NQ Solar
Rob's team talked multiple customers out of unnecessary upgrades — and they came back anyway.
Multiple reviewers describe returning after 9, 14, or even 20 years, specifically because Rob gave them honest advice the first time, including telling people their old panels were fine and didn't need replacing. That kind of candour is worth noting when choosing a solar company, since the incentive to upsell is significant. One reviewer had a poor experience with a service booking that was cancelled late with little notice, though this appears to be an isolated incident across the sample rather than a recurring pattern — still worth confirming scheduling expectations upfront, particularly if you need to take time off work. For homeowners considering a first install or an upgrade with battery storage in the Cairns region, the practical details to confirm with NQ Solar are panel placement on your roof beforehand and any current lead times, as one reviewer noted they would have liked more input on panel positioning.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (29 total)
“Going big this time batteries and all”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 447 solar panel installations in Cairns
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About NQ Solar
Rob runs this Cairns-based solar operation with a long-game philosophy that's genuinely unusual in the industry — multiple reviewers describe him inspecting systems that are 9–15 years old and telling them they don't need replacing, walking away from the upsell. His son Jay handles on-site assessments and initial inspections, while Olga and Mel manage office coordination and are specifically called out for responsive, clear communication. The business covers the full lifecycle of residential solar: original installs, panel removal and reinstallation around roof replacements, system upgrades, and battery storage additions — often for the same households they fitted a decade or more ago. Repeat-customer and multi-decade relationships appear repeatedly in the reviews, which is unusual for an industry where customers often have no reason to return. Installers are known for walking homeowners through the system after completion, including app-based monitoring setup, so customers leave knowing how to track their own power output. NQ Solar uses in-house installation crews rather than subcontractors, and they have a physical showroom in Cairns where panels can be inspected before purchase — practical for anyone comparing panel quality.
Best for: Cairns homeowners upgrading or expanding an existing solar system, households adding battery storage to an older install, and customers who want honest advice on whether their current panels actually need replacing.
Location
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about NQ Solar
Does NQ Solar handle battery storage, or just panel installation?+
Battery storage is a clear part of what they do. Multiple reviewers describe upgrading existing systems to include batteries, with one customer installing a 20kWh battery alongside a new 15kW panel array. Rob helps customers select a storage configuration suited to their actual usage rather than defaulting to the largest option. If you're interested in solar-plus-storage, this appears to be a common job type for them rather than a specialty add-on.
What areas around Cairns does NQ Solar service?+
The business is based in Bungalow and primarily serves the Cairns region. Reviews mention customers in Bayview Heights and surrounding suburbs. One reviewer noted that a service technician visit was declined because there weren't enough jobs in their area — described as within 20 minutes of the city — so it's worth confirming your suburb is covered before booking, particularly for service calls rather than new installs.
Can NQ Solar work with an existing older solar system?+
Yes, and this is arguably where the business distinguishes itself most clearly. Reviewers describe Rob inspecting systems that are 9 to 15 years old and giving honest assessments — including advising one customer that their panels didn't need replacing after a roof renovation, saving them thousands. They've also reinstalled panels removed during roofing works and identified issues caused by other tradespeople on the roof. If you have an older system and aren't sure whether to repair or replace, they appear well-suited to that kind of advisory conversation.
How long does installation typically take once you've placed an order?+
Reviews consistently describe fast turnaround — one customer had their system installed within a week of ordering, another had panels squeezed in before Christmas when the original date was January. Installation itself is typically completed in a single day. Lead times will vary depending on current demand, so confirm specifics when you get your quote, but scheduling delays don't appear as a recurring complaint in the reviews we reviewed.
What's it like dealing with NQ Solar's office and sales process?+
Office staff — specifically Olga and Mel — are mentioned by name in reviews for being responsive and easy to communicate with. Multiple customers describe the sales process as low-pressure: Rob explains options and helps customers choose what suits their needs rather than pushing the largest system. One reviewer noted they visited the Cairns showroom to look at panels in person before deciding. If you want to see the product before committing, that's an option not many installers offer.