How do I pick a solar installer?
A good solar system depends on who designs it, who installs it and who answers the phone years later. These are the checks worth making.
Pick an installer who visits your home, reads your power bill and explains the design. Check for Solar Accreditation Australia accreditation with a battery endorsement where needed, Clean Energy Council approved products and an SA electrical licence. Get more than one written quote, and confirm who handles warranty claims after the sale.
Answered by Chris Bull, Managing Director Chris Bull on LinkedIn (opens in a new tab).
Check these before you sign
Government guidance gives you most of the list. Ask for each item in writing.
- Installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia, with a battery endorsement for battery work
- Panels, inverter and battery on the Clean Energy Council approved lists
- An SA electrical contractor licence number
- Whether the seller is approved under the New Energy Tech Consumer Code
- More than one written quote
- The value of any discount and when you receive it
Do they come to your home?
A site visit matters. A phone quote cannot see your switchboard, your roof access or your shade. It also cannot tell you where the inverter or battery can go.
A site visit does not guarantee quality, but a company that refuses one is telling you something. Be wary of pressure to pay a deposit when you have only made an enquiry.
Do they ask about your usage?
Your system should fit your usage, the times you use power, your goals and your plans. A family adding an EV next year needs different advice from a retired couple home all day.
If a salesperson offers one size for everyone, or cannot explain how a system fits you, that is a warning sign. Ask what assumptions sit behind any savings figure.
Read the warranties
A complete solar installation usually comes with four warranties, and they run for different lengths.
- Inverter: commonly five years for standard models and up to ten or more for premium ones
- Panel performance: generally 25 years
- Panel product: usually 10 years or more
- Installation: from the provider, usually two to five years
Who stands behind it later?
A warranty is only as useful as the business behind it. Ask how long the company has traded under its current name, where its support team is based, and whether it handles manufacturer claims for you.
Spend your money where it counts. The inverter is the part most likely to give trouble, so buy a good one. Panels from a reputable brand do not have to be the most expensive on the market.
On installation day
The Clean Energy Regulator advises you to confirm the installer’s accreditation and licence on the day. If the accredited installer is not on site throughout, they should be there for setup, mid-install and commissioning.
How we work
We are a South Australian company with an office in Kent Town, and we hold electrical contractor licence 353970. We work across all of South Australia. We start with your bill, spend about 90 minutes in your home and leave you time to decide. Hold us to this list. Book a bill audit.
Common questions
What is the best solar company in Adelaide?
The best one for you is accredited, licensed, willing to visit, and able to explain its design and support. We will not rank other companies. Use the checks on this page.
How do I check an installer’s accreditation?
Use Solar Accreditation Australia’s status check. The Clean Energy Regulator also points buyers to the New Energy Tech Consumer Code list of approved sellers.
Should I take the cheapest quote?
Compare what each quote includes before you compare price. Check the hardware, warranties, discount value and after-sales support.
What if someone knocks on my door?
Take your time and make the same checks. REPS providers must show photo ID, their company name, ABN and a phone number, and you can always say no.
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