Thinking About Solar & Battery in 2025?Avoid These 7 Costly Mistakes!
Solar power and home batteries are hotter than ever in 2025. Electricity prices keep
climbing, government incentives are shifting, and new technology is changing the
game.
But here’s the catch—not all solar setups are created equal. Many homeowners jump
in without doing their homework, only to end up with a system that doesn’t perform as
expected, costs way more than it should, or fails to deliver long-term savings.
Want to make the right decision? Then watch out for these 7 common (and
expensive) mistakes people make when going solar and adding battery storage.
Buying Cheap Panels & Batteries That Don’t Last
Not all solar panels and batteries are worth your money. Some brands are just
cheaper for a reason—they degrade faster, generate less power, or fail much sooner
than expected.
Why This Mistake Hurts
- Lower efficiency = less energy production
- Cheap batteries = early replacements
- Poor durability = higher long-term costs
What to Do Instead
- Pick Tier 1 solar panels from trusted manufacturers with strong warranties (25+
- years for panels, 10+ years for batteries). These panels and inverters shall be tried
- and tested in our local environment with local support offices.
- Choose lithium-ion batteries from reputable brands like Tesla, Sungrow, Ehphase,
Alpha, SAJ, GoodWe - Ask your installer for real performance data before making a choice.
Smart Move: A quality system may cost more upfront, but it pays for itself with higher
efficiency and a longer lifespan.
Falling for ‘Free Solar’ or ‘Too-Good-to-Be-True’
Deals
Ever seen ads promising “Zero-cost solar panels” or “Free battery storage”? Sounds
great—until you read the fine print.
What’s the Catch?
- Solar leasing & PPAs mean you don’t own the system—you just rent it, often at
- inflated prices.
- Some companies use low-quality equipment and hide extra costs in the contract.
- “Free” deals often lock you into long-term commitments with high exit fees.
What to Do Instead
- Always read the fine print before signing anything.
- Get multiple quotes and compare them to see what’s actually best for you.
- Make sure you own the system outright for maximum benefits.
Smart Move: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. A reputable
installer will give you transparent pricing and real value.
Getting the Wrong Battery Size
Thinking of adding a battery? Great! But get the wrong size, and you could end up
with a system that doesn’t meet your energy needs—or one that costs way more
than it should.
Common Mistakes
- Too small? You’ll run out of stored energy too quickly.
- Too big? You’ll overpay for storage you don’t fully use.
- Incompatible system? Your solar inverter may not support it properly.
What to Do Instead
- Assess your household’s energy usage (especially at night).
- If you use power mostly in the evening, get a larger battery.
- Make sure your solar inverter is battery-ready (or get a hybrid inverter).
Smart Move: A good installer should help you size your battery based on real data,
not just sell you the biggest (or smallest) option.
Not Taking Full Advantage of Government Rebates
In 2025, solar and battery incentives are changing—and if you don’t claim them
correctly, you could miss out on thousands of dollars in savings.
What You Might Be Missing
- Federal and state rebates (varies by location)
- Solar loans to reduce upfront costs
- Feed-in tariffs that pay you for excess energy sent to the grid
What to Do Instead
- Check your eligibility for solar and battery rebates (Peak Demand Reduction
Scheme – PDRS.). - Apply for battery subsidies before they run out (many are limited).
Smart Move: Government rebates are gradually reducing—the sooner you install, the
bigger the savings.
Choosing a Solar Installer Without Doing Research
Your solar system is only as good as the company installing it. A bad installer can
mess up even the best equipment.
- Poor panel positioning = Lower energy generation
- Cheap inverters = Frequent breakdowns
- Disappearing warranties = No support when something goes wrong
- Companies trying to undercut others to get your business by offering you cheapest pricing.
What to Do Instead
- Only hire CEC-accredited installers (Clean Energy Council approved).
- Look for companies with 5+ years of experience in solar.
- Read customer reviews and avoid companies with complaints about poor service.
Smart Move: A good installer offers a performance guarantee—they should stand by
their work.
Not Planning for Future Energy Needs
Solar is a long-term investment, so you need to think ahead. Many homeowners
install a system that only meets their current needs, not realizing they might need
more power later.
Why This Becomes a Problem
- Want an electric car later? Your system might not support it.
- Adding more appliances? You could run out of solar power.
- Expanding later might require a new inverter, which is expensive.
What to Do Instead
- Consider future electricity needs when sizing your system.
- Get a larger inverter so you can expand your system later.
- If you plan to buy an EV, heat pump, or pool in the next few years, factor that in
NOW.
Smart Move: It’s cheaper to future-proof your solar system upfront than to upgrade
later.
Thinking Solar is ‘Set & Forget’
Once your solar system is installed, you can just sit back and let it work, right?
Wrong. If you don’t monitor and maintain it, you’re losing money.
What Happens If You Ignore Maintenance?
- Dust & dirt buildup = Up to 20% energy loss
- No system monitoring = You won’t notice if something stops working
- Firmware updates for batteries = Needed to keep efficiency high
What to Do Instead
- Install a solar monitoring app to track performance.
- Clean your panels at least once or twice a year.
- Get your system checked every 6-12 months to ensure it’s running optimally.
Smart Move: A simple maintenance check can save you thousands in lost efficiency
over time.
Final Thoughts: Get Solar the Smart Way
Going solar in 2025 is one of the best financial moves you can make—but only if you
do it right.
By avoiding these 7 common mistakes, you’ll:
Get the best value for your investment
Maximize government rebates and savings
Ensure your system meets your future needs
Enjoy long-term energy independence
Want a stress-free solar experience?
Talk to a trusted solar expert today and get a system that actually works for you!
Get a FREE Solar Consultation Now!
Shane – 0492 830 700
Omer – 0493 083 219