DES Electrical & Solar
Nigel consults in person on off-grid system design and stays reachable after installation — something customers highlight months later.
Nigel's hands-on involvement in system design is a genuine differentiator — multiple customers describe him consulting in person and staying reachable after installation, which is uncommon for post-sale support in this category. The office team coordinates well enough that one customer managed the whole job remotely from Sydney for a family member in Tasmania. From the 50 reviews we worked with, two customers raised billing concerns — one disputing time charged during a scheduling mix-up, another flagging a price difference between quote and pickup — so it's worth confirming your quote scope and any travel or minimum-hour charges before the job starts.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (150 total)
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 258 security & cctvs in Devonport
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About DES Electrical & Solar
Nigel, the owner, leads both the consultation and technical side — multiple reviews single him out for sitting down with customers to design off-grid solar and battery systems around their actual budget and usage, not upselling what he can profit from. Zac (also spelled Zach/Zack) handles battery installations and on-site electrical faults, praised specifically for neat workmanship and same-day turnarounds. James and Chris each appear repeatedly: James for responsive fault-finding and security light repairs, Chris for appliance work, switchboard diagnostics, and bringing genuine on-site personality that customers comment on. Matt is the caravan and RV specialist — customers describe him methodically walking through wiring upgrades, correcting previous poor installs, and explaining each step before touching anything. The business operates across a wide band: residential new builds, solar and battery retrofits, EV charger installs, caravan and motorhome electrical certification, and home security camera cabling — meaning a homeowner with a complex or multi-part job is less likely to need a second contractor. Gill and Kristie in the office are mentioned by name for proactive communication, including pre-arrival texts and same-day scheduling, which makes DES particularly practical for people coordinating work remotely or around employment hours.
Best for: off-grid solar and battery system design for homes and caravans, RV electrical wiring upgrades and certification, EV charger installation, and same-day fault callouts for general residential electrical issues.
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about DES Electrical & Solar
Does DES Electrical & Solar handle caravan and RV electrical work, or is that a side offering?+
Caravan and RV work is a genuine specialty, not an afterthought. Matt is the primary technician for this, with reviews describing him correcting previous wiring errors, performing full solar and battery installs, and certifying completed systems. Nigel also consults on off-grid builds for vans, drawing on his own van setup to give real-world advice. Customers report the team spending up to three days on complex van installs, with a thorough walk-through of the system before handover.
Can DES help coordinate electrical work if I'm not local or can't be on-site?+
Based on the reviews we analysed, yes — one customer coordinated a full job from Sydney for a family member in Tasmania without issue. Gill and Kristie in the office are specifically mentioned for proactive communication, pre-arrival texts, and responsive scheduling. If remote coordination is important to you, it's worth discussing access and sign-off procedures with them at booking.
How does DES handle after-sales support for solar and battery systems?+
Post-installation support appears to be a genuine part of how Nigel operates — one customer travelling Australia full-time in a van noted that every email sent after their install was answered promptly, with technical questions explained clearly. Another review mentions a WiFi connectivity issue with a battery system being resolved by Zac on a follow-up visit. Reviews don't give detail on formal warranty terms, so confirm those specifics directly.
What should I do about pricing before booking to avoid surprises?+
Two customers in the reviews we examined raised concerns about charges being higher than expected — one relating to a scheduling mix-up affecting billed labour time, another noting a difference between a quoted and final price. These are a small minority of the overall feedback, but it's practical to ask DES to confirm the total scope, minimum call-out hours, travel charges, and what happens if parts are needed mid-job. Getting this in writing before work starts is the simplest protection.
Does DES do emergency or same-day callouts for electrical faults?+
Multiple reviews specifically note same-day service for fault callouts — including one where a technician arrived within hours of a morning phone call. Reviews mention Gill in the office as the person who arranges urgent scheduling. The business appears to be genuinely responsive for faults like power tripping and security light failures, though availability will vary by day and workload, so calling directly is the best way to confirm.