Most people’s first step toward solar is “Google solar installers near me” and request a few quotes. That’s fine, but a little preparation beforehand will help you get better quotes, ask smarter questions, and avoid the common traps.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me before I started the process.

1. Know your electricity consumption

Grab your last four quarterly electricity bills (or your full 12-month usage if your retailer shows it online). Find your daily average consumption in kWh. This is the single most important number for sizing your system.

While you’re at it, note your current tariff — flat rate, time-of-use, or demand. And note what you’re paying per kWh on peak. This helps calculate your potential savings.

2. Check your roof on Google Maps

Open Google Maps satellite view and look at your roof. Note:

• Which sections face north, east, west, or south
• Any obvious shading from trees, neighbouring buildings, or roof structures (chimneys, vent pipes, skylights)
• The approximate area available on each roof section
• Whether your roof appears to be in good condition from above

This isn’t a substitute for a proper site assessment, but it helps you have an informed conversation with installers and lets you spot any who haven’t actually looked at your property before quoting.

3. Check your switchboard

Open your switchboard and take a photo. A good installer will ask about this anyway, but knowing upfront whether you’ve got modern circuit breakers or old ceramic fuses tells you whether you’ll need a switchboard upgrade (which adds $500-2,000 to the project cost).

If you’ve got a single-phase supply (most suburban homes), your inverter will be limited to 5kW export. If you’ve got three-phase, you can go larger. Your switchboard label should indicate which you have.

4. Find out about your roof’s age and condition

Solar panels should last 25+ years. If your roof needs replacing in the next 10 years, do it before (or at the same time as) the solar installation. Removing and reinstalling panels for a roof replacement costs $1,500-3,000 and risks damaging components.

If you’re not sure about your roof’s condition, get a roofer’s assessment before committing to solar. The $200-300 for an inspection could save you thousands later.

5. Decide what you want from solar

Be clear about your primary motivation:

Maximum bill savings? Focus on self-consumption, system size matched to your daytime usage, and possibly a battery.

Environmental impact? You might want a larger system that generates more clean energy overall, even if some is exported at low rates.

Blackout protection? You need a battery with backup capability. Not all battery systems provide backup during grid outages — some only do time-shifting. Make sure you specify this.

Future EV charging? Size your system to accommodate your current usage plus 7-10 kWh/day for future EV charging.

Knowing your priority helps you evaluate quotes against what actually matters to you, rather than just comparing price.

6. Research the CEC and your local council requirements

Check the Clean Energy Council website for the current list of approved solar retailers in your area. You’ll also want to check your local council for any specific planning requirements — most residential solar doesn’t need planning approval, but heritage overlays, strata buildings, and some rural areas may have restrictions.

Also check your state’s solar rebate programs. Victoria, NSW, and SA all have additional incentives beyond the federal STCs. These can reduce your out-of-pocket cost significantly.

7. Prepare your questions

When the quotes come in, you’ll want to ask:

• What is the total installed price, and how is the STC discount calculated?
• What are the warranty terms for panels, inverter, and workmanship?
• What happens if the company ceases trading? Is there warranty insurance?
• What is the expected daily production based on my roof and location?
• Can I see examples of previous installations in my area?
• What monitoring system is included, and is there an ongoing cost?
• If I want to add a battery later, is the system designed to accommodate that?

Any installer who can’t answer these clearly and patiently is not an installer you want on your roof.

Bonus: timing your purchase

The solar market has seasonal patterns. Installers are busiest (and sometimes less competitive on price) from September to February when longer days remind people about solar. The quietest period is typically May to July, when some installers offer better deals to keep crews busy.

There’s no bad time to install solar, but if you’re flexible on timing, getting quotes in autumn for a winter installation might get you a slightly better deal.

Go in prepared, and you’ll come out of the quoting process knowing exactly what you need, what it should cost, and which installer deserves your business.