That’s despite Tempo’s website stating Altius products were introduced to Australia in 2023. The prices of Aldi’s packages might be low, but so are the specs, says SolarQuotes’ Peacock. With these simple set packages, Aldi says it aims to remove “the complexity that can often deter Australians from switching to renewable energy”.
Altius solar panels carry only a 10-year product warranty
Since 2020, CHOICE has partnered with SolarQuotes, which offers high-quality quotes for products from vetted installers. The contract is not offered with Aldi directly, but with a separate company trading as Aldi Solar, with all products and services supplied by Tempo. The fine print stipulates terms and conditions that govern the provision of services are between the customer and Tempo, as well as its approved installers. “The contracts and terms and conditions that govern the provision of those products and services are between you and Tempo (in respect of the sale of hardware) and between you and an installer approved by Tempo (in relation to the installation).” From kitchen gadgets and camping supplies to gardening tools and electronics, Aldi’s Special Buys are known for including a wide range of products you might not even know that you need.
- These solar packages might have Aldi’s name and marketing all over it, but that’s where the supermarket’s association stops.
- In the event of unexpected high demand, ALDI Stores reserves the right to limit purchases to reasonable quantities.
- While CHOICE makes money if you buy through them, 100% of it goes straight back into our nonprofit mission.
- SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock agrees with the sentiment, but isn’t convinced Aldi and Tempo’s offer delivers on it.
Despite our careful planning, we apologise if selected items may sell out on the first day due to unexpected high demand. In the event of unexpected high demand, ALDI Stores reserves the right to limit purchases to reasonable quantities. Tradies can pick up a selection of work shirts, singlets, shorts, socks, and pants. These solar packages might have Aldi’s name and marketing all over it, but that’s where the supermarket’s association stops. With just two easy packages to choose from, Aldi Solar’s offering might seem refreshingly simple and straightforward, but Finn points out it might not suit your home or maximise its solar potential. Since 2020, CHOICE has partnered with SolarQuotes, Australia’s most-visited solar website, to help you find trusted installers.
- Tradies looking to upgrade their tool collection can also get their hands on a 16V cordless drill kit, detail sander, orbital sander, and other power tools for $29.99, and assorted hand tools for $9.99.
- The Aldi Solar website states “installers are licensed electricians and Solar Accreditation Australia certified” but lists no specific companies, which can make it hard to specifically research them before signing on.
- Aldi Solar’s hardware page and spec sheets show Altius solar panels, lithium phosphate batteries and hybrid inverters.
- Instead, the supermarket chain has launched Aldi Solar with long-time product partner, Tempo, to provide systems for homes based in select metro areas across Australia.
- There are almost 2 million technicians and trades workers in Australia, according to the latest data from the ABS.
Bigger Battery, Undersized Inverter
While 6.6kW of solar panels is still common, residents are typically going bigger these days, with the latest Australia Energy Council’s solar report showing that most new rooftop panel systems installed in 2025 range between 8 and 11kW. If you’re game to give Aldi Solar a crack, or were part of their initial Melbourne trial, you can let other Australians know how it all went via our reviews page for Aldi Solar installs, Altius solar panels, Altius inverters and Altius batteries. According to its website, Tempo is “a premier supplier to the consumer electronics and home appliance global marketplace”. Aldi customers might not have heard of Tempo, but the company actually supplies the supermarket’s ‘private label’ home brands including Stirling, Ambiano and Bauhm. “The battery sizes offered are 10kWh and 20kWh. 20kWh is the size likely to suit most typical Aussie homes, but 6.6kW of panels will struggle to fill it all year round.”
Aldi Solar uses little-known Altius components
When the initial offer launched in February we dug around and found Tempo uses Altius rooftop solar panels, inverters and batteries. Altius in turn is a little-known brand in Australia that uses rebadged Chinese products. Starting at $6999, Aldi’s offer is attractively priced but short on key details, with the supermarket giant hazy on the actual brand of solar, inverter and battery it includes.
Find out how much a solar system might cost you and what you’ll save
They provide high-quality quotes from vetted suppliers and back it with their ‘good installer guarantee’. While CHOICE makes money if you buy through them, 100% of it goes straight back into our nonprofit mission. Aldi is now selling solar panel and battery packages, but don’t expect to find them in their middle aisle next to the circular saws and novelty garden gnomes. On the plus side, the deal is now actually available in sunny Sydney, but unfortunately Aldi hasn’t actually updated its figures to reflect the new battery sizes on offer, with advertised payback periods still based on the old 5.1kWh battery. They also sell stretch cargo pants for $113.95, cargo shorts for $70.95, and hi-vis singlets for $26.95.
SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock agrees with the sentiment, but isn’t convinced Aldi and Tempo’s offer delivers on it. The savings promoted on Aldi Solar’s website are based on the company’s old offer with a smaller battery. We also extend our respect to First Nations ALDI team members, contractors, suppliers and customers.
Tempo chooses your installer, not you
With a battery subsidy but no subsidy on inverters, any dirt-cheap offer for a large battery is highly likely to suffer from this issue. Both deals however stick with the original offer’s underwhelmingly small 6.6kW of solar (15 x 440w panels) and 5.5kW hybrid inverter. Kmart also offers a range of workwear, with long-sleeved hi-vis workshirts going for $30 and pants for $35.
If you are in the solar industry – try to get to the truth, not the sale.5. SolarQuotes in-house factchecker Ronald Brakels has plenty of reservations about the warranty conditions.
Aldi’s latest Special Buys sees tradie favourites five times cheaper: ‘From $6.99’
This advice does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Read the Product Disclosure Statement relating to any insurance product before making a decision to buy it. We’d recommend talking to multiple installers in addition to Aldi Solar to get a sense of the best products and specs to suit your needs. Usually, installation of a 10kWh home battery and inverter alone averages between $7000 and $11,000, while a 20kWh one will set you back between $14,000 and $19,000 (after the federal rebates). ALDI’s packages include free blackout protection, but charge an additional $385 if fire-resistant panelling is required (a requirement for weatherboard or timber homes) and $275 if your home is two-storey. Aldi’s official announcement makes no mention of the brand of solar, battery and inverter.
Good solar and battery design means designing the system to suit the roof, the usage and the tariffs of the house it’s going on,” Finn says. Aldi is expanding its solar offer both in size and coverage, featuring bigger batteries that will be available in more areas of Australia. Here’s our verdict on whether it’s a good idea to get a supermarket to power your home.
“Solar and batteries should be designed for the home they’re going on,” he says. “For example, the first thing I’d do is see how much solar fits on the roof, how many different roof directions there are, and what shading is present. That informs the solar panel design and inverter selection.” Of course, as anyone who’s been swamped with cheap solar ads online will know, there’s plenty of rock-bottom deals currently out there in the market. It’s the quality of the components, installation vegas casino apk and after-sale service that is so vital and that’s a lot harder to gauge (for the reasons below). The Aldi deal additionally promises blackout protection, but the size of the inverter means this will be limited to a handful of appliances. Since the launch of the federal battery rebate there have been a spate of big battery offers coupled with undersized inverters.
ALDI Special Buys
With only two size options, there is little scope to customise the system size to the actual needs of the homeowner, and promised blackout protection will in practice be extremely limited. Also limited is where the offer is available – from November it will be open to select metro postcodes in NSW, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT. To dissect Aldi’s new solar deals, we spoke to Finn Peacock, founder of SolarQuotes, Australia’s most-visited solar website.