Smart Energy Answers Questions & Answers

Good Morning Jason, Thanks for reaching out to us. We would like to help you but we need a better understanding of your situation in order to provide you with good advice. Can you please call us on 1 300 732 679 and ask for Rodrigo (Sales Manager) so he can have a chat with you?

If he's not available at the time, we'll collect your details so he can call you later on.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Cheers,

Hi, good day! Yes, we source that area. We would love to help you out with a solution. Can you give us a call on 1300 732 679 and we'll book you right in with one of our Energy Advisors? Or simply email us at info@smartenergyanswers.com.au Thanks!

Hi. Firstly my name is not cockatoo. It’s Jim. I have 16 solar panels giving 4kw of power. I want to increase the panels to 6kw, plus instal a battery. I realise this means a new inverter. I’ve had quotes to replace the panel’s completely. I do not want to replace them but increase them. So please don’t quote to replace the panels. Can you do this? I had a rebate on the panels when they were installed of $.5,350 . I think I’m entitled to a battery rebate though. I look forward to your reply. Jim Williams

Hi Jim, thanks for giving us more details about your requirements. Yes, we can assist in increasing the solar pv capacity with a new inverter and panels and at the same time install a battery. You will be entitled to new federal government STCs incentives on the solar pv component, and in addition to that you may be eligible to a VIC State government rebate of $3,500 or $4,174 for a Tesla Powerwall, however, bear in mind that the battery rebate is reducing to $2,950 from July 1st. If you are interested we would suggest getting in touch with us through the following link: external link 

Kind Regards,

Hi Carol, Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we don't service that area. Our head office is in Sydney, and we have operation centres in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Orange.

Thank you

Hi John, yes we service your area. You can enquiry through external link 

Kind Regards,

Where are you based? Do you service the Gold Coast?

Hi Carol, Thank you for your inquiry. Unfortunately, we don't have operation centres in Queensland. Our head office is in Sydney, and we have operation centres in Melbourne, Canberra, Adelaide, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, and Orange.

Hi B F. Thanks for your message. Can you please provide your name and postcode so we can find you in our crm and try to address the points you raised asap? Regards

They were always very quick to respond to my questions so I'm sure you will get your answers asap!

Thanks Diane, I left my details with the team earlier and awaiting their promised engineer/design contact.

BF. - how did it all work out? Are you happy with them 10 months down the track?

Yes, ourselves and another family (friends down the road) both had installs on the same day(s) with very similar systems and they systems work well. I've hence not had any reason to further talk to SEA as yet, apart from an anquiry I had about adding a battery. We're holding off batteries for the moment given they don't really justify the cost over their lifetime but we will see what happens. The install did go better given I had a fair amount of knowledge on what to expect, and am likely pickier than most, I like to be communicated with throughout any process, but we got there in the end.

Thanks for the quick response - you sounded picky, as am I, so I thought your satisfaction would be meaningful. Lol.

BF - my experience so far has been similar - just signed up for a 10Kw system with a desire to add batteries "in future", but I don't have any detail on which inverter the guys are proposing and I'm waiting on a response from the rep as to whether the inverter is a hybrid inverter. What size system did you end up with, and which inverter?

How much for 10kw?

Hi Bel, I am using a supplied product called ember pulse. I personally contacted them in South Australia as Smart Energy were on holidays from the day of installation. I then downloaded an app and linked the two and it gives info to both the company and I on the effectiveness of the solar panels. It will also allow me to forecast my expected energy bill. This was done in consultation with Smart Energy Answers so ask them about it. Ember Pulse staff, particularly Lana were fantastic in their support when I phoned them direct. Goodluck

Thanks so much Loretta

Hello Windyb, Savings depend on the system size, components and roof space available. Typically between $300-$1000 per quarter for a home. If you are interested in understanding more including cost, please send us your details at the following link: external link 

Regards, SEA Team

True. It all depends on the size of the system, and the quality of the components. We have three phases here in the bush which means we can have a bigger system to feed back into the grid, or generate power for our own use. But we have a partly shaded site so will only get 65% of maximum capacity at present. But this was all spelt out clearly when we first enquired, after which SE then fine tuned a design using satellite imagery to maximise the potential of our site . Our system under these design restraints is expected to save us $2000 per year which should pretty well break even with our power bills. Geoff M.

I am at the same stage of searching as you are. Head on over to SolarQuotes.com.au and read the main pages, then supply personal info, they will contact three reputable local suppliers who will (i) phone you to discuss your needs, and if you like the sound of it (ii) email you specific quotes. Pull out the last four quarterly electricity invoices so you know your daily average KWh for each of the four seasons.

Solarquotes website advises that batteries are a currently super-expensive option not needed in a big city.

I just (Dec 2019) got quoted $8400+ for a 10.5KW system in Canberra, without batteries. That was using a panel brand which might be at the lower end quality-wise ('budget'). It is my understanding that mid-premium or premium panels are manufactured to a higher standard and less likely to be subject to a warranty claim.

Hi Dianna , I am not an expert , However from my research which was fairly extensive , I chose Lg Premium Panels and Fronius Inverter for their proven Reliability My Spec is 5.76kW system ( 16 x 360W LG Neon R and Fronius Primo 5.0-1)... ( String System) This is probably as good as it gets at the moment ... Technology will move on and Improve of course ... This is a Mercedes level system you could say ...... I went through Smart Energy Answers .... Fabulous Service if you can get them .... Hope this Helps ....Bruce

Hi Leanne, I'm just a customer in SA. I'd call 1300 133 055 and see how they can help Hayden

Hello Jane, Thanks for your question. I would recommend you get a comparison quotation from one of our experienced energy solutions consultants so that you can make an informed decision. Risen is not bad but there is definitely much better gear in the market. Please email us to info@smartenergyanswers.com.au with your address and best contact number and we will be in touch soon. Kind Regards

I don't think this is the same company as Smart Energy Answers

Thanks Ross, you are right, it isn't. I'm getting two other local quotes in the meantime. Regards, Jane

When I was young I always believed you pay for what you get, nothing has changed. You can buy cheaper panels in the market but they will never work as good although I'm not an expert just happy with what I paid for.

Hello Barbara, We appreciate your feedback on the service received so far and we also understand your concerns. We are a Team of Professionals, a Solar "Installation" Company who treats solar as a complex electrical install which is going on one of your main assets, your family home, and deserves respect: there are a lot of variables like system size, products, site specifics and workmanship which will affect the final price. We do not compromise on quality and we help our customers make an informed decision and tailor a system for them with an accurate site assessment and an evaluation on current needs and future requirements and explanation of all different technologies in the market. Once you are with us we will guide you through the solar journey and we will design and install your system according to CEC best practices with experienced electricians and installers. We will make sure you are a very happy customer as part of SEA family.

Unfortunately, too many people in Australia have been burnt with cheap dodgy solar installs from Solar "Sales" Companies who specialise in spamming social medias with cheap prices and treat solar as a plug and play appliance, one size fits it all. These companies use the cheapest subcontractors, often unprofessional personnel (sometimes backpackers), to install your system, they don't follow safety regulations and take shortcuts as much as they can to mimise their costs, a part from using the lowest quality products available at the wholesaler. This is a recipe for disaster and what you will find is that normally this sort of companies have a high volume of online reviews, with many good ones and many bad ones too, which means there is a big risk - 50-50 chance something can go wrong.

Barbara, if you were to buy a Toaster from Target, I would say you can take the risk of buying the cheapest available and then replace it when it breaks; however with Solar we believe you should it once and do it right as the consequences of making a bad decision are far more dangerous (leaks, voltage issues in the house, exposed ugly cables, fires etc....)

At Smart Energy Answers, we’re setting high standards for the solar industry. As a CEC approved retailer, we are committed to providing customers with high quality products, tailored solutions, quality installations and outstanding customer service. We go above and beyond to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Buy Quality. Buy Once. Buy Smart. info@smartenergyanswers.com.au 1300 732 679

Hi Smart Energy Peter here, can you tell me why my solar system disconnects according to a voltage error 014 which shuts the system down for an hour or more. This has happened 5 times now.

Hi Peter, Sorry to hear that. As your last name is not visible, can you please submit a ticket at external link  Our support department will investigate and get back to you asap. Kind Regards

Hi Daryl, what system size and inverter are you looking at? State / location is important too because of the variation of STCs incentives. If you would like to provide some more details, we will be happy to help: info@smartenergyanswers.com.au

5kW system, not sure of the inverter. I am in Bathurst NSW

Daryl, at that price it seems expensive then, unless the site is very complex to install. I would definitely advise a 2nd opinion / quote.

I do not know who the top 10 solar installers in Melbourne are. However, all I can say, as per my earlier review, that I am very satisfied with the job done Smart Energy Answers.

OK, thanks for responding anyway - cheers

Hi John, I only saw your question just now—lost in all my other emails. The best place to get answers to this and similar questions is solarquotes.com.au. They have reviews by customers of most of the quality installers plus much other info. Customers review and grade their installers so you have a very complete picture. I found Smart Energy Answers to be excellent.

Also, solarquotes.com.au does grade installers based on customer feedback and ranks them on various criteria eg best scorers over the past year in a given state.

Thanks Richard, I'll give that a look.

Not sure bud.