Based on his experiences researching and purchasing a household PV system, ReNew contributor Aaron Hodgson has put together this list of questions to ask solar companies and installers before you take the plunge.
This is just a starting point though, and there’s a lot more to learn about best practice solar installations. Read Aaron’s article Top tips from a PV customer in ReNew 114 or our Household solar installation guide in that issue.
Questions for solar companies and installers
- What is the total purchase price for a (XX) kW system?
- Is there a deposit required?
- What are the additional costs on top of the contract price (e.g. meter)?
- Does somebody inspect the property first in case there are extra installation costs?
- What is the total waiting period from sign-up to installation?
- How many panels are required for a (XX) kW system?
- How many square metres will this size system require?
- What is the brand and type of solar panel?
- What size is each panel (in Watts)?
- What is the length and width of each panel?
- What is the average daily and yearly kWh production for this system?
- What is the average summer/winter kWh production per day for this system?
- What brand is the inverter?
- What size system is the inverter?
- Is the inverter a larger system than the panels or are they compatible?
- What does the inverter display show?
- Are there extra products you can buy for the solar system such as in-house monitors and software monitoring equipment?
- What is the warranty on: panels? inverter? mounting frame? workmanship?
- What warranty is there for the gradual loss of production over time, e..g 90% of production for how many years?
- How long is the inverter likely to last?
- What is the percentage efficiency of the panels?
- Where are the panels made?
- Are the solar panels made by the brand name company or are they made by a different manufacturer and then relabelled under a new brand name? If so, who is the original manufacturer of the panels and the inverter?
- Which countries are the solar panel and inverter brand companies based in?
- Does the solar panel brand name company that honours the panels’ warranty have a base in Australia that I can contact if there are any issues with the panels? Also for the company that honours the inverter warranty, if different? What are the phone numbers and addresses?
- For how long have the solar panel and inverter brand name companies been selling these systems for?
- If the solar system is significantly cheaper or more expensive then the average market prices then why is this so?
- How many carbon credits do I get for a (XX) kW system?
- What is the value of the carbon credits (per share) in dollars?
- How much do I get for the REC certificate?
- For insurance coverage what is the total cost before discounts and carbon credit sales?
- What sort of after-sales service do you have for enquiries and trouble-shooting issues?
- What is your BCSE accreditation number for solar installation?
- Will you organise metering and switchboard modification, including the inspection and paperwork?
- Do you organise the application for the government REC rebate?
- Is your installation work contracted out?
- How long has your company been installing solar photovoltaic systems for?
- Could you provide me with the contact details of 4 people you have installed solar systems for who would be happy to talk to me as a referee about your work?
Read Aaron’s article “Top tips from a PV customer” in ReNew 114.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 at 12:18 pm