Check if you qualify for rebates & no-net-cost solar in less than 30 seconds
Helping Australian families switch to solar in the easiest, most cost effective way
Who are Solar Next?
A few years ago we were talking about switching to solar and decided to look into it. We were overwhelmed by the amount of confusing technical info, long-winded acronyms and avalanche of solar companies promising free solar panels.
After several weeks of painstaking research, phone calls and analysis we made the decision to switch. We never looked back. We loved our new system and couldn’t stop bragging about it. Friends and family started asking us to walk them through the same process. We realised we could help make this process less daunting and quite simple for others. Solar Next was born.
How to Use this Website
This website is a basic guide to switching to solar in Australia. You can either read through step-by-step or you can immediately book in for our solar consultation service where we hook you up with your top local solar company for 2022. We’ve already done all of the hard work so you can sit back and enjoy the sunshine. There is no need to get in to the technical details, we’ve already taken care of it for you. You’re welcome!
why switch to solar?
Save Money on Your Power Bill
You can save around 65% to 85% on your regular power bill. That’s because you’ll be using your own home-made solar power instead of power from the grid. For the average Australian household the money they save on their power bill means the initial price of their system is usually paid off within 4 to 5 years.
Increase the Value of Your Property
Research from realestate.com.au and Origin Energy has found that 85% of Australians identify solar panels as something which adds to a property’s value. Many renters are also willing to pay more for rentals with solar installed because of the direct savings on their power bill.
Do Your Bit for the Planet
The UN has warned that the world needs to limit climate change to below 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. By going solar you’ll be helping to use less electricity generated from burning fossil fuels which create carbon dioxide (CO2) and contribute to global warming. We can all do our bit to help.
How Solar Works
Solar power systems work by converting sunlight into electricity. This newly-formed electricity then powers your home. If your system makes more electricity than your household needs then this can be exported into the grid. If your system doesn’t make enough electricity for your household’s needs then you simply pay for any extra electricity you use from the grid. It’s really that simple.
How to switch to solar in the easiest and most cost-effective way
You want to reduce your energy costs, and you want the best value-for-money solar power system you can get. Once your system is installed you want to save as much money from your solar setup as possible.
To do this you need to know about three things:
1. Federal Government Solar Incentive
2. $0 up-front costs
by offsetting power bills
3. Feed-in tariffs
1. federal Government Solar INCENTIVE
What is it?
The Australian federal government currently offers a financial incentive to switch to solar. You can save thousands on the initial purchase and installation of your solar power system through the federal government solar incentive.
How much can you get?
How much of the federal government solar incentive you can get depends on the location of your home, the size of the system you need, the shape of your roof, your current quarterly power bill and some other factors. Some households can get the entire price of their new solar system and installation covered by the federal government solar incentive.
How do you apply?
The beauty of the Australian federal government solar incentive is that you don’t have to do anything to claim it. When you deal with a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited solar installation company they will handle all of the paperwork so you don’t have to do anything.
When does it end?
The Australian federal government is gradually phasing out the solar incentive. It reduces by 1/15th every year and is due to end completely in 2031 (unless the federal government decides to end it before then). So the sooner you switch to solar the more you can save.
Are you eligible?
To find out if you’re eligible for the federal government solar incentive use our eligibility checker below:
2. $0 up-front costs by offsetting power bills AND INTEREST FREE FINANCE
$0 up-front costs?
Yes, this is entirely possible and one of the reasons solar is such a great investment. Your solar power system will produce electricity and will reduce your consumption from the grid. The savings you will make will reduce your power bill, then you use some of the savings to cover the cost of the solar system.
Couple this with interest free finance options and you can cover the cost of your solar setup for less than the cost of your power bill with no up-front or additional costs.
Interest free finance
You can take advantage of interest free finance available to homeowners who install renewable energy products. Lenders such as Brighte offer finance with zero interest in order to fund rooftop solar installations.
Our CEC approved solar partners all recommend the best finance options as part of the consultation process, so there is no need to wrangle with finance companies when switching to solar.
3. feed-in tariffs
What are they?
If your system is producing more solar power than your household needs then you can export this back into the grid and get paid for this by your electricity provider. This payment is called a feed-in tariff.
How much can you get?
In Australia the feed-in tariffs vary in different states and territories. They also depend on the size of your system. During your solar consultation service you will be advised what feed-in tariffs you can get in your location and how to get these.
WHO TO CHOOSE?
Clean Energy Council (CEC) Accredited Installers
To find out what type of system your household needs and how much installation will cost you need to talk to a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited solar installation professional. Here at Solar Next we partner up with the CEC accredited solar companies that we think deliver the highest quality systems in Australia along with the best customer and installation service at the most affordable price.
Don’t be fooled by companies offering the cheapest deal – the solar industry is notorious for rogue companies promising warranties and support, only to go into liquidation months or years later. We only recommend solar companies that have at least 10 years of history behind them. That way we know they can stand the test of time and be there for you for years to come.
SEE IF YOU QUALIFY AND GET CONNECTED
To find out if you qualify for government incentives, simply fill out the form below and we will check your eligibility. Afterward, if you are eligible, we will connect you with your top local CEC approved installer who can help you along your solar journey.
Check if you qualify for rebates & no-net-cost solar in less than 30 seconds
How Does Solar Next Work?
We compile the essential info you need to switch to solar. We also offer a consultation service. We find the solar companies that we believe can deliver the highest-quality systems at the most affordable prices to Australian homeowners. We reach out and offer to partner with these companies for a small fee so we can keep the lights on and cover the advertising costs of sharing the benefits of solar with as many Australians as possible.
Ultimately, we want to do our part to combat climate change. One way we can do this is by motivating people to save money and switch to solar.
All of the companies we partner with are Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved and have been independently vetted by us. We test everything: the product brands they use, their customer service department, the technicians they use and the quality of their installations. This means our readers can be sure they’re getting great value-for-money and a top quality system that will provide them with solar and reduced energy costs for many years to come.
Our Core Values
- Helping Australian homeowners switch to solar in the easiest and most cost-effective way.
- Lowering carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere to reduce global warming.
- Universal energy access that is safe and powers economic development for everyone.
- Renewable energy and a cleaner, more sustainable future.