8 Questions You Should Ask Prospective Solar Suppliers
Sep 12, 2023 7:01 am
8 Questions You Should Ask Prospective Solar Suppliers
3 min read
Vetting a solar installer can be tricky, especially if you’ve never done before and are a newbie to the specifics of solar. Going with the wrong installer can quickly result in you being left with empty pockets and faulty sockets. Luckily, we are here to give you 11 important questions you should ask which should tell you whether you should go with a particular solar installer or not.
1. How long have you been in business and how many installations have you done?
Inquire about the installer's experience in the solar industry, including the number of installations they've completed. Experienced installers are more likely to deliver quality work. Seeing as solar energy has been around for quite a while in South Africa, we recommend going with installers that have 7 or more years of experience in the industry and have successfully completed at least 100 solar installations. This should highlight reputable companies and single out fly-by-night installers.
2. Do you have references I can contact and photos of previous installations?
Ask for references or examples of completed installations similar to what you're looking for. This can give you an idea of their work quality and capabilities. Question those references on the installation process they faced, the overall rating of the installation experience as well as the quality of the after sales service and technical support.
3. Do you provide a maintenance or service warranty and how do you handle manufacturer warranties?
Reputable installers should provide warranty that covers the system's performance and potential issues. The warranty on solar installations usually varies depending on the manufacturer and installer, but the industry standard for materials is 10 years. However, the best solar panels often offer 25-year warranties. The inverters also come with warranties, usually about 5 years. The batteries can come with warranties, with the standard ranging between 5 and 10 years.
4. How much energy will the solar system produce and how will it affect my electricity bill?
Ask the installer how solar has benefitted their average customer in terms of the percentage decrease in their monthly electricity bill. This should give you a clear indication of whether the installer has really done multiple installations or not and the quality of those installations. The percentage decrease in electricity costs is directly linked to the size of the solar PV system. You can have a look at this table from MyBroadband for an accurate gauge.
5. Are you licensed and insured?
Ensure the installer has the required licenses and insurance to do solar installations in your area. This protects you from liability in the event of accidents or damage throughout the installation process.
Solar installers in South Africa must be possess a DoL (Department of Labour) registration number and must follow the SANS 10142 standard.
6. Do you use certified components?
Ensure that all the installer’s components (panels, batteries, inverters, etc.) are NRS097 certified and can be linked to the corresponding product code.
7. How will you handle maintenance and monitoring?
An ideal situation would be the installer offering ongoing maintenance plans and monitoring services to ensure your system's optimal performance over the long run. The best installers often offer basic maintenance such as panel cleaning, rewiring and battery replacements and software updates. They also offer apps through which you can monitor the performance of your solar PV system around the clock.
8. What documents do you issue after the installation is complete?
This offer an indication of how well organised the installer is and how well they follow industry standards and regulations. Solar installers should issue a CoC (Certificate of Compliance) showing that the property complies with electrical standards, accompanied by a test report, which is a more detailed document containing photos and diagrams showing a brief report of the installation work done on the property. It outlines the inspections carried out and confirms that the property is wired in a manner that is safe from an electrical standpoint and complies with the required standards.
This is by no means definitive advice. We advise you to do your own research and consult with a reputable solar expert before making a decision. You can use our resources here on our Solar PV Reviews website to see what other customers have had to say about various solar installation companies.
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For more information on solar energy, or any other energy related articles, view the blog posts on my website and be sure to open my weekly emails every Tuesday at 9AM CAT.
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