Choosing the right solar installation company can mean the difference between a smooth trouble-free installation or years of headaches and unanswered phone calls. Take the time to ask a few questions before you sign on the dotted line, you won’t regret it.
CEC accreditation means that the installer demonstrates competence in the design and installation of stand-alone and grid-connected solar PV systems. CEC accredited installers are also eligible for Government incentives and rebates, which can assist with the installation costs.
Informative sales process
The company/installer should be open and transparent about the products they install and be willing to educate you and help you choose the best solar system to meet your needs, not just sell you the system that makes them the most money.
Professional documentation
Although this doesn’t necessarily mean that the installation will be of high quality, it means that the solar company is serious and organised, which is a good sign. You should be presented with a professional looking quote displaying all expenses plus the spec sheets for all components making up the system. On signing up, you should be sent an invoice and instructions on what will happen next.
Professional installation
The installers should turn up on time and if not, call ahead to let you know. They should discuss with you the location of the solar panels and the inverter and confirm that you’re happy with this. On completion, they’ll show you their work, show you how the solar inverter works and explain what kind of production you’ll receive. The area should be left clean and tidy and all rubbish removed. Warranty and other documentation is generally sent by mail the following week.
Who services your warranties?
This is a crucial question you need to ask your installation company. Ask who will cover the cost of shipping an inverter or panel back to the manufacturer and who will fit the replacement. If the company can’t answer this and it isn’t in their terms and conditions, walk away. Some solar installers make you have yearly checkups and if you miss this just once, it voids your installation warranty and they forgo any responsibility – don’t sign with companies like this, it’s unethical and most likely against the law.
After sales service
Does the company follow up to make sure the system is producing as they said it would? They should do this within a couple of months.
Additional Things To Look For
Australian office and local phone number in case you have any post installation queries/issues
Positive reviews from previous customers
Offers to do a home/site visit to provide an accurate quote
Products and installer available are CEC accredited
A company that has been around for at least 3 years
What to avoid & warning signs
Pushy sales tactics
First off don’t feel pressured to sign up on the day of the quote, only dodgy companies employ this tactic. Avoid door to door salesman telling you if you don’t act now, you’ll miss out on discounts or Government incentives as it’s not the case.
One size fits all quotes
Every person, family and property will have different requirements when it comes to a solar system and installation. If a company has a generic, non-tailored quote that goes out to all their customers, you are not getting an accurate quote and may be charged a completely different figure compared to what you initially intended to pay.
What is CEC Accreditation?
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) provides standards in which installers, retailers and products need to adhere to obtain accreditation. This accreditation demonstrates that the installers, retailers and products are competent and comply to regulations and standards within the industry.
There are three different types of CEC accreditation:
CEC Accredited Installer
The installer demonstrates competence in the design and installation of stand-alone and grid-connected solar PV systems. CEC accredited installers are also eligible for Government incentives and rebates, which can assist with the installation costs.
CEC Solar Retailer Code of Conduct
Signing to the CEC Solar Retailer Code of Conduct is optional for solar providers but is becoming more common due to some States making it a requirement when participating in State based Government rebates or incentives. Signing to the Solar Retailer Code of Conduct means the solar company follows all relevant consumer protection laws and is prepared to back the operation of your solar PV system for at least five years. The code was put in place for solar companies to show their commitment to responsible sales and marketing activities and solar industry best practice.
Some State Government incentives require you to install with a company which is a CEC Accredited Retailer & Installer however most only require the CEC Installer accreditation.
CEC Accredited Products
Approved modules and inverters that meet Australian Standards for use in the design and installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.
All Government incentives require the system to consist of CEC accredited products.
Accredited installers should always refer to the list(s) before performing an installation.
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I was able to get some good quotes and actually discuss the system I needed for my circumstances. I was informed on the quality of the parts used as well as the warranties provided. Tradesman were prompt and very professional.
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The information on the Solar Market’s website was great and assisted me in understanding what I needed for my home and what rebates I could claim. I received 3 Quotes within a few days from solar companies near my residence. Cheers for the quick service!
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Prompt Service and Home Visit From Providers
As a home owner looking to upgrade to solar we received prompt and excellent service from Solar Market. We received calls from 3 solar energy companies that arranged home visits with obligation free quotes. Within a week we had all the information and quotes we needed to enable us to make an informed decision. Thank you, Solar Market, for making the process comfortable and easy.
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Very prompt response to my enquiry providing several competitive quotes. Also made me aware of what questions I needed to ask when speaking to solar installers. Now I have what I need to make a decision on what installer and system to choose.
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I wasn’t sure how to go about adding a solar system. I was pleased after getting quotes and talking with contractors that I could understand what could be done and how much it’d cost. The contractors weren’t pushy and were very helpful.
For some households a battery system can be of great benefit and minimise a home’s reliance on the grid. However, it’s important to understand for a battery to be useful your solar system needs to be generating excess energy for the battery to store, which you can then use at night or when the sun is not out.
When selecting a battery, you’ll want to invest in a system that is most suited to your home and can drive the best return on investment (ROI). Despite a larger upfront cost, a higher quality battery may significantly increase your ROI.
Battery systems start from $6,000 and costs can vary greatly based on the following factors:
Cycle Life-Time
The number of times a battery can fully charge and discharge.
Battery Power (kW)
How fast it can be charged or discharged.
Storage Capacity (kWh)
The maximum amount of energy a battery system can store.
Battery Management System (BMS)
An electronic ‘smart’ system that gathers data and manages the battery ensuring it does not overload or operate outside of its safe functioning zone..
Inverter
Battery systems require their own inverter if your solar system does not have a hybrid inverter.
'All-In-One Unit’
A system which includes the battery, BMS and an inverter all in one unit.
Warranty
Length of time or cycles the battery system is under guarantee.
Blackout Protection/Backup
It’s important to note this is not a common feature of a battery system and could cost thousands of dollars to include. Blackout protection not only requires additional components but also a specialised installation and rewiring. For grid-connected homes, the cost for blackout protection can outweigh the benefit.
Additionally, if your purpose for adding battery is to go Off-Grid and become completely independent from the grid you will need to ensure your solar system can generate enough energy to power your home and your battery system is large enough to store this energy. For homes in metro areas going Off-grid is not cost effective and is only recommended for those in remote areas with limited access to the grid. Off-grid solar systems with battery start at approximately $30,000.
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