Solar “specials” are everywhere. Big glossy ads with sharp prices that look too good to miss. But here’s the truth: most homes don’t actually qualify.

It’s like this: your local fish and chip shop is offering a $15 family pack — 2 hot dogs, 3 fish, 2 scoops of chips, 3 potato fritters. Solid deal. But if you ask for just one extra hot dog, suddenly it’s $4. And you’re left scratching your head: “How can one hot dog cost $4 when two are included in the pack?!”

Because bundles are cheap. Extras aren’t. Solar works the same way.

Why the “special” price rarely applies to your home

Solar companies lower their profit margins on those headline packages. But they’re designed for the simplest, most cookie-cutter homes. The second your property adds complexity, the price shifts. Common reasons include:

• More than one roof face → More wiring, more panels to position, more labour.
• Metal tile roof → Leaks are super rare, but they do happen more on metal tiles than corrugated iron. That extra risk (and time on the roof) costs more.
• Concrete tile or shingle roof → Harder to work with, more fragile, more time needed.
• Multi-storey homes → Extra scaffolding, extra safety requirements.
• Inverter far from switchboard → More cabling, more hours, more cost.
• Extra sub-board required → It’s a compliance must-have, not an upsell.

None of these mean solar’s not worth it. They just mean the real-world cost of fitting panels to your home will look a little different from the advertised “from $X” number.

Why tailored quotes matter

Your tailored quote is about your house, not a marketing campaign. It factors in your roof, your wiring, and your power habits. Specials are designed to look sharp — tailored quotes are designed to be accurate.

And the good news? Once the quotes are on the table, we can still push installers to sharpen their pencils. You’ll end up with the best possible deal for your situation, not just a glossy number no one can actually deliver.

So when you see that solar “special,” just remember the fish and chip shop. The $15 deal looks great, but if you want the extra hot dog (or the system that fits your house), it’s going to cost a bit more. And that’s okay — because the real value is in solar that works, not solar that was advertised.