Key points
- Government departments don’t cold-call or door-knock to ask for payment to claim a solar or battery rebate. Treat any such contact as a likely scam.
- If a seller approaches you uninvited, you have a 10 business day cooling-off period. During that time they can’t take any payment or start work.
- Door-to-door sellers can only visit 9am–6pm weekdays and 9am–5pm Saturdays, never on Sundays or public holidays, and must leave when asked.
- The Clean Energy Regulator found about 60% of inspected battery installs in 2026 had at least one non-compliance and about 1% were unsafe.
- Check that the seller is a New Energy Tech Consumer Code Approved Seller and the installer is SAA-accredited before you sign.
Solar scams usually aren’t fake companies. More often they are real sellers using pressure tactics, misleading “free” offers or shoddy installs to cash in on rebates. With more than 500,000 batteries installed under the federal program by August 2026, the battery boom has attracted its share of bad operators. Here are the 10 red flags to watch for, your legal rights when someone knocks, and what to do if you’ve already signed.
Why solar scams are a bigger risk in 2026
Three things have made 2026 a high-risk year. First, the federal battery discount has driven record demand, and new businesses have rushed in. Second, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) has been inspecting battery installations. About 60% of those inspected had at least one non-compliance, mostly labelling, and around 1% were unsafe. Third, rebate step-downs create natural deadlines that pushy sellers exploit. The ABC reported on alleged fraud in the battery scheme in September 2026.
Most installers do the right thing. But knowing the warning signs protects you, your home and your rebate. For a plain-English overview of what you’re legitimately entitled to, start with our guide to solar and battery rebates in SA and Victoria.
10 red flags of a solar or battery scam
1. “We’re calling from the government rebate program”
Rebates aren’t sold by phone or at the door by government. STCs are claimed through your installer, and Victoria’s Solar Homes rebate is applied for online through Solar Victoria. Scamwatch warns that Australian Government departments will never phone or email asking you to pay upfront to claim a rebate. Hang up, and look up the official contact details yourself.
2. A “free” solar system or “$0 battery”
The federal battery discount is designed to cover about 30% of the installed cost, not 100%. A 13.5 kWh battery gets roughly $3,400–$3,700 off in 2026. If something is “free”, the cost is hidden in finance, inflated pricing or a long contract. Ask for the full price, the rebate lines and the amount you pay, in writing.
3. “The rebate ends this Friday”
Rebates do step down, mostly on 1 January each year. But they don’t vanish overnight, and your discount depends on the installation date, not the signing date. In March 2026 the CER warned retailers not to promise installs before a rebate change unless they were certain they could deliver. It said deceptive behaviour “will not be tolerated”.
4. Asking for a deposit on the doorstep
If the sale was unsolicited (door-to-door, a cold call or an approach in public), the seller can’t accept any payment during the 10 business day cooling-off period. They also can’t supply goods worth more than $500 or start the installation. A deposit request at the door is a clear breach.
5. No written contract or cooling-off notice
You must get a written copy of the agreement when you sign. Its front page must state your right to cancel within 10 business days. If the seller skips this, Consumer Affairs Victoria says the cooling-off period can extend to six months.
6. A vague quote
Watch for quotes with no panel, inverter or battery brand and model, “Tier 1” claims with no model number, no STC count, or one lump-sum price. A proper quote itemises equipment, installation, rebates and warranties. Our checklist on how to compare solar quotes covers the 12 things to check.
7. A battery far bigger than you need, or a price way off the market
Typical 2026 prices are about $700–$1,300 per usable kWh before the discount. Much cheaper can mean corners cut. Much dearer can mean a padded price hidden behind a big rebate. Above 14 kWh the federal discount tapers, so an oversized battery mostly benefits the seller. Our guide to choosing a home battery and installer helps you size it properly.
8. The seller or installer isn’t accredited
To claim STCs, the system must be designed and installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited installer using Clean Energy Council approved products. In Victoria, Solar Homes rebates are only available through Solar Victoria authorised retailers, who must be New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) Approved Sellers. See our Victoria solar rebates guide for how that process works.
9. Being asked to sign incorrect or blank STC paperwork
Never sign an STC assignment form with blanks, a wrong installation date or a battery size that doesn’t match what’s on your wall. The CER treats false information as an offence. It now requires geotagged, time-stamped photos and serial numbers, and it can ask for documents for up to five years. Our STC explainer shows how to check the certificate count yourself.
10. Finance pushed before you’ve seen the cash price
“Interest-free” can hide a higher price and monthly fees. Under the NETCC, Approved Sellers may only offer deferred payment through a licensed credit provider or a plan the Code Administrator has approved. Compare options in our guide to solar finance options before you sign anything.
Your rights when a solar seller knocks or calls
These rules come from the Australian Consumer Law, so they apply in SA and Victoria alike, for unsolicited sales of $100 or more.
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Visiting hours | 9am–6pm Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm Saturday. No Sundays or public holidays unless you made an appointment |
| Identification | Must tell you who they are and why they’re visiting, and show ID |
| Leaving | Must leave when asked, and not contact you about that product for 30 days |
| Cooling-off | 10 business days, starting the business day after you sign |
| Payments | No payment of any kind during cooling-off; no goods over $500 or services supplied |
| Breaches | Cooling-off extends to 3 months (e.g. visiting outside hours) or 6 months (e.g. taking payment) |
A “Do Not Knock” sticker on your door tells sellers you don’t want unsolicited visits.
Tip: A seller is still responsible for the lead generators who knock for it. In 2021 Consumer Affairs Victoria won a Federal Court case against a solar company over a fake “community bulk-buy” door-knocking campaign. The court ruled it couldn’t avoid responsibility by blaming its lead generators.
How to check a solar company before you sign
- NETCC Approved Seller: search the “Find an Approved Seller” register at newenergytech.org.au. An updated Code takes effect on 1 December 2026 and widens the ban on false or misleading claims to all statements, not just advertising.
- SAA accreditation: ask for the installer’s name and check it on Solar Accreditation Australia’s status check.
- Approved products: confirm the exact panel, inverter and battery models are on the Clean Energy Council’s approved lists.
- Business details: check the ABN, a physical address and how long the business has traded.
- Get at least three quotes and never decide on the day of a sales visit.
Our own SAA-accredited installers install CEC-approved equipment across Adelaide and Melbourne. Our home solar packages list the brands we use, so you can compare like with like.
What to do if you think you’ve been scammed
- Cancel in writing if you’re within the cooling-off period. You can cancel by phone, in person, by post or by email, and the seller can’t charge a cancellation fee.
- Contact your bank straight away if you paid or shared card details.
- Complain to the regulator: Consumer Affairs Victoria or Consumer and Business Services in SA. Report scams to Scamwatch.
- Report STC or battery rebate fraud to the Clean Energy Regulator.
- Report unsafe work to Energy Safe Victoria or SA’s Office of the Technical Regulator.
- Raise a NETCC complaint if the seller is an Approved Seller. In Victoria, also tell Solar Victoria if the job went through Solar Homes.
Frequently asked questions
Are calls about government solar rebates a scam?
Usually, yes. Government agencies don’t cold-call to sell solar or ask you to pay upfront to receive a rebate. Federal STCs are claimed through your installer, and Victoria’s Solar Homes rebate is applied for online. Hang up and contact the agency using details from its official website.
Can a door-to-door solar seller take a deposit?
No. For unsolicited sales, the seller can’t accept any payment during the 10 business day cooling-off period. They also can’t supply goods worth more than $500 or start the installation. Taking payment can extend your cooling-off right to six months.
Is a free solar battery offer real?
Almost never. The federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program is designed to cover around 30% of the installed cost. A “free” battery usually means the cost is hidden in finance, inflated prices or a long-term contract. Ask for the full price and every rebate line in writing.
What should I do if I signed with a door-to-door solar seller?
You can cancel without penalty within 10 business days, starting the business day after you signed. Cancel in writing and keep a copy. If the seller didn’t follow the rules, the period may be longer. Contact Consumer Affairs Victoria or Consumer and Business Services SA for help.
If you’d like a second opinion on a quote you’ve been given, our team is happy to look it over. Get a free quote and compare it with what you’ve been offered, with no pressure and no door-knocking.
Sources: Consumer Affairs Victoria – Door-to-door sales (updated 7 Apr 2025); Consumer Affairs Victoria – Court win against solar company who broke door-to-door sales laws (5 Feb 2021); Scamwatch – Continue to beware of scam solar offers; SolarQuotes – Regulator warning over battery rebate deception (19 Mar 2026); Clean Energy Regulator – Create STCs (updated 12 Oct 2026); New Energy Tech Consumer Code – Moving to an updated Code (accessed Oct 2026). This is general information, not legal advice. Featured image: Blogtrepreneur / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
