Question 1

Is it really no cost? What's the catch?

Accepted Answer

There is no cost for solar and battery equipment or installation — Pi owns and funds everything. What you do pay is a flat $0.26/kWh for the energy you consume, plus your standard property supply charges at cost with no mark-up. The site inspection fee (normally $297) is currently waived during the pilot, until 31 August 2026. If the inspection finds your property requires electrical or structural upgrades, those are quoted and payable separately, and you are free to withdraw at that point at no further obligation.

Question 2

How does $0.26/kWh compare to what I pay now?

Accepted Answer

Most Queensland households on standard residential tariffs pay between $0.33 and $0.45/kWh, plus separate peak charges and daily supply fees. Pi's rate is a single flat $0.26/kWh — anytime, no peak/off-peak tiers, no complexity. Combined with the solar and battery system generating and storing your own energy throughout the day, most customers see a meaningful reduction in their total energy spend compared to a standard grid connection.

Question 3

When does the $0.26/kWh rate start? Will I still get a bill from my retailer?

Accepted Answer

You pay the flat $0.26/kWh for the solar and battery energy your Pi system provides from day one. During an initial energy-profiling period (currently around 90 days) — before your battery is onboarded to Pi's virtual power plant — any extra electricity you draw from the grid is still billed by your existing retailer at their normal rates, so you'll keep receiving a retailer bill during this time. Because your solar and battery are already working, that grid top-up should be small. Once VPP onboarding is complete, Pi advises you and all your energy is on the flat $0.26/kWh rate.

Question 4

Who owns and maintains the equipment?

Accepted Answer

Pi owns all equipment — always. Solar panels, inverter, battery storage, monitoring systems and all associated hardware remain Pi's property for the life of the agreement. This means Pi is responsible for all maintenance, repairs, 24/7 monitoring and equipment replacement. You will never receive a bill for a faulty inverter, a degraded battery or a broken panel. Your only obligation is the $0.26/kWh energy rate for what you consume.

Question 5

What happens if my property needs upgrades to qualify?

Accepted Answer

During the site inspection, our technician assesses your property's existing electrical infrastructure, roof and structural suitability for installation. Most standard homes pass with no additional work required. If upgrades are needed — such as a switchboard upgrade, new wiring or roof reinforcement — we provide a separate written quote for those costs before any further commitment. You are completely free to decline and withdraw if those costs don't work for you. The inspection fee (normally $297) is currently waived during the pilot, until 31 August 2026.

Question 6

How does the backup power work during a blackout?

Accepted Answer

Pi installs a high-capacity home battery, sized to your home, that automatically switches to battery power when the grid goes down — keeping essential loads like refrigeration, lighting and communications running without interruption. Because your solar panels keep generating and recharging the battery each day, your backup can extend well beyond a single night — potentially indefinitely for essential use during an extended outage. This gives Pi Energy customers a significant advantage over standard grid-connected homes, which lose power entirely during outages.

Question 7

How do I know if I'm eligible?

Accepted Answer

To be eligible you generally need to be a homeowner (not a tenant) in the Gold Coast to Brisbane corridor on the Energex network, with suitable roof space and a property in reasonable structural condition. The fastest way to find out is to check eligibility and upload a recent energy bill. Our AI-powered tool analyses your property details, usage data and location in real time — giving you an instant eligibility result and estimated savings. The check is free and takes under 2 minutes.

Question 8

What's the catch with no-cost solar?

Accepted Answer

There's no catch — Pi makes money differently. Pi owns and maintains the system and earns revenue by managing energy across thousands of homes through its Virtual Power Plant. That revenue is what lets Pi install solar and battery at no equipment cost. You simply pay $0.26/kWh for the energy you use.

Question 9

Can I call and speak to someone any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Call 1300 098 639 any time, day or night, and Aria — Pi's AI energy assistant — answers instantly. No hold times and no business hours.

Question 10

Does being in the Virtual Power Plant affect my backup power?

Accepted Answer

No. Pi installs high-capacity batteries sized to your home and prioritises your backup needs, so VPP participation never leaves your home exposed during an outage.

Question 11

Do I keep my consumer protections with Pi?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Pi's energy is supplied through a licensed, AER-authorised retail energy partner, so you retain full protections under the National Energy Retail Law, National Energy Retail Rules and Australian Consumer Law, including energy-ombudsman access.

Frequently asked questions