Australia's solar industry is booming, but beneath the surface, households are paying the price for cheap installs and disappearing warranties. One Sydney company says it's time to do things differently.

SYDNEY, AU / ACCESS Newswire / October 28, 2025 / Hilts Group Australia

Australia's Solar Boom - and the Problems Beneath

Australia has become a solar superpower. More than three million rooftop systems have been installed across the country, with battery uptake surging thanks to the Cheaper Home Batteries Program and state incentives.

But the boom has a dark side: thousands of households have been left stranded with faulty installs, vanishing installers, and warranties that no longer mean anything.

We spoke with Sam Kazangas, Director of Hilts Group Australia, a Sydney-based solar and electrical company, who is on a mission to rebuild trust in the industry.

The Solar Hangover

"Most people don't realise how many companies have gone under," Kazangas says. "You've got hundreds of thousands of families who think they've got 25-year warranties - but if the installer's gone broke, those warranties are worthless."

Consumer advocates estimate as many as one in three solar warranties sold in the past decade are no longer enforceable.

"And it's happening again with batteries," he adds. "There's a new gold rush. Everyone's selling them, but not everyone's building them to last. People will get hurt again if we don't change the culture."

Building a Different Playbook

Hilts Group Australia has rejected the volume-driven model in favour of site-specific, compliance-first installs.

The company only uses trusted brands: REC, Trina, Jinko, Sigenergy, Sungrow, GoodWe, and Tesla Powerwall.

"If you're asking a system to run for twenty years, you don't buy bargain-bin hardware," Kazangas explains. "You use brands with service teams here in Australia, with real supply chains, and with warranties that mean something."

That approach has positioned Hilts as one of the most prominent Sigenergy battery installers in Sydney, designing solar and battery packages Sydney homeowners can rely on.

The Warranties Australians Don't Understand

"People hear ‘25 years' and think it's bulletproof," Kazangas says. "But there's a world of difference between a product warranty, a performance warranty, and a workmanship warranty. And none of it matters if the company disappears."

Hilts combats this by creating a commissioning file for every job: voltage-drop calculations, compliance photos, test results, and wiring diagrams.

"If you ever need to claim, you've got the evidence. That's the difference between marketing and accountability."

From the Rooftop to the Boardroom

Kazangas started as a licensed electrician before building Hilts into one of Sydney's most trusted renewable energy firms.

"I've been the guy on a roof in forty-degree heat running conduit," he says. "I know what happens when corners are cut. That's why we'd rather do fewer jobs right than stack boxes cheap."

Today, Hilts delivers everything from residential solar installs in Sydney to commercial solar Sydney projects for RSL clubs, schools, and industrial facilities.

The Next Energy Shift

Australia is targeting 82% renewable energy by 2030. For homes and businesses, that means solar, batteries, and EV charging will soon be standard.

"The next wave is integration," Kazangas explains. "Solar is the starting point, but what matters now is how you connect your battery, your EV charger, your VPP contract. That's where the real savings are - and that's where the risks are if people don't get good advice."

Hilts has already become a leading Tesla Powerwall Sydney installer and a trusted Sigenergy battery provider. Their systems are VPP-ready, rebate-compliant, and designed for whole-home backup.

Hilts' Standards

• Transparency: No hidden costs, no vague warranties, no deposits until the site is fully assessed.

"We'll still be here when your kids are teenagers - and your system will still be performing," Kazangas says.

Advice for Homeowners

Kazangas says there are four simple questions every Australian should ask before signing a contract:

• Are you certified to work on this particular brand?

"If they can't answer those, don't sign the contract," he warns.

Looking Ahead

Hilts is doubling down on Sydney while preparing for larger commercial solar and battery projects.

"We're building AI-driven workflows to automate compliance and cut lead times," Kazangas reveals. "And I'm personally working on research into carbon-capture hydrogen systems powered by solar microgrids."

For him, the future is not about sales numbers.

"The future isn't about who can sell the most panels. It's about who can make energy work smarter, safer, and cleaner. That's what we're building Hilts Group for."

About Hilts Group Australia

Hilts Group Australia designs and installs solar + battery systems, EV charging infrastructure, and commercial solar Sydney projects. The company is widely recognised as a leading Sigenergy installer in Sydney and a trusted provider of Tesla Powerwall Sydney installations.

Every install is carried out by SAA-accredited electricians, using only tier-one panels and premium inverters. Systems are engineered for compliance, performance, and backed by enforceable warranties.

Hilts Group Australia
Service@hilts.com.au
Greater Sydney & NSW

SOURCE: Hilts Group Australia