A solar and battery installer in Darwin's northern suburbs noticed that quote requests from its website roughly doubled once the build-up arrived in October, when air conditioners ran all night and the first big power bills of the wet season landed. The two sales consultants were out on roofs doing site assessments for most of that period, and quote requests from Tuesday were often called back on Thursday, by which time the homeowner in Leanyer had already had two other installers through the front door.
The businesses in this article are illustrative examples, not named StartAutomate clients.
Key takeaways
- Solar and battery buyers request several quotes, and the installer who calls first and books a site visit usually gets the best chance at the job.
- An AI agent can call new quote requests within minutes, ask the questions that shape the system, and book the site assessment.
- It also follows up proposals that have not been signed, and it only calls people who asked to be contacted.
Calling quote requests within minutes
When a homeowner submits a quote request on the installer's own website, the agent calls within a couple of minutes, while the person is still thinking about their power bill. It confirms the address, asks whether they are after solar, a battery or both, and books a site assessment into the consultant's calendar on a day the homeowner will be there to open the meter box.
The website form includes clear consent wording agreeing to a call, including an automated or AI call, which is what makes calling that fast possible without running into the Do Not Call Register.
Questions that shape the system
The agent asks what a consultant would ask, including roughly what the last few quarterly power bills were, whether the roof is tin or tile and which way it faces, whether anyone works from home, and whether there is already a system on the roof.
In the Territory it also asks about the things that matter locally, such as whether the house is up on stilts, what the cyclone rating of the roof is, and whether the homeowner is with Jacana Energy, and it notes whether they have heard about the federal Cheaper Home Batteries program so the consultant can explain the discount properly.
Following up unsigned proposals
Many solar proposals stall after the site visit because the homeowner is comparing quotes or waiting to talk to a partner. The agent calls a few days after the proposal goes out, asks whether they have any questions, and books a second conversation with the consultant for anyone who wants one.
It does not pressure, discount, or quote savings figures of its own. Anything about price, finance, or payback goes to the consultant, who can explain the numbers properly.
Consent and calling rules
Calls to people who requested a quote from the installer are made with their consent. Purchased lists and old leads without clear consent must be washed against the Do Not Call Register and are better contacted another way, and telemarketing calls must stay within the hours set by the telemarketing industry standard.
The agent identifies the installer and says it is an AI assistant at the start of each call, and anyone who asks not to be called again is marked in the CRM immediately.
Common questions
Can AI call solar quote requests?
Yes. It can call people who requested a quote on your website within minutes, ask your qualifying questions, and book the site assessment.
Can it follow up unsigned solar proposals?
Yes. It calls homeowners after the proposal is sent, answers basic questions, and books a follow-up with your consultant. Pricing and finance stay with the consultant.
Does it need consent to call?
Calls to people who requested contact are made with consent. Telemarketing to other numbers must follow the Do Not Call Register and the industry standard.