How Smarter Solar fits together, brick by brick

Most people start solar the wrong way round. They ask for three quotes, get three different systems at three different prices, and can't tell which one suits their home.

Smarter Solar flips the order. First you work out what your home needs, then you get quotes.

The foundation: a free plan for every household

Every home in Australia can get a free solar, battery and EV charger plan. That covers the capitals and regional towns alike. You don't need an account, and nothing about your home is shared with anyone without your permission. Smarter Solar is built in Canberra.

What your plan works out

• Your roof: usable space, shading and sunlight, from a satellite scan of your address.
• Your usage: read from your power bill, or from a bill range if you don't have one handy.
• Solar size: the system size and how many panels fit.
• Battery: the size, what it can keep running in a blackout, and how well it recharges in winter.
• EV charging and going electric: charger options, plus a check of your switchboard and supply.
• Rebates: an estimate of the solar and battery rebates you may be able to get.
• Electricity plans: a comparison of retail plans in your area. We earn nothing from retailers, so the order isn't for sale.
• A quote-ready PDF: your plan, plus the questions to ask every installer.

The more you put in, the better your plan gets. A photo of your bill beats a guess, and a photo of your meter box beats a guess about your supply.

Every figure is an estimate until an electrician has seen your home. The plan doesn't replace the site visit. It means you walk into the quote knowing what to ask.

The next layer: vetted installers

Before joining, solar, battery and EV charger installers are checked for an ABN, an electrical licence and SAA accreditation. Installers pay for leads, and that's what keeps the plan free for households. In return, they meet homeowners who already know what their home needs.

Local electricians can also list their other electrical services, so households have somewhere to go for the jobs that aren't solar.

Coming next: installer feedback

Soon, homeowners will be able to rate the job after their install. Standards rise, and the installers doing the right thing stand out from the cowboys.

What it means for you

Households: get informed, then get quotes. Know a good solar quote from a guess.

Installers and sparkies: meet homeowners who already know what they need, so every quote has a real chance of becoming a job.

Better plans. Better quotes. Better jobs.