Solar Power Nation reviews tell two different stories. The North Sydney solar and battery retailer, which sells in five Australian states, holds 4.5 stars from roughly 3,360 Google reviews and 4.2 from 3,460 on ProductReview.com.au, but 1.4 from 50 on Trustpilot, as at November 2026. On 11 November 2026 the Clean Energy Regulator permanently suspended the company from the federal rebate scheme. Our verdict: do not sign or pay a deposit until that is resolved.
This is independent desk research from regulator notices, public records, news reporting and public review platforms. Solar Cobber did not contact Solar Power Nation, request a quote or accept payment, and the company is not listed in our installer directory.
Key facts
- The Clean Energy Regulator announced on 11 November 2026 that it had permanently suspended 1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Solar Power Nation, as a registered person under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, which means the company can no longer create small-scale technology certificates (STCs).
- Solar Power Nation has 60 days to request a review of the Clean Energy Regulator decision, and said on 12 November 2026 that it will do so and is still trading.
- The New Energy Tech Consumer Code expelled 1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd, trading as Solar Power Nation, on 15 December 2025 for six upheld breaches.
- South Australia’s Commissioner for Consumer Affairs issued a public warning notice about Solar Power Nation on 23 July 2026 after Consumer and Business Services recorded 94 complaints between July 2025 and April 2026.
- Solar Power Nation is rated 4.5 stars from roughly 3,360 Google reviews, 4.2 stars from 3,460 ProductReview.com.au reviews, 3.4 stars from 218 SolarQuotes reviews and 1.4 stars from 50 Trustpilot reviews, all checked in November 2026.
Solar Power Nation at a glance
The table below summarises what public records and the company’s own website say about Solar Power Nation, checked in November 2026.
| Item | Detail (checked November 2026) |
|---|---|
| Legal entity | 1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd, ABN 66 134 707 538, ACN 134 707 538 (ABN Lookup) |
| Business name | “Solar Power Nation” registered to this entity from 24 July 2024 (ABN Lookup) |
| Head office | Level 16, 1 Denison Street, North Sydney NSW 2060 |
| States served | NSW, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia; the quote form also lists the ACT |
| What it sells | Rooftop solar, hybrid inverters and home batteries; battery brands listed include Fox ESS, Sigenergy, AlphaESS, Sungrow, GoodWe and Tesla |
| Workmanship warranty | 10 years, according to its special offers page |
| Google rating | 4.5 stars, roughly 3,360 reviews |
| ProductReview.com.au | 4.2 stars, 3,460 reviews |
| SolarQuotes | 3.4 stars, 218 reviews |
| Trustpilot | 1.4 stars, 50 reviews |
| New Energy Tech Consumer Code | Expelled 15 December 2025 (code compliance register) |
| Federal rebate scheme status | Permanently suspended as a registered person, announced 11 November 2026 (Clean Energy Regulator) |
Is Solar Power Nation any good?
On the public record as at November 2026, Solar Power Nation is a high-risk choice for a new solar or battery purchase. Three separate bodies have acted against the company in 11 months: the industry consumer code expelled it, South Australia’s consumer regulator issued a public warning, and the Clean Energy Regulator decided it no longer meets the scheme’s fit and proper person requirements.
The star ratings do not settle the question. Many customers report a cheap system that was installed neatly and works; the recurring problem is what happens when something goes wrong.
Solar Power Nation disputes the decision, says it has installed more than 40,000 systems, and says the suspension does not stop it selling. That is correct, but a buyer signing today is relying on a retailer that cannot create the certificates behind the discount in its own headline prices. Until the review is decided, we think most households should get quotes elsewhere.
What customers praise
Positive Solar Power Nation reviews mostly praise the price, quick quoting and tidy installation crews, according to ProductReview.com.au’s summary of its 3,460 reviews in November 2026.
A 4.5 Google rating is less impressive than it sounds: in the Solar Cobber directory only 13 of 1,222 rated solar companies sit below 4.0 stars. Our analysis of why a high star rating alone means little explains how to read past the number.
Common Solar Power Nation complaints
Solar Power Nation complaints follow one pattern across every platform we checked: money is taken, then communication stops. Negative reviews on Trustpilot, SolarQuotes and ProductReview.com.au in 2025 and 2026 repeat the same themes.
- Deposits and delays. Customers describe paying a deposit of a few hundred dollars, then waiting months past the promised installation date with repeated cancellations.
- Refunds. Several reviewers say a deposit refund only arrived after a credit card dispute or a complaint to a state fair trading office.
- After-sales support. Faulty inverters and batteries reported as unresolved for months, with warranty requests unanswered.
The official record matches the reviews. The South Australian public warning notice lists 41 complaints about deposits paid without installation in a reasonable time or at all, and 26 about products that did not work or stopped working. Those complaints are allegations under investigation, not findings.
Solar Power Nation told South Australia’s regulator that a demand surge before rebates were reduced on 30 April 2026 caused scheduling and refund delays, and told ABC 7.30 in August 2026 that it offers rectification and refunds where appropriate.
Products and brands Solar Power Nation installs
Solar Power Nation sells mainstream budget and mid-range equipment, with Fox ESS as its most promoted battery partner. Its website lists batteries from Fox ESS, Sigenergy, AlphaESS, SolarEdge, Growatt, BYD, SolaX, SAJ, Sungrow, GoodWe and Tesla, as at November 2026. Its package pages do not name the panel, inverter or battery brand, describing panels only as “Tier 1”.
We have reviewed the Fox ESS battery and the Sigenergy SigenStor. The complaints on the public record are about installation, scheduling and support, not the brands.
Solar Power Nation prices
Solar Power Nation publishes some of the lowest headline prices in Australia. The prices below are from its special offers page, checked in November 2026, and are described by the company as after the STC discount for a standard metropolitan installation.
| Package (as advertised) | Advertised price after discount |
|---|---|
| 6.6 kW solar with 5 kW inverter | A$3,499 |
| 10.1 kW solar with 8 kW inverter | A$4,999 |
| 20 kWh battery with 5 kW hybrid inverter | A$4,299 |
| 30 kWh battery with 5 kW hybrid inverter | A$6,599 |
| 6.6 kW solar plus 20 kWh battery | A$6,599 |
An STC (small-scale technology certificate) is the tradable certificate that delivers the federal solar and battery discount, normally assigned to the retailer or an agent in exchange for a lower upfront price. Every price above assumes that discount.
Three cautions apply. First, the company says regional areas, switchboard upgrades and complex roofs cost extra. Second, since 11 November 2026 Solar Power Nation cannot create STCs itself, so ask in writing which registered agent will, and what happens to your price if they are refused. Third, the battery prices are far below the A$16,000 to A$25,000 or more before the federal discount that our battery cost guide gives for 20 kWh or larger.
Warranty and after-sales support
Solar Power Nation advertises a 10 year workmanship warranty, a 10 year inverter warranty and a 25 year panel performance warranty on its special offers page, as at November 2026. The workmanship warranty is only as good as the company standing behind it, and after-sales support is the weakest area in its public reviews.
Also check which company is named on your contract. According to ABC 7.30, the brand was owned until mid 2024 by CSS & S, which later went into liquidation. Our solar company failures tracker explains what to do when the business that installed your system no longer exists.
Company background
Solar Power Nation has operated since about 2010 according to SolarQuotes, changed owning entity in 2024, and has faced three regulatory actions since December 2025.
| Date | What happened | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mid 2024 | The Solar Power Nation brand and assets were sold by CSS & S to the related company 1 Solar Australia | ABC 7.30, August 2026 |
| 15 December 2025 | Expelled from the New Energy Tech Consumer Code for six upheld breaches | Code compliance register |
| 23 July 2026 | Public warning notice issued in South Australia after 94 complaints | SA Commissioner for Consumer Affairs |
| 11 November 2026 | Permanently suspended from the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme | Clean Energy Regulator |
The South Australian public warning notice says the company is under investigation by Consumer and Business Services. The Clean Energy Regulator’s announcement cites both earlier actions, and the company’s response says it strongly disagrees. We found no court judgment or penalty against Solar Power Nation as at November 2026.
Solar Power Nation vs alternatives
Buyers attracted to Solar Power Nation usually want a low national price, so the fair comparison is with other large multi-state retailers. Ratings are Google ratings held in the Solar Cobber directory, checked in November 2026. Budget national retailers share the same contractor-based model, so read their recent one-star reviews too; Sydney households can also start with our Sydney solar companies guide.
| Company | Google rating (count) | Workmanship warranty | Install model | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar Power Nation | 4.5 (about 3,360) | 10 years (company website) | Subcontractors (per reviews) | Not recommended while suspended |
| Sunboost | 4.7 (6,654) | Not clearly published | Contractor network | Lowest price, simple roofs |
| Solargain | 4.3 (172, Melbourne branch) | Not clearly published | Subcontractors (per reviews) | Buyers wanting an established national |
Who Solar Power Nation suits, and who should look elsewhere
As at November 2026, we do not think Solar Power Nation suits any new buyer until the Clean Energy Regulator review is decided. The discount in its prices depends on certificates it can no longer create, and its record on refunds is poor.
Existing customers are in a different position:
- Paid a deposit, no installation yet. Ask in writing how the rebate will be handled and whether your price changes. If you want out, request the refund in writing, then go to your state fair trading body or your card provider.
Questions to ask Solar Power Nation before you sign
If you still want a quote from Solar Power Nation, get these answers in writing.
- Which registered agent will create the STCs for my system, and is that named in the contract?
- If the certificates are refused or delayed, who pays the difference?
- What exact panel, inverter and battery models am I getting, and what is the usable battery capacity in kWh?
- Who will install the system, and what is their Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation number?
- What is the installation date, and can I cancel for a full refund if it is missed?
- Who do I call for a warranty fault, and what is the response time?
Our guides on how to compare solar quotes and how to choose a solar installer cover the wider checks.
FAQ
Is Solar Power Nation legit?
Solar Power Nation is a real registered business, 1 Solar Australia Pty Ltd (ABN 66 134 707 538), but it was permanently suspended from the federal rebate scheme on 11 November 2026. It was also expelled from the New Energy Tech Consumer Code in December 2025. The company disputes the suspension and is seeking a review.
Has Solar Power Nation been banned?
Solar Power Nation has been banned from creating federal rebate certificates, not from trading. The Clean Energy Regulator suspended its registration under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme, so it cannot create STCs. It can still legally sell and arrange solar and battery installations, and it has 60 days to request a review.
Will I lose my rebate if I bought from Solar Power Nation?
Not automatically. The right to create STCs belongs to the system owner, and certificates already validly created are unaffected, according to the company’s statement of 12 November 2026. If your certificates have not been created, they must be created by a registered agent within 12 months of installation, so ask the company in writing who will do it.
Is Solar Power Nation CEC approved?
No. Solar Power Nation was expelled as an approved seller under the New Energy Tech Consumer Code, the Clean Energy Council administered program, on 15 December 2025. Its website says installations are done by accredited installers. Check any retailer on the code’s approved seller list and any installer on the Solar Accreditation Australia register yourself.
What are the most common Solar Power Nation complaints?
The most common Solar Power Nation complaints are deposits paid without an installation date, slow refunds, unanswered calls and unresolved warranty faults. South Australia’s consumer regulator recorded 94 complaints between July 2025 and April 2026, 41 of them about deposits. The company blamed a demand surge before rebates were reduced.
How much does Solar Power Nation charge?
Solar Power Nation advertises 6.6 kW solar from A$3,499 and a 20 kWh battery with a 5 kW hybrid inverter from A$4,299, after the STC discount, as at November 2026. Extras apply for regional sites, switchboard work and complex roofs.
What happens to my warranty if Solar Power Nation closes?
If Solar Power Nation stopped trading, its 10 year workmanship warranty would most likely be worthless, but manufacturer warranties on panels, inverters and batteries would remain. Australian Consumer Law rights against manufacturers also continue. Keep your invoice, serial numbers and compliance paperwork so you can claim directly.
Sources
- Clean Energy Regulator: 1 Solar Australia (Solar Power Nation) suspended from the SRES, 11 November 2026
- SA Commissioner for Consumer Affairs: Public Warning Notice, 23 July 2026
- New Energy Tech Consumer Code: compliance activity register
- ABN Lookup: ABN 66 134 707 538
- ABC News: regulator bans Solar Power Nation, November 2026
- ABC 7.30: investigations into Solar Power Nation, August 2026
- SolarQuotes: Solar Power Nation suspended from rebate scheme, November 2026
- Solar Power Nation: statement on the Clean Energy Regulator decision, 12 November 2026
- Solar Power Nation: special offers page
- ProductReview.com.au: Solar Power Nation
- SolarQuotes: Solar Power Nation reviews
- Trustpilot: Solar Power Nation
- Solar Accreditation Australia: accreditation status check
About this review
This review was prepared by the Solar Cobber editorial team from independent desk research checked in November 2026. The regulatory situation is changing quickly and Solar Power Nation is seeking a review of the Clean Energy Regulator decision, so check the sources above for updates. 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 or legal advice. To request a correction, contact us.
Filed under Solar Installers
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