Thinking of investing a couple thousand dollars on a rooftop solar system? Sounds all good and well until you realise the company was not a legitimate solar company!
Unfortunately, this is the reality for many people in Sydney, NSW. With an unbelievable amount of unreputable solar companies within the industry clients are being deceived.
We have seen it countless times, from incorrectly installed systems, to installing cheaper lower quality panels to what the client was originally quoted and paid for, to careless damage to the client’s property with no compensation and cutting corners during installation leading to serious ramifications for the client.
These things can lead to many undesirable implications such as costly repairs, replacements or service calls to rectify the issue in addition to under-producing systems, safety risks, lower return on investment and so much more!
How to prevent getting caught up with dodgy solar companies?!
Make sure you choose a reputable solar company by following Advanced Solar's 10 Things To Consider When Choosing A Solar Company!
1. Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Installers
Find out who the solar installers are (they will either be in-house or contracted) and ensure that the installers are Clean Energy Council Accredited. The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is Australia’s peak body of the clean energy industry, this guarantees that the installers are qualified and meet industry best practices and Australian Standards. Essentially, this means that your solar system will be installed property by Licenced Electricians! Check out the high standards the CEC Accredited Installers have to meet.
2. Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Designers
Ensure that your solar system has been designed by Clean Energy Council Accredited Solar Designers. This ensures that the system is designed in consideration of the unique conditions of your property, such as roof shading, mounting systems particular to your roof type, orientation and tilt angle of your roof and the location of other electrical components on the property. The purpose of this is to produce a solar system design to your unique property that is the most efficient and safe as possible!
3. Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Products
With many solar panels and inverters on the market, it’s difficult to know what’s what. So the Clean Energy Council has created a list of solar products they approve for use within Australia based on research and testing. Ensure the company, clearly indicate the brand and model of panels and inverters they will be providing and check it is CEC Approved.
4. Licensed Electricians
Ensure the Installers (either in-house or contractors) are Licenced Electricians. Find out the name of the Contractor and/or Tradespersons and check here that they have completed the required qualifications to install your solar system.
5. Product Warranty
All reputable solar products have warranty, for solar panels 25 Years Linear Output Performance Warranty and a minimum of 10 Years Product Warranty is the industry standard. For string inverters it is 5 years and 10 years is the industry standard for microinverters product warranty.
6. Workmanship Warranty
Warranty on the solar system installation is also very important. This essentially puts a guarantee on the workmanship of the solar system installation and provides confidence in the quality of the system for years to come. Ask us about our LIFETIME Installation Workmanship Warranty!
7. Registered Business
Ensure that the company is actually a registered business within Australia. You can do this by getting the ABN (Australian Business Number) from the company and check that it is registered business before engaging. In addition to that company, if they have external solar installers contracting, get their ABN also, and check if they are a registered business also. Check the companies here.
8. Detailed Quote
Ensure that the quote is specific and accurate! Make sure that your full name and address is included, in addition to all components of the system, such as solar panels and inverters, with specific brands, watt size and model number to ensure that they do not swap your panels to cheaper ones at the time of installation. Ensure that STCs (the solar rebate) are included, standard product and performance warranties on products and the installation and payment terms are detailed in the quote. The more that is specified on the quote the less risk there is of any dodgy business!
9. Website & Social Media
Check out their website and social media platforms. Confirm that all the information across platforms are the same, including business name, location, phone number and email address. In addition, check the quality, professionalism and accuracy of content and check how recent blog articles are on the website and posts on social media are for the solar company (and their installers, if contractors are used).
10. Customer Service Phone Number
Ensure that the company has a working mobile or landline phone number that can be called for any current and future enquiries about your the solar system.
Get in touch with Advanced Solar to learn more about us and get a FREE no-obligation quote.
