Frequently asked questions

Verified Solar is an independent platform that helps Australian homeowners find the right solar and battery system, then connects them with one vetted local installer. We were built by people with decades of hands-on installation experience - not marketers. We are not owned by an energy retailer and we are not an installer ourselves.

Yes. Chatting with Ray and getting a system recommendation is completely free for homeowners, with no obligation. You only ever deal with an installer if you choose to be connected with one.

Ray is our solar expert system - not a generic chatbot. Ray is trained on 30+ years of real installation experience plus the actual Australian solar and battery standards and equipment manuals, so you get straight technical answers, the kind only an experienced sparky could give. Ask Ray anything, including the hard technical questions.

Most comparison platforms send your details to three or four installers at once, which starts a race of cold calls. We do the opposite: we match you with one suitable verified installer only, after Ray has helped you understand your options. We are also independent: not owned by a retailer or an installer.

It depends on your actual electricity usage, your goals (bill reduction, blackout backup, or joining a VPP) and whether you already have solar. Ray works it out from your bill - or from a couple of quick questions if you do not have your bill handy - and gives you a recommended size and which rebates apply. Your verified installer then works through your numbers and gives you their best price.

Sometimes yes, sometimes no - it depends on your usage pattern, when you use power, and your goals. Ray will tell you honestly if a battery makes sense for your situation rather than just trying to sell you one. With the federal battery rebate now in place, the maths has shifted for a lot of households.

Usually your existing panels can stay - no need to replace a working array. However, most quality batteries are DC-coupled, which means a new hybrid inverter typically comes as part of the job. It is worth knowing this upfront so a quote makes sense when you see it. Ask Ray and he will explain how it applies to your setup.

No - there are strict rules under AS/NZS 5139. For example, batteries must never be installed under staircases or in bedrooms or living areas used for sleeping, and ventilation and clearance requirements must be met. Ray knows these standards and can tell you what is and is not allowed before an installer even visits.

The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program gives an upfront discount on battery storage (the installer claims it and subtracts it from your quote), typically a 25-30% effective discount up to 50 kWh. Some states stack extra incentives on top - for example NSW, WA and the ACT. Ray will tell you exactly what applies in your state.

It depends on the size. As a guide, after the federal discount, a small battery system starts around $8,550, a mid-sized one runs $13,650 to $17,450, and a large one is $19,600 to $25,050. Ray never gives a made-up number. He sizes the battery for your home, and your verified installer works through your numbers and gives you their best price.

Because pricing is a condition of joining, not something we hope for. Every installer signs a commitment that the price they quote you reflects a genuine advantage over what they would normally charge for the same work - it is a term of our installer agreement, not a marketing line. Ray also sizes your system and explains the rebates before you are introduced to anyone, so you know exactly what you are being quoted on and can check the quote against it. And we are not owned by a retailer or an installer, so nobody is steering you toward particular stock.

No - and that is deliberate. Energy prices, tariffs and battery returns shift too much to promise an exact payback figure, and a wrong number just causes problems later. Your matched installer can run the actual numbers based on your final quote and current tariff. We would rather be honest than tell you what you want to hear.

From 1 July 2026, eligible households in some states can get at least three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day. With the right battery, that free window can charge your system significantly each day, which changes the economics. Ray will check whether you are eligible and factor it into your recommendation.

Every installer in our network applies and is vetted. They must be SAA-accredited, established (not fly-by-night), properly insured, and use proven, quality components - no cowboys, no cheap gear. Each one is checked by hand against documents we hold before they are introduced to anyone. Any installer who does not meet our standards is removed from the network.

No. Your details are only ever shared with the single installer we match you with - never broadcast to a list. One homeowner, one installer, no race to call first.

Unusually cheap quotes are a red flag - they usually mean cut corners on components or installation quality. Other things to check: that the installer is the one doing the work (not subcontracting), that the gear is on the Clean Energy Council approved list, and that the warranty terms are real. Ask Ray and he will tell you what to look for.

Your contact details are only shared with the one installer we match you with, and only after you have agreed to be connected. Your details go to one verified installer, only after you have agreed. You can ask us not to contact you at any time.

No. You can ask Ray as many questions as you like and get a full system recommendation without handing over any contact details. We only ask when you decide you want to be matched with an installer - and even then, only with your permission.