You've taken the first step - your vendor will be in touch with you directly soon. To help you get the most out of that conversation, here's a quick guide on what to expect and how to prepare.
Every vendor in the Brighte marketplace is vetted. They're there to understand your home and your goals - and help you make the right decision.
What happens next
Your vendor will reach out to learn about your home, your energy use, and what you're hoping to achieve before putting together a quote. How they approach this can vary - some vendors are comfortable quoting over the phone using satellite imagery and a copy of your energy bill, while others prefer to visit the property first so they can assess your roof, switchboard, and setup in person.
Both approaches are completely standard in the industry, and either way you should come away with a clear recommendation.
Some vendors may ask for a few things before or during that first conversation to help them prepare a more accurate quote:
Your most recent electricity bill - particularly your usage in kWh, your current tariff type, and your retailer
Your property type (house, townhouse, apartment) and whether you own or rent
Any shading on your roof from trees, neighbouring buildings, or other structures
Whether you already have solar and are adding a battery or other items, or are starting fresh
Your switchboard type if you know it, or a photo of it - this helps vendors assess whether any upgrades may be needed
Note: If you share the home with a partner or co-owner, try to have them available for the call or site visit. Most vendors prefer both decision-makers to be present before they can move forward with a recommendation, and having everyone there from the start saves time.
What the conversation will typically cover
That first discussion will usually cover your current energy bills and usage patterns, what outcome you're looking for - whether that's reducing your electricity costs, adding battery backup for outages, going off-peak, or a combination - and what system size and setup would best suit your home
Your vendor may also recommend specific brands of equipment - panels, inverter, battery, or all three. That's normal - they know the products they work with, and some have genuine reasons for their preferences.
If you've done your research and have a brand preference, mention it. Your vendor will either work with it or explain their recommendation. Either way, the final call is yours.
If anything is unclear, ask. A good vendor will welcome the questions.
Reviewing and confirming your quote
Once the conversation is done, your quote will appear in the Brighte platform for you to review at your own pace (https://applynow.brighte.com.au/). If you've spoken with more than one vendor, you can compare quotes side by side before making a decision - there's no pressure to confirm straight away.
Questions to ask
To help you ask the right questions along the way, we've put together a detailed vendor checklist. It covers system design, what's included in the price, government rebates, deposit terms, warranty details, and how to assess vendor credentials.
We're here if you need us
Your vendor will handle the quote and installation, but if something about the interaction didn't feel right, or you have a question before your next step, reach out at help.brighte.com.au.
Questions you may want to ask your vendor
What system are you recommending, and why does it suit my home?
A good vendor will tailor their recommendation to how you use electricity, your roof orientation, and whether you want backup power. If you'd like more detail on any of it, just ask your vendor.
What brands of panels, inverter, and battery are you quoting?
When they walk you through the brands they're recommending, it's worth understanding the warranties and claim process.
What's the product warranty and the workmanship warranty?
These are different. Product warranty covers the equipment. Workmanship warranty covers the installation itself.
How long will installation take from signing to switch-on?
This includes grid connection and metering through a third party (your energy retailer), which are often the slowest step. Battery installations may also require an electrician to upgrade your switchboard. Please be mindful of weather conditions that plays a part too when working outdoors with electricity
Will I be able to monitor the system's performance?
Most modern inverters and batteries come with monitoring apps. Confirm it's included and ask how you'd know if something stopped working or underperforming.
What's included? Supply, labour, metering, grid connection, switchboard work?
Grid connection and meter upgrades are often charged separately. Battery installs may also require a switchboard upgrade. All the extras required for your installation should be a part of the quote.
Is a deposit required, and if so, how much?
A deposit is common, but also should be reasonable. Be cautious of any vendor asking for a large upfront payment before the installation date is confirmed. Check what the refund terms are if the job doesn't proceed.
How long is this quote valid?
This can vary but quotes typically expire after 30 days.
Can I have everything in writing before I confirm?
vendors will always provide a written quote with brand names, specifications, and inclusions.
After the call - before you decide
Take your time. There's no pressure to decide on the spot. Please understand the longer you take chances are your quote may change and your installation date may push out further depending on demand.
Review your quote in the Brighte platform
Log in to your Brighte account to see your quote in full. If you've spoken to more than one vendor, you can compare side by side.
Check the vendor's reviews
Google reviews and the Clean Energy Council vendor finder are both useful. Look for recent reviews, not just overall star ratings.
Confirm your payment method and date of Install
Decide on how you would like to pay. If you're using a CBA loan through this program, make sure that's clearly noted on your quote. And stay informed on your date of installation by talking to you vendor. Please note your install date may change due to different reasons that potentially are outside the vendor control.
Questions? Our support team is here throughout the whole process. Reach out at 1300 274 448