I Want Energy
Ian and Alex design systems around your actual energy use — battery, EV charger, and solar in one go.
Rob Manson's installation crew gets consistent praise for professionalism on technically complex jobs, including remote properties, dual arrays, steep heritage rooftops, and large commercial systems — suggesting this is a team comfortable with work that would stretch a smaller operator. The 50-review sample spans 8 years and stays remarkably stable, which gives reasonable confidence the experience described is structural rather than a short burst of activity.
Their work
What it's like working with them
Based on a sample of Google reviews (76 total)
“loved seeing the data and prices update instantly on my end”
“solar, battery, and EV charging system has been active for about a month”
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 I Want Energy
Founded around 2008 and still operating from Moonah, I Want Energy has evolved well beyond basic panel installations — they routinely design and commission integrated systems combining rooftop solar, battery storage (Tesla Powerwall 3, Sungrow, Sigenergy), EV chargers, and heat pump hot water in a single project. Ian Meier and Alex Johnstone handle the sales and design side, and multiple customers specifically praise their consultative approach: rather than steering toward a preferred product, they walk clients through micro-inverter trade-offs, panel brands, tariff structures, and live digital quotes that update in real time as configurations change. Rob Manson leads on the installation side, with a crew that earns repeated mentions for punctuality, cable routing care, and cleaning up after themselves — one review notes a supervisor getting on his knees to sweep swarf off the roof. The team handles technically demanding jobs — remote off-grid holiday homes, dual solar arrays on the same property, commercial 30kW systems, steep 1970s rooftops, and full switchboard upgrades — making them a natural fit for homeowners with complex or non-standard sites. Customers who've compared multiple quotes consistently flag I Want Energy as the most thorough, not always the cheapest, but the clearest about what they're actually buying and why.
Best for: homeowners wanting an integrated solar, battery, and EV charging system designed from scratch, technically complex or non-standard properties including steep roofs or remote sites, customers who want to understand exactly what they're buying before committing, and families looking to eliminate electricity and EV running costs in one project.
Location
Often needed together
Is this your business?
Claim your free profile to take control, start receiving booking requests via SMS, and stand out from competitors.
Claim This Profile — Free →Common questions about I Want Energy
What does the quoting process look like with I Want Energy?+
Multiple reviews describe a detailed desktop or on-site consultation where Ian Meier or Alex Johnstone walk through panel brands, inverter options, micro-inverter trade-offs, and tariff structures before any commitment. Quotes are delivered digitally and update in real time as you change specifications — so you can see exactly how price shifts when you add a battery or change panel count. Most customers report receiving multiple system configurations to compare, not a single take-it-or-leave-it proposal. The process is consistently described as educational rather than sales-driven.
Can I Want Energy handle complex installs — steep roofs, remote properties, or multi-component systems?+
Yes — reviews specifically mention jobs on steep 1970s rooftops, a remote off-grid holiday home in Brooks Bay where the owners weren't even on-site during installation, dual solar arrays on a single property, and a 30kW commercial system. The team manages all permits and grid connection paperwork, which customers at technically challenging sites found particularly valuable. If your property has unusual characteristics, that experience level appears to be genuinely in use, not just claimed.
Who are the key people I'll deal with at I Want Energy?+
Ian Meier and Alex Johnstone handle solar design and sales consultations — Ian is frequently mentioned for patient, transparent explanations, while Alex is praised for thorough system design and post-install problem-solving including in-person follow-up visits. Rob Manson oversees installations and is the longest-running name in reviews, with customers referencing him dating back 8+ years. Abi is mentioned by one reviewer as handling system design with a strong grasp of EV charging and battery integration. The admin team (Lynn is mentioned by name in one review) is noted for fast follow-up on grid connection.
What solar products and brands does I Want Energy typically install?+
Reviews mention a range of premium equipment across multiple product categories: panels include AIKO NeoStar, REC, and general high-end options; inverters include Fronius, Sungrow, and Sigenergy; battery systems include Tesla Powerwall 3, Sungrow batteries, and Sigenergy; and EV charger options include Tesla Wall Connector with 'Charge On Solar' integration. Hot water solutions include Sanden heat pumps. The team appears to offer genuine brand choice rather than a single supplier arrangement, and several reviews mention being shown ethical sourcing options to avoid products made with forced labour.
Does I Want Energy provide ongoing support after installation?+
Post-install support is mentioned positively in a number of reviews — customers describe monitoring app setup being completed before the installers leave, follow-up system optimisation for hot water diversion, and same-day resolution of minor faults. One reviewer had a hot water issue resolved with a team dispatched the same day. All systems reviewed appear to be connected to wifi-based monitoring apps, and the team helps configure these at handover. Given the company has been operating for around 17 years, they have a track record of being reachable for warranty and service calls on older systems.