Perth homeowners comparing solar and battery quotes regularly receive prices ranging from $8,000 to $25,000 for what appears to be a similar system. The gap is real. Understanding what drives it is the difference between a good investment and an expensive mistake.
This guide covers what to check in every quote and how to compare them side by side. It also covers what the WA-specific rebates mean for your final price, and the questions every Perth homeowner should ask before signing.
Why Two Solar Quotes Are Never Truly Identical
A solar and battery quote is not a simple price for a fixed product. Every quote combines several things: panels, inverter, battery, installation labour, warranty terms, and included extras. Any one of these can shift the price a lot, without changing what is written on the front page.
The most common reasons two quotes for ‘the same system’ differ a lot:
- Panel brand: a 415W panel from a tier-one maker with 25-year Australian warranty support costs more. A budget brand with no local distributor is priced lower for a reason. Both may be described simply as ‘415W solar panels’ in a quote.
- Inverter quality: inverters vary a lot in reliability, efficiency, and warranty support. A hybrid inverter from a reputable brand with a local Australian service centre costs more. It is worth it.
- Battery brand and chemistry: a 10kWh lithium iron phosphate battery from a brand with strong Australian warranty support is a different product to a budget 10kWh battery. That holds true even if both are described the same way in a quote.
- Workmanship warranty: a 5-year workmanship warranty and a 10-year workmanship warranty carry very different risk for you as the homeowner.
- What is included: switchboard upgrades, scaffolding for two-storey homes, system monitoring, and electrical compliance certificates are sometimes included and sometimes not. The exclusions rarely appear on the front page of a quote.
- Rebate presentation: some quotes show the price before the federal STC rebate is applied, others after. A $9,500 pre-rebate quote and a $7,800 post-rebate quote may represent the same total cost, or may not.
The Quote Comparison Checklist
Use this checklist when comparing quotes from different Perth installers. Every item should have a clear answer, either in the quote document or from the installer, before you make a decision.
GCBS = Grid Connected Battery System accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia. Required for WA Residential Battery Scheme installations.
Understanding the WA Rebates in Your Quote
Perth homeowners comparing solar and battery quotes in 2026 have access to several rebates and incentives. These should show up in any quote. If an installer has not included them, or does not know about them, that is worth noting.
Federal STC Rebate
The federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate applies to solar panel installations. In 2026, the STC rebate for a 6.6kW system in Perth is approximately $1,500-$1,800 depending on current STC prices. Most Perth installers quote the after-STC price. Confirm this in writing.
WA Residential Battery Scheme
The WA Residential Battery Scheme gives eligible homeowners a $1,300 rebate. It also gives access to a no-interest loan of up to $10,000 for an approved battery installation. The loan is repaid through your Synergy bill over up to 10 years. To access the scheme, your installer must be an accredited WA scheme vendor. They must also hold GCBS accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia.
Not all Perth installers are accredited WA scheme vendors. If your installer is not accredited, you cannot access the scheme through them. The battery brands they offer may also not be on the approved list.
Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP)
The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP) gives an extra incentive for eligible battery installations. The amount depends on battery capacity. CHBP can be stacked with the WA Residential Battery Scheme for eligible batteries. You can access both in the same installation.
Note: the Tesla Powerwall 3 is eligible for CHBP but not for the WA Residential Battery Scheme or Synergy Battery Rewards. All other batteries offered by Positive Energy Solutions are eligible for all three: Sungrow SBH, SigEnergy SigenStor, iStore, Fronius Reserva, and BYD Battery-Box HVM.
Synergy Battery Rewards
Synergy customers who install an approved battery can receive $1,300 from Synergy’s Battery Rewards program (separate from the WA scheme rebate). This is only available to Synergy customers. Horizon Power customers receive a different amount under a separate program.
A complete quote for a battery installation in Perth should account for every incentive you qualify for. If an installer gives you a gross price without walking you through your rebate eligibility, ask them to do so before comparing final costs.
What to Compare When the System Sizes Differ
Comparing a 10kW solar system with a 13.5kWh battery against an 8kW system with a 10kWh battery is not a simple price comparison. The right approach is to compare cost per watt of solar capacity, and cost per kWh of usable battery storage, separately. Then work out whether the larger system is worth it for your energy use.
A few things to check when system sizes differ between quotes:
- Annual generation estimate: ask each installer for their estimated annual kWh output for your specific roof, orientation, and location. A 10kW system on a partially shaded east-west roof may generate less than an 8kW north-facing system.
- Usable vs total battery capacity: battery capacity is sometimes quoted as total rather than usable. A 13.8kWh battery with 90% depth of discharge has 12.4kWh usable. That may be less than a 13kWh battery at 100% usable. Always compare usable kWh.
- Self-consumption modelling: ask whether the installer has modelled how much of your generated solar energy you will actually use. This should be based on your usage patterns. A larger system is not always better if most of the extra generation goes to the grid at a low feed-in tariff.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
These are the questions worth asking every installer before committing:
- What specific panel brand and model is in this quote, and can you show me the product datasheet?
- What inverter brand and model is included, and what is the inverter warranty?
- Is the price in this quote before or after the federal STC rebate?
- Is the battery in this quote eligible for the WA Residential Battery Scheme and the CHBP? Do you handle the application?
- What is the workmanship warranty, how long does it last, and who backs it?
- What does the installation include — is switchboard work, monitoring, and all cabling covered?
- What deposit do you require, and when is the balance due?
- Are you an accredited WA Residential Battery Scheme vendor?
- Do you hold GCBS accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia?
- What is your estimated annual generation for this system on my roof?
- What mounting rails, clamps, and isolators are used — and do they meet Australian Standards?
What a Complete Perth Solar and Battery Quote Should Include
A well-structured solar and battery quote from a Perth installer should clearly state all of the following before you are asked to decide:
- System summary: Total solar capacity in kW, panel brand and model, inverter brand and model, battery brand and usable capacity in kWh.
- Balance of system components: Mounting rail brand and type, clamp and fastener specification, DC and AC isolator brands, and conduit and cabling detail. Also confirm whether all components meet Australian Standards.
- Pricing breakdown: Gross system price, STC rebate applied, WA scheme rebate (if applicable), CHBP incentive (if applicable), and final out-of-pocket price.
- Warranty summary: Panel product warranty, panel performance warranty, inverter warranty, battery warranty, and installer workmanship warranty. All warranties should have durations clearly stated.
- What is included: Whether switchboard upgrades, monitoring, scaffolding, and grid connection paperwork are included or will be quoted separately.
- Generation estimate: Expected annual kWh output based on your roof orientation, tilt, location, and any shading.
- Payment terms: Deposit amount and when the balance is due.
If any of these items are missing from a quote, ask for them in writing before comparing prices.
Request Your Quote from Positive Energy Solutions
Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery together on every system. Every quote includes the exact panel, inverter, and battery brands. It also includes a full rebate breakdown covering STC, WA scheme, CHBP, and Synergy Battery Rewards where they apply. A 10-year workmanship warranty backs it directly.
Positive Energy Solutions is an accredited WA Residential Battery Scheme vendor. We hold GCBS accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia. We handle the WA scheme application and CHBP paperwork on your behalf. You do not need to approach the WA Government or Synergy directly.
Contact us for a no-obligation quote. We will confirm which rebates you qualify for and model your expected generation and savings. You will get a clear, complete quote with no hidden extras.
Related guides
- How to Read a Solar Quote in Perth: What Should Be There, What to Question, and Why Two Quotes Are Never the Same
- How to Read Your Synergy Bill After Solar Perth: What Has Changed and What It All Means
- Adding a Battery to Your Existing Solar System in Perth: 2026 Costs, Rebates, and Inverter Compatibility Guide
- Before Your Solar Is Installed in Perth: What to Expect From Sign-Off to Installation Day
Frequently Asked Questions
How many solar quotes should I get in Perth?
Three quotes is a reasonable minimum. Getting more gives you a better picture of the market, but beyond four or five, you learn less from each extra quote. Focus on getting complete, like-for-like quotes rather than chasing a bigger number. A quote that does not specify brands or warranty terms is not useful for comparison, no matter how many you have.
Why is one solar quote so much lower-cost than the others?
Big price gaps almost always come down to differences in component quality, warranty length, or what has been left out. Low quotes usually come from the same few places. Budget panel or inverter brands with limited Australian warranty support, shorter workmanship warranties, and exclusions for switchboard upgrades or monitoring are the most common sources. Ask the installer to explain specifically what makes their price lower.
Should I include a battery in my solar quote?
In Perth, battery storage has become a core part of a solar system rather than an optional add-on. The Synergy DEBS feed-in tariff is currently 2 cents per kWh, well below the cost of buying electricity from the grid. A battery means you use more of what your panels generate, instead of exporting it for near-zero return. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery together on every job. The system is designed from day one to maximise self-consumption and long-term savings.
What rebates apply to battery installations in Perth in 2026?
Eligible Perth homeowners can access the WA Residential Battery Scheme. It offers up to $1,300 rebate, capped at $130 per usable kWh, plus a no-interest loan of up to $10,000. They can also access the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program (CHBP). These can be stacked for most approved batteries. Tesla Powerwall 3 is eligible for CHBP only, not the WA scheme or Synergy Battery Rewards.
What is GCBS accreditation and why does it matter?
Grid Connected Battery System (GCBS) accreditation is issued by Solar Accreditation Australia. Installers must hold it to submit applications under the WA Residential Battery Scheme. If your installer does not have GCBS accreditation, you cannot access the WA scheme rebate or no-interest loan through them. This applies even if the battery itself is on the approved list.
Is the quoted price before or after rebates?
This varies by installer. Always confirm in writing. Most Perth installers quote after the STC rebate has been applied, but the WA scheme rebate and CHBP incentive are often shown separately. Ask for a clear breakdown: gross price, each rebate applied, and final out-of-pocket cost.
Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery together on every system. Every quote includes the exact panel, inverter, and battery brands. It also includes a full rebate breakdown covering STC, WA scheme, CHBP, and Synergy Battery Rewards where they apply. A 10-year workmanship warranty backs it directly.
Positive Energy Solutions is an accredited WA Residential Battery Scheme vendor. We hold GCBS accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia. We handle the WA scheme application and CHBP paperwork on your behalf. You do not need to approach the WA Government or Synergy directly.
Contact us for a no-obligation quote. We will confirm which rebates you qualify for and model your expected generation and savings. You will get a clear, complete quote with no hidden extras.
About the Author
Jason Wiktorowicz
Sales Manager, Positive Energy Solutions | Perth, WA
Jason has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition for over a decade. As Orchestration Lead on Project Symphony — WA’s largest virtual power plant pilot — and Stream Lead on Project Encore, he worked directly with AEMO, Western Power and Energy Policy WA to shape how distributed energy resources connect and operate on the SWIS. That work included developing and rolling out CSIP-AUS, now mandatory for all new WA grid connections. He also led Emergency Solar Management (ESM), the first program of its kind in WA, VPP for Schools (VPP4S), which provided direct market benefits through Supplementary Reserve Capacity, and REBAR, the WA Residential Battery Rebate scheme.
His earlier career spanned Synergy, Infinite Energy and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, where he co-authored peer-reviewed research on net-zero urban precincts, solar integration and peer-to-peer energy trading, published in the journal Urban Planning in 2018.
At Positive Energy Solutions, Jason leads sales with a focus on system design accuracy and long-term performance. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems, EV chargers and heat pumps, and holds partner accreditations with Fronius, SigEnergy, iStore and SunPower. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
