We asked three Victorian solar installers to provide a young family quotes for solar, batteries, and a heat pump. What happened next surprised all of us: from first enquiry to switched on in under two months. It’s a real-world look at comparing solar quotes, and what to look for beyond the price.
Angela* and her family have been exploring home electrification for over a year. They did their research, requested quotes, and we decided this was a great opportunity to see what really happens before, during, and after the quoting process.
Join us as we walk through the process of comparing solar quotes, and look at common pitfalls, questions and green flags.
TL;DR
- Three Victorian installers quoted the same 1960s home in Vermont for solar, a battery and a heat pump.
- All three recommended 10 kW of solar with optimisers to deal with shading, a 14–16 kWh battery and a switchboard upgrade.
- The prices after rebates ranged from $13,200 to $20,750. That’s a gap of $7,550 for very similar systems.
- Most of the difference came down to brand choices, especially the heat pump.
- Since the federal battery rebate changed on 1 May, battery size matters more. Each kWh above 14 kWh earns less rebate.
- Comparing headline prices wasn’t enough. The right questions are what separated the quotes.
- Angela chose Quote 3 ($14,500). It was installed within about eight weeks of her first enquiry.
The beginning: finding out what the family required
I met with Angela at a recent expo. This is her story.
Solar, batteries, and heat pumps were nothing new to Angela. Her previous home was fully electrified, and her bills were minimal. Her family’s new home in Vermont, Victoria, was far from the electrified dream she was used to. Built around 1960, the house was leaky (insulation, anyone?) and relied on gas for heating, cooking, and hot water. Angela knew she had her work cut out for her, so she tackled the leaks first.
After exploring her options, Angela and her husband settled on a large solar system (needs shade consideration), some batteries (keep within the 14 kWh rebate bracket), and a heat pump (something to accommodate a family of 4). Angela’s husband works from home; they use most of their electricity in the evening, and the hot water system looked like it was installed when the house was built. After deliberating how they would roll this out, the family missed the Cheaper Home Batteries top-tier boat. In fact, they missed a couple. After the 1 May deadline passed, they decided to bite the bullet and maximise the current tier of the federal battery rebate.
Using Energy Matters’ free solar quote form, Angela was quickly contacted by three local installers. In fact, two of them contacted her that same day.
Comparing solar quotes: what each installer offered
Let's set the scene:
- Single storey house
- West facing roof with a small, yet suitable portion facing North
- Considerable shade from neighbouring trees on the West side of the house
- Old switchboard
- Minimal space in the garage for a battery
- Existing gas hot water system mostly inaccessible
- Eligible for the Victorian rebates - including interest-free loan
Quote 1
Installer 1 offered the following:
- 10 kW solar with Fox ESS hybrid inverter and optimisers for shading
- 14 kWh Fox ESS batteries
- Emerald heat pump
- Switchboard upgrade
Total: $13,200 after rebates and VIC interest-free loan
Quote 2
Installer 2 proposed:
- 10 kW solar with GoodWe ESA inverter, some optimisers to counter shading
- 16 kWh GoodWe ESA batteries
- Reclaim heat pump
- Switchboard upgrade
Total: $20,750 after rebates and VIC interest-free loan
Quote 3
Installer 3 quoted:
- 10 kW solar with GoodWe ESA inverter, optimisers to counter shading
- 16 kWh GoodWe ESA batteries
- Emerald heat pump
- Switchboard upgrade
Total: $14,500 after rebates and VIC interest-free loan
Questions to ask when comparing solar quotes
To help them decide, Angela and her husband put the same questions to all three installers:
- Why this battery size? Two installers quoted 16 kWh, even though the family had planned to stay at 14 kWh. Angela asked what the extra capacity would cost after the reduced rebate, and whether their evening usage justified it.
- How will the optimisers handle the western shade? Installer 1 quoted optimisers across the system, while Installer 2 quoted only “some”. Angela asked which panels would get optimisers, and to see the expected output with and without them.
- Are the inverter, battery and optimisers designed to work together? Mixing brands can affect warranties and monitoring. Angela asked who she would call if something failed.
- Why this heat pump? The Reclaim unit was the biggest single reason Quote 2 cost more. Angela asked how each heat pump compared on noise, running costs and size for a family of four.
- What’s included in the switchboard upgrade? “Switchboard upgrade” can mean very different jobs. Angela asked for an itemised scope.
- Where will the battery go? With very little space in the garage, she asked to see the proposed location and confirm it met clearance requirements.
- Who removes the old gas system? The existing unit was hard to get to, so removal and capping the gas could add cost.
- When can you install? Battery rebates drop every six months, so the install date affects the final price.
- Which rebates are already deducted, and who lodges them? Angela checked that every “after rebates” price assumed the same federal and state incentives.
The decision
After putting the same questions to all three installers, Angela and her husband went with Quote 3. Here’s how it answered them.
Battery size: Quote 3 went 2 kWh above the 14 kWh the family had planned for. Even with the reduced rebate on that extra capacity, it added very little to the price. For a household that uses most of its power in the evening, the extra storage was worth it.
Shade: Quote 3 included optimisers to deal with the western trees. Based on the shading timing throughout the year, optimisers were added only to the affected panels.
Compatibility: The GoodWe ESA is an all-in-one system, with the inverter and battery from the same brand. That meant one warranty, one monitoring app and one company to call if something went wrong. It also came with strong warranties and the ability to back up the whole home during an outage. Angela's house did not include whole-home backup.
The heat pump: Quote 3 used the Emerald heat pump, which had strong reviews. It cost less than the Reclaim unit in Quote 2, which was the main reason Quote 2 was so much more expensive.
Switchboard and battery location: The switchboard upgrade was a necessity and will help with future additions to the home. The battery was ultimately installed on the side of the house due to limited garage space.
The old gas system: This installer was the only one to visit the house and inspect the old hot water system in person. Given how hard it was to get to, that visit gave Angela confidence that there would be no surprises on installation day. The installer removed the old gas system.
Timing: Quote 3 could install in early October. The other two installers said November at the earliest.
Price: At $14,500 after rebates, Quote 3 was only $1,200 more than the cheapest option, and it included a larger battery. The installer also has a long history in Victoria.
What surprised us: the speed
Angela requested quotes in August. Her system was installed in early October.
That was faster than any of us expected, and faster than the other two installers could manage. Both told her they might not be able to install until November.
A long wait isn’t automatically a bad sign. Good installers are often booked out, especially when rebate deadlines drive demand. But timing matters. Battery rebates now drop every six months, so a few weeks’ delay can change your final price. Always ask for an install date before you sign, and ask which rebate rates the quote assumes.
Green flags: what all three installers got right
All three installers were transparent about their pricing. They each spotted the same problems: the western shade, the old switchboard, the limited garage space and the hard-to-reach hot water system. And each one built a quote around what the family actually wanted, rather than pushing a standard package.
When three independent installers reach the same conclusions about your home, you can be confident the problems are real and the solutions are sound.
What to look out for when getting quotes
Angela’s experience was a good one, partly because every installer she dealt with had been vetted. When comparing solar quotes, here’s what to watch for:
- No site inspection. One of Angela’s installers quoted from photos alone. For a simple job this can be fine. But for a home with shading, an old switchboard, a tight battery space and a hard-to-reach gas system, an in-person visit catches problems photos miss. Those problems can turn into extra costs on installation day.
- Vague line items. “Switchboard upgrade” or “installation” with no detail leaves room for surprises. Ask for an itemised scope.
- Pressure to sign today. Rebate deadlines are real, but a reputable installer will give you time to compare.
- Oversizing without explanation. A bigger battery isn’t always better, especially now that rebates taper above 14 kWh. Your installer should be able to explain why a size suits your usage.
- Accreditation. Check that the installer is accredited and, in Victoria, an authorised Solar Victoria retailer. Without this, you may not be able to claim rebates.
Every installer in the Energy Matters network is pre-vetted and qualified, which is why Angela could focus on comparing products and prices rather than checking credentials.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar quotes should I get?
At least three. Angela’s quotes for very similar systems were $7,550 apart.
Is a battery bigger than 14 kWh still worth it after the May 2026 rebate changes?
It can be, if you use most of your power in the evening. Capacity above 14 kWh gets a smaller rebate, so ask your installer what the extra kWh actually costs you after rebates.
Can I claim solar, battery and heat pump rebates at the same time in Victoria?
Generally yes. The federal battery rebate, Solar Homes rebates, heat pump rebates and VEU discounts can stack, but eligibility rules apply, including the income cap.
Do I have to replace my gas hot water system in Victoria?
From 1 March 2027, existing homes must replace a gas hot water system with an efficient electric option once it reaches end-of-life.
How long does it take to get solar and a battery installed?
It varies a lot. Angela’s took about eight weeks from enquiry to installation, while other installers quoted three months or more.
Should I accept a quote based only on photos?
For complex homes, ask for a site inspection. It catches shading, switchboard and access problems that photos can miss.
The takeaway
Three quotes for the same home came in $7,550 apart, even though the systems were very similar. Angela didn’t pick the cheapest. She picked the one that best balanced price, products, the installer’s track record and timing.
If you’re thinking about solar, a battery or a heat pump, get at least three quotes. When comparing solar quotes, ask the hard questions, and don’t let the bottom line be the only thing you compare.
*Name changed per request
All figures are inclusive of applicable discounts, incentives, rebates, and loans and should be used as a guide only. Solar, battery, and heat pump installations are subject to location, complexity, and eligibility and availability of rebates and incentives.
