Smart Energy reviews are mostly positive, with a clear weak spot. Smart Energy (Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd, Byron Bay NSW, owned by Rinnai Australia since August 2024) is a national solar and battery retailer rated 4.7 stars from 1,551 Trustpilot reviews, 4.6 from about 500 Google reviews at its head office, and 4.1 from 527 ProductReview.com.au reviews as at November 2026. Our verdict: a legitimate, well-backed company with a strong payment plan, but reviewers repeatedly flag door-to-door sales pressure and slow after-sales fixes.
This review covers the Byron Bay company at smartenergy.co, listed in our directory as Smart Energy, not the similarly named businesses listed further down. It is independent desk research: Smart Energy was not contacted and did not pay to be included.
Key facts
- Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd (ABN 83 615 998 377) of Byron Bay, New South Wales, has held an active ABN since 18 November 2016, according to ABN Lookup in November 2026.
- Rinnai Corporation announced that its subsidiary Rinnai Australia acquired Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd and two affiliated companies on 1 August 2024.
- Smart Energy holds a Trustpilot score of 4.7 out of 5 from 1,551 reviews as at November 2026.
- Smart Energy is rated 4.1 out of 5 from 527 reviews on ProductReview.com.au as at November 2026, with 21 per cent of reviews negative.
- Smart Energy publishes a 5 year installation workmanship warranty on its website as at November 2026.
- Smart Energy does not publish system prices on its website as at November 2026; the average purchase price reported by ProductReview.com.au reviewers is A$15,919.
Smart Energy at a glance
The table below shows what we could confirm about Smart Energy from its website, ABN Lookup, Rinnai and review platforms in November 2026.
| Item | Detail (checked November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016, by Beau Savage and Elliot Hayes, according to the company |
| Head office | 10 Brigantine Street, Byron Bay NSW 2481 |
| Legal entity and ABN | Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd, ABN 83 615 998 377, active since 18 November 2016 |
| Owner | Rinnai Australia Pty Ltd (subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation, Japan) since 1 August 2024 |
| States served | All of Australia from more than 15 offices, according to the company |
| Size (company claims) | More than 300 staff, 25,000 customers |
| What it sells | Solar, batteries, heat pump hot water, EV chargers, air conditioning, water filtration |
| Workmanship warranty | 5 years, per the company’s website |
| Payment options | Upfront, or the Smart Savings zero interest plan |
| Google rating | 4.6 stars from 503 reviews (Byron Bay head office listing) |
| Trustpilot | 4.7 from 1,551 reviews |
| ProductReview.com.au | 4.1 from 527 reviews |
| SolarQuotes | 4.5 from 158 ratings |
| Accreditation as stated by the company | NETCC approved seller; installers accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia |
Our directory page for Smart Energy is its Tamworth branch listing, which shows 4.5 stars from 355 Google reviews. Google ratings are recorded per branch.
Is Smart Energy any good?
Smart Energy is a legitimate, large solar retailer and most of its customers rate it highly. Across four platforms and more than 2,700 public reviews, its scores sit between 4.1 and 4.7 out of 5 as at November 2026.
The case for Smart Energy is stability and convenience. It has traded under the same ABN since 2016, is owned by a large appliance manufacturer, sells solar, batteries, hot water and EV charging under one contract, and offers a zero interest payment plan.
The case against is about sales and service, not legitimacy. Negative reviews cluster around door-to-door sales pressure, slow fault resolution and price. The company publishes no prices, names few brands online, and its 5 year workmanship warranty is modest for its size.
A high star rating alone is weak evidence, as we explain in the five-star problem. Read the negative reviews, then compare the quote with at least two others using our guide to comparing solar quotes.
Two details are worth knowing. Smart Energy’s website displays a Google rating of 4.8 out of 5, higher than the 4.6 on its head office listing. And New South Wales installers in the Solar Cobber directory average 4.82 on Google, so Smart Energy sits below the state average, although from far more reviews than the directory median of 27.
What customers praise
Positive Smart Energy reviews most often describe a fast, tidy installation and clear communication up to the install date. These themes recur on Trustpilot, ProductReview.com.au and SolarQuotes during 2026.
- Installation crews. Reviewers describe installers as punctual, neat and willing to explain the system. ProductReview.com.au’s installation sub-rating was 5.0 out of 5 as at November 2026.
- Speed. Several 2026 reviews describe solar and battery installs completed in one day.
- Consultants who explain. Many five-star reviews say the bill analysis and technical detail were explained plainly.
- Onboarding. Reviewers mention follow-up calls and help with the monitoring app and electricity plan.
Common Smart Energy complaints
The most common Smart Energy complaints in public reviews are about door-to-door sales tactics and slow after-sales support. These are patterns in customer reviews, not findings by a regulator.
- Door-knocking and sales pressure. Negative ProductReview.com.au reviews in 2026 describe unsolicited door-knockers who booked unwanted appointments or could not answer basic questions.
- Slow fault resolution. Reviewers on ProductReview.com.au and SolarQuotes describe batteries not coming online and inverter warranty replacements taking weeks. One reviewer said a battery fault was unresolved after seven months.
- Placement and unfinished work. Trustpilot’s summary of recent reviews notes equipment not installed in the agreed location and repeated follow-ups to fix faults.
- Price. Some SolarQuotes reviewers say comparable systems were cheaper elsewhere. ProductReview.com.au’s value for money sub-rating is 3.9 out of 5.
Smart Energy does respond in public. Company replies appear under negative ProductReview.com.au reviews, and Trustpilot reports it typically replies within a week. Its published complaint process promises a response within 24 hours on weekdays, on 1300 133 055 or support@smartenergy.co.
Your rights if Smart Energy knocks on your door
A sale that starts with an uninvited door-knock or phone call is an unsolicited consumer agreement under the Australian Consumer Law, and it comes with a 10 business day cooling-off period. According to the ACCC, the seller cannot take payment during that period, door-knocking is not allowed on Sundays or public holidays, and a salesperson asked to leave must go immediately. These rules apply to every door-to-door solar seller.
Products and brands Smart Energy installs
Smart Energy does not name panel, inverter or battery models on the product pages we read in November 2026, so ask for exact model numbers and datasheets with your quote.
Smart Energy’s SolarQuotes profile lists Canadian Solar, Qcells, SunPower and Trina panels and ABB, Fronius, SMA and Sungrow inverters as currently installed, and AlphaESS, Senec and Sungrow batteries as previously installed. Smart Energy’s blog and 2026 customer reviews also refer to AlphaESS batteries.
If one of these brands is on your quote, our reviews may help, although the exact model may differ: the AlphaESS SMILE-G3 battery, the Sungrow SBR battery, the Fronius GEN24 Plus inverter and Trina Vertex S+ panels.
Smart Energy prices
Smart Energy does not publish prices on its website as at November 2026. The only public price evidence is what customers report on review platforms, shown below.
| Source | What reviewers reported | Period |
|---|---|---|
| ProductReview.com.au | Average purchase price of A$15,919 (solar, battery and combined systems) | As displayed November 2026 |
| SolarQuotes | 7 kW solar system in the A$8,000 to A$10,000 band | Review dated July 2026 |
| SolarQuotes | Battery system at “almost $19k” | Review dated August 2026 |
These are self-reported customer figures, not a price list, and they do not state battery size or the federal discount applied.
How the Smart Savings payment plan works
Smart Savings is Smart Energy’s zero upfront, zero interest payment plan, with weekly repayments, a 90 day deferral and ownership after the repayment term, according to the company’s website. The pages we read did not name the finance provider, the term or any fees.
Zero interest does not mean the plan costs nothing, because the cost of interest-free finance can be built into the system price. Ask for the cash price and the plan price for the identical system, then compare the cash price with other quotes.
A worked example, using illustrative figures and not Smart Energy prices: a battery offered at A$12,000 on a 10 year zero interest plan costs A$100 a month. If another installer quotes A$10,000 cash for an equivalent system, the plan carries an effective cost of A$2,000 even at 0 per cent interest.
Warranty and after-sales support
Smart Energy publishes a 5 year installation workmanship warranty, honoured by Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd as both retailer and installer. Many established installers offer 10 years. Its website also lists product warranties of up to 15 years on inverters and 10 years on batteries.
One detail to check: on the company’s Our Difference page in November 2026, the panel warranties are headed 30 years while the text beneath says 25 years. Get the term for your panel model in writing.
Every system includes Smart Care, the company’s support plan with monitoring and no call-out fees for covered issues.
If an installer stops trading, the workmanship warranty usually goes with it and you are left with the manufacturer warranties. Rinnai’s ownership lowers that risk but is not a guarantee. Our solar company failures tracker explains what happens to warranties when a retailer closes.
Company background
Smart Energy was founded in northern New South Wales in 2016 and sold to Rinnai Australia on 1 August 2024. The legal entity, Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd, has held an active ABN since 18 November 2016, according to ABN Lookup.
Rinnai Corporation’s announcement described the purchase as the Rinnai Group’s first move into solar. PV Magazine Australia reported in August 2024 that Smart Energy had more than 300 staff and 15 offices.
We found no public enforcement action against Smart Energy as at November 2026. This was a desk search of public sources, not a full court records check.
Not to be confused with
Several unrelated organisations share the name and are not covered here.
- Smart Energy Answers, a separate Castle Hill (Sydney) installer with its own reviews.
- Smart Energy Solutions Adelaide, a separate South Australian business.
- Smart Energy Council, the industry association, which is not a retailer.
Smart Energy vs alternatives
Smart Energy’s closest competitors are other multi-state retailers. The table below compares four of them using Google ratings from the Solar Cobber directory and warranty terms as published or claimed by each company.
| Company | Google rating (listing) | Workmanship warranty | Notable products | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smart Energy | 4.5 from 355 (Tamworth) | 5 years (company website) | AlphaESS batteries per reviews; Rinnai appliances | Zero upfront payment plans, whole home bundles |
| Solargain | 4.3 from 172 (Melbourne) | Not clearly published | Includes Tesla Powerwall 3 | Buyers wanting a long-running national brand |
| 1KOMMA5° | 4.3 from 536 (New South Wales) | 30 years claimed, with conditions | Battery and energy management packages | Battery-first households with larger budgets |
| Sunboost | 4.7 from 6,654 (Eastern Creek) | Not clearly published | Budget solar and battery packages | Price-first buyers with simple roofs |
A well-reviewed local installer is often the better comparison. Our guide to the best national solar companies links to city guides for local options.
Who Smart Energy suits, and who should look elsewhere
Smart Energy suits households that want one company for solar, battery and appliances and prefer to pay over time. It is a weaker fit for buyers chasing the lowest cash price or the longest workmanship warranty.
Smart Energy may suit you if:
- You do not want to pay upfront and want a zero interest plan from a manufacturer-owned company.
- You plan to add a battery, heat pump or EV charger in stages through one provider.
Look elsewhere if:
- You are paying cash and want the sharpest price.
- You want a 10 year or longer workmanship warranty.
- You were approached at the door and feel rushed. Use the cooling-off period and get other quotes.
Our guide to choosing a solar installer covers the checks that apply to any company.
Questions to ask Smart Energy before you sign
- What are the exact panel, inverter and battery model numbers?
- What is the cash price, and what is the total paid on the Smart Savings plan for the identical system?
- Who is the finance provider, what is the term, and are there any fees?
- Will Smart Energy employees or a subcontractor install it, and what is the installer’s Solar Accreditation Australia number?
- Is the panel product warranty 25 or 30 years for this model?
- What is the battery’s usable capacity in kWh, and how much federal battery discount is in this price?
- Where will the battery and inverter be mounted, and is that written into the contract?
- What happens if the system is not online within an agreed number of days?
FAQ
Is Smart Energy legit?
Yes, Smart Energy is a legitimate Australian company. Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd has held an active ABN (83 615 998 377) since November 2016, is based in Byron Bay, New South Wales, and has been owned by Rinnai Australia, a subsidiary of Japan’s Rinnai Corporation, since 1 August 2024.
Is Smart Energy CEC approved?
Smart Energy states that it is a New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) approved seller, the program that replaced the Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer scheme, and that its installers are accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia. Solar Cobber has not verified this, so check the approved seller list at newenergytech.org.au and the Solar Accreditation Australia register yourself.
How much does Smart Energy charge?
Smart Energy does not publish prices as at November 2026. Reviewers on ProductReview.com.au report an average purchase price of A$15,919 across solar and battery systems, and SolarQuotes reviewers in 2026 reported a 7 kW solar system in the A$8,000 to A$10,000 band.
What are the most common Smart Energy complaints?
The most common Smart Energy complaints in public reviews are door-to-door sales pressure and slow after-sales support. Reviewers on ProductReview.com.au and SolarQuotes also describe batteries that were slow to come online and prices they considered high.
Does Smart Energy install batteries?
Yes, Smart Energy sells and installs home batteries, and says it has installed more than 5,000. The company does not name battery models on its website, but its blog and 2026 customer reviews refer to AlphaESS batteries.
What happens to my warranty if Smart Energy closes?
If Smart Energy stopped trading, its 5 year workmanship warranty would likely be lost, while manufacturer warranties on panels, inverters and batteries would continue with each manufacturer. Rinnai’s ownership makes closure less likely than for a small independent installer, but does not rule it out.
Sources
- Smart Energy website, including Our Difference and About Us, checked November 2026
- Smart Energy complaint handling process
- ABN Lookup: Smart Energy Group Pty Ltd, ABN 83 615 998 377
- Rinnai Corporation: Rinnai Australia Acquires Smart Energy, 2 August 2024
- PV Magazine Australia: Japanese appliance manufacturer snaps up Byron’s Smart Energy, August 2024
- Trustpilot: Smart Energy, checked November 2026
- ProductReview.com.au: Smart Energy, checked November 2026
- SolarQuotes: Smart Energy Group reviews, checked November 2026
- ACCC: Telemarketing and door-to-door sales
- New Energy Tech Consumer Code
About this review
This review was prepared by the Solar Cobber editorial team as independent desk research, checked in November 2026. Solar Cobber is a free directory that may earn referral or advertising fees from installers. Commercial relationships never affect our content. This is general information, not financial advice. If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us through our contact page.
Filed under Solar Installers
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