Derwent Electrical
Sam personally visits before quoting and walks customers through their monitoring app after every install.
The standout pattern across these reviews is Sam's habit of visiting the site before quoting, explaining technical trade-offs in plain language, and staying reachable through installation and beyond. Derwent Electrical is GST-registered and operating as a company, so they're set up to handle jobs of meaningful scale — which matches the multi-component installs reviewers describe. If you're comparing quotes, it's worth asking specifically whether they'll do a pre-quote site visit, since that appears to be a genuine differentiator rather than a marketing claim.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (9 total)
“price being the most competitive that included some nice extras”
“The team arrived on time, went through the installation plan, and kept the communication going”
What they help with
Based on what their customers hired them for
How they stack up
Context from 331 solar panel installations in Hobart
Credentials & background
Sourced from 5 public records so you don't have to look them up yourself
About Derwent Electrical
Sam leads Derwent Electrical and appears across nearly every review as the primary point of contact — handling site visits, system design, technical explanations, and post-installation app walkthroughs personally. The team's solar work leans heavily toward integrated energy systems rather than simple panel-only installs: reviews mention Sigenergy battery storage, EV chargers, heat pump hot water cylinders, and smart hot water controllers as part of multi-component setups. Sam's pre-quote site visits stand out as a deliberate part of the process — he measures up, maps panel placement across multiple roof spaces for optimal output, and discusses the pros and cons of different configurations before committing to a price. That upfront approach seems to be what keeps costs predictable: one reviewer specifically noted no surprises or extra charges at installation. The team has also handled existing system upgrades, including integrating new panels and batteries into setups with existing EV chargers already in place — work that one reviewer acknowledged was technically complicated. Homeowners who want someone to sit down with them, explain the monitoring app, and remain accessible for questions during and after install will likely find this team well-matched to that style.
Best for: homeowners wanting a full solar-plus-battery-plus-EV-charger integrated setup, those upgrading an existing solar system with added complexity, and anyone who wants a pre-quote site visit and hands-on app guidance after installation.
Location
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Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about Derwent Electrical
Does Derwent Electrical visit the site before providing a quote?+
Based on multiple reviews, yes — Sam personally visits the property before quoting to measure up, assess roof spaces, and talk through system options. One reviewer specifically noted that this pre-quote visit gave them confidence there would be no surprise costs at installation. It also means panel placement is optimised for both performance and visual impact rather than being decided remotely. This appears to be standard practice rather than an optional extra.
What types of solar and energy systems does Derwent Electrical install?+
Reviewers mention a range of integrated setups beyond basic solar panels — including Sigenergy battery storage, EV chargers, heat pump hot water cylinders, and smart hot water controllers that connect into the same monitoring app. One customer had a large solar-plus-battery-plus-EV-charger system installed with provisions built in for future expansion. The team has also handled upgrades to existing solar systems, including adding panels and batteries where a car charger was already in place. If you're looking for a simple panel-only install or a full integrated energy setup, both appear to be within their scope.
What do customers say about Derwent Electrical's pricing?+
Several reviewers describe the pricing as competitive — one noted it was the most competitive quote they received after approaching multiple suppliers, and that it included extras like a smart hot water device. Another reviewer specifically called out that there were no surprise costs or additional charges at installation, which they attributed to the detailed pre-quote site visit. Reviews don't mention specific figures, so you'll need to request a quote directly, but the pricing feedback is consistently positive across the sample.
Will Derwent Electrical help set up the monitoring app after installation?+
Yes — multiple reviews mention Sam or the team walking customers through the monitoring app after installation, including one reviewer who had the Sigenergy app explained and another who had Monocle downloaded onto their iPad with a patient, detailed walkthrough. Customers describe being shown how to read energy generation, household consumption, and grid export data. This post-install support appears to be included as part of the job rather than something you'd need to arrange separately.
Is Derwent Electrical able to handle technically complex solar upgrades?+
At least one reviewer describes a complicated upgrade involving an existing solar system and EV charger, noting that Sam answered all their questions quickly and clearly. Another customer had panels installed across three separate roof spaces as part of a performance-optimised layout. While the sample of 9 reviews is small, the described jobs range from straightforward new installs to multi-component systems with future expansion provisions — suggesting comfort with more involved work. If your situation involves an existing system or unusual roof configuration, it's worth describing it in detail when you make contact.