Since the launch of the government's new battery rebate in July, home batteries have become the next big thing as homeowners race to capitalise on discounts of around 30% to slash their power bills.
The stampede has sparked a promotional blitz between solar installers, and there are plenty of new installers popping up to cash in on the frenzy.
If you're shopping for a battery, you've probably already seen excited ads spruiking the 'best ever deal!' for 'super cheap solar!' or even 'free solar!'.
There are plenty of new installers popping up to cash in on the frenzy
Given batteries are expensive, complex and time-consuming to research, such deals can seem mighty tempting, but be careful. Choosing a cheap offer could land you in all sorts of strife later, from inefficient or failing systems to shoddy installation to poor after-sales support.
To help you dodge the duds, we spoke to Finn Peacock, founder of SolarQuotes, Australia's most-visited solar website. Since 2020, CHOICE has partnered with SolarQuotes, which collates high-quality quotes for you from vetted installers.
SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock. IMAGE: SolarQuotes.
Finn's been in the solar business since 2009 so he's seen plenty of suss deals and shady operators in his time. We asked him about the warning signs to watch out for so you don't get burnt with a bum deal.
1. Salespeople on your doorstep
Red flags don't get much bigger than doorknockers ambushing you at your home trying to sell you solar worth thousands of dollars. The same goes for telemarketers cold-calling you out of the blue.
Both are paid on commission so they're incentivised to push quick sales and certain packages and products that might not actually suit you or your power needs.
Doorknockers earn commissions and are incentivised to push quick sales.
"I've literally never known someone to get a competitive deal from a doorknocker spruiking solar or batteries," says Finn.
"Any successful doorknocker is well versed in the art of persuasion, so they are likely to convince you to buy something without the due diligence required."
Never ever sign up for a doorknocker's offer without getting other quotes
Finn Peacock, SolarQuotes founder
Ignore any high-pressure tactics like special 'today only' sales and never sign up then and there. If you are interested in the offer, instead take time to research the company and their products and check for any other red flags listed below.
"The easiest way to handle them is to tell them to leave. Then get three quotes from well-reviewed locals or companies that your friends had a good experience with. Never ever sign up for a doorknocker's offer without getting other quotes."
Why we partner with SolarQuotes
Since 2020, CHOICE has partnered with SolarQuotes, Australia's most-visited solar website, to help you find trusted installers. They provide high-quality quotes from vetted suppliers and back it with their 'good installer guarantee'. While CHOICE makes money if you buy through them, 100% of it goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.
Why we partner with SolarQuotes
Since 2020, CHOICE has partnered with SolarQuotes, Australia's most-visited solar website, to help you find trusted installers. They provide high-quality quotes from vetted suppliers and back it with their 'good installer guarantee'. While CHOICE makes money if you buy through them, 100% of it goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.
2. Mismatched components
Many installers try to entice customers by selling huge batteries with 40–50kWh capacity for very cheap prices. It sounds great, but too often they're paired with a small 5kW inverter, which will struggle to charge such a big battery and empty it.
Instead of going for the 'bigger is better' approach, Finn says it's best to chat to installers about customising a system that suits both your energy needs and budget.
"Your installer should look at your current and future energy load profile and size the inverter to suit accordingly. The one-size-fits-all approach is rubbish," says Finn.
Our solar partners SolarQuotes explain the government's new incentive.
3. Unknown brands and products
Since the rebate, there's been an influx of new battery products as installers compete for business and try to keep up with demand.
And it's not just new or smaller installers using relatively obscure components. In September, Aldi announced its new Aldi Solar service would sell systems using Altius batteries, solar panels and hybrid inverters, which are virtually unknown in Australia.
An unheard-of brand or product isn't an automatic deal-breaker – they must be on the Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved list to be eligible for the rebate – but Finn does advise extra caution and research.
It pays to research solar brands and products thoroughly before committing to a deal.
"The newer the brand is to Australia, the higher the risk of it not being around for the long haul and the less evidence you have that its quality and support are up to scratch," says Finn.
"To counter the risk of a new product, use an older, established install company. If you use a brand new company with brand new brands, you have double jeopardy!"
4. The installer's ABN is suspiciously new
When you buy solar, you want installers that are professional and knowledgeable with a proven track record. There are plenty of them out there, but there's also a slew of newly-created companies chasing the rebate windfall.
Finn says to be careful of newcomers and to check their ABN online. If it has only been registered since April 2025, when the government rebate was first announced, then that's a red flag and you should tread carefully.
5. Swapping out components
It's a shady tactic as old as time: advertise a brand or product then – surprise! – it's no longer available so you get offered another type instead.
To avoid a battery bait-and-switch, you should always read the fine print (no matter how long it is) before you sign on.
Good installers will take their time to customise a system to your home's power needs.
"Installers sometimes have a clause that says they can swap components for 'similar', which is a huge red flag," says Finn.
"If a company genuinely can't get hold of the hardware they've quoted, they should talk to you and create a new quote for new hardware, which you can then accept or decline."
6. Beware 'free solar', 'no net cost' or 'no-interest finance' offers
Such deals might sound enticing given how pricey batteries can be, but Finn warns against any offers that seem too good to be true.
"Someone has to get paid. 'Free solar' means giving your electricity to someone else and then buying it back from them. 'No net cost' is a tricky way of saying your savings will be greater than your repayments, but you can't claim this if you don't know the consumer's usage!"
"'No-interest finance' means that they've taken the interest cost and whacked it onto the price of the system, unless it's a subsidised loan from a government scheme."
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
