How much deposit is reasonable for solar, when should the balance be paid, and what cooling-off rights do you have? A buyer's guide to payment structures, unsolicited sales rules and New Energy Tech Consumer Code protections. A fair solar payment structure asks for a modest deposit to secure your installation and equipment, with most or all of the balance due only when the system is installed, working and handed over with its paperwork. Before paying anything, you should also understand your cooling-off rights, which are stronger when the sale began with an uninvited approach at your door or over the phone. Knowing what is normal makes it much easier to spot a contract that shifts too much risk onto you.
What a reasonable deposit looks like
A deposit gives the installer confidence to order equipment and schedule a crew. It should be proportionate to that purpose, not a large share of the job paid months before anything happens. When reviewing a deposit request, consider:
- Size. A modest percentage of the total is common for residential jobs. Be cautious about paying a large share, or the full price, upfront.
- Timing. The deposit should follow a signed written contract, not be taken at a first visit or during a sales call.
- Refund conditions. The contract should say when the deposit is refundable, for example if network approval is refused, the roof proves unsuitable or finance is declined.
- Receipt. You should receive a tax invoice or receipt showing the amount, the business name and its ABN.
Paying by a traceable method, such as a transfer to a business account or a card payment, gives you a record. Be wary of requests for cash or for payment to a personal account.
Common payment structures compared
| Structure | How it works | Risk to you |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit, balance on completion | Small deposit on signing, balance after installation and commissioning | Low: most of your money is paid once the system works |
| Staged payments | Deposit, a payment when equipment is delivered, balance on completion | Moderate: reasonable for larger jobs if each stage is clearly defined |
| Large upfront payment | Most or all of the price paid before installation | High: you carry the risk if the business fails or delays |
| Finance | A lender pays the installer and you repay the lender | Depends on terms; check when the lender releases funds |
For residential solar and batteries, a deposit with the balance on completion is the structure most favourable to you. Staged payments are more usual for large commercial, strata or off-grid projects with substantial equipment costs. If you are considering finance, the solar finance guide compares the options; make sure the lender does not release the full amount to the installer before you confirm the job is complete.
What "completion" should mean
Define completion in the contract so there is no argument about when the balance falls due. A sensible definition includes:
- All equipment installed as specified, with model numbers matching the contract.
- The system commissioned and generating, with monitoring set up and account access given to you.
- A certificate of compliance for the electrical work from the licensed electrician.
- Any export limit and backup function configured and demonstrated.
- Warranty documents, the as-installed design and operating instructions provided.
Network connection and meter changes sometimes happen after installation and are partly outside the installer's control. It is reasonable for a contract to allow for that, but it should say what happens if the network application is delayed or refused.
How STCs and battery discounts affect what you pay
The STC discount, roughly $1,700-$1,800 off a typical 6.6 kW system installed in 2026, and the federal Cheaper Home Batteries discount of roughly 30% off the installed cost of an eligible battery are normally applied at the point of sale, with the installer creating and assigning the certificates. Your contract and invoice should show the price before the discount, the discount amount and the price you pay, and you will usually sign an assignment form. Check that the deposit and balance are calculated from the discounted price, and confirm current values on the official STC scheme page before signing, because they step down over time.
Cooling-off rights for unsolicited sales
If a salesperson approached you uninvited, by knocking on your door, calling you or stopping you in a public place, the contract is likely to be an unsolicited consumer agreement under the Australian Consumer Law. For these agreements you have a cooling-off period, 10 business days at the time of writing, in which you can cancel without penalty. During that period the seller generally cannot accept payment from you, and supplying goods or services is restricted. The seller must also tell you about your cancellation rights and give you a cancellation form. Confirm the current rules with NSW Fair Trading before relying on them.
If you contacted the installer yourself, for example by requesting a quote online, the statutory cooling-off rules for unsolicited sales may not apply, so read the contract's own cancellation terms carefully before signing.
Consumer Code protections
Businesses that sign up to the New Energy Tech Consumer Code and are approved become New Energy Tech Approved Sellers. The Code sets standards beyond the general law for how solar and battery businesses sell, including clear information before you sign, fair contract terms, responsible handling of finance and a process for complaints. Some NSW programs, including Home Energy Saver loans and strata funding, require a New Energy Tech Approved Seller. Ask any seller whether they are approved and check the cooling-off and cancellation terms their contract offers under the Code. The choosing an installer guide covers checking licences, accreditation and reviews.
Warning signs in payment terms
- Pressure to pay a deposit on the day of a first visit or call.
- Full payment required before installation.
- No written contract, or a contract that differs from the quote.
- A non-refundable deposit with no conditions attached.
- Finance signed on the spot before you have seen the total cost of credit.
Next steps
Read the payment and cancellation clauses before signing, and ask for anything unclear to be explained in writing. If you would like to deal with a New Energy Tech Approved Seller that quotes after a genuine in-home assessment, you can request a free assessment from Blue Energy Solar, and review indicative prices for solar, batteries and related services in the market.
Frequently asked questions
Can an installer increase the price after I have signed?
A fixed-price contract should only change through a variation you approve in writing, usually because of site conditions that could not reasonably have been known when quoting. Items that should have been identified during a proper inspection should not be passed on without your agreement. Read the variations clause before signing and ask how unexpected findings on installation day will be handled and priced.
What should I do if an installer will not refund my deposit?
First, check what the contract says about refunds and put your request in writing, referring to the relevant clause. Keep copies of the quote, contract, receipts and all correspondence. If the business does not resolve it, you can seek help from NSW Fair Trading, and if the seller is a New Energy Tech Approved Seller, you can also use the complaints process available under the Code.
Is it safer to pay a solar deposit by credit card?
Paying by credit card can give you an extra avenue if something goes wrong, because many card providers offer chargeback processes for goods or services that are not delivered. Terms and time limits vary, so check with your card provider. Card payments may attract a surcharge, which should be disclosed before you pay. Whatever the method, keep the receipt and pay only into a business account.
Please Login or Sign up to be able to comment