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Posted 15 Oct
With both solar and battery rebates & incentives available in Australia, you've probably seen those 'too-good-to-be-true' solar ads for cheap solar systems, and unfortunately not every installer plays by the same rules.
When searching 'solar installers near me', you're met with an abundance of installer options, but how do you know who is legit, and who is a scam waiting to happen?
There is good news, There are strong signs that a company is reputable or dodgy, so we wanted to provide some insight in helping home and business owners know the differences between a genuine installer and your typical 'solar cowboy' to avoid any solar scams.
Before we get into how to identify solar scams, let's understand the type of solar scams and dodgy installer tactics we see throughout Australia.
Ghost Installers: These kinds of solar installers will have decent surface level socials and website presence, but typically take deposits and disappear without fulfilling any work.
The Hard-Sell Hero: Usually uses phrases like 'don't miss out' or 'limited time offer' to pressure you to avoid consideration, sign the contract, and pay.
Free Fanatics: Have caution around 'free' system and 0% interest plans which may have sneaky contracts and hidden fees. Definitely read the fine print.
Panel Poser: Dodgy solar installers will use cheap and/or non-CEC approved solar panels which may look alright, but could pose safety and performance issues, and won't be eligible for any government rebates.
Look, Savings!: Some installers may inflate return-on-investment figures to entice you to install a system. Whilst it depends on the proposed system, be wary of sky-high promises.
When getting in contact with your solar installer, there will be a consultation phase where the installer will ask you questions about
your setup, but we highly recommend asking questions in return. Here are a few questions to help find some green flags for your
installation.
Is the Solar Installer on the SAA-Accreditation list?
In
NSW, every solar and battery installer has to be CEC/SAA-accredited to conduct certified solar and battery installations.
You can check accreditation numbers here,
or view the
authorised
installer map.
Do they have a Valid Electrical Licence Number?
Having a valid electrical licence
means that the installer/company have jumped through the required hoops for certification and compliance to Australian standards.
What are their reviews like on Google & Facebook?
Checking their reviews can be
an easy surface level way to determine whether the business has a good reputation, and how they deal with unsatisfied customers.
Do they use Subcontractors for Installations?
Whilst it's not necessarily a bad thing to use subcontractors in every situation, it's highly recommended you use in-house teams that
have incentive to install systems to maximum quality.
Have you received Transparent and Detailed Quoting?
A huge red flag is when a solar
or battery installer provide summarised quoting with minimal information on the system's details. This leaves room for the installer to
bring cheaper components without your knowledge.
Do they offer Workmanship Warranty?
Quality installers back their workmanship. For
our area, a 10-year warranty is a great idea for those looking for additional warranty coverage to the installed products.
What is their Social Media and Local Presence like?
Whilst this shouldn't be a solar
indication on reputation, having a strong social media presence can represent pride in the company's operations, and provide more
personal insight.
Are they offering High-Pressure 'today-only' deals?
Stay right away from
high-pressure sales tactics. These are designed to quicken the sale and encourage possible oversight that could seriously negatively impact
your investment.
|
|
|
| Accreditation & Licences |
CEC/SAA-accredited solar installer, licenced electrician, and compliant with NSW & Australian 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. |
| Outsourcing Labour |
Will either have a fully in-house team of installers, or have a tight leash on subcontractor installation quality. | Uses mostly or only subcontractors, with not much incentive for quality workmanship. |
One of the most important factors when choosing a solar or battery installer in NSW is ensuring they are fully-licenced and accredited by the Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), formerly the Clean Energy Council (CEC).
You can use the NETCC approved seller tool to verify if your installer is compliant to Australian consumer and installation standards.
There are various types of accreditation types under the SAA, which determine if they're approved for solar or battery designs and installations.
If your installer is accredited across all 3 types, they will be able to help design and install your system safely and in full compliance to NSW regulations.
Before committing to a solar or battery installer, analysing their online reviews can provide valuable insight into the company's reputation and customer service.
Most reputable solar and battery installer ratings will fall between 4-5 stars.
We highly recommend also looking at the negative reviews to understand what issues have occurred, and how the company handles customer dissatisfaction and customer service. A legit solar installer will address issues with haste and should aim to resolve complaints.
Another aspect to review is the media that the installer posts. Installers who share completed installations, detailed project case studies/images, and maintain a professional online presence and more likely to deliver quality workmanship.
Whilst performing solar health checks across Newcastle & the Hunter, our technicians have identified numerous faulty systems that are underperforming and pose a safety risk. In addition to expected deterioration, many of these faulty installations are due to lackluster component and workmanship quality.
Low quality solar and battery installers often ignore essential safety and compliance standards which can compromise system performance, safety, and longevity.
Another way to identify a reputable solar installer in NSW, and if they prioritise transparent consultation and quoting.
By providing you with detailed and transparent solar and battery system quotes, it will outline system components, proposed configuration, projected performance, and all costs involved.
As pricing will vary home-to-home with different system configurations, materials, labour parameters, and other elements, it's definitely worth gathering a few quotes from different installers to determine budget from premium installers.
However, it's also important to note that cheaper isn't always better in the solar industry.
Higher-priced solar and battery installers will often provide more premium components and compliant installations, as well as strong warranty and post-installation support for maximum customer satisfaction.
For reputable solar installers, focussing on customer-satisfaction is a priority, providing strong reliability, warranty, and post-installation support.
Post-sale support is essential for quality solar and battery installers as it enables customers to reach out in the case for any issues, questions, or troubleshooting enquiries.
Delays are normal, especially for busy installers. However, solar installers with very-limited or no post-installation support is a red flag in our books.
Being a solar customer, you should expect assistance for warranty claims, system monitoring, and technical issues that may arise.
As mentioned before, reliable installers will only use system components with strong warranty coverage (25-30 years for panels), and also provide workmanship warranty to rectify any installation issues (we provide 10 years workmanship warranty for context).
Whilst not a solar indicator of a reputable solar company in NSW, reviewing an installer's social media or online presence can provide valuable insight into credibility and reputation.
Solar and battery installers that regularly update their online presence like Instagram, Facebook, or their website, demonstrate pride in their work and projects with transparency.
Look for high-quality photos, case studies, or other media to identify how they go about customer value and interactivity. Positive communications indicate that the installer values its customer satisfaction, whilst an outdated online presence could be a red flag for many.
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.
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.
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