7 Common Solar Mistakes Newcastle Families Should Avoid

A simple guide to help you avoid costly mistakes, save money and choose the right system.

Thinking about going solar is a big moment for any household.

The idea of cutting your electricity bill, gaining more control over your power use and making a smart investment in your home feels great. The challenge is knowing where to start. If you have been scrolling online or answering the door to salespeople you have probably seen every offer under the sun. Deals that look incredible, promises that feel a bit too good and plenty of confusing information that makes the whole thing feel harder than it needs to be.

As a family owned business based right here in Newcastle we have helped countless households across the Hunter, Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast get set up with solar systems that actually work for them. We have also spoken to people who came to us after being overcharged or given poor quality systems that never delivered the savings they expected. It is frustrating and avoidable.

This guide breaks everything down in plain English. No scare tactics. Just honest and practical advice from a local team that installs solar every day. If you are thinking about going solar this will help you make a confident and informed choice.

1. Mixing up the rebate and feed in tariffs

This is one of the most common areas of confusion. We often hear people say they were offered free solar because of the rebate or that their system will pay itself off thanks to feed in tariffs alone.

Here is what actually happens:

✅ The rebate works like a discount on the system

✅ Your installer claims it for you

✅ It is usually around $300 per kW installed

So a 6.6kW system might receive roughly $2,000 off the total cost.

Feed in tariffs are something else entirely. This is the rate your electricity retailer pays you for any excess power you send back to the grid. Some retailers pay 0c per kWh while others pay up to 12c per kWh. It varies a lot and it is worth comparing plans.

The rebate reduces the upfront cost. The feed in tariff helps reduce your ongoing bills. They work together but do different jobs.

2. Only getting one quote

We say this all the time and we will keep saying it because it matters. Please get more than one quote.

Across Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter we still see quotes that look like this:

$20,000 FOR A $5,000 SYSTEM

This usually happens when:

✅ Cheap equipment is used and the price is inflated

✅ Hidden costs are added

✅ The price is bumped up to cover finance deals

✅ Pressure sales tactics are used

Getting multiple quotes gives you a clear picture of:

✅ Realistic pricing

✅ Equipment quality

✅ Installation standards

✅ Warranty support

It also helps you spot companies that care about doing the job properly rather than chasing quick money.

3. Choosing a system that is too small

We hear this sentence more than any other.

“I wish we went bigger.”

When you first start looking at solar it can be tempting to choose a smaller system to keep costs down. The problem is that most households grow into their energy use over time.

Think about what you may want in the future:

✅ A battery

✅ An electric vehicle

✅ A pool pump

✅ More appliances running in the evenings

✅ Air conditioning upgrades

Adding panels later is often more expensive and sometimes not possible without major changes. If you have the roof space and the budget a larger system usually delivers better long-term value.

We see this play out locally. A family in Adamstown installed a small system years ago because they felt they did not need much. They now own an EV and run a pool pump and their system cannot keep up. Upgrading will cost far more than installing a larger system from the beginning.

4. Waiting for batteries to get cheaper

We love batteries. They are excellent for blackout protection especially in areas like the Hunter where outages are common. They can also deliver strong savings for households that use more power in the evenings.

The issue is waiting. Every month you delay installing solar is another month you pay full electricity rates. A well designed solar system without a battery still gives strong savings from day one. You can always add a battery later using AC coupling. When prices drop or your lifestyle changes you can upgrade easily.

If solar fits your budget now it makes sense to start saving straight away rather than holding off for years.

5. Paying premium prices for budget gear

This one hurts the most because it feels like a waste of money.

We have seen quotes in Newcastle where someone was charged premium prices for equipment we would never recommend at that level. In many cases, the homeowner believed they were buying top-tier gear because the salesperson presented it that way.

A fair price range for a quality installation is roughly:

✅ 6.6kW$5,500–$9,000

✅ 10kW$8,000–$13,000

✅ 15kW$13,000–$18,000

There are good budget brands and excellent premium brands. The key is matching the right equipment with skilled installation. Paying a luxury price for entry-level gear delivers poor value and can create problems later.

6. Not understanding warranties

Warranties can be confusing and some salespeople take advantage of that.

We have heard claims like:

“You must service every two years to keep your warranty. “You have a 25-year warranty that covers everything.”

These statements are misleading.

A proper solar warranty should include:

✅ 10-year inverter warranty

✅ 25-year panel warranty

✅ 5-year workmanship warranty

✅ Backed by an Australian entity

If a company expects you to pay shipping to send faulty panels overseas, that is a major red flag. Your warranty should be practical and easy to use.

7. Thinking you need a north-facing roof

Many Newcastle homes do not have large north-facing roof spaces and that is perfectly fine.

East or west-facing panels only lose around 15 percent of output. They can even be a better choice if your household uses more power in the morning or the evening.

A good installer designs the system around how you live not just the direction your roof faces.

Why choosing a local installer matters

There are more than 7,200 solar installers in Australia and choosing one can feel overwhelming. The good news is that many local sparkies are honest and hardworking. The challenge is finding a company that cares about long-term performance instead of fast sales.

As a Newcastle family business, we are here long after installation day. We answer the phone when something looks odd and guide households through upgrades and changes over the years.

For us, it is not just about installing panels. It is about helping local families feel confident and supported with their investment. Solar is one of the best decisions you can make for your home. When you choose the right system and the right team, the rewards are huge.

If you would like to talk through your options in plain English, we are always happy to help.

📞 0498 537 907

🌐 stesolar.com.au