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Consumer's guide to buying a solar power system.
How to avoid the tricks, traps and scams.

So you're interested in switching on to home solar power? Congratulations, you'll save cash and reduce greenhouse gas emissions!

Consumer's guide to solar power

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is

Shopping for a solar power system can be an exciting time for many people, but as with any substantial investment, you'll need to be careful who you deal with.

Like in any industry, the solar power sector has its share of unscrupulous parties who have little interest in the technology, environmental benefits and your needs. They are only chasing your money - and they'll be ruthless in doing so. Basically, the old saying "if a deal sounds too good to be true, it most likely is" applies very much to purchasing a solar power system.

Avoid becoming a solar horror story

We've been in the solar power industry for some years and during that time, we've heard countless horror stories from customers regarding some vendors; everything from leaking roofs after installations have been performed, to householders going into debt for decades.

As a public service, we've decided to publish some of the tricks, traps, cons and scams so you can avoid them.

Are we chasing your business? Of course! But as a renewable energy leader in Australia that is truly passionate about solar energy, Energy Matters also firmly believes our industry needs to adhere to the highest ethical standards - it ensures protection for the consumer and a more level playing field for those of us involved in the solar sector.

"Free" solar power systems

This definitely falls in the "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" category. The offer of a free system should be treated with a great deal of suspicion. In these arrangements, the system will be offered for free after rebates, on the provision that the rebate money is signed over to the supplier.

The catch usually is the supplier will only install the solar panels and inverter, but will not connect the system into the mains power supply - a crucial aspect. It is then the responsibility of the homeowner to find someone suitably qualified to make the connection, arrange the appropriate forms themselves with their electricity retailer and then submit a completed installation report - all very expensive, time consuming and often frustrating for someone not familiar with how the program works.

Beware of fast talking sales people

Like shopping for a new car, beware of over- exuberance on a sales person's part. In some instances, this may be just genuine passion bubbling over, but in others, the sales person won't understand what they are selling; instead focusing on hype to get you to sign on the dotted line. If a question hasn't been answered properly or has been deflected, pursue a satisfactory response.

Beware of video presentations

If a sales person wants to show you a video - say no! We can practically guarantee that it will be 1% minute of information vs. 99% hype - effectively a brainwashing session. Understanding grid connect systems is quite simple and can be explained by a competent salesperson with the assistance of a single diagram.

Ignoring simple energy efficiency solutions to reduce cost

A company genuinely committed to solar power is in business to make money, however they will always offer suggestions as to how you can decrease the costs of a system.

For example, if a representative visits your house for a site inspection to gauge your needs, they might notice issues such as the use of incandescent lights instead of compact fluorescents. A good, ethical company will point out that spending a hundred dollars on switching to compact fluorescent globes can save you thousands of dollars on extra solar panels which would be needed to power the incandescent lights. On the other hand, an unethical company will see this as a good opportunity for the sale of a larger system.

High pressure tactics

Every company uses terms like "deal ending soon", "hurry before stocks run out" - it's just the accepted language of marketing. However, some companies upon visiting your home will say things like the offer they are touting is ending the same day!

Ethical sales people will not place you under this type of pressure given the size of the investment, particularly if this is an initial enquiry and they've established that you're not overly familiar with solar power concepts. Demand time to think things over and research. Better still, if you come under this sort of pressure, see it as an indication of what the company is like and avoid them altogether.

Collusion with related industries

Some solar companies have close ties with other industries, such as roof repair and roof restoration businesses, or it may be incorporated under their own business. There's nothing wrong with that as such, but what can happen is that a householder calls in a roof repairer who then offers a fantastic deal on a solar power system using high pressure tactics. Alternatively, the roof repair company may just sow the seed, then pass on the householder details to a solar company for targeting.

Investing in a solar power system is a decision that should be made after serious thought, having been presented all the facts and after having had time for thorough research and comparing packages with different companies - you shouldn't expect to call in a tradesman for roof repairs and have them sell a solar power package to you on the same day!

Compare apples to apples

Package deals are a great way to save cash, but not all packages are created equal. For example, a company might use top quality solar panels, but skimp on the inverter, wire and frame quality in the hope that the panel brand name will dazzle you and you'll ignore the other components.

When comparing packages, do so on a component by component basis - and ask questions about why X brand is better than Y brand where there are differences.

Grey market/counterfeit products

It's not all that common, but in some cases in order to save money a company will obtain components on the grey market. This is where the component is genuine, but hasn't come through the proper supply channels. In these situations, if something goes wrong with the component, the manufacturer may not honour the warranty.

In extreme cases, counterfeit or cheaper "no-name" products will be used. This can not only prove more costly as the equipment won't be eligible for rebates, but the equipment may not perform as well as established brands and present fire/electrocution hazards through shoddy workmanship. Look for proper certifications. The 'CE Mark' from Europe alone is worthless in Australia for solar panels as it's a self-certification. In the case of solar panels, the safety standard IEC61730 apply, the panel must be classified as Class A modules as well as complying with either IEC61215 or IEC61646, depending on the module technology.

Low quality components

The IEC standards mentioned above were recently enhanced to ensure even less leeway in performance and quality. However, Australia delayed the certification change until June 1, 2009. The result is poorer quality panels not meeting standards in Europe were being dumped in large quantities in Australia and offered at very low prices as a part of full systems. Some of these panel may still be on offer.

Additionally, while most panels will perform as rated in perfect conditions, poor quality panel performance will drop off dramatically in marginal conditions.

An item often not closely scrutinised in a solar power system package is the inverter. An inverter is the device than converts DC electricity from the panels into AC electricity suitable for use in your home. Sometimes a package might have top brand solar panels, but may skimp on the inverter quality in order to maintain an attractive price point. A low quality inverter will be inefficient and may have a shorter lifespan. Being an expensive item to replace, be sure a good quality inverter is included in your solar power system.

A good place for consumers to start when offered a package is to ask for the brand name for each component and then to research the brand history on the Internet.

Warranty issues

Many solar panel and related component manufacturers have been established in China in the last couple of years. With the exception of very few such as Suntech and Solarfun, the products have not been thoroughly tested for Australia's conditions. While the warranty the new companies may offer can be the same duration as the more recognised brands; the warranty will be of little value if the company disappears.

Buy-back guarantees

Some companies offer a buy back guarantee if the system does not perform adequately - it's very different to a warranty that will replace the defective components or fix any installation issue - and often an inferior one.

For example, under a buy back guarantee, if a system should fail after a few years and a consumer asks for the money back, the buyback price is unlikely to include the cost of the rebate. This means that if the system should be removed from the building, then the home owner is in breach of rebate conditions and may have to hand any rebate back to the Government.

Few people will want a few thousand dollars back and then have to pay even more back to the government - and the companies offering these sorts of buy back guarantees know that.

Inflated performance claims

Performance guidelines for solar power systems may be exaggerated. For example, a system of a specific size may provide 50% of the average household's needs in Queensland, but it certainly won't in Hobart. A good company will perform a series of complex calculations and let you know exactly how much electricity you can expect to generate from your own roof before even thinking about presenting you with a contract.

It's also important to note that a 1kW system will not produce that level of power. Performance is impacted by issues such as heat and through the normal operation of the inverter when the DC power from the solar panels is converted to AC power suitable for use in your home. However, some inverters are better than others in terms of conversion efficiency, just the same as some panels are better than others in relation to heat tolerance.

Shade tolerance claims

No solar panel is truly shade tolerant. It only takes shade covering a small area of a panel to reduce its performance dramatically. It simply does not pay to install panels on an area of roof where they will be in the shade during peak sun hours. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise as you'll just be wasting your money.

House re-financing

We've heard from some people they were pressured into re-financing their mortgage in order to install an expensive solar power system. This is something we strongly recommend against as the system will cost you thousands more over X years of the mortgage, negating any perceived electricity bill savings. It's wiser to opt for a smaller system that you can afford outright, or pay back in a relatively short time and then build on the system at a later date.

Fine print contracts

As with any contract, check the fine print. If the language in the contract is overly complex, gain legal counsel. If you do find you've been pressured into signing a contract with draconian clauses, all is not lost - seek legal advice as there are laws against what is termed an " unconscionable contract".

Installation timelines

Solar fever is sweeping the nation, so many providers are backlogged - so you can expect a wait of up to a few months for your system to be installed - but this is something you should be made aware of by the provider. If this detail is not mentioned anywhere, ensure you get it in writing; otherwise you may be waiting for 6 months or more. Details should also include what the supplier will do if the installation isn't completed by the appointed time.

Gimmicks, gadgets and bonuses

Everyone loves a bonus, but when too much emphasis is placed on a bonus rather than the core product, the solar power system itself, it's cause for concern. Bear in mind that most gadgets and bonuses included with solar power packages have cost the vendor far less than their retail value. Unless the bonus is directly related to the solar power system, you'll be better off forsaking the bonus and negotiating a cheaper price on the system.

Don't let your house be a classroom

Even with any rebates or incentives, you're still investing a sizeable sum from your own pocket and your house is being modified. You should ensure that the right person is executing the installation.

In order to qualify for Solar Credits rebates your solar power system has to be installed by a BCSE accredited installer. The emphasis here is on the physical installation, not just the sign off.

Will the person who climbs onto your roof to perform the installation be the same man who signs off on the paperwork? Does the installer have full BCSE accreditation or is the work done by an electrician and later checked by a more qualified supervisor? If your installer is just learning, he or she will have a provisional number – starting with P. This means you are one of the early installations and your roof is his or her classroom. Ask for the installer’s accreditation number and ask where he/she is normally located - you'll want someone local in case there's issues that need addressing.

This article has covered some issues you should avoid, so what about things you should look for in a package? See our guide, 10 tips for buying a solar power system. Additionally, we have an FAQ on the new Solar Credits scheme well worth reviewing.

Need some help with selecting a home solar power system? Try our free system builder or instant online quoting tool. You can also contact our friendly team of experts for no-obligation, no-pressure and free advice on 1300 727 151 or via email.