Consumer guides

Practical guidance for every stage of your energy journey

Use these detailed summaries and original New Energy Tech Consumer Code guides to make informed choices before and after installing solar, batteries, EV charging, energy monitoring or an off-grid system.

Sunquest Solar is a New Energy Tech Approved Seller. The original guides below are supplied by the NETCC program and should be read alongside your written quote, contract and product documents.

Guide 01 · Before you buy

Installing solar power

Understand how a rooftop solar system works, whether your property is suitable, what a good quote should contain and what happens during installation and activation.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Installing solar power” consumer guide (PDF).

Is solar right for your property?

Check roof size, orientation, shading, heritage restrictions and any owner’s corporation or landlord requirements.
Solar normally supplies the home first during daylight. Any shortfall comes from the grid, while permitted surplus may be exported.
Savings depend on system cost and size, location, daytime usage and the feed-in tariff available from your electricity retailer.

Compare written quotes

Compare component brands, capacity, warranties, expected performance, financial benefit estimates and installation timing.
Ask about property issues, network limits, applicable incentives, installation warranties, monitoring and whether backup power is included.
Read the purchase contract carefully, including the payment process and what happens if site conditions require the system or contract to change.

Installation and activation

Your retailer should identify the installer and explain delivery, access, interruptions and any unexpected costs before work proceeds.
Keep component manuals, serial numbers, warranties and commissioning information for future support or warranty claims.
After testing and commissioning, your meter and electricity account may also need updating before export credits appear.

Guide 02 · After installation

Using solar power

Learn how solar supplies your home, how to increase self-consumption, understand exports and monitoring, and use your consumer rights if something goes wrong.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Using solar power” consumer guide (PDF).

Get more from daytime generation

Run suitable high-use appliances during solar hours and, where practical, stagger them so demand does not exceed solar output.
Energy used directly in the home reduces grid purchases. Surplus may be exported, subject to local network limits.
Feed-in tariffs vary by retailer and may vary by time, so review your electricity plan after the system is operating.

Monitor performance

Use the inverter display or monitoring app to check current and historical production.
Compare monitoring information with electricity bills to understand imports and exports.
Keep your quote and expected-performance information so you can identify material underperformance.

Rights and support

Australian Consumer Law guarantees apply in addition to manufacturer and installation warranties.
Contact the retailer first if the system is faulty or is not performing as represented.
If the retailer no longer operates, a product manufacturer may still be responsible for a valid component warranty.

Guide 03 · Before you buy

Installing batteries

Understand battery benefits, compatibility, sizing, warranties, backup capability, quote requirements and the installation process.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Installing batteries” consumer guide (PDF).

Decide what you need

A battery can store surplus solar for later use and some systems can also charge from the grid at selected times.
Confirm compatibility with your existing solar, available installation space, local network requirements and whether backup during outages matters to you.
Battery bill savings should be compared with the installed cost; a battery does not automatically produce a positive financial return.

Understand the specifications

Compare usable storage in kWh, power output in kW, cycle or energy-throughput limits, and warranted performance at the end of the warranty.
Check whether an inverter, management system, monitoring app or extra switchboard work is required.
Ask where the battery will be installed, what rebates may apply and whether the quoted system can supply nominated backup circuits.

Safe handover

The retailer should arrange safe delivery and installation and provide the installer’s details.
You should receive operating instructions, component information and warranty documents after commissioning.
The installer should explain the monitoring display or app and any network or registration requirements.

Guide 04 · After installation

Using batteries

Learn how batteries charge and discharge, how to monitor performance, manage backup reserves and seek help with faults or warranty issues.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Using batteries” consumer guide (PDF).

Everyday operation

A common setup stores surplus solar and discharges when solar output is below household demand.
Some systems can charge from the grid during lower-price periods or participate in a virtual power plant under a separate agreement.
Good sizing matches available surplus solar with electricity used outside solar hours.

Monitoring and backup

Use the battery display or app to check charge, discharge and stored energy over time.
If backup is enabled, consider maintaining an appropriate reserve when outages are likely.
Storing solar can reduce exported energy, so consider both self-consumption value and any feed-in tariff forgone.

If there is a problem

Contact the retailer first and provide the system details, monitoring evidence and a clear description of the fault.
Consumer guarantees apply regardless of the written product warranty.
If the retailer has closed, contact the manufacturer about a valid product warranty and seek consumer-protection advice if needed.

Guide 05 · EV charging

Using an electric vehicle

Compare home and public charging, understand charging plugs and timing, combine an EV with solar, and know your consumer rights.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Using an electric vehicle” consumer guide (PDF).

Choose the right charging approach

Portable chargers use a suitable power point and charge slowly; fixed wall chargers are generally faster and more convenient.
Public fast chargers are useful for travel or drivers without home charging, but usually cost more than charging at home.
Apartments, on-street parking and commercial sites need specialist assessment and may require owner or network approval.

Charge safely and economically

A dedicated circuit and wall charger may offer safer, faster and more convenient regular charging than a standard outlet.
Do not use an extension lead for prolonged EV charging.
Schedule charging for solar-production or lower-price periods where the vehicle, charger and electricity plan allow it.

Rights and responsibilities

Tell the seller about important requirements such as range or towing so fitness for purpose can be assessed.
A fixed charger may require electricity-network approval, registration or specific installation standards.
For a fault, contact the vehicle dealer or charger installer first; valid manufacturer warranties may remain available if that business closes.

Guide 06 · Understand your usage

Energy monitoring

See how monitoring systems reveal real-time electricity use and cost, support better energy decisions and help identify unusual consumption.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Energy monitoring” consumer guide (PDF).

What monitoring can show

Apps or displays can show current, daily and monthly usage, estimated cost and historical patterns.
Monitoring can reveal high-use appliances, forgotten loads and unusual consumption.
Some products estimate bills or compare retail plans using recorded usage, provided tariff details are entered correctly.

How systems connect

A monitor may receive data from a smart meter, a meter sensor or equipment installed at the switchboard.
Some products use a phone app or website; others include a separate in-home display.
Switchboard-connected equipment must be installed by an appropriately licensed electrician.

Costs and handover

Compare installation fees, features and any ongoing subscription against the benefit you expect to receive.
Do not feel pressured by unsolicited or door-to-door offers; check provider credentials and cooling-off rights.
The installer should explain setup, tariff entry, everyday use, warranty support and any temporary power interruption.

Guide 07 · Energy independence

Going off-grid

Explore the equipment, lifestyle changes, responsibilities and whole-of-life costs involved in supplying a property without a grid connection.

Download original PDF

Source: New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC), “Going off-grid” consumer guide (PDF).

Understand the trade-offs

An off-grid system must generate and store enough electricity throughout the year and normally needs a backup generator.
It may make financial sense where a new grid connection is exceptionally expensive, but is unlikely to be cheaper for an existing urban connection.
There is no grid export option, so surplus generation may be wasted and no feed-in tariff is available.

Plan for present and future loads

The design must reflect seasonal generation, household appliances, simultaneous power demand and expected future changes such as an EV, pool or home office.
Consider generator fuel, scheduled servicing, component replacement and responsibility for restoring supply after a fault.
People who depend on life-support or medical equipment should carefully assess the risks of an isolated power system.

Demand a detailed design

The quote should document daily energy and peak power capability, seasonal performance and expected generator use.
It should identify every major component, location, warranty, incentive, monitoring system and whole-of-life cost.
Ask for references from previous off-grid customers and confirm the designer’s and installers’ relevant experience and licensing.

No obligation

Ready for a straight answer on solar and batteries?

Book a free site assessment. We'll model your usage, show you the certificate discount you qualify for, and give you a fixed written quote with no obligation.

Request a quote