O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood

What O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood does

O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood trades as Apollo Solar and is a Queensland-registered, private solar PV installation business. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Logan Central (Brisbane), it has grown into a multi-office regional installer serving residential and commercial customers across Queensland (Brisbane, Townsville, Hervey Bay) and New South Wales (Forster) since 2023. The company operates inside the O'Brien Services Group franchise network following a 2023 partnership, while retaining the Apollo Solar brand identity. It holds Queensland Electrical Contractor License #72743, Refrigerant Authorisation #AU28486 (ABN 71880584964), and Clean Energy Council accreditation for solar installation.

The core product is end-to-end solar PV installation using Tier One panels from multiple brands (Canadian Solar, Hyundai Solar, Qcells, Sungrow, Sumec Phono, Fimer, SMA, Fronius) and best-in-class inverter/microinverter technology (Enphase microinverters offering 96% round-trip efficiency). Three system architectures are offered — grid-connected, off-grid, and hybrid — with optional battery storage (Tesla Powerwall) and a flagship Diamond Dual Glass panel featuring bifacial technology (up to 25% additional absorption) and hail-tested durability (45mm stones at 110km/hr). All work — consultation, design, installation, and after-sales — is performed by in-house, Clean Energy Council-accredited teams rather than subcontractors. A Solar Health Check service ($395 for ≤20 panels; A$16.50 per panel for 21+) provides a recurring maintenance SKU.

The business model is predominantly one-time hardware-and-installation revenue, financed through third-party partners (Brighte, Zip Money, Humm) to lower customer acquisition friction. Direct sales are led from four regional offices via phone-driven inside sales (multiple 1300/local numbers) and field consultations for larger residential and commercial projects (commercial installations disclosed include 99.96kW, 100kW, 49.89kW, 39.6kW, 26.5kW, 26.4kW and 13kW projects). Since founding, the company claims 7,500+ customers served, 7,500+ systems installed, 180,000+ panels deployed, and 9,000+ inverters installed.

Name

O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood

Legal name

O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood

Website

https://apollosolarpower.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood, operating as Apollo Solar, is a Queensland-based solar PV installer serving residential and commercial customers across Queensland and New South Wales, delivering Tier One panels, battery storage, and recurring health-check services since 2010.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Solar PV Installation Services

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114)

SIC

Electrical Work (1731)

akta.pro primary industry

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar Roofing & Roof-Mounted PV Systems (IMADAFAO), Solar Balance-of-Plant EPC (Piles/Foundations, Trenching, Combiner Networks) (EUAEADAJ), Solar Balance-of-System Components (Cables, Combiner Boxes, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAMABAG)

Keywords

• Solar panel installation
• Battery storage systems
• Grid connected solar
• Commercial solar services
• Residential solar

Headquarters

HQ city

Logan Central (Brisbane)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Solar Panel Installation: One-time installation of solar PV systems for residential and commercial customers. Systems include grid-connected, off-grid, and hybrid configurations with various panel configurations (6.6kW systems, etc.). Revenue is generated through upfront installation costs with optional financing.
2. Battery Storage Systems: Sale and installation of battery storage systems including Tesla Powerwall and other brands. Batteries can be added to new installations or retrofitted to existing solar systems. Revenue generated through product and installation costs.
3. Solar Health Checks: Ongoing maintenance and health check services for existing solar installations. Pricing: $395 for systems with 20 panels or fewer, $16.50 per panel for systems with 21+ panels in metro areas.
4. Financing Services: Third-party financing facilitation through Brighte, Zip Money, and Humm. The company earns revenue through financed installations while offering customers flexible payment options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood (operating as Apollo Solar) designs, sells, and installs solar PV panel systems, grid-connected, off-grid, and hybrid solar configurations, and battery storage systems such as Tesla Powerwall for residential and commercial customers. The company also performs solar health check maintenance services and facilitates third-party financing for installations across Queensland and New South Wales.

Product overview

O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood (operating as Apollo Solar) offers a unified suite of solar energy solutions centered around panel installation services. The core portfolio includes Solar Panels (with Tier One brands), Grid Connected Solar Systems, Off-Grid Solar Systems, and Hybrid Solar Systems (combining grid connection with battery storage). Add-on services include Battery Storage Systems (featuring Tesla Powerwall), Solar Health Checks for maintenance, and Solar Panel Financing through third-party partners. The company specializes in both residential and commercial installations across Queensland and New South Wales, offering end-to-end services from consultation and design through installation and after-sales support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Solar Panels Supply and installation of Tier One solar PV panels with 25-year manufacturer warranties for residential and commercial customers across Queensland and NSW.
• Grid Connected Solar Systems Grid-tied solar panel systems that allow daytime solar consumption with grid draw at night, plus the option to sell excess energy back via feed-in tariffs.
• Off-Grid Solar Systems Stand-alone solar power systems with integrated battery storage for properties seeking complete energy independence from the electricity grid.
• Hybrid Solar Systems Combined grid-connected and battery storage systems that store excess solar for nighttime or outage use, reducing grid dependence by 70-95%.
• Battery Storage Systems Sale and installation of battery storage systems including Tesla Powerwall and microinverter-based batteries with 96% round-trip efficiency and 10-year warranty, available for new or retrofit installations.
• Solar Health Checks Maintenance service including panel cleaning, defect inspection, AC/DC isolation switch testing, array voltage testing, and wiring safety checks. Priced at $395 for systems with 20 panels or fewer and $16.50 per panel for 21+ panels (Brisbane and Townsville metro areas, GST inclusive).
• Solar Panel Financing Facilitated payment plan options through third-party financing partners Brighte, Zip Money, and Humm, allowing customers to spread solar installation costs with zero upfront deposit options available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce grid dependence by 70-95%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• O'Brien Services GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApollo Solar has partnered with O'Brien Services Group, operating under the O'Brien Electrical and Solar brand. This partnership extends their service offerings and brand reach in the solar and electrical services market.
• BrighteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party financing partner providing payment plan options for solar installations. Offers flexible payment arrangements for customers.
• Zip MoneyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party financing partner providing installment payment options for solar panel purchases and installation.
• HummminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party financing partner providing payment solutions for solar installations with flexible repayment options.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• AGL Energy: Major Australian energy retailer with a national solar installation business serving residential and commercial customers. Overlaps with Apollo Solar's offering but as part of a broader energy retail portfolio.
• EnergyAustralia: Major Australian energy retailer offering residential solar and battery solutions as part of its broader energy portfolio. Comparable in product offering but competes at scale through retail channels.
• Origin Energy: Large Australian energy retailer with a residential solar and battery installation arm. Offers overlapping capabilities to Apollo Solar but competes as a broader utility rather than a specialist installer.
• Tesla Energy: Global solar and battery manufacturer/installer whose Powerwall product Apollo Solar resells. Competes with Apollo's overall rooftop solar + battery offering when selling direct, particularly in premium segments.

Direct peers

• Infinite Energy: Australian commercial-focused solar EPC installer with national reach, comparable to Apollo Solar's commercial work (Bunnings, Planet Fitness-style contracts). Similar Tier One equipment focus and battery offerings.
• Springers Solar: Queensland-based solar installer founded 2010 with similar Tier One panel focus and residential/commercial service offering. Operates in the same QLD/NSW geography with comparable product mix.
• Solahart: Australia's largest residential solar installer with national franchise coverage and similar in-house installation model. Directly comparable product offering (solar PV + battery) and customer base (residential and SMB) to Apollo Solar.
• Energis: Australian residential and commercial solar installer offering grid-connected, hybrid, and battery solutions. Comparable service portfolio and target customer segments to Apollo Solar in the Australian market.
• Natural Solar: National Australian solar and battery installer with financing partnerships and premium equipment positioning. Competes with Apollo Solar in residential and commercial rooftop solar with similar financing-led GTM.

Others

• Enphase Energy: Microinverter supplier whose technology Apollo Solar deploys. Indirectly comparable as the enabling technology vendor in Apollo's battery and panel systems; competes at the equipment layer rather than installation layer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/apollosolarofficial
• Instagraminstagram.com/apollosolar
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obrienelectricalsolarunderwood

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about O'Brien Electrical and Solar Underwood