Your installer choice matters more than the panel logo on the brochure. In Australia, Clean Energy Council accreditation is the practical trust gate for STCs, grid connection and workmanship. This 2026 checklist covers credentials, quote anatomy, DNSP competence, warranty behaviour and red flags — then shows how MrSolar helps you compare up to three CEC-accredited businesses without the phone-tree pressure.
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Indicative 2026 pricing: a typical 6.6kW system often quotes around $5,000–$8,000 after the STC discount (metro installs often $5,000–$7,500; premium/regional can run higher). See our solar cost guide.
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Designers and installers should appear on Clean Energy Council accreditation lists for the work they perform. STCs and many rebate pathways assume accredited practitioners and approved products. Ask for accreditation numbers and verify them yourself. A cheap non-accredited crew can void your certificate pathway and leave you carrying grid non-compliance risk. MrSolar only introduces CEC-accredited partners. Compare at least three Clean Energy Council accredited proposals with identical inclusions, product models and workmanship warranty terms before you sign. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail. Compare at least three Clean Energy Council accredited proposals with identical inclusions, product models and workmanship warranty terms before you sign. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk.
Every serious quote names panel model, inverter model, battery model (if any), system size, STC dollar assumption with as-of date, exclusions, roof plan and workmanship warranty. Spot reference $39.85 as of 2026-08-05 is a useful benchmark when you sanity-check STC pass-through. Vague “approx 6.6kW premium package” language is a stalling tactic. Match scopes across three quotes before ranking price. Compare at least three Clean Energy Council accredited proposals with identical inclusions, product models and workmanship warranty terms before you sign. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk. Compare at least three Clean Energy Council accredited proposals with identical inclusions, product models and workmanship warranty terms before you sign. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.
Installers who regularly lodge applications with your distributor — whether Ausgrid, Endeavour, Energex, SAPN, Western Power, Evoenergy, TasNetworks or Power and Water — will anticipate export limits and documentation quirks. Ask who submits the application, typical approval times on your feeder type, and what happens if export is curtailed. Silence on network issues is a warning light. Do not pay a large deposit until the quote names the DNSP, proposed inverter capacity, expected export limit and who lodges the micro-EG application. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.
Product warranties come from manufacturers; labour warranties come from installers. Confirm response processes for inverter faults, isolator failures and roof leaks. Local service capability beats a national brand with no technicians in your city. Keep serial photos and commissioning documents in one folder — future you will need them. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.
Same-day deposit pressure, “government free solar” myths, refusal to name products pre-deposit, and fabricated star ratings are classic tells. The Cheaper Home Batteries Program offers ~$372/kWh usable — it does not make batteries free. If the pitch leans on fake AggregateRating numbers or miracle FiTs, leave. Good installers are calm, written and specific. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk.
Use MrSolar to request up to three CEC-accredited quotes. Score each on credentials, scope clarity, network plan, warranty and price. Visit a recent local install if you can. Choose the best overall risk profile, not the lowest number with the foggiest paperwork. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Photograph your switchboard and roof planes before quoting day to cut variation risk. Keep decisions grounded in your interval data, roof constraints and written DNSP settings rather than national averages or salesperson screenshots. Save PDFs of every plan, approval and datasheet — warranty claims years later depend on that trail.
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Written and reviewed by Daniel (Marketplace lead, Epic Unicorn Pty Ltd). We build pages from Australian solar datasets and regulatory references, then map you to CEC-accredited installers only.
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