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Some general solar purchasing advice
Our free Solar Consumer Guide download explains in detail how a solar power system works. It includes diagrams, and outlines what you should consider when making a purchase decision.
The following is just some general advice regarding some of the traps and pitfalls you should consider when searching for a solar provider.
New technology, but old wisdom applies
Shopping for a solar power system and choosing a solar installer can be an exciting time for many people. But, as with any 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 PV 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 and solar installers. That includes everything from leaking roofs after installations occur to householders going into debt for decades.
Do your homework on the retailer
Look for Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) approved retailers. Check reviews, ask for recent installs, and avoid anyone who pressures you to sign on the spot. A good retailer will give you space to think.
Get a proper site inspection
A trusted installer will either visit your home or complete a detailed virtual inspection. They will check shading, roof condition, switchboard capacity, and your tariff. A dodgy operator will skip this and send a generic quote.
Make sure your quote is itemised
Insist on a quote that lists the panel brand, inverter model, system size, warranties, and total installed price. If the brand names are missing or the pricing looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Understand the warranties
Reputable brands offer long product and performance warranties. Make sure you know:
- Who backs the warranty,
- Where the Australian office is, and
- How long support lasts.
Avoid any system where the warranty relies on an overseas distributor with no local presence.
Pay attention to the installer’s accreditation
Your installer must be an SSA-accredited electrician for grid-connected solar. Ask for their accreditation number and check it online. Never let an unlicensed tradie near your roof.
Beware of fast talking sales people
Like shopping for a new car, be wary 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 they may be focusing on hype to get you to sign on the dotted line. And boost their commission.
If a question hasn’t been answered properly or has been deflected, pursue a satisfactory response. In some cases, you may be better off just walking away and finding a company that will answer your questions the first time.
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 may state that the offer they are touting ends the same day. Even when that information isn’t published in any of their literature or website.
Ethical salespeople will not place you under this type of pressure, given the size of the investment. Especially if this is an initial enquiry and they’ve established you’re not overly familiar with solar power concepts or have some confusion.
Demand time to think things over and research, or at least be clear on the cooling-off period if you decide to sign on the dotted line. 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.
Home assessments
In years gone by, a home assessment could be a very desirable thing. However, not only has solar PV technology evolved, so have assessment methods thanks to powerful tools such as Google Earth that can zoom in on your rooftop.
While a home assessment still has its place in some situations, at times the representative visiting your home may have been directed to “sell, sell, sell”. His or her only goal may be to leave your house with a signed purchase order. Your needs will be considered secondary, or perhaps non-existent. You need to consider if you want that type of person walking in the front door of your home.
Ignoring simple energy efficiency solutions to reduce cost
A company genuinely committed to solar power is in business to make money, however they will often offer energy efficiency suggestions as to how you can decrease the cost of acquiring a system.
For example, if you still use inefficient lighting, an ethical company will point out that spending a hundred dollars on switching to compact fluorescent or LEDs could save you thousands of dollars on extra solar panels needed to power the energy inefficient lights. On the other hand, an unethical company will see this as a good opportunity for the sale of a larger system.
A system with a 4kW inverter is not always a 4kW system
In order to make a system appear more powerful, some companies may focus on promoting inverter size. A system with a 4kW-rated solar inverter but with only 1.5kW of solar panels is a 1.5kW system. The larger inverter will not boost the amount of electricity generated compared to a smaller, suitably sized inverter.
While having a larger inverter can be of benefit as you may be able to add more panels at a later date, this leads to another very important point.
System upgrades and “upgradeable systems”
Another important reason to use quality, well-known components is in case you wish to upgrade your system in the future, it can be difficult to mix and match solar panels.
If you buy a system package with a larger inverter for purposes of upgrading at a later date, you need to be certain the company that manufactured those panels will still be around at that point – and producing the same panels.
Even if they are, if the panels are of low quality, the original solar modules may degrade more over the period compared to a good quality panel. As a single degraded solar panel can affect the performance of an entire system, your upgraded system may not perform to its full potential.
Low quality components
ot all solar panels are equal. While most panels will perform as rated in perfect conditions, poor-quality panel performance will drop off dramatically in marginal conditions. “No name” panels may also use poor-quality sealants that will do the job for the first couple of years, but then after that, degrade to a point where moisture enters the panel, and there is no easy fix for that situation.
An item often not closely scrutinised in a solar power system package is the inverter. An inverter 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. 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 PV package is to ask for the brand name for each component and then to research the brand history on the Internet.
Extra costs
A low advertised price mightn’t be just due to low-quality components. While it’s not unusual for prices to vary based on the type of structure upon which a solar power system is placed, these extras should be clear. These could include:
- Tile roof
- Building a frame on a flat metal roof
- Split array
- Horizontal fixing of the array
- Lifting and access equipment
- Cost of moving the inverter
- Cathedral ceilings
- Travel charges
Fine-print extras can add thousands onto the final cost of a solar power system, so be very sure to read over quotes and contracts carefully before committing to purchase.
Component substitution
A trick some companies will use is to offer you a respected brand name at a good price. Then, once the contract is signed and sealed, a mysterious “shortage” may occur. And that shortage means you’ll need to wait much longer or accept another inferior brand. A discount or cash back may be thrown in to lure you into accepting the lesser quality component. While in some cases there is a genuine shortage, in others it is a tactic to increase profit margins, as margins can be very slim on leading brand products.
Warranty issues
Many solar panel and related component manufacturers have been established around the world in the last couple of years. 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. Solar PV manufacturers disappear often; sometimes to re-emerge under another name, but without assuming the responsibility associated with its previous products.
Inflated performance claims
The performance of a solar power system may be exaggerated. For example, a system of a specific size may provide 50% of the average household’s needs in one part of Australia. But it won’t in another due to prevailing climate and irradiance levels.
A good company will perform a series of calculations to give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much electricity you can expect to generate before even thinking about presenting you with a contract.
It’s also important to note that a 5kW PV system will not produce that level of power under all conditions. Performance can decline through issues such as heat and the normal operation of the inverter when the DC electricity generated by the solar panels converts 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.
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”. A cooling off period also applies.
Installation timelines
Solar PV fever sweeps the nation in waves and during these times providers can become backlogged. While you can expect a wait of up to a few months for a solar installer to perform your installation in some circumstances, this is something the provider should make you aware of.
If this detail is not available 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 solar installation isn’t complete by the appointed time.
Choosing a solar installer
Even with any applicable rebates or incentives, you’re still investing a sizeable sum from your own pocket, and your house is receiving modifications. You should ensure that the right person is executing the installation. It’s critical you choose a suitable solar installer.
In order to qualify for the federal rebate, which is actually an up-front discount, your solar power system has to be installed by a Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredited solar installer. The emphasis here is on the physical installation, not just the sign-off.
Will the solar installer who climbs onto your roof to perform the installation be the same person who signs off on the paperwork? Does the installer have full SAA 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 solar installer’s accreditation number and ask where he/she is normally located. You’ll want someone local in case there are issues that need addressing.
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