How to choose a solar provider

Conergy has provided consumers with five essential questions to ask when looking for a solar provider and installer.

As the number of Australians choosing to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels by installing solar systems increases, the message from Australia’s largest locally based manufacturing distributor in the industry, Conergy, is clear: not all solar companies are the same and research into your installers is essential.

Conergy GM David McCallum’s top five questions to ask when researching a quality system installer are:

1. Is the installer accredited by the Clean Energy Council?
2. What performance guarantees and warranties come with the system?
3. Is the product supported by the manufacturer with Australian-based offices?
4. Does the retailer/installer import its own products, if so what are the warranty conditions if the retailer is no longer in business?
5. Does the installer use government certified solar systems and installation methods?

More than ever, Australian households are installing solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, not only as a way of helping the environment but, more importantly, as an effective way to reduce the cost of their energy bills.

David McCallum, General Manager of renewable energies company Conergy, reminds consumers that they should do their research before having solar power systems installed at their home or office.

McCallum’s ‘top tip’, when searching for a quality designer and installer of PV panels, is to ensure the installer and retailer supplying the solar system is accredited by the Clean Energy Council of Australia.

“Clean Energy Council accreditation means that the installer you are choosing has undergone training to Australian Standards and is fully qualified to design and install your PV systems,” said McCallum.

“Also, to qualify for many of the government solar power rebates, the PV systems need to be installed by a qualified, accredited installer.”

Consumers should also be sure to ask the designer and installer of their PV systems a few essential questions, according to McCallum.

“What performance guarantees and warranties come with the system? Does the supplier or installer provide a service agreement? Is the product supported with local representation from the manufacturer? These are essential questions that all customers should be asking before installing any type of PV system.”