Smart Energy Answers Reviews
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About
Smart Energy Answers (SEA) is Australia’s leading provider of solar energy solutions for both residential and commercial clients. With over 7,000 installations nationwide, we offer expert services in solar power, battery storage, EV charging, and pool heating. Our highly skilled team of engineers and technicians delivers custom solutions tailored to each customer’s specific energy needs. As an NETCC Approved Seller, SEA is proud to have received awards such as ProductReview.com’s Best Solar Energy Retailer (2020-2023), Sunwiz Top Solar Company 2022, and EUP Research Top Brand PV Installer 2023.
We partner with top-tier brands, including Aiko, SolarEdge, Tesla, and Sungrow, ensuring every installation meets the highest standards. From initial consultation to seamless installation and ongoing support, SEA is committed to empowering Australians to achieve energy independence and reduce energy costs with clean, sustainable solutions.
Our CEO, Daniele Lanzetta, is an engineer with over 10 years of industry experience and a trusted expert in the renewable energy industry.
Our headquarters are in Sydney, and we serve a wide range of locations, including Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Brisbane, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Orange. For more information, contact us on 1300 732 679 or [email protected].
The SEA Advantage
- Rely on a trusted, award-winning & Australian-owned national solar installer.
- Achieve cleaner, innovative, tailored solar solutions with a solid return on investment.
- Find peace of mind with our performance guarantee & industry-leading warranties.
Reviewers report paying: $4,100 - $10,000 for depending on hardware choice and installation difficulty ( how is this calculated? )
Panel, inverter, battery and EV charger brands
Panel brands currently installed
Panel brands previously installed
Inverter brands currently installed
Inverter brands previously installed
Battery brands currently installed
Battery brands previously installed
EV Charger brands previously installed
The views expressed by reviewers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of SolarQuotes Home Electrification Pty Ltd, which makes no representations as to the accuracy of the reviews. For our full disclaimer and further information, see our Terms of Use and our Review Guidelines.
Smart Energy Answers Reviews (647)
Show Most Recent reviews from All time across Australia
Average Scores
4.4/5
Value for money
4.7/5
Quality of System
4.6/5
Installation
4.5/5
Customer Service
- 5 star 258
- 4 star 314
- 3 star 61
- 2 star 12
- 1 star 2
28 June 2025
25 June 2025
Very satisfied customer
We have been really impressed by the after sales service and the product (panels and battery) provided for us by Smart Energy Answers and Sungrow… thankyouSupplier Reply:
Hello, Lenore! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review with us! As a CEC approved retailer, we set high quality standards, and your kind words of appreciation reaffirm our commitment to providing the best possible service. Thank you again for choosing SEA as your partner on your solar journey. You made our day!25 June 2025
Very professional all round service
The sales and quoting process was superior to all others as it was based on a site inspection. The installation process was excellent. Some unforeseen problems were encountered along the way as to where to site the battery but the installer went above and beyond expectations to find a very satisfactory solution. Also, very mindful of our need for council approval given we are in a heritage overlay area. Hand off could have been a bit more thorough but this was more than offset by excellent after sales service.All in all, a very good job.
Supplier Reply:
Hello Darren! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had an excellent experience all through out the process. At SEA, we set high standards for ourselves and work very hard to meet high expectations like yours, so we're glad to know that you're satisfied with the end result. We'll pass on your kind words of appreciation to our installation crew and the rest of the team. Thank you for trusting SEA to be your partner on your solar journey. Happy to have you on board!16 June 2025
An excellent outcome
16kWh Sigenergy solutionExisting 9.6kW PV system with Fronius Symo 8.2-3-M
I found the team to be knowledgeable, responsive, offered competitive pricing, and delivered an excellent solution for my use case (3-phase home with existing PV solution). Communications could sometimes have been a little better (e.g. communicating the final design, the process for the NSW government PDRS battery incentive) but everything came together in the end. Very happy with the solution (currently 2 months since installation).
Panel rating: 4/5
Inverter rating: 4/5
Battery rating: 4/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Andrew! Thank you for taking the time to post this amazing review! We're so pleased to hear you're happy with your new system.Customer satisfaction is our top priority, and we are taking your feedback very seriously. We are always aiming to have better communication with each and every client. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us and for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any assistance—we're happy to have you on board!
14 June 2025
Fantastic service, Great communication
The sales process was very consultative with clear communication on viable options. The link between sales consultant, designers and installation was very smooth.Any questions were responded to quickly and when it looked like we couldn’t have our first option they didn’t give up but kept working with us to understand the site to get the optimal outcome.
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Mark! Thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review! We’re glad that you loved our services. Our dedicated staff will be pleased to hear this, they work diligently to ensure our customers receive the highest service. Thanks again for sharing your review with us and the community. It made our day!09 June 2025
Perfect
I had a fantastic experience with Smart Energy Answers! From the initial consultation to the final installation, the entire process was smooth, professional, and transparent. The team took the time to answer all my questions and helped me choose the best solar solution for my home. Installation was quick and tidy, and the crew was respectful and knowledgeable (shoutout to installer Timothy Duggan). I've already started seeing the benefits on my energy bill, and I feel great knowing I’m using clean energy. Highly recommend this company to anyone considering going solar!Supplier Reply:
Hello, Ian! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this amazing review and sharing your experience with us to the community, helping spread the word about us. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, we'll pass it on to Tim's team! They sure will be glad to know that you are happy with your new system. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!04 June 2025
Fantastic inhaler and service
Very good quality company with a site inspection to ensure all factors taken into account. Flexible approach to negotiation on price and the guys installing were very professional. My roof access was challenging and the weather was bad but there was no complaints and they got on with the job.Supplier Reply:
Hello, Ian! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this great review and for the kind words of appreciation. Thank you for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. We do our best to ensure our customers find the experience as seamless as possible, despite solar complexity. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!22 May 2025
Professional installation
Smart energy answers have a very good process, lots of communication and follow up. In particular I’d like to praise the installers, my roof in inner west Sydney was not easy access and without complaint the installers went about their business without complaint and completed a professional job. Thank you.Supplier Reply:
Hello, Ian! We truly appreciate you took the time out to share this amazing review with us! Your satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we are delighted to hear we lived up to your expectations. Again, thank you so much for choosing SEA as your solar partner! You made our day!17 May 2025
Easy and efficient installation
At the end of last year I finally decided to bite the bullet and install solar panels and a battery. We just changed electricity suppliers and they recommended Smart Energy Answers. The quotation process was easy and done online and we were happy with the result. In the process we were offered a discount on the battery but it turned out by the time we accepted the quote the battery was out of stock and we would have to wait for more stock to arrive. We were offered the same discount on a what looks to be possibly a better battery adding extra capacity for a slightly higher cost which we were actually very happy about.The installer was really great. He made sure that everything was working properly (there were a couple of hiccups) before he left. Turned up when expected and tidied up afterwards. He also walked us through the app and made sure we could log in and that everything was running as expected. Really very helpful.
Everything is working well and we are very happy.
Still don't fully get all the stuff about all the certificates but that looks to have sorted itself out.
Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Elizabeth! Thank you for taking the time to post this amazing review. We’re pleased to hear you are happy and satisfied with your system. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we'll be here to assist you. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us, and for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. Happy to have you on board!24 April 2025
Great installation, very happy.
We had a 10kw solar system installed about a year ago.Overall the process was great.
The sales quote process was good, we always spoke to the same person and they were knowledgeable and happy to send us different quotes for different inverters/panels.
Installation was great, no issues, clean and efficient.
They organised the connection to the grid, so we just had to organise the app on our phones and once it was connected it worked.
Overall I would recommend them.
Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Bianca! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this great review and for the kind words of appreciation. Thank you for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. We do our best to ensure our customers find the experience as seamless as possible, despite solar complexity. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!18 April 2025
Excellent service and product
We have an existing 8.3kW solar system, installed about 2 years ago. I have been looking at batteries for a few months but prices were too high. The latest NSW Government rebates, combined with the introduction of numerous new brands this year, have substantially reduced prices. My initial call to SEA was with Sam, who was very knowledgeable and answered all my questions, while also providing valuable advice. My initial enquiry was for a 10kW battery but Sam explained that with the ESY Smarthome battery, I could purchase more 5kW modules with even higher discounts. I was able to increase my battery system from 10 to 25 kW (150% increase) for just an extra price increase of 25%. It was a no-brainer to spend the extra and we are so glad we did. It has virtually cut out our energy bill now, having also replaced our gas hot water with a heat pump.The installation was also excellent and was a very neat job. SEA asked me to send photos and measurements of our location, which made the installation very smooth. We then changed our provider to Amber and use their partner Evergen which provides the automatic power management system. There was a glitch with Evergen in the first two weeks, but once that was ironed out, we saw a net cost of close to zero dollars in the first complete week.
I was always concerned about the quality of companies in this space, but I would highly recommend Smart Energy Answers if you're looking for good, honest advice.
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Ray! We can’t thank you enough for taking the time out to share this wonderful review! Your feedback truly inspires us to continue giving our best, and reaffirms our commitment to raising the bar in the solar industry. Our energy consultants analyse each household’s specific needs, and offer solutions on a case-by-case basis to ensure our customers get value for money. It’s great to hear Sam was of great assistance, sharing his vast knowledge of solar energy, answering all your questions, and helping you make a well-informed choice. We understand how important it is for home owners to have peace of mind that their systems are reliable, properly installed and that they'll be taken care of. You can rest assured that if any follow-up service is required, we’ll be here to assist you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever have any questions or concerns. Thank you again for sharing this SEAmazing review! Happy to have you on board!16 April 2025
Very Professional and Responsive Experience
We had a 25kw ESY Sunhome Battery installed plus 7kw of additional panels.In my experience, having had the benefit of previous solar instals, I would have to rate Smart Energy Answers customer service and product delivery as being in the top tier. At every stage of the process, the communications and advice as to the best options was both timely and professional.
In all my discussions, it was clear that they were focussed on the best outcomes for my install. Clear and consistent rationale was given about the size of the battery and what additional panels would optimise my needs to cover both summer and winter demands.
I was very appreciative of the process that helped me work through the photos they needed to make the install go smoothly, including helping me identify where I could find additional spare tiles. A few times the scheduled installation could not proceed because of rain and I was always kept across changes via emails and SMS.
The team on the install day were great. The guy doing the additional panel installs was thorough and paid attention to the finer details, making sure things were sealed to prevent leaks and cleaning up so no rubbish was left on the roof. Due to some space limitation on my roof, he adjusted the planned placement design such that panels could be better accessed for bird proofing and not obstructing other placements on the roof.
The electrician managed his aspect of the job well. My install was somewhat different from a normal install in that we already had two functioning inverters from earlier installs that competed for conduit space. Placement of conduits and integration with the existing system presented some challenges. The job was completed and system tested for functionality. He ensured that all circuits were restored and that my apps and battery inverter were commissioned. The electrician walked through the shutdown and startup procedure.
The ESY battery has performed as expected, although initially there were some app issues. When I raised the issue with the ESY support people, within that same day, four technicians attended personally to investigated the problem! They replace the WIFI dongle and the next day they remotely updated the firmware. ALL FIXED ! The app and system has worked perfectly since then.
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Edward! We are incredibly grateful that you took the time to leave us this 5-star review. At SEA, we put customer satisfaction as a top priority and are committed to providing the best possible service. Its customers like you that make our job wonderful. Our team is here for you every step of the way, and we are fully committed to making sure your solar system operates flawlessly. If you ever have any questions, concerns, or need any support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always ready to assist in any way we can. Welcome to the SEA family! Happy to have you on board!
15 April 2025
I'm a happy customer
Sales guy was intense but very helpful. Price was not the cheapest but still seemed good value. The installers were very keen to do it the way I wanted and never tried to force me to do something I didn't want. I was very impressed with them. Installation was very fast from putting down a deposit, and once they set a date they stuck to it. I always felt like I had someone to talk to if I had any questions. They instigated the grid connection with my supplier.The ONE thing I was nervous about was their 100% payment PRIOR to installation day. But it worked out fine and I would recommend them to anyone. Thanks Solar Quotes you helped me a lot.
Inverter rating: 4/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Duncan! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this amazing review with us. We’re so glad to hear installation went well and you had a great experience every step of the way. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, our teams will be thrilled to know you’re happy with your new system and our services. Thank you for trusting SEA for your solar solution. We hope you continue enjoying the saving in your electricity bill for many years to come. Welcome to the SEA family!14 April 2025
Cost effective and easy
The install process was no fuss, quick and with no issues. The system is performing to my expectations.Supplier Reply:
Hello, Warwick! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this amazing review and sharing your experience with us to the community, helping spread the word about us. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, we'll pass it on the to the team! They sure will be glad to know that you are happy with your new system. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!14 April 2025
Great Service
Great service no problems happy with the install, completed within the daySupplier Reply:
Hello, Andrew! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review with us! As a CEC approved retailer, we set high quality standards, and your kind words of appreciation reaffirm our commitment to providing the best possible service. Thank you again for choosing SEA as your partner on your solar journey. You made our day!13 April 2025
Quality product (Solar Battery), service and after-sales
I purchased a 25.6kWh ESY HM6-25 Battery (23.04 kWh of Usable Capacity) through Smart Energy Answers.This supplements my existing 10+ kW solar panel system.
. The sales/quoting activity was informative and open.
. The installation was more complicated than envisaged - as I wanted it in a specific (legal) location. The installer was understanding, accommodating and very professional. The installation is very neat and the job was completed, and system was commissioned, on the day promised.
. Installer ran through various operating scenarios, and this was reinforced by operating manual and procedures emailed from 'head-office'.
. Aftersales service has been excellent to date - from provision of the operating documents, through to promptly making remote changes to operating parameters in the software (that I requested).
In all, I'm very happy with the product performance and the support that I have received to date.
I recommend this system.
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello Nigel! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had an excellent experience all through out the process. At SEA, we set high standards for ourselves and work very hard to meet high expectations like yours, so we're glad to know that you're satisfied with the end result. We'll pass on your kind words of appreciation to our installation crew and the rest of the team. Thank you for trusting SEA to be your partner on your solar journey. Happy to have you on board!
11 April 2025
Solar panels review
Great service from start to finish! No complaints at allSupplier Reply:
Hi Gareth! Thank you for sharing your wonderful rating! We truly appreciate your feedback. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1300 732 679. Welcome to the SEA family, and thank you for choosing us as your partner in your solar journey!09 April 2025
Great Experience and very professional team!
The Smart Energy Answers team is great and wonderful. Sales, Technical, Account and After Sales teams are very professional and supportive from the beginning of the process to the commissioning of my 24kWh Sigenergy system, including the EV DC charger unit.A shoutout to Bradley, he is fantastic and very knowledgeable, very responsive to my queries. It is very assuring to have someone who knows the industry very well.
The technical team is great, able to integrate both of my solar systems (SMA Sunny boy system, and Enphase smart solar system), I can monitor both systems' performances seamlessly. I am very pleased and impressed with the outcome.
I really like the product as the battery is modular and can be added to the "stack" without much electrical work involved.
I am very thankful for a very positive experience from the SEA team. I'd highly recommend SEA and Sigenergy system to anyone.
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Peter! We can’t thank you enough for taking the time out to share this wonderful review! Your feedback truly inspires us to continue giving our best, and reaffirms our commitment to raising the bar in the solar industry. Our energy consultants analyse each household’s specific needs, and offer solutions on a case-by-case basis to ensure our customers get value for money. It’s great to hear Bradley was of great assistance, sharing his vast knowledge of solar energy, answering all your questions, and helping you make a well-informed choice. We understand how important it is for home owners to have peace of mind that their systems are reliable, properly installed and that they'll be taken care of. You can rest assured that if any follow-up service is required, we’ll be here to assist you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever have any questions or concerns. Thank you again for sharing this amazing review, and for choosing SEA for your solar solution.
03 April 2025
All went well
Quoting process - system explained in detail Installation was no fuss arrived when they said worked non stop to beat the imminent rain and install the system in one day. They cleaned up after the installation and completed the necessary paperwork as required.Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Vicki! Thank you for taking the time to post this amazing review. We’re pleased to hear that you’re happy with your new system. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we'll be here to assist you. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us, and for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. Happy to have you on board!31 March 2025
The team who came on site to do the physical installation were excellent. Pity I can't say the same for the processes leading up to the installation. Once I signed the contract the service stopped.
The quote provided was confusing to understand and it took many questions to get it straight in my head.The team who came on site were polite, punctual and very professional.
Leading up to the installation, once I'd signed the contract the wheels fell off. There was little or no communications, and what contact I had was usually rubbish. The sales person went overseas straight after I signed but I had to find that out from someone else in the company. Things guaranteed in the pre-sales process haven't come true and I can't see how they can, or who know who to contact.
An expert in installations came for a site inspection and changed the installation location without my knowledge. When the installers came on site we discovered that the battery couldn't be installed where it was planned or even where I had originally wanted it. With their expertise we were finally able to find a location but it's not really where I wanted it.
Battery rating: 4/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Yvonne! Thank you for your honest feedback, and we sincerely apologise for the issues you experienced throughout the process.While we’re glad to hear our installation team was professional and courteous, we understand that the lack of clear communication and support—especially after signing—left you feeling frustrated and unsupported. Unfortunately, your original salesperson had to take emergency leave, which resulted in a breakdown in communication and no formal handover. This should have been better managed, and we take full responsibility for the oversight.
Regarding the battery location, we arranged a pre-installation site visit specifically to ensure compliance and avoid surprises. However, during installation, our team had to make an adjustment based on safety requirements and technical constraints. We acknowledge that this was not clearly communicated to you in advance, and we understand how disappointing it was not to have the battery placed where you had originally intended.
Please know that we are fully committed to supporting you moving forward. If there is anything outstanding or if you have further concerns, we want to resolve them promptly and thoroughly. Our support team is here for you, and we’re happy to arrange a follow-up call or site visit if needed to ensure you're comfortable and confident with your system.
Thank you again for your feedback—it helps us improve. We’re here to make things right and support you every step of the way
30 March 2025
Left me frustrated, confused and angry
I chose Smart Energy Answers based on price and their informative and helpful approach during the sales process, but it was all down hill from there. Issues I experienced included:The system designed for my house had a lot of unvalidated assumptions. This meant for the system to be operational I needed a mains upgrade to the house, which of course had another large cost. Although this upgrade would have needed to happen regardless of who which provider we went with, this should have been taken into consideration during the design phase and we should have been made aware of the potential need for the upgrade.
The mains upgrade led to a protracted installation period of 3-4 months and us missing all of summer with the system operational. Throughout this period I was left in the dark as to where we were in the process and who to follow up with due to four parties being involved (Smart Energy Answers, the installation company they sub-contracted too, our energy retailer and AusNET). Smart Energy Answers took no responsibility for owning this installation phase and left it all to me to understand and follow up.
The customer service was deplorable. From December to March the only pro-active contact I received from Smart Energy Answers was during the sales and payment period. Post sales it was left for me to reach out to them to find out what was going on and even then I experienced delayed replies that I needed to chase up.
For a company that states Integrity, Dedication and Enthusiasm as their values this is a clear fail. My experience has left me frustrated, confused and angry. For Smart Energy Answers part they have given me a shallow apology and stated they will try and do better.
Supplier Reply:
Dear Michael,I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. I want to apologize for any frustration or inconvenience caused by the delays in your installation. We completely understand how important it is to have your solar system up and running as expected, and we regret that the process took longer than anticipated.
Your project was more complex than a standard solar installation, as it required a mains upgrade, which meant involving both the distributor and a Level 2 electrician. Unfortunately, since this was just before Christmas, it took longer than usual. Securing a truck appointment with the distributor is really a bit challenging. We truly appreciate your patience during this time.
Please note that, we take great pride in our work and deeply regret any frustration this delay may have caused you. Our team is here for you every step of the way, and we are fully committed to making sure your solar system operates flawlessly. If you ever have any questions, concerns, or need any support, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always ready to assist in any way we can.
Thank You
30 March 2025
Fantastic People to deal with.
I had Smart Energy Answers install a fantastic solar solution for me including a Tesla Powerwall 3. All through the team were not like other solar companies, not sales focussed, not pushy and had real and credible information for me. On top of that their price was actually the most competitive one I received. Deciding to go with them was the best decision I had made. They showed up on time, did a fantastic install, kept me informed the entire day and completed everything within the same day. i have been using the system for over 5 months and it could not be better. All the while the Smart Energy Answers Team have not only been available for my calls, but they have also followed up to make sure it is all going well. I could not recommend them highly enough.Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Robert! We can’t thank you enough for taking the time out to share this wonderful review! Your feedback truly inspires us to continue giving our best, and reaffirms our commitment to raising the bar in the solar industry. We understand how important it is for home owners to have peace of mind that their systems are reliable, properly installed and that they'll be taken care of. You can rest assured that if any follow-up service is required, we’ll be here to assist you, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever have any questions or concerns. Thank you again for sharing this amazing review, and for choosing SEA for your solar solution.22 March 2025
Professional, great product and service, happy to recommend.
We have had the 10kw rooftop solar and 8kw inverter system for 8 months now and could not be happier with the outcome. They were very professional to deal all along with and we have had no problems at all. Electricity bills especially over the summer were almost non-existent even with the air conditioning going a lot during the day.We will invest in batteries at some point to get the full benefits as we are generating a lot more power than we are using during the day.
Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Andrew! Thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review! We’re glad that you loved our services. Our dedicated staff will be pleased to hear this, they work diligently to ensure our customers receive the highest service. Thanks again for sharing your review with us and the community. It made our day!21 March 2025
Solar and battery
Smart Energy Answers, what a great company! The name says it's they are Smart, they have great energy, and all the answers! Every touch point and interaction with a team member felt like they went above and beyond! A+Inverter rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Kory! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this amazing review with us. We’re so glad to hear installation went well and you had a great experience every step of the way. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, our teams will be thrilled to know you’re happy with your system and our services. Thank you for trusting SEA for your solar solution. We hope you continue enjoying the saving in your electricity bill for many years to come. Welcome to the SEA family!18 March 2025
Bright and Shiny Up ... but have NOT delivered.
The whole quoting process as very smooth ... and using information gathered from the SolarQuotes website I was able to negotiate a price that both parties were happy with.They were able to organize a pre Christmas install which sounds great ... and it took place as planned. All great so far ... However we didn't see an inspection to commission the install for three weeks (seemingly only after I rang and complained). Three weeks delay ... But we now had solar power.
When we looked at our first Power Bill though ... no feed in tariff. Once again on the phones.
It is now FOUR months later and we still have no resolution.
Installer blames United Energy ... United Energy says it's not their problem and installer need to rectify the system.
I understand now that it is a new Victorian Government requirement to have systems compliance checked before feed in is allowed ... but in my view it is the installers job to sort that out ... and the $$$ savings that are presented to You in the quotes include these feed in $$ when calculating ROI.
We have now pretty much missed a whole Summer with NO feed in rebates.
My warning to prospective buyers in Victoria ... make sure your Installer is well placed to handle this and aren't giving you false quotes because they cant deliver what they promise.
Panel rating: 4/5
Inverter rating: 1/5
17 March 2025
Good System but...
Good system, however, the installation could be better quality. eg. didn't tell me ahead of time that I would need a leveling pad for the battery. The installation of cabling through walls could be better and neater. Did not show me how to operate the system and lost the keys to the gateway. Also the system is not fully working for a week now post the install and struggling to get someone back to fix it.No explanannation of next steps and how the rebates will work.
For the above reasons I'd struggle to recommend this company to a friend.
Supplier Reply:
Hi, Michael! Thank you for your feedback. We take your concerns seriously and want to address them directly.As soon as you brought these issues to our attention, we acted immediately. We promptly arranged the replacement keys, provided a clear explanation of the rebate process. Additionally, when you reported the system issue, our installer made a priority visit to your property on a Sunday to confirm full functionality. At that time, he mentioned that you were happy with the outcome.
Regarding the levelling pad for the battery, our installers assess the site conditions on the day of installation to ensure the system is secure and stable. In almost 95% of cases, a levelling pad is required unless the ground is exceptionally even. We understand this may not have been communicated clearly, and we have addressed this to improve our customer communication.
We truly value your feedback, as it helps us maintain and improve our service standards. If there’s anything else we can do to assist, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
14 March 2025
Happy all round
SEA is a well organised company to deal with, very professional and good communication throughout the process. Their customer service is second to none. I highly recommend using them if you are thinking about getting solar.Supplier Reply:
Hello, Chris! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this great review and for the kind words of appreciation. Thank you for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. We do our best to ensure our customers find the experience as seamless as possible, despite solar complexity. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!13 March 2025
Fantastic installationall
sales are good, installation very tidy, customer service very niceSupplier Reply:
Hello, Don! We are incredibly grateful that you took the time to leave us this review. At SEA, we put customer satisfaction as a top priority and are committed to providing the best possible service. Its customers like you that make our job wonderful. Welcome to the SEA family! Happy to have you on board!13 March 2025
Issues from beginning to end, with a major red flag
I don't normally write reviews, but needed to share my experience dealing with SEA.I'll acknowledge the positives first.
Once the SEA decided to action, things went fast. Installers/removers/inspectors came within a few days and were friendly and professional.
However, below is a summary of the issues encountered.
1. Initial Consultation.
- The Sales person calls 45mins late to tell me that he needs to cancel and reschedule.
2. After paying deposit.
- Took 11 days before someone reached out to me and left voicemail
3. Voicemail to return the call
- I called for 5 days of before the consultant answered.
- Asked me details of my switchboard, which I could not answer.
- Then using the photos of the switchboard I sent 2 weeks prior, the consultant answered the question himself. Meaning this call was unnecessary to begin with.
- There had been no progress on the project till this point in time (wasting over 2 weeks).
4. After site inspection.
-Waited another 9 days after the site inspection, to be called to discuss the removal of pool solar. I was under the impression that the removal was part of the quotation, but was told it was not. This resulted in me having additional out of pocket costs.
5. After installation.
- Received a call the day after installation to say that the designer stuffed up and my system size needed to be reduced. And that one solar panel needed to be removed.
6. Few days later the consultant texted me with a 15min notice to see if I can meet the installer to remove the panel. I was unable to with such short notice.
7.Wrote a compliant email to the company with issues I faced.
-I waited 9 days before texting the consultant for an update. Only to be told they had already entered my property without my knowledge to remove the solar panel. This left me feeling disgusted and violated.
The compensation they offered to me was laughable. However, not wanting to deal with this company anymore, I decided to accept their offer and move on.
As of right now, not everything is finalised.
Hopefully I won't run into more issues with SEA
Supplier Reply:
Hello Derek! Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re genuinely sorry for the delays, miscommunication, and frustration you experienced throughout the process, this is not the standard we aim to deliver.We acknowledge the missed expectations around communication, particularly after your deposit was paid, and the lack of clarity regarding the removal of your pool heating system. While that scope does require a separate quote, this should have been made clear from the beginning, and we apologise for the confusion and inconvenience it caused.
Regarding the system change, the adjustment was minimal, only one panel was removed, but we agree this should have been picked up earlier to avoid any disruption after installation.
In terms of the panel removal, the installer had contacted you to explain it was necessary and misunderstood your response as consent to proceed when in the area. Since the work was external and didn’t require access to your home, he believed it was okay to complete it without further notice. That said, we fully understand how this made you feel, and we apologise sincerely for the lack of proper confirmation beforehand. It’s a lesson we’ve taken seriously.
We do appreciate you recognising how quickly things progressed once the matter was escalated, this was due to our Director personally following up on your case to ensure everything moved forward swiftly and professionally.
While we respect your decision to move on, we want you to know that we’re here for any further support or questions you may have. Your feedback has prompted internal reviews, and we’re committed to improving our processes to ensure a better experience for future customers.
08 March 2025
Professional service, easy process, great communication
From start to end the team at Smart Energy Answers were great. I got a couple of quotes and while both were comparable, the reason I went with SEA was due to a friend’s very high recommendation for them who used them 4 years prior for his installation who was very impressed.The team were friendly and answered all my questions and concerns from the quote stage to post installation. The installation was very efficient and was up and running immediately.
It is early days but everything is working great so far and I feel I will be supported at anytime in the future if needed.
Inverter rating: 5/5
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Donal! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this amazing review and sharing your experience with us to the community, helping spread the word about us. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, we'll pass it on the to the team! They sure will be glad to know that you are happy with your new system. So please don’t hesitate to contact us if you ever have any questions or concerns. Thank you again for sharing this amazing review, and for choosing SEA for your solar solution, happy to have you on board!07 March 2025
good service & advice
the team were excellent with upfront advice and then seamless delivery and post instal serviceSupplier Reply:
Hello, Tom! We truly appreciate you took the time out to share this amazing 5-star review with us! Your satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we are delighted to hear we lived up to your expectations. Again, thank you so much for choosing SEA as your solar partner! You made our day!04 March 2025
From $350 per month to having a credit on my first bill…
The energy consultant I dealt with from Smart Energy Answers (SEA) was very well versed in everything Solar. He answered most of my questions and when he wasn’t 100% sure, he noted it down and got back to me with the answers. Dealing with SEA gave me the confidence that I needed with such a large investment. I know I am in safe hands due to the partnerships between SEA/Sigenergy/Amber. This is a complete solution to my energy needs.I have been paying an average of $350 per month to now having a credit with my first bill with Amber.
I can’t wait to get my newly ordered EV so I don’t have to pay a single cent for petrol and use the bi-directional charger to power my three phase.
Thanks SEA for getting my home fully electrified and sticking it up to those big energy retailers. :)
Battery rating: 5/5
EV Charger rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Joseph! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this amazing review with us. We’re so glad to hear installation went well and you had a great experience every step of the way. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, our teams will be thrilled to know you’re happy with your new system and our services. Thank you for trusting SEA for your solar solution. We hope you continue enjoying the saving in your electricity bill for many years to come. Welcome to the SEA family!
28 February 2025
Overpromised Under delivered
Good sales info, but downhill from paying deposit. Installation was delayed by a month, and this was only achieved because I chased it up a few days after the promised delivery date of late January (already a month after deposit payed).I told sales of the relevant details of Island installation and transport (and paid a fee for delivery via barge) but was contacted by the installers the day before 'final install date' asking about transport to the Island. Problems with install on wall (stud distances) meant a dodgy support was installed into earth below. Was initially told by installers that only 2 circuits would be supported due to limited inverter capacity (contrary to sales claims. Also was asked to complete retailer switch to Amber despite sales saying they would look after it and it would be seamless. This certainly has not been the case.
Was told by sales that batteries came with EV charger. On installation was told it only comes with EV capacity, the connections were optional.
System seems to be functioning but not fully operational with market pricing yet. Much more hassle than indicated.
Prior to filing these comments I tried to respond to a quality survey from Smart Energy Answers only to be told my report had already been filled in (it had not).
This install was for 18 kWh Sigenergy batteries plus 3 kW additional panels onto my existing 5 kW panels (enphase)
Supplier Reply:
Hello Graham,Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We sincerely appreciate your patience throughout this process and want to address your concerns transparently.
The installation was initially planned for our in-house team, but due to their fully booked schedule for the month, this unfortunately led to delays. We acknowledge that this was a complex installation, and our lead installer contacted you beforehand to confirm arrangements and coordinate the team effectively.
As this was a remote site, a pre-installation visit was not feasible. On the installation day, we discovered that the battery could not be wall-mounted due to stud spacing. However, as seen in the photos, the installed support structure is designed to provide stability, and the battery is not solely reliant on the timber for support.
Regarding backup power, while the Sigenergy gateway allows wiring your entire house through the gateway, the 5kW controller can only support up to two circuits, which aligns with system specifications. Additionally, the DC charger does not come standard with the system and must be purchased separately. We acknowledge that there was some miscommunication, and we apologize for any confusion.
We take customer feedback seriously, and our team has actively worked to address your concerns. The installer communicated your feedback on the day, and our salesperson followed up on the same day to acknowledge and address these issues. Additionally, our office team reached out again to further discuss and clarify any remaining concerns. We appreciate your understanding and your willingness to engage with us on these matters.
If there’s anything further we can assist with, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
21 February 2025
A lot of problems…
Unfortunately this was our experience:1) the installer didn’t arrive at the scheduled time, or day.
When he came several days later, there was no apology or even an explanation.
2)SEA attempted to vary the contract price with 2variations for works that had already been quoted.
3) Installation was organised for the end of January… by the 12th of February we had to contact them…
4) We were then informed that the system that they had quoted on hadn’t even been approved.
5) Then when I requested a refund of the deposit, I was informed that as they had already paid the installer to come and do a site visit, no refund would be made..
I sent the above information to their management and a refund was then made.
I asked SEA to quote on the solar system because of their reviews. Unfortunately they didn’t represent the experience we had.
Supplier Reply:
Hello Michael,Thank you for your feedback. We value your input and would like to address your concerns:
1. Regarding the site inspection, occasionally, installers can be delayed on a job due to unforeseen circumstances. However, we took immediate action by passing your feedback to the installer on the same day you raised your concerns after the site visit, and we also apologized to you over the phone.
2. The site inspection was clearly included in your quote, explicitly stating that any additional costs would be discussed and addressed if necessary. The purpose of these visits is to identify potential challenges beforehand and prevent unexpected issues on the installation day.
3 & 4. Unfortunately, this was beyond our control. Since the introduction of the Emergency Backstop in VIC (October last year), even major players like Tesla are still facing approval delays from DNSPs. These delays stem from manufacturer and regulatory processes, which no one could have predicted. We offered alternative solutions to expedite your installation, but manufacturer setbacks ultimately affected the timeline, leading to a loss of trust.
5. As stated in our communications, our site visits are paid services, and your deposit was appropriately allocated to cover the visit. However, despite this, we reconsidered your request and processed a full refund on 14/02/2025.
14 February 2025
Very happy with the service from Smart Energy.
Sales and quote information great.The quote was very detailed and the installation process a breeze.
We took advantage of VIC Gov loan. Which was effortless.
The installers were polite, tidy and professional.
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Greg! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review! We're delighted to hear you had an excellent experience all through out the process. At SEA, we set high standards for ourselves and work very hard to meet high expectations like yours, so we're glad to know that you're satisfied with the end result. We'll pass on your kind words of appreciation to the rest of the team. Thank you for trusting SEA to be your partner on your solar journey. Happy to have you on board!14 February 2025
Seamless Process
Super easy and seamless process from first discussion through to quick install on the day.Supplier Reply:
Hello, Bruce! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful review with us! As a CEC approved retailer, we set high quality standards, and your kind words of appreciation reaffirm our commitment to providing the best possible service. Thank you again for choosing SEA as your partner on your solar journey. You made our day!04 February 2025
Installed a 16kw battery
- Sales person explained the products clearly.- Installation was good.
- Local customer service seems not giving you a direct answers. They need to refer to the battery company overseas.
- Taking long time for government rebate. They blamed software issues.
Inverter rating: 3/5
Battery rating: 3/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Leo,Thank you for your feedback! We're glad to hear that you were happy with the sales process and installation.
Regarding our customer service, we always strive to provide prompt and accurate responses. In cases involving manufacturer-specific details, we consult them directly to ensure you receive the most precise information. We understand this may take extra time, and we appreciate your patience.
As for the NSW Battery rebate, delays can sometimes occur due to external processing systems, but we do our best to assist in expediting the process where possible. Please bear in mind there are hundreds of customers affected across the whole industry due to the new rebate process from the NSW government, which at the moment unfortunately is not working well for anyone.
We will reach out as soon as we get an update. We appreciate your business and your honest review.
27 January 2025
Good value for money, excellent quality installation, high quality components.
This was a battery only installation to add to my already installed solar system. There was quite a bit of back and forth correspondence however this sorted out 99% of any issues for the whole process. Better to ask questions 1st rather than have technical/installation issues on the day. Yes this was my cheapest quote but the system had the highest IP rating meaning environmental problems such as rain/dirt/moisture are limited and less likely to cause issues leading to (hopefully) a longer life system. SEA also had high review scores with a high count of reviews too. The quality of the physical installation is 1st class - very neat and tidy workmanship.Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Glen! Thank you so much for taking the time out to post this rating! We're happy to hear you had a positive experience dealing with us over-all. We’d love to continue providing great service, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Happy to have you on board!20 January 2025
Technically excellent, great value for money.
Technically excellent quote and installation. Their engineers ensured compatibility with our existing system as part of the quoting process.The local sub contractor did an excellent installation job. The follow up from Smart Energy Answers was excellent, ensuring we were happy with the system and it was functioning correctly.
Initially the company did ask for 100% payment before installation, which I was not comfortable with. After a conversation with their finance manager, they were happy to negotiate part payment before installation and then full payment after installation.
Panel rating: 5/5
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Melanie! Thank you for taking the time to post this amazing review. We’re pleased to hear that you’re happy with your new system. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, so if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we'll be here to assist you. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us, and for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. Happy to have you on board!17 January 2025
Good knowledge, good product, smooth installation
Was very happy with the whole process :pre-sales, tendering and installation. The modular Sigen battery seems really good too. Would recommendBattery rating: 4/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Michael! Thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review! We’re glad that you loved our services. Our dedicated staff will be pleased to hear this, they work diligently to ensure our customers receive the highest service. Thanks again for sharing your review with us and the community. It made our day!16 January 2025
Met my criteria. Battery to be installed end of January 2025. Your recommendation did not meet my requirements, and was more expensive. I required a battery from a company using Amber as supplier.
I have 32 kW of solar panels, and a backup 25 kW diesel generator. There is a lot of FIT power and objective is to install a VPP converting the FIT power to a higher price and avoid negative FIT.Amber is to be our supplier with Sigen battery 40 kWh.
Requirements are
3phase
20 kW inverter
Amber Smartshift
Curtailment
Ability to add modules
Battery on Amber recommended list
Good warranty
Good backup
Price competitive but not necessarily the lowest price
Smart Energy answers ticked all the boxes and
time will tell if they live up to my expectations. Amber recommended them.
Proceeding with Sigen 32.24 kWh battery. Once this is working properly will add another 8.06 kWh to 40.06 kWh. 10 year warranty.
With the large amounts of FIT generated, Amber Smartshift and curtailment should allow us to sell power (and buy) at premium prices. The 20 kW inverter is to facilitate the use of short term high prices when the grid is short on power. The battery can be topped up at low grid pricing if required. Curtailment with Amber should avoid negative FIT.
I don’t know a lot about batteries but have been a net power exporter receiving minimal power bills in winter over the past 5 years. The above is the theory yet to be proven.
Net price including GST 40 kWh $28500.
Inverter rating: 4/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Max, thank you for your review. We value your feedback and are committed to ensuring our clients are completely satisfied. We strive to build long-lasting partnerships and will aim to deliver a 5-star installation and service at the end of the process. Please don't hesitate to reach us at 1300 732 679 if you have any further questions or concerns. Thanks!13 January 2025
Tesla Powerwall 2 Installation
Having installed a Tesla Powerwall 2 just before Christmas by Smart Energy Answers I could not be any happier.I was originally in discussions with a number of providers/installers and given conflicting if somewhat misleading information but Taimoor from the sales team cut through all the noise and even involved the senior engineer to assist with making my decision.
The communication from Ana, Rose and Pie in the lead up to installation was first rate and kept me well informed and confident that I had selected the right company to go with.
Whilst installation didn't go according to the script due to weather on the day, Tim the installer did a great job of working around to make sure it was completed and working perfectly before the Christmas break, taking the time to ensure I was across both the Powerwall and the future integration with Amber.
I have already referred one of my friends to use SEA.
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Paul! Thank you so much for this amazing review! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience. Taimoor has always been really helpful and clear. Ana, Rose and Pie, our three admin angels - we’re so glad you were happy with the team. We’ll pass along the kind words. Thanks for sharing your review with us and the community. It made our day!11 January 2025
Great Installation & Customer Service
Ended up getting a great deal with Smart Energy Answers to install solar panels and battery.Sales pitch was over the phone and formal proposal sent through to confirm phone discussions. Worked with the sales rep to increase the solar capacity to take full advantage of the roof space.
On installation the installers initially couldn't fit all the panels on the roof space as per the proposal, but after a bit of work around with the installers and the team in the office we managed to get all but one panel on the roof.
Guys doing the install were awesome, was a stinking hot day and they smashed it out, didn't complain once, even though the job took longer than they anticipated and it was one of the hottest days we had this Summer.
Customer service from the office and on site installers was top notch, I was kept in the loop the whole way through.
Would highly recommend Smart Energy Answers for your solar / battery installation.
Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Cameron! We truly appreciate you took the time out to share this amazing 5-star review with us! Your satisfaction is our utmost priority, and we are delighted to hear we lived up to your expectations. Again, thank you so much for choosing SEA as your solar partner! You made our day!06 January 2025
True Customer Delight
I had an absolutely amazing experience with this company for my solar installation! Brad from sales was exceptional—patiently listening to all my concerns, guiding me through the options, and always providing the best offers and product details whenever I had questions.Sukrit from the installation team was equally impressive, going above and beyond to address my concerns and ensure everything was handled perfectly. Their professionalism and personalized service truly stood out.
My installation was particularly tricky because something needed to be removed from the roof. The team handled it seamlessly, taking care of everything at an additional cost, which was completely worth it. They made the entire process stress-free and smooth.
Post installation was provided with instructions for app, usage etc. timely.
I’m beyond impressed with their work and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a hassle-free and professional solar installation!
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Chierag! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this amazing review and for the kind words of appreciation. Brad and Sukrit have always been really helpful and exceptional. Thank you s much for trusting SEA as your partner on your solar journey. We do our best to ensure our customers find the experience as seamless as possible, despite solar complexity. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!18 December 2024
Deposit not returned.
Paid a deposit for a quote on 15th November 2024. I had a change of mind and requested the deposit returned on 18th November 2024 (during cooling off period).After number phone calls I still haven't received my deposit back. They insist I need to be called back for the deposit to be returned. It is now 18th December 2024 and I'm still waiting for someone to get back to me.
I have no regrets about choosing not to go with Smart Energy Answers. My only regret is putting down a deposit with them.
Supplier Reply:
Hello Martin, we are sorry about the delays you experienced in getting your deposit refunded. We did have some issues towards the end of November and December due to the NSW Battery Rebate which caused an exponential increase of customers' enquries. And our team was not prompt in getting in touch with you to collect your bank details to process the refund.However you did receive a full refund on December 30th and our sales manager Taimoor was able to assist you during the holiday break to get it sorted. And Taimoor followed up with you to confirm the money was received. We hope you can appreciate the effort.
Again our apologies, all the best.
16 December 2024
Happy with Smart Energy Answers solar system experience.
Very professional outfit. Good advice and approachable. Installation was done quickly and expertly. Happy customer.Supplier Reply:
Hello, Michael! We truly appreciate you taking the time to post this amazing review and sharing your experience with us to the community, helping spread the word about us. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, we'll pass it on the to the team! They sure will be glad to know that you are happy with your new system. Welcome to the SEA family, happy to have you on board!12 December 2024
Fantastic outcome - we hit some issues but SEA never gave in !
I went with SEA as they offered a good system at a good price but the clincher was the ability to pay by the month over five years interest free thru a VPP option. We hit a few snags with our system (the production of energy did not meet the average rates quoted by SEA as there had been a mistake in the design process) but SEA were incredible in resolving the issue, looking for solutions and working through it patiently to make us happy - firstly they came and moved some panels to better locations, then they added twelve more panels to make sure we're getting the maximum energy for our location and roof design.It is so rare that a business can admit fault and work to rectify it - I have to say that SEA customer service and tech support are the best ! They are very responsive, they listen and they are tenacious, never giving up until the issue is resolved. I would call out Ikram in particular as he was incredible in working with me to fix the problems.
As a customer it’s disappointing when things don’t go to plan but that’s when you find out what kind of company you’re dealing with - the kind that counts the money and disappears or the kind that wants to ensure you have the best solution possible and SEA are definitely the latter ! The best !
We now have a fully working system producing the maximum amount of energy possible for our roof and we are very happy.
Nice work SEA and Ikram !
Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
Battery rating: 5/5
Supplier Reply:
Hello, Will! Thank you so much for this amazing review! We’re happy to hear finally everything is sorted and glad to know you're satisfied with the end result. Ikram has always been really helpful and clear. We’re so glad you were happy with the team. We’ll pass along the kind words. As you know, this is a long term partnership, so just give us a beep whenever there is anything you need our help with. Thanks for sharing your review with us and the community. It made our day!24 November 2024
Excellent company to deal with.
Firstly, the salesperson/technician gave excellent system details and no BS. Their warehouse is huge and clean, with all products in stock and on display. They explained each alternative, providing details of each product's manufacture and warranty backing. Installation was quick and efficient; I have no complaints at all. Excellent company.Supplier Reply:
Hello, George! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this amazing review with us. We’re so glad to hear installation went well and you had a great experience every step of the way. Thank you for your kind words of appreciation, our teams will be thrilled to know you’re happy with your new system and our services. Thank you for trusting SEA for your solar solution. We hope you continue enjoying the saving in your electricity bill for many years to come. Welcome to the SEA family!24 November 2024
SEA lack knowledge on the Enphase product on all levels (sales, inspection, installation, post-sales)
I embarked on the solar journey via SolarQuotes (SQ) despite having a small North Roof which gets shaded at midday in winter, a larger unshaded South Roof and a small Flat Roof which is shaded in the morningI ended up choosing the Enphase system not because of the supposed shading benefits but because my electricity box is exposed in a street lane & any inverter installed near there would be subject to vandalism or installed with another ugly guard box. I had read that the Enphase system didnt require a main inverter to be installed but only required a small device called "Envoy" which could potentially fit in the existing electricity box or better still, installed inside the house next to any existing sub-board
Out of the firms SQ referred me to, I decided to pay a premium for Smart Energy Answers (SEA) as I preferred a larger firm than ‘one man band’ companies as I thought that they would provide better after sales support in case any issues arose. SEA also claimed to provide a “quality control follow-up within 4wks from installation” & a “performance guarantee” which is supposed to provide compensation if the output of the installed system is less than estimates generated by their sales program. The estimate considers the length of day & avg weather conditions each month (ie how many rainy, cloudy, & sunny days), azumith + pitch of the panels, and any shading from nearby objects
At first, SEA’s sales consultant insisted that the Enphase system had to be installed with an iBoard, a box which looks as big as any inverter however after a bit of prodding he said that if I paid SEA a non-refundable $200 (if I didnt proceed with SEA) or a 10% deposit, they’d send someone to make a site inspection. This was arranged for 25/3
Sadly the site inspector (SI) had no idea as well! I found this confusing as SEA claims to be a ‘Enphase Gold Installer.’ The only thing the SI was useful for was to get himself on the roof & take more accurate measurements of the North roof which resulted in another 2 panels fitting onto the plan. However, he failed to measure the South roof properly (the installer still had to change his layout) & no consideration was given to tilting any of the panels on the Flat Roof (so they could self clean) or the last row of the South Roof
A couple of days later SEA advised that the installation team would be available on 3/4 between 0700-0830. At 1000, the 1st member of the installation team arrived. I was surprised he was wearing a t-shirt from another company as I'm pretty sure the SEA sales consultant said they had their own in-house installers although this didnt concern me at the time. This installer also didnt know whether the Envoy could sit inside the meter box or the sub-board inside the house but after a call to his boss, he proceeded to start installing the Envoy inside the meter box. The boss arrived ½hr later & he took some quick measurements on all 3 roofs which resulted in a more optimal positioning for the 8 panels on the South roof. Another member of the installation team arrived after that & together, the 3 man team proceeded to install the system. I would have preferred to have the conduit of cables from the roof to the electricity box go inside the wall cavity instead of having the conduit on the outside of the house ( as per https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/solar-installation-video-mb2069/ which was also suggested by 1 of the other SQ quoters) however this was not to be. After the panels were installed, the boss set up the Envoy to communicate with my Wifi although as the sun was starting to set, we couldnt see whether everything was running smoothly. As the Envoy was installed inside the electricity box, the iBoard was not required although SEA has not refunded me for this (it retails for >$750)
The next day 4/4 the SEA support team got to work with the paperwork to my energy retailer to arrange a new smart meter to be installed. Everything was going very well within the support team. There were many team members, each with different tasks. This is exactly what I expected and was very pleased with their efficiency. The team forwarded me a user manual & then set me up with the Enphase app (EApp) however it was then I started to notice a few issues:
-The “Energy” tab of the EApp was recording all the ‘production’ [blue] plus my imports [grey] as being ‘consumed’ [orange]. I assumed at the time that this was because I was not connected to the grid yet
-I also asked whether I was self-consuming the electricity I was generating and the reply came back from SEA as yes (this answer proved incorrect)
-there was nothing displayed in the “Array” tab of the EApp so I could not see how the individual panels were performing
On 11/4 the panels were populated in the “Array” tab. I dont know whether this delay was caused by the installer not passing on the information to SEA or a delay at SEA’s end. Anyhow, the data showed that one of the panels hadnt produced any electricity since the day of install. A tick for the Enphase system as this may not have been noticed in a normal string system! I waited a few more days as I thought that SEA would be monitoring the system in the background & would inform me as such and/or fix things in the background however this didnt happen. On 14/4 I emailed the team advising my concern. One of the original installers quickly came back on 17/4 & determined that one of the solar panels was not working however as he did not have any spares he would have to come back at a later date
By 28/4 my system was connected to the grid & my house was using the electricity generated & exporting the excess however the EApp was still showing all the ‘production’ [blue] plus my imports [grey] as being ‘consumed’ [orange]. After weekly follow up emails to SEA’s support team, the boss installer came back on 23/5 to replace the panel & to rewire the Envoy. The EApp was now finally showing both imports & exports!
I wish I could end the review here and be satisfied for the most part however:
After the dead panel was replaced there was a string of sunny days in late May so I was able to start comparing what the actual output of the system was with what SEA had forecast in their quote. 12.6, 11.9, 11.8, 11.7kWh was achieved on these perfectly sunny, cloudless days in late May. However, SEA’s quote said the system should be generating an avg of 12.8kWh in June after considering cloudy & rainy days! Days would only be getting shorter up until the June equinox & the output I was getting on sunny days in late May would only be getting lower on sunny days in June. Basic maths told me that even if it was sunny every single day in June, I would have no hope of getting to the predicted avg of 12.8kWh! I emailed my concerns on 29/5 as well as asking whether the “quality control follow-up within 4 weeks from installation” would be undertaken as it was now nearly 7 wks since the original installation
Meanwhile, I was still experiencing discrepancies with the EApp: Ausgrid’s data was saying I was importing ~40% & exporting 15% more electricity than the import/export numbers on the EApp. Enphase help files suggest that numbers should be within a 2.5% tolerance level. I emailed the support team on 5/6 with my findings, including pictures showing the differences from both the EApp & my energy retailer. I followed up on 18/6, 25/6, and 27/6. This was increasingly concerning for me as I did not expect SEA, an Enphase Gold Installer, to not know or not reply to this issue
On 28/6 I received a call from SEA who:
-claimed solar radiation was lower this yr than previous yrs & that was the cause of my lower generation (this is false as Ive checked with friends whove been getting same generation on sunny days in the middle of June as previous yrs)
-claimed the “quality control follow-up within 4 wks from installation” was nothing more than the ability for me to talk to SEA about issues and not SEA being proactive to see if anything else was wrong with system
On 29/7 boss installer came back & advised nothing was wrong with the wiring. SEA attempted to charge $150 fee as it "wasnt their issue” despite not advising of potential charges before hand or my agreeance to such charge
In Oct I went on holidays. Despite having only a fridge & modem on, Enphase still recorded a correlation between production & consumption. This provided further proof that something was still wrong as the discrepancy between Enphase and my energy retailer persists. SEA has yet to respond to my latest email (3 wks and counting)
And so here we are. This is the longest review Ive done & Ive had to cut it
Panel rating: 2/5
Inverter rating: 4/5
21 November 2024
Professional and reliable service
The whole process from quoting to installation was smooth and professional.The team worked well with me to determine installation details, and everything went to plan.
Battery rating: 5/5
I found the installation very satisfactory and am looking forward to good outcomes especially as the longer days provide more output.
Installation was tidy, punctual, and complete.Efficiently done with very pleasant and friendly personnel both on site and in the office.
Inverter rating: 4/5
Supplier Reply:
Hi Tony! Thanks for leaving us such a wonderful review! We’re glad that you loved our services. Our dedicated staff will be pleased to hear this, they work diligently to ensure our customers receive the highest service. Thanks again for sharing your review with us and the community. It made our day!