• decide what type of solar energy system you want and what system would suit your home
• get itemised quotes from several installers and ask if there are any additional costs for the set-up that you’ve requested to function. For help with this, visit Find an installer - Clean Energy Council
• ensure the tradesperson is licensed for the right work – you can check SA licence holders here
• read online reviews and feedback about the retailer to research the name and reputation of the business
• ensure you are comparing quotes for the same type of solar energy system and features
• talk to your energy retailer. Ask about the rates for electricity drawn from, and fed back into, the grid.

Each quote should include:

• photovoltaic (PV) module or panel and mounting frame costs
• relevant specifications, location on the property and any relevant building approvals
• costs or associated fees, equipment requirements, and electricity or meter connection costs
• any associated requirements to connect the system to the electricity supplier or grid
• user manual and maintenance instructions
• proposed installation start and completion dates.

If you have been targeted by salespeople offering solar deals by phone, in public places or at home uninvited you may not have had the time to do important research.

Often these approaches might accompany high pressure sales tactics and limited time offers aimed at striking a quick deal with minimal scrutiny. It could cost you more in the long run.

Any resulting unsolicited consumer agreements offer the buyer additional protections under Australian Consumer Law. This includes a 10 business day cooling-off period and opportunity to cancel the contract within three or six months if the supplier has not met certain obligations.

• check that the contract's terms and conditions match everything the salesperson told you. Ask about anything you don’t understand
• has everything that was offered verbally been included
• is there a clear start and finish date? It should also explain what happens if they miss the completion date
• read and understand the warranty conditions. Compare the length of warranty on products
• read and understand the supplier's policy on repairs
• you should not pay any more than $1,000 as deposit.

If the cost is less than $12,000 no maximum deposit applies and a written contract or indemnity insurance is not legally required.

Get a receipt for all payments you make.

You must also receive an electrical certificate of compliance within 30 days of connection. Otherwise this could jeopardise your insurance if there is a subsequent fire or damage to the property.

A solar feed-in tariff is a payment you receive via your electricity retailer. It is a credit on your bill for the excess electricity your solar energy system feeds into the grid.

For example, at certain times of the day your panels may produce more electricity than you use. If it is sunny, the system generates electricity. If no one is home, energy consumption will be low. By feeding the excess electricity back into the grid, you can earn money from feed-in tariffs.

The feed-in tariff is a rate that is set per kilowatt hour (kWh).

A flat rate tariff is usually applied for a customer who has a 'basic' manually read meter (that is not a smart meter).

Customers with a smart meter usually have a Time of Use (TOU) tariff applied by SA Power Networks, enabling the retailer to bill a TOU plan.

When it comes to usage, they may also offer different packages and terms and conditions - for example a Time of Use (TOU) contract. This option provides energy rates that differ depending on the time of the day you use electricity. A smart meter is usually required to access a Time of Use tariff and contract.

It's worth noting that time periods offered for different rates can vary across retailers, meaning one retailer's peak or shoulder period to be billed may start or stop at different times of day to anothers.

You can compare available plans on the Australian Energy Regulator’s Energy Made Easy website.

For more information see the Energy and Water Ombudman SA’s solar feed-in tariffs factsheet.

Note: if solar panels were installed before 30 September 2011, you will receive a 44c per kWh feed-in tariff. Check with SA Power Networks before making modifications as changes can affect eligibility for this tariff.

Virtual Power Plants (VPP) are an additional way of networking your stand alone solar system. A VPP is a network of distributed energy resources – such as homes with solar and battery systems – all working together as a single power plant.

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) details a number of VPP offers available in South Australia along with details of tariffs, charges, approved batteries and the minimum battery storage capacity reserved for the homeowner.

It’s important to do your comparisons considering these agreements give up control of your battery – often in return for an upfront discount on the cost of a new battery and a much higher solar feed-in tariff.

Essentially a VPP operator can release your batteries stored energy into the grid when electricity is in demand. It can also direct batteries to charge when demand is low enough to threaten the grids stability, making it quite valuable for the operator.

Some offers include ‘bring your own battery’ if you already have one and it’s an eligible type. They may also offer variable feed-in tariffs which could erode the advantage that you’re seeking – especially if it’s unclear how often the peaks and troughs will intervene with your battery use prompting the need to buy back electricity.

Future charging need if an electric vehicle is purchased should also be considered.

More information and frequently asked questions about South Australia’s VPP - also offered to Housing SA and Community Housing tenants – is available from the Department for Energy and Mining.

Since July 2023 new solar inverter installations must meet Dynamic Exports compliance requirements as explained by the Department for Energy and Mining.

This followed new technical standards in September 2020 that gave the capability to remotely disconnect and reconnect systems to the grid to help manage risks to the electricity system during times of emergency.