warranty. A quote that leaves this term blank deserves a question.
We install AIKO and Trina panels with Sungrow and Enphase inverters. You can see the full range on our solar products page.
Who Will Actually Install Your System?
Ask whether the company’s own employees will install your system or whether the job goes to subcontractors. The name on the quote is not always the name on the roof.
Anyone who designs or installs a grid-connected solar system must hold Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accreditation for the system to be eligible for STCs. You can check an installer’s status using the SAA accreditation status check. Ask for the accreditation number of the person who will sign off your job.
Our team is fully in-house. We employ SAA-accredited electricians and electrical apprentices only, with no roofers, labourers or subcontracted crews on any of our solar panel installations.
What Happens After the Installation?
The quote should tell you how you will know the system is working and who fixes it if it isn’t. Solar runs for decades, so the support after install day matters more than the sales visit.
- Monitoring: an app showing daily production, so a fault shows up in days rather than on your next bill. See how our solar monitoring systems work.
- Service: a clear path for inspections, cleaning and repairs. We provide solar maintenance and repairs, including on systems other companies installed.
- Support: a real contact. Our customers join a WhatsApp support group, which stays active outside business hours.
If you plan to add storage later, ask whether the inverter is battery-ready. That one question can save you replacing a working inverter when you move to solar battery installation.
Five Things That Make a Cheap Solar Quote Expensive Later
A low price is fine. A low price that comes from leaving things out is not. These five gaps cause most of the problems we see when homeowners call us to fix someone else’s install.
1. Unnamed or “equivalent” components
If the quote doesn’t name the panel and inverter model, the installer can fit whatever stock is on hand, and you can’t check specifications or warranty terms.
2. A system sized to a package, not your bills
An undersized system won’t deliver the savings you expected. An oversized one may run into export limits on your network. A proper design starts with your past bills and a roof assessment.
3. Exclusions that become variations
Switchboard upgrades, tilt frames, long cable runs and difficult roofs are often left out of the headline price, then added once the crew arrives. Ask for every exclusion in writing.
4. Subcontracted labour
Crews paid per job have less reason to take care with roof penetrations and cable management. Shortcuts show up years later as leaks or faults.
5. Nobody to call when something fails
A warranty is only as reliable as the business behind it. If the installer closes or the manufacturer has no local office, the lowest quote can become the most expensive one.
A Checklist to Compare Solar Quotes Side by Side
Run this solar quote comparison against each quote you hold. Any “no” or “not stated” is a question to ask before you decide.
- Panel brand and exact model named
- Inverter brand, model, capacity and type named
- System sized from your bills and a roof assessment
- Switchboard, roof and cabling work included or clearly excluded
- STC rebate shown as a separate line
- Panel, inverter and workmanship warranties listed separately
- Installed by the company’s own SAA-accredited electricians
- Monitoring included and explained
- Clear after-sales support contact
- Battery-ready inverter, if storage is on your list
How We Approach Every Solar Quote
Every consultation is with an experienced solar installer, not a salesperson. We design each system around your bills and a roof assessment, and name every component on the quote.
We are a SolarQuotes Platinum rated installer with 250+ Google reviews, and you can read our independent SolarQuotes reviews before you speak with us. We also stand behind our numbers: if we don’t lower your bill by the amount we promised, we’ll pay it. See real results in our case studies and our guide to how much you could save with solar.
Compare Our Quote With Confidence
In-house SAA-accredited electricians installing solar across the Hawkesbury, Western Sydney, the Hills District and greater Sydney.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar quotes should I get?
Three solar panel quotes is a sensible number. It is enough to compare solar quotes on hardware, installer and warranties, and makes an unusual price easy to spot.
Should I just choose the cheapest solar quote?
Only if it matches the others line for line. A cheap quote often leaves out switchboard work, names no brands or relies on subcontracted labour, which can cost more over the life of the system.
How do I check if a solar installer is accredited?
Ask for the installer’s Solar Accreditation Australia number and check it on the SAA website. Every grid-connected system in NSW must be designed and installed by an accredited person for the system to be eligible for STCs.
Do solar quotes in NSW include the rebate?
Most solar quotes in NSW show the federal STC rebate already deducted. Ask for it as its own line so every quote is compared on the same basis.
How much should a solar system cost?
The price depends on system size, panel and inverter choice, your roof and any electrical work needed. Contact Clean Earth Solar directly for an accurate quote. All pricing is confirmed before any work begins, with no obligation to proceed.