Tesla Powerwall 3 Expansion is Now CEC-Approved & Available
Posted 22 Jan
By searching 'solar installer near me' into google, you are met with an overwhelming amount of solar installation companies, all looking to capture your attention and install your system. Knowing the difference between a quality solar company verses your typical solar cowboy can result in you getting the most out of your investment.
How can you determine the good solar installers from the bad? The good news is that there are definitely ways to determine a good vs. bad solar installer including checking certifications and licences, customer reviews, and paying close attention to the way they quote, communicate, and are transparent with you.
Is the solar installer on the SAA-accreditation list?
Do they have a valid electrical licence number?
What are their reviews like on Google & Facebook?
Have you Received a Transparent and Detailed Quoting?
Do they offer workmanship warranty?
What is their social media and local presence like?
Are they offering high-pressure 'today-only' deals?
|
Good Solar Company Practices |
Bad Solar Company Practices |
|
| Accreditation & Licences |
CEC/SAA-accredited solar installer, licenced electrician, and compliant with NSW regulations. |
No CEC/SAA-accreditation or minimal licences. |
| Transparency |
Provides clear, detailed quoting with breakdowns of cost, warranty coverage, payback periods and projected performance. | Provides vague or inaccurate quotes that may be incomplete. Will also dodge related questions and pressure a quick decision. |
| Solar Components |
Only uses reputable CEC-approved solar panel modules and inverters. Will use components that are high-quality and have proven performance and warranties. | Uses lower quality or unbranded solar equipment with minimal or hard-to-find warranty information. Also, won't supply workmanship warranty coverage. |
| Customer Reviews |
Has a consistent flow of good reviews with genuine sentiment. |
Very few, or mostly negative reviews and complaints. |
| Post-Installation Coverage |
Provides direct contact details for warranty claims, troubleshooting, and actively follows-up enquiries. | Very difficult to contact post-installation and no identified warranty claim process. |
| Sales Tactics |
Provides a custom solution and lets you decide with support when needed. | Uses time-sensitive wording to encourage you to make a decision as soon as possible. |
| System Quoting | Travels to site and provides a custom quote tailored for the property. | Offers quote without an inspection and provides a one-size-fits-all solution. |
Probably the most important part in choosing the right solar installer is ensuring they are SAA-accredited and fully-licenced installers.
Using New Energy Tech's (NET) approved seller search tool, you can search locations to find NET approved sellers who meet consumer protection standards for solar, battery storage, EV charging, and more.
You can also search by accreditation number or installer name to ensure your installer has SAA-accreditation (formerly CEC-accreditation). This is very important to check, especially if you are wanting to claim the solar subsidy, which can only be completed by SAA-accredited installers.
There are also different types of accreditation under the SAA, including 'Grid Connected Photovoltaic Systems', 'Stand Alone Power Systems', and 'Grid Connected Battery Systems', which will vary depending on the work your installer conducts.
If the installer you're considering has these qualifications, double check what types they have. For example, one of our installers has all 3 listed above which are all 'full' as they can be design or install-only.
As obvious as it is, researching the reviews of the solar installer you may choose can help provide insight in not only seeing their average rating, but how they respond to their reviews.
We expect most good solar installers to vary in the 3.5 to 5-star rating mark.
We recommend researching installer's negative reviews, as they may not always accurately reflect how good a business is. It also gives you an understanding in how they handle bad feedback, and can provide insight into how customer-focused they are.
It is also important to note the photos they upload, whether they put the effort into putting installation images on their public business listings, or if they only have a basic profile with next to no content.
The large majority of reputable and quality solar installers provide upfront and transparent solar quoting and consultation in order to help customers make the best informed decisions.
With solar systems being upward of a few thousand dollars, trustworthy installers will respect that and provide as much information on components and projected system performance. This is to ensure customers know there their money is going, and the expected performance of their proposed system.
Whilst costs can vary in costs due to different materials, labour, permits etc., we highly-recommend getting comparison quotes from other local solar installers to help give you a better idea of whom the cheaper and more premium installers are.
Please note: the cheaper option isn't better in the solar and battery industry. Local solar companies that may be priced higher will actually offer more than just the installation.
Elements like investing in qualified teams of installers who provide custom solutions, using reputable brands and components for longevity, post-installation support and warranty, and maximum safety and compliance.
For a customer-focused solar installation business, supporting customers with strong post-installation service should be at the heart of keeping clients powered on.
When we refer to a strong post-sale service, we are talking about the ability to get in contact with your installer after your system has been installed to help with any issues or queries you may have. Some installers could be at capacity and have a slight delay, but installers with limited or no post-sales support should be a red flag.
Solar installers with strong post-installation service can help identify and rectify any issues, warranty claims, connection and monitoring, and maintenance. Any quality solar installer in Australia should stand by their work and take responsibility for post-installation support.
Additionally, not only should you research the warranty coverage of the components they've proposed, but also their workmanship warranty coverage which will ensure any installation-related issue is covered. Solar panels are typically covered for 25-30 years, and workmanship warranty is generally around 10 years.
Whilst not a sole indicator, analysing your considered solar installer's social media and digital presence can help determine whether the solar installation company is investing in their presence and reach.
A strong online presence usually shows that the company is proud of their work and are willing to share to past and potential customers. Regular updates, high-quality installation photos, educational posts, and customer reviews all help emit a support an overall positive reputation.
Their digital/online presence can range from Instagram, to business directories, to blogs on their website.
As you continue on your solar installation journey, keep in mind that your solar installer should display trustworthy attributes as your investment is valuable and should be completed properly. The experience should be made smooth and easy for any customer and job of any scale.
Including these considerations in your decision-making should give you a better understanding on how to select the right installer that will align with you and your goals of installing a quality renewable system.
A well-chosen company shouldn't just do the bare minimum to get by, they should aim to exceed any expectations and be primarily focused on providing the optimal solution for your property.
Discover how to choose the right solar battery size for your home. Compare 10kWh, 16kWh, and 20kWh options to maximise savings, and solar in NSW.
Explore what Virtual Power Plants (VPP) are, if joining is worth it, and how NSW solar battery owners can earn rewards, FiTs & rebates in Australia.
Explore what solar hotspots are, how they can affect your panel performance & efficiency, & how bypass diodes can affect your cells & strings in Australia.
Explore the process of installing rooftop solar and battery storage systems in a step-by-step guide of 9 easy steps on how solar is installed in Australia.
Finding the right Electric Vehicle charger like Tesla Wall Connector, Zappi, Fronius Wattpilot, and Ocular IQ. Determine the best speeds and features here.
Is your roof suitable for solar in Newcastle? Learn how terracotta vs. tin roofs, tilt, orientation, condition, and shading can affect home solar generation.
Differences between power vs. energy and kW vs. kWh electricity with examples on how power refers to the rate and energy to the amount over time.
Explore upcoming & available bidirectional V2G-capable chargers in Australia from V2Grid, RedEarth, Sigenergy, Enphase, Tesla, and Fronius EV charging.
Compare the difference between Sungrow's SBH and SBR battery storage vs. BYD Battery-Box and find what battery is better for homes or businesses in NSW.
The NSW Government have announced that the NSW Battery Rebate (PDRS) will be suspended on June 30th, 2025, and will no longer be available.
Avoid the 9.7% NSW electricity bill increase with expert tips on reducing energy costs, optimising solar usage, and finding better energy plans in 2025.
Explore how you can use your EV battery via vehicle-to-load (V2L) as a backup energy source during blackouts to power your home appliances in Australia.
Explore Australia's Federal Government solar battery rebate subsidy like eligibility, approved batteries, requirements, and more about the upcoming incentive.
Partnering with Elite Power Group, Maitland City Council have invested in more electric vehicle chargers in the Maitland area, supporting the uptake of EVs.
Does installing solar & batteries affect home insurance? Explore how solar & energy storage changes home insurance premiums in Australia, NSW in 2025.
Should solar owners get a home battery (ESS) or wait for vehicle-to-home (V2H) technology to use electric vehicle battery power to be available in Australia?
Discover how you can save on your solar panel system installation through available rebates, incentives, financing in the Newcastle and Maitland region 2025.
Explore the differences between AC-coupled and DC-coupled solar battery storage systems with examples and comparisons for homes in Australia.
Explore if fleet or public electric vehicle charging is better for charging workplace and employee EVs for your business in Newcastle & the Hunter, NSW.
With homes, Australian standards, and energy networks being ready for bidirectional charging, why the wait? Let's explore grid, EV, & charger developments.
Discover the differences between Tesla Powerwall 3 and Sungrow SBH battery storage and which one is better suited for homes across Australia, NSW in 2025.
Explore the differences and if hot water solar or solar PV systems are better, along with heat pumps and electric water heaters for home savings in Australia.
Working closely with the Newcastle City Council, we helped the development of Gregson Park Playspace with electrical infrastructure, lighting, and facilities.
A very strong storm passed through the Hunter, leaving over 100,000 homes without power. Here's how you can protect your home's energy with independence.
As 2025 comes to light, homes and businesses in NSW have access to a range of rebates and subsidies that allow for discounted installations of solar and battery solutions.
Completing a commercial solar and electric vehicle charger installation, our Thornton neighbours can take full advantage of renewable electricity and charging.
Elite Power Group installed a 2MW commercial solar installation for National Ceramic Industries Australia, totaling 4000 solar panels in Rutherford.
Explore various ways where homes and businesses can reduce electricity bills and maximise solar generation in Newcastle and the Hunter, NSW for 2025.
Explore whether rooftop or ground mounted solar systems are better for homes, farms, and remote properties needing solar PV power in Australia.
The journey of bidirectional charging in Australia has hit a milestone with the recent approval of the new standard for vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging for 2025.
Explore how daylight savings and seasonal changes during winter and summer can affect your solar panels performance and solar generation in NSW, Australia.
For cabins, homes, and sheds with limited or no access to grid energy, getting an off grid solar and battery storage system may be worth it in NSW in 2025.
Everyone has seen a solar installation a normal roof like tin or tiled roofs, but have you ever seen a solar installation a roof made of Brass? Well we did one...
Renewable News Articles
Not only are we specialists in solar power, but we pride ourselves in being leading installers in battery
storage, as well as EV charging for homes and businesses. For solar and battery systems, we offer both on and off-grid solutions for a
range of applications.
Newcastle's leading solar installers, providing long-lasting residential and commercial rooftop solar systems.
Experts in both residential and commercial electric vehicle charging station installations from 7kW - 360kW+.
Specialists in off-grid solar and battery, helping properties never have to pay another electricity bill again.
With decades of electrical and industry experience, our fully-qualified & licensed electricians are here to help.
Maximise your solar generation with battery storage from reputable brands to accelerate return-on-investment.
Leave a Comment