Two questions sit under this one: what does it cost to start, and how do you actually start a solar retail or installation business in Australia. They share an answer, because the order you do things in decides what you spend.
Start with the licence, not the logo
Nothing else matters until you have the right licences. Rooftop solar needs a licensed electrician in every state, and to create STCs the work has to be done or directly supervised by a person accredited with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). If you are not already both, that is the first and largest cost in time. See how to become an SAA accredited installer and the state pages, starting with NSW.
The cost buckets
Figures vary by state, supplier and how many people you employ, so treat these as categories to price rather than quotes.
| Cost | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Business set-up | ABN, company or sole-trader structure, accountant, bookkeeping software |
| Electrical contractor licence and SAA accreditation | State licence fees plus SAA fees and training; see SAA accreditation cost |
| Insurance | Public liability, workers compensation if you employ, and possibly professional indemnity and warranty cover; see insurance for solar installers |
| Tools and test equipment | Roof safety gear, testers, ladders, scaffolding hire, cable tools |
| Vehicle | A ute or van is often the biggest single purchase |
| Software | Quote, design and CRM tools; see quote and design software |
| Marketing | Website, Google profile, lead costs |
| Working capital | Stock, wages and a buffer for slow-paying jobs |
Working capital is the real number
A 6.6 kW job might carry several thousand dollars of equipment before you can lodge anything. If the customer pays a deposit and you sell the STCs to a trader after install, you still carry the gap between paying the supplier and receiving the STC payment. Faster settlement shrinks the gap, which is why the choice of buyer matters; the installer cash flow answer goes through the maths, and the how long should STC payment take insight shows what is normal.
How to start, in order
- Confirm your electrical licence and get SAA accreditation.
- Set up the entity, ABN, GST registration and insurance.
- Decide whether you will sell direct, install for a retailer, or both. Selling brings extra obligations; see solar retailer requirements.
- Choose your suppliers and make sure every product is on the approved lists.
- Build your contract, quote and photo routine before the first job.
- Line up an STC buyer and register your details so the first claim does not stall. Start trading covers it.
From the desk: new installers underprice the job to win work and then discover the STC discount they advertised is higher than the cash they will receive. Check the current rate before you quote and keep your discount tied to it.
What this means for installers
Price your first year in two columns: what you spend to be allowed to install, and what you must fund between install and payment. The STC calculator shows the certificate value on a typical job, and pricing shows the published rate. The wider picture is on the installers hub.