Best-Rated Solar Installers

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Canstar Blue logo for solar installers award

Most Satisfied Customers | Solargain and Solahart

Aussies have rated Solargain and Solahart as the top picks in Canstar Blue’s 2024 review of solar installers in Australia. Both brands scored multiple five-star ratings across the research categories.

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How we rate solar installers in Australia


It goes without saying that solar installation isn’t always black and white, with so many installation companies on the market claiming to have the cheapest prices and best service. If you’re a first-timer, it’s not always clear what your best options are. And that’s where we come in. 

Canstar Blue has taken the guesswork out of choosing a good solar installer, by collecting the opinions of those that have already installed solar across Australia. We’ve asked them to rate their solar installer on variables such as customer service and advice provided, performance of solar system, installation process, durability and set-up cost, in order to help you find one that suits your needs. Please note while this review looks at seven of the most prominent installers in Australia, there may be other companies available in your area. 


Canstar Blue surveyed 1,471 Australian households for their feedback on their solar panel installer. Respondents had to have solar panels at their property by a professional solar installation company in the last five years for their response to be eligible.

  • The outcomes reported in these ratings are measured via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics.

Respondents rate their satisfaction with their solar installer from zero to ten, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and ten is extremely satisfied. Provider satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:

  • Overall satisfaction: measured consumer satisfaction with a solar installer as an individual score NOT a combined total of all criteria.
  • Customer service and advice: the solar installer had multiple service points for customers, e.g. telephone, email, online chat and helped customers determine their solar needs.
  • Performance of solar system: the solar installer provided products that performed to its needs or greater.
  • Installation process: the solar installer had a smooth and simple installation process for customers.
  • Durability: the solar installer provided products that were durable and performed to its needs, even in extenuating circumstances. 
  • Set-up cost: the solar installer had a decent cost for the services and products provided.

The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.

  • Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
  • When we cannot determine a clear winner from the criteria for the Overall satisfaction rating, we will then look at the other criteria measured in the rating.
  • The brand with the highest number of five-star ratings within the supporting criteria will become the five-star recipient in overall satisfaction, and thus win the award. If a clear leader still cannot be determined from the supporting criteria, joint winners will be declared.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

Best solar installers in Australia:

  1. Solargain and Solahart
  2. Origin Energy 
  3. SolarHub
  4. Arise Solar
  5. Captain Green

Solargain and Solahart both received five stars for overall satisfaction in this year’s ratings. In fact, both achieved five-star ratings across almost all categories, which also include installation process and customer service and advice provided. For Origin Energy, SolarHub and Arise Solar it was four stars for overall satisfaction, while Captain Green took home three stars for satisfaction.

Find more detailed information on our ratings methodology.


Compare Solar Plans in Australia

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.

Best-rated solar installers in Australia:

  1. Solargain and Solahart
  2. Origin Energy 
  3. SolarHub
  4. Arise Solar
  5. Captain Green 

1. Solargain and Solahart


Solargain logo

Ratings result (Solargain)

This year, Solargain scored an impressive five stars across almost all research categories, bar for performance of solar system where it scored four stars.

Editor’s notes

Australian-owned and operated solar retailer, Solargain has over 18 years’ experience, with a log of more than 85,000 installations across the country. Specialising in solar panels, solar hot water and battery storage systems, this retailer has a range of pre-established packages to suit the needs of households. As a New Energy Tech Approved Seller, Solargain also offers a dedicated service and support centre for customers.


Ratings result (Solahart)

Solahart received an almost clean sweep of five-star ratings in this year’s review. Its set-up cost was the only category to score below five stars.

Editor’s notes

Making its mark with solar hot water systems, Solahart has since expanded its services to include solar panels and energy storage solutions for Australian households and businesses. With operations dating back to 1953, the company claims to have installed over one million solar panels in the country and offers a variety of packages for solar panels, solar batteries, home energy management systems, electric vehicle chargers and hot water solutions. Solahart is a New Energy Tech Approved Seller with several locations across the country.

2. Origin Energy


origin-energy-logo

Ratings result

Origin Energy achieved a clean sweep of four-star ratings this year, including for overall satisfaction and customer service and advice.

Editor’s notes

One of Australia’s biggest energy providers, Origin also retails solar products. Origin Energy currently offers three main solar panel packages in its range and customers can match the right package to their energy needs by using the company’s free solar assessment tool. Some solar battery products are also on offer to interested customers and an interest-free payment plan may be available based on eligibility.

3. SolarHub


Ratings result

SolarHub scored four stars in almost all research categories this year. Its one exception was set-up cost where it received just three stars.  

Editor’s notes

With a decade of service under its belt, SolarHub offers a variety of solar and energy products to households and businesses in Canberra, Melbourne and the south coast of New South Wales. Its main focus areas include solar panel and battery systems, electric vehicle charging, air conditioning, hot water systems and induction cooktops. It also partners with electricity and gas provider ActewAGL to offer its Smart Energy Hub for households interested in electrifying their home in the nation’s capital.  

4. Arise Solar


Arise Solar logo

Ratings result

Arise Solar was rated four stars across almost all research categories this year, including for overall satisfaction and performance of solar system. It did manage to achieve a five-star rating for its set-up cost.

Editor’s notes

Arise Solar states it is a 100% Australian-owned company, delivering solar power systems to homes and businesses far and wide. It packs a lengthy 25-year manufacturer’s warranty on its systems and has flexible payment options available, including zero upfront deposits and interest-free payment plans. Arise Solar specialises in residential systems from 6.6 kilowatts (kW) to 20kW and commercial systems from 30kW to 100kW. It also offers solar panel cleaning and solar panel maintenance packages.

5. Captain Green


Captain Green logo

Ratings result

A new entrant into our solar installer ratings, Captain Green received four-star ratings for set-up cost and durability, plus three stars for overall satisfaction, performance of solar system, installation process and customer service. 

Editor’s notes

Captain Green has been offering solar packages to households and businesses across Australia for over a decade. The installer claims to have installed over 270,000 panels during its time in the market and offers a number of pre-packaged solar products to customers. Outside of set packages, Captain Green also offers a customised package option to customers, which can be designed based on their energy usage and behaviours, roof orientation and price range.

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Get a quote from a top-rated solar installer

It’s safe to say most of the brands that made it into our ratings have websites, but if you’re more the ‘pick up the phone’ type, we’ve compiled all the numbers we could find to get you started on your solar journey:

  • Solargain: 1300 718 869
  • Solahart: 1300 721 984
  • Origin Energy: 1300 791 468
  • SolarHub: 1300 719 349
  • Arise Solar: 1300 274 737
  • Captain Green: 1300 361 682

Meet our energy experts


Kelseigh Wrigley: Energy Specialist

Kelseigh Wrigley covers Australia’s retail energy market, growing her industry specific expertise over the last two years. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism at the Queensland University of Technology and has contributed her skills to online publications Hunter & Bligh and local radio station 4ZZZ.

Meet the Editorial Team

Samantha Howse: Consumer Research Specialist

Sam Howse Research Specialist

Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and two years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.

Meet the Research Team

FAQs about solar installers

With thousands of solar installers in the Australian market, it’d be impossible to name them all. Instead, we’ve compiled a list of some of the more well-known solar energy installers around the country that haven’t been included in this year’s review. Please note, there may be more solar installers available in your area. 

  • Cherry Energy Solutions
  • Energy Aware
  • Enervest
  • Evergen
  • GEM Energy Australia
  • Iberdola Australian Smart Energy Solutions (formally Autonomous Energy)
  • ITP Home Energy
  • Lighting and Energy Conservation Australia (LECA)
  • Next Generation Electrical
  • Off-Grid Energy Australia
  • RACV
  • SAE Group
  • Springers Solar
  • Sunboost

If you are a beginner when it comes to installing solar there are a few things you’ll need to keep in consideration. The type of system you’ll be able to get will depend strongly on factors such as your roof size and style, household positioning and your personal budget. It’s your solar installer’s job to assess your roof and lay out your options in the form of a quote. And with most solar installers offering different options at different price points, it’s not always crystal-clear which installer to go for.

As part of our ratings report, we asked survey respondents to share what the biggest deciding factors were for them when picking their solar installer. We’ve listed these below: 

  • 42% said they picked based on the quality of solar panels and parts on offer from the retailer
  • 40% said they chose an installer based on the price offered
  • 13% said they went for a retailer with good customer service
  • 5% listed another reason why they picked their installer

A New Tech Energy Approved Seller is a provider who meets the requirements set out in the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC). This code is a set of standards designed to protect consumers when they are purchasing new energy tech such as solar panels, solar batteries, electric vehicle chargers and the like. 

If an installer has this approval, it means that they have demonstrated that they meet the requirements of the NETCC and that it is committed to remaining compliant with the standards outlined. You can check whether your installer has this badge of approval by searching the NETCC database on its website

The NETCC program is administered by the Clean Energy Council (CEC) and replaces the previous CEC Accreditation and CEC Approval in the solar market.

Best case scenario, your solar panel installer will provide you with all the information you could possibly need. Though, in some situations, it’s best to have a log of questions prepared to help you pick the right installer for you.

  1. How much experience do you have installing solar systems?
  2. Are your installers Clean Energy Council accredited?
  3. Will I be able to claim a government subsidy/solar rebate and how do I do that?
  4. What size solar system do you recommend I install? Is there room to expand later?
  5. What are the upfront costs for the solar system? Do you offer payment plans?
  6. Who should I contact if there is a problem with the installation or system?
  7. What panel/inverter/battery brands can you install?
  8. Is the quoted cost all-inclusive or will I have to pay extra fees later?
  9. What does the warranty cover?
  10. In what circumstances would the warranty become void?
  11. How much should I expect to receive from my solar feed-in tariff?
  12. How often should I be carrying out maintenance on my solar system? Does your company send reminders/notices?
  13. Will I be able to add battery storage down the track?
  14. How can I track the production of my solar system?
  15. What is the life expectancy of this system?

Choosing a solar installer can be hard for many reasons, a big one being that you’ll be relying on sometimes decades of service from the same company. Any good installer will conduct maintenance on your PV system during its life, whether that’s scheduled or necessary due to complications. So, what do you do if your solar installation company goes out of business? Here are some steps you should take:

  • Make sure the company is actually out of business: Unfortunately, there are quite a few ‘shady’ businesses out there that may avoid contact attempts years down the track. Check to see if your installation company is still registered with an ABN before proceeding. If it is still in operation, take action through your appropriate fair-trading agency.
  • Directly contact your solar installer: If a company is genuinely out of operation, the individuals that installed your panels may have more information for you. The Clean Energy Council has a comprehensive list of accredited solar installers with contact details on their site.

Past winners

Here are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s Solar Installers Customer Satisfaction Award:

  • 2023: Solahart
  • 2022: Solargain
  • 2021: Solargain
  • 2020: Solahart

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