Independent. Not owned by an installer or an energy retailer.
Ask why before you sign. Up to $8,000+ in solar and battery rebates.
One Why Solar Approved installer and one written quote. Then a solar expert goes through it with you before you sign: the right size, the rebate, and whether a battery is worth it for your home yet.
60 seconds. Free. Your details go to one Why Solar Approved installer, and the installer never cold-calls you. Privacy · How we calculate the rebate
- 5 stars on Google
- Why Solar Approved installers only
- Family owned. No cold calls.
Three steps, and you sign nothing until you're sure.
Your rebate in 60 seconds
Your postcode and a few questions. We work out the federal and state rebates for your home. No account, no sales call.
One Why Solar Approved installer
One installer who has passed all six of our checks, and one written quote. They never cold-call you.
Your expert call before you sign
Fifteen minutes with a solar expert, at a time you choose: the size, the rebate and your quote, line by line.
Free, with no obligation to go ahead.
5 stars on Google
What homeowners say about our advice, in their words on our Google Business Profile.
“Finally, solar advice I can actually trust. No pressure, no pushy sales stuff, just straight up honest info.”
Jasmine, Marlborough
“Spent a few weeks going through this site before installing. Now charging the car off the sun most days. Setup's paying for itself faster than I expected.”
HLR Photography
Last updated
279solar companies collapsed.21suspended by the Clean Energy Regulator in July 2026.
This is why we check staying power before we check price.
Seven questions to ask before you sign
What night-time usage did you size this for, in summer and in winter?
If they never asked for your data, that’s your answer.
How much of this battery sits above 14 kWh and above 28 kWh? What’s the certificate count and the dollar discount for each part?
What will my panels produce on a typical June day, and will that fill it?
What’s the charge rate, and could it fill from a free midday window?
Does this quote include blackout backup, and exactly what stays on?
What’s the usable capacity, how low can it safely run every day, and what does the warranty guarantee after ten years?
Will you put the exact brand and model of the battery and inverter in the contract?
If they hesitate, walk.
A good installer will answer all seven without blinking. If you get waffle, you’ve learnt something valuable before spending a cent.
Every Why Solar match includes a 15-minute call with one of our solar experts before you sign anything, and they ask these with you.
Before you sign, talk to the expert we never had.
When we went solar there was no one independent to check the quote against, and it cost us dearly. So every Why Solar match includes a 15-minute call with one of our solar experts before you sign anything. Not a sales call. We don't sell solar.
You pick the time. The installer never cold-calls you.
Example Solar Co
Solar and battery quote
Quote 0001
Valid for 30 days
- ItemPrice
- Solar panels, 13.3 kW, premium Tier 1Included
Our note: Brand and model named?
- Hybrid inverterIncluded
- Home battery, 14 kWhIncluded
Our note: Usable kWh, not nominal.
- Standard installationIncluded
- System price (example)$25,000
- Less federal STC and battery discount−$7,068
Our note: Certificate count behind the discount?
- Total, inc. GST$17,932
- Sized for a typical household.
Our note: Sized for your night-time use?
- Warranty: industry standard.
Our note: Workmanship warranty in writing?
What we go through with you
- Whether the system is the right size for your bill, not the biggest the rebate covers
- Your rebate, and what the installer has to show for it on the quote
- Your quote, line by line: panels, inverter, battery, the workmanship warranty
- What to push back on before you sign
- Whether a battery makes sense for your home, or not yet
60 seconds, then you pick a time for the call.
Already have a quote from someone else? Get it checked before you sign.
“We paid close to $100,000 for solar and got ripped off.” So we built the site we needed.
Andy McMaster, founder
We set out to power our own home with the sun. We did our homework, we trusted the installer who seemed different from the rest, and we paid close to $100,000. We were charged for German batteries and handed cheap knock-offs. The system couldn't get through a normal week, and we spent five years putting it right.
Then we realised our story wasn't rare. One in six Australian solar homes now has no workmanship warranty left, because the company that installed it has gone.
So we built Why Solar, independent and family owned. We don't sell solar. We vet the installers, we match you with one, and we tell you the truth even when it earns us nothing.
We don't sell solar. We live on it.
We have no grid connection. Our home, our office and this website are built and run from a property that is 100% solar and battery powered, so when our system underperforms, our lights go out. That's why we know which installers stand behind their work.
- 100% off-grid. No mains power, no gas.
- Every word on this site was written on solar power.
- Two people you can name, not a call centre.
Installers earn the Why Solar approval. They can lose it.
No retainers, and no installer owns a piece of Why Solar, so we can drop them. An installer passes all six checks before they meet a single homeowner.
After every match, one of our team calls you to check they turned up, quoted what they said they would, and treated you properly. Installers who don't measure up are removed from the network. Some already have been.
The Why Solar Approved standard: six checks
Credentials
Accreditation and licensing, current and genuine, checked rather than assumed.
Staying power
Years actually trading, and the financial stability to still be here in a decade to honour what they promise.
Proof of work
Real installations we can examine, not a folder of stock photos and slogans.
The actual hands
Who physically turns up to do the job, not the cheapest available subcontractor.
What goes in
Genuine, traceable components that match the quote exactly. No quoting German and fitting Chinese.
How they handle trouble
How they behave when something goes wrong. That, not the sales call, is the true measure of a company.
“We hold installers responsible for what they promise. If they won't be, they don't get our homeowners.”
Checking one yourself? How to vet a solar installer
What's actually happening on roofs near you
Real installs from the Clean Energy Regulator's postcode data, your state's top-up and the best feed-in rate we can find. Type your postcode.
Our figures come from the Clean Energy Regulator's installation data for every Australian postcode and the Australian Energy Regulator's plan registry. Rebates are worked from the current certificate rules: here is the working.
Frequently asked questions
How much do solar panels cost in Australia in 2026?
A quality 6.6 kW solar system costs $5,000 to $9,000 after federal STC rebates. Prices vary by state, panel brand, and installer. Premium systems with micro-inverters or panels from Tier 1 manufacturers like Jinko, Trina, or LONGi sit at the higher end. Make sure your installer is SAA-accredited and has a strong track record.
What solar rebates are available in 2026?
The federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate provides $1,482 to $2,014 off a 6.6 kW system depending on your zone. The Cheaper Home Batteries program offers around $2,584 off a 10 kWh battery (tiered rates apply since 1 May 2026; the first 14 kWh receives 100% of the STC factor, then 60%, then 15%). Some states offer additional rebates: the ACT has interest-free loans and SA runs the REPS VPP scheme. STC values decrease each year, so acting sooner locks in a larger discount.
Is a solar battery worth it in Australia?
A battery is worth it if your electricity rate is above 30 c/kWh, your feed-in tariff is below 8 c/kWh, and you use most of your power in the evening. A 10 kWh battery typically costs $10,000 to $14,000 before rebates and can save $1,000 to $1,800 per year by shifting solar energy to peak hours. Payback is usually 6 to 9 years, and most batteries carry a 10-year warranty.
How long does it take for solar to pay for itself?
Most Australian households see payback within 3 to 5 years for a standard 6.6 kW system. The exact timeframe depends on your electricity usage, feed-in tariff rate, self-consumption ratio, and system cost. Homes that use more power during the day pay off faster. Adding a battery extends payback slightly but increases long-term savings.
What feed-in tariff can I get for excess solar?
Feed-in tariffs in 2026 range from 3 c to 12 c per kWh depending on your state and retailer. Queensland and NSW typically offer 5 c to 8 c, Victoria 4.5 c to 7 c, and South Australia 5 c to 10 c. Rates change regularly, so compare plans on the Why Solar feed-in tariff comparison page for the latest rates in your area.
How do I choose a good solar installer?
Look for SAA (Solar Accreditation Australia) accreditation, strong Google reviews (4.5+ stars), at least five years in business, and Tier 1 panel brands in their quotes. Ask for a site-specific design, not a generic package. Avoid door-to-door salespeople and anyone demanding large upfront deposits. A quality installer will stand behind their work for the long term.
How many solar panels do I need for my home?
A typical Australian household uses 15 to 25 kWh per day and needs a 6.6 kW system (16 to 20 panels). Larger homes, pools, or electric vehicle owners may need 10 kW or more. The right size depends on your roof space, orientation, shading, and how much you want to offset. A good installer will size the system based on your actual electricity bills.
Do solar panels work on cloudy days?
Yes. Solar panels still generate electricity on overcast days, typically producing 10% to 30% of their rated output. Australia averages 4 to 6 peak sun hours daily depending on location, which is more than enough for strong returns. Modern panels are designed to perform well in diffuse light. Rain also helps by keeping panels clean.
Will I get sales calls?
Not from installers. One Why Solar Approved installer receives your details. They don't cold-call you. The one call you get is from our solar expert, at a time you choose.
What does Why Solar Approved mean?
An installer has passed all six of our checks: credentials, staying power, proof of work, who actually turns up to do the job, what goes in, and how they handle trouble. They earn it before they see a single homeowner, and they lose it if they let one down. Installers who don't measure up are removed from the network.
Who owns Why Solar?
Andy McMaster and Bec Ramirez. Why Solar is independent and family owned: we're not an installer, we're not owned by one, and we're not owned by an energy retailer. We live off-grid on solar and batteries, and we built this site from that property. It's free for homeowners. Installers pay us a set fee for each introduction, not a commission on what you buy, and they lose their place in the network if they let you down.
What happens on the call?
Fifteen minutes with one of our solar experts, and it's part of every match. We go through your rebate, your quote line by line, what to push back on, and whether a battery makes sense for your home. No selling, because we have nothing to sell you.
Go at your own pace.
No pressure and no sales calls. Read first, size it up, and come back when it feels right.
Get informed
Plain-English guides on solar, batteries, costs, rebates and system sizing. Know what matters before you speak to anyone.
Solar Basics
Explore your options
Free calculators to size a battery or a solar system for your bill, plus feed-in tariffs and the rebates for your postcode.
Connect when ready
When you feel ready, we match you with one Why Solar Approved installer for one written quote, and a solar expert goes through it with you before you sign.
Your rebate, one Why Solar Approved installer, and an expert call before you sign.
60 seconds. Free. Your expert calls at a time you choose.
What every match includes
One approved installer, an expert on your side, and someone checking the installer did what they promised.
- One Why Solar Approved installer
- Your expert call
- No cold calls
- A check-in after the install
- Owners who live on solar
- Free for you