Updated July 2024.
Selecting the right solar installation company is a crucial first step in getting a safe and reliable solar system that will give you years of trouble-free solar energy production. Over the last 10 years it is estimated that over 700 solar companies have come and gone across Australia.
Do They Have Clean Energy Council (CEC) Approved Solar Retailer Accreditation?
The first thing is to make sure the solar installer you are dealing with is a CEC Approved Solar Retailer – the highest level of accreditation from the CEC.
The CEC is the body the Australian government charges with accrediting solar installers, solar panels, and solar inverters. There are several levels of accreditation from the CEC. All solar installers need to be licensed by the CEC as a solar installer and need to follow the CEC guidelines and regulations when installing solar systems.
You will also see many companies displaying they are a CEC Member with this logo:
It is important to understand that any company with an interest in solar can become a member of the CEC. This membership and the use of the logo bears no relation to their expertise and experience as a solar installer or retailer.
Only deal with solar installers who are a New Energy Tech Approved Seller who display this logo:
The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) is a set of standards designed to protect consumers when purchasing new energy tech. To become a New Energy Tech Approved Seller, a solar provider must demonstrate it meets the requirements of the NETCC and is committed to ongoing compliance with its standards.
To maintain the integrity of the program, Approved Sellers may be audited to ensure their practices adhere to the NETCC, and customer complaints of alleged non-compliance will be investigated. See https://www.newenergytech.org.au/about-the-netcc
This program replaced the CEC Approved Solar Retailer program.
What is Their Experience and History?
Make sure you check the history and experience of the solar installer. How many years have they been in business?
Make sure you also check their reviews on Google and solarquotes.com.au (an independent solar website). See what their customers say about them. More importantly check how do they answer any negative reviews.
What Are Their Facilities and Do they Have A Showroom?
Look at the facilities that they operate from to support their business. Do they own their facility or are they renting? Some cheap installers just operate out of vans.
Other installers appear to be large organisations with office locations in capital cities across Australia. But when you check these addresses they are all in serviced offices. In some case they are just renting a mailing address in these offices to give the appearance they are a large, national company.
Ask if they have a showroom you can visit to see the different products?
Ask them if you can come and inspect their facility. If there is any hesitation in allowing you to do so then steer clear.
Also be aware that some of the larger solar companies offering very cheap deals work from offshore call centres.
Do they Offer an In-Home Consultation or Site Visit?
Do they offer an in-home or on-site consultation for you? This is important as reputable solar installers will offer this service to make sure they exactly understand your requirements. It allows them to inspect the roof and your electrical meter box to make sure they are suitable for a solar installation.
Most companies offering cheap solar deals will only deal with you over the phone over the phone and via email and will use high pressure sales tactics to try and win business.
The only person you will ever see is the 3rd party installer who turns up on the day of installation. If you ever have an issue with the system what hope do you have of a company representative turning to check the system and solve your problem? None.
What Other Industry Credentials or Awards Do They Hold?
Make sure you look at what other industry credentials the installer has. Are they certified by industry leading solar technology companies?
For example, are they a certified Tesla Powerwall installer? Tesla has stringent criteria for the solar installer to meet before they can receive this certification. Again, this points to the installer’s level of technical expertise, customer service, and experience.
Also check to see if the have won any awards from reputable solar industry bodies such as the EUPD Top Brand PV Installer award:
Asking these 5 questions will go a long to helping you chose an experienced and professional solar installer to provide a system to give you years of trouble free operation.
