After Solar Installation: What to Check in the First 30 Days
Getting solar panels installed is not the end of the process 鈥?it is the beginning. The first 30 days after installation are when you should verify the system is working correctly, your monitoring is set up, the rebate paperwork is in order, and your electricity retailer knows about your solar. This checklist covers what to do and what to watch for.
- Check your monitoring app within 24 hours of installation to confirm the system is generating.
- Notify your electricity retailer about your solar 鈥?they need to update your meter configuration for feed-in tariff credits.
- Confirm the STC rebate has been assigned and your installer has processed it correctly.
- Compare your first bill after solar against your pre-solar baseline.
Day 1: Set up monitoring and confirm generation
Your inverter should come with a monitoring app or web portal. Set it up on the day of installation or within 24 hours.
Check:
- Is the system generating power during daylight hours?
- Does the generation reading look reasonable for your system size and current weather?
- Are all panels reporting (if you have microinverters or DC optimisers, each panel should show individually)?
A 6.6kW system on a clear day at noon in a capital city should generate roughly 5鈥?kW. If the system shows zero or very low generation on a clear day, something is wrong 鈥?contact your installer immediately.
Week 1: Notify your electricity retailer
Your electricity retailer needs to know about your solar installation before they can set up your feed-in tariff credits. This does not happen automatically.
Steps:
1. Call or email your retailer and tell them you have had solar installed
2. Provide the installation date, system size (kW) and inverter brand
3. Ask them to update your meter configuration for a feed-in tariff (if your state and plan support one)
4. Ask when the change will take effect and whether a meter technician visit is required
In some states and with some retailers, this is handled automatically through the network. In others, you need to initiate it. If you are not sure, call and ask 鈥?if you have already exported solar energy before the meter is configured, some retailers may not back-credit you.
Week 1鈥?: Confirm the STC rebate has been processed
The federal STC (Small-scale Technology Certificate) rebate reduces your upfront installation cost. In most cases, your installer handles the rebate paperwork on your behalf and deducts it from your invoice.
Confirm with your installer:
- Has the STC assignment been submitted?
- What is the reference number or confirmation?
- If paying in full rather than via assignment: when will you receive the rebate amount?
If you are in a state with an additional rebate (Solar Victoria, NSW Empowering Homes, SA Home Battery Scheme etc.) and this has been factored into your quote, confirm separately that the state rebate application has been submitted.
Week 2: Check your roof, wiring and roof penetrations
Do a visual inspection:
- Are all panels firmly mounted with no visible gaps or movement?
- Are roof penetrations (where cables enter the roof) properly sealed?
- Are cables neatly clipped and protected, not hanging loose?
- Is the inverter mounted securely and in a location that gets adequate shade?
Inverters perform better when they are not in direct sunlight. An inverter mounted on an east-facing wall in full afternoon sun may throttle output on hot days.
Week 4: Review your first solar-era electricity bill
Your first bill after solar should show:
- A reduction in the amount of grid electricity imported
- A line item for solar exports (feed-in tariff credit)
- Your new net cost
Compare against a comparable period from before solar installation. Expected changes:
- Significant reduction in daytime grid imports
- Feed-in tariff credits for surplus energy exported
- Evening and overnight usage largely unchanged (unless you have changed behaviour)
If you see no change in usage patterns or no export credits, something is wrong with either the system, the monitoring or your retailer's meter configuration.
What to keep on file
Store these documents somewhere accessible:
- Installation certificate (issued by your installer's licensed electrician)
- Product warranties for panels and inverter
- STC assignment paperwork
- Retailer confirmation of feed-in tariff setup
- Monitoring app login credentials
- Installer contact details for warranty claims
Australian solar panel warranties are typically 10鈥?5 years for product defects and 25 years for performance. Inverter warranties are typically 5鈥?0 years. Keep records so you can make a claim if needed.
Common issues to watch for
System not generating on clear days
Could be a tripped isolator, a communication error with the monitoring system, or a hardware fault. Check your inverter's status light and the monitoring app. If in doubt, call your installer.
Generation lower than expected in the first weeks
Allow 2鈥? weeks for a representative picture. Cloud, rain and seasonal variation affect output. Compare against the installer's estimated annual generation figure rather than a single day.
Feed-in tariff credits not appearing on bill
Most likely a retailer configuration issue. Follow up directly with your retailer.
Roof leaks after installation
Roof penetrations must be properly flashed and sealed. Any new leaks after installation are the installer's responsibility. Document with photos and contact them promptly.
The 30 days after solar installation are when problems are easiest to identify and fix. Set up monitoring immediately, notify your retailer, confirm your rebate paperwork and review your first bill carefully. Keep all documentation 鈥?your warranties run for decades and your installer may not.