How to Buy a Quality Solar System in Australia: 22 Expert Tips

Everything to know about ensuring you purchase a quality system

There are 22 clear steps you can take to ensure you get a high-quality solar electrical system that meets your needs.

1. Firstly, we suggest you look for products with a long product replacement guarantee for panels (minimum 15 years) and a minimum 10-year warranty for inverter solutions.
2. Next make sure the actual manufacturer of the equipment has an established, well-staffed, and legally validated presence here in Australia.
3. If the proposed solar system is inexpensive, for example, less than $4,000 for a 6.6kW array, be wary as you may well purchase equipment that poses a danger in terms of long-term maintenance and lifespan.
4. An option we recommend is to purchase established brand equipment from local companies since they are more devoted to the local market and have a good understanding of solar requirements within your area.
5. Choose a local company that has been in business for at least 5 to 7 years. Unfortunately, an accreditation from the Clean Energy Council alone is no assurance of a satisfactory installation.
6. Usually, local businesses will be able to resolve difficulties faster in the future than sales firms that utilise subcontractors and have remote headquarters. Make sure you check the after-sales reputation and capacity of your solar installer.
7. It is very crucial to note that the longer a system can function directly correlates to the length of financial benefits you can reap as well as the environmental benefits the system will provide. Quality products combined with a careful and considered installation will ensure such a result.
8. We suggest that you avoid door-to-door solar salesmen as well as cold callers who may offer “interest-free” finance. If you require to finance the cheapest interest will be most likely your mortgage redraw. However, dependent on what state government area you are in you may be able to get an interest-free loan.  Please stay clear of those coming to your house, to sell solar, even if they have a bubbly and convincing personality as often behind that facade is a false promise of never paying your electricity bill again, when in most cases this is not true.
9. We also recommend that you set yourself a budget as even with the solar rebate, a high-quality system with 6.6kw to 10kW of panels should not cost $4000, but $8,000 plus. Top-quality systems in this size range will in the usual electricity usage pattern for a family of approx. 60% self-consumption create returns of $1500 to $2400 per annum.
10. To avoid future troubles, do not couple a high-quality inverter with a low-quality panel or vice versa. Both key solar system components should be of the same better than average quality and installed to a high quality.
11. You should also ignore the free panels, artificially extended workmanship warranties, and low-cost advertising with celebrities endorsing the product. Far too many firms of this caliber make big promises and then disappear only a few years after installation.
12. If you have a friend who has had their PV system installed with no problems for the past 5 years plus, then ask him or her who they used, especially if it was a local company.
13. You should also make sure you request a site inspection to get a customised design, instead of a cooky cutter design.
14. Note that often the higher-priced quote will regularly contain superior equipment, resulting in a better output over the years and overall, more money in your pocket. The old rule – you get what you pay for applies.
15. If the quote you are given is handwritten on a piece of paper or simply a few pages long, with spelling mistakes etc. you will not acquire adequate information about what you are purchasing. A strong solar quote includes information such as expected system output, where the product is manufactured, main brand and product replacement warranty data, full panel and inverter advantage descriptions, and relevant datasheets.
16. Make sure you inquire about the system handover. How long it will take? What you will be shown? What papers will you get? These are all questions you should be asking, or the salesperson should be telling you.
17. You also should ask if the installer provides you with all the panel and inverter/optimiser serial numbers after installation, which might be important if you must file a warranty claim in the future.
18. It cannot be understated how critical it is that you read the fine print of the quote and challenge and question the clauses that you even have the slightest questions about. If you are not happy with some clauses – ask them to be crossed off and initialed by the solar salesperson.
19. The inverter is the heart of the solar system. Your installer needs to ensure that where the inverter is being installed is devoid of direct sunlight in the middle of the day or late afternoon as this can directly affect the inverter’s life span.,
20. Do not succumb to arbitrary deadlines or special incentives to compel you to make a quick decision. Request that the firm that does this stops contacting you and gives your business to a company that does not use pressure sales practices.
21. Rather than getting a lot of cheap panels, low wattage panels, save roof space and get more efficient panels since you may wish to extend a solar system in the future via batteries and electric vehicles.
22. Long-term warranties on the panel and inverter are usually transferrable, which means if you sell the house after 8 years, the remaining warranty period can be transferred to the new owner. So make sure you keep your solar paperwork in a safe place. Quality solar increases the value of your home and is a key selling point, so inquire if the warranty is transferable to the new owner.