Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Buying Solar

On This Page:

• Not Knowing Solar Rebates vs. Solar Tariffs
• Unaware of Consumer Protection Under Australian Consumer Law
• Not Asking the Right Questions
• Incorrect System Sizing
• Low Quality Equipment
• How to Avoid These Expensive Mistake?
• About the Author

1. Not understanding the difference between solar rebates and tariffs

People get mixed up all the time in a sea of jargon when buying solar.

Put simply, solar rebate is a discount off the cost of a solar system, meant to subsidise the upfront cost of installing a solar power system. This is claimed on your behalf by your solar installer. Also known as the Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), this is a government-administered scheme.

If you are a small business in Victoria buying a solar system of less than 30kW, you may be eligible for an additional solar rebate. The Victorian Solar for Business Program is offering rebates of up to $3,500 for eligible businesses. This is, however, means-tested. But you can apply for both the STCs and Victorian Solar for Business Program when buying solar.

Feed-in tariffs refer to the payment you receive for selling electricity to the grid when your rooftop solar generates more electricity than your premise is using at any point in time. Feed-in tariffs were initially high to encourage solar uptake. However, now that the solar industry is well established, the feed-in tariffs have been reduced.

2. Not knowing what protections you’re entitled to under Australian consumer law

Many consumers are not aware that there are four separate warranties that you get with your solar system. The warranties you should look out for are:

• Performance warranty: 25 years
• Inverter warranty: 10 years
• Panel warranty: 10 years
• Workmanship warranty: 5 years

While the warranty terms may vary, the terms listed above are the standard minimum warranty period as expected by Clean Energy Council, the peak governing body for solar industry, Their code of conduct for retailers is in consultation with ACCC to protect consumer interest.



3. Not asking the right questions to vet your solar retailer and installer

The most glaring sign that you are dealing with a dodgy solar salesman or installer is when they cannot produce their CEC accreditation. If your salesman is conducting an in-person visit, always ask to see their business identification such as a badge or business card.

Then, verify their information on the CEC website. There are also numerous resources to help you verify the information your salesman tells you.

If you are unsure, feel free to contact myself or our team at Quality Energy. We are a CEC Approved Retailer and more than happy to help to answer any queries you have.



4. Incorrect system sizing

Solar system sizing is more complex than it appears. Over time, we’ve encountered businesses that have been quoted solar system designs that are either: excessive, underpowered, or simply bad designs.

We always stand by the philosophy there’s no 'one-size-fits-all' approach, especially for solar. Your system sizing is not only affected by your electricity usage and the data on your energy bill. An ethical solar solutions provider will consider climate, panel orientation, shading, natural efficiency drop and other things that impact the “true” output of your system.

That is why never sell complete systems to anyone until we conduct an on-site inspection, where we plan your system to account for all the variables.

5. Not using good quality equipment

The phrase ‘you get what you pay for' really rings true here. While there are many cut-rate solar panels, some of the most common solar complaints we've heard extend to low quality or poorly installed panels, faulty inverters, a system that doesn’t perform as well as promised and little to no customer service or support.

While a premium solution might seem like a larger investment at the beginning, it will pay off in great energy savings, long-term performance and great aftersales support. If something happens to your solar PV system – whether it's weather-related or otherwise, you don’t want to be left without any support.



So, how can one avoid these expensive solar mistakes?

You might notice that we never guarantee full system prices. This is because solar design is a consultation process. Any prices we advertise is indicative. We will always carry out a site inspection to determine your requirements and the best solution that will suit your requirements and business setting. Following the site visit, we will communicate any price and system variance before you sign off on the installation.

Why is that the case? Quality Energy is a holistic energy management solutions provider in Power Quality and renewable energy solutions, including commercial solar. Unlike many other solar operators, we have been in the energy sector for more than 30 years. Our reputation is at stake if you are not happy with what you got. As a Clean Energy Council (CEC) Approved Solar Retailer, we also have the duty of care not only to our customers but to uphold the CEC Approved Solar Retailer Code of Conduct. 

I hope you have found this guide useful. If you have any questions about solar, contact me for a confidential discussion.

About Farhan

Farhan Ahmad is Quality Energy's Power Solutions Consultant, with more than 10 years' professional experience in the energy sector. His experience in the sector encompasses power generation project sales and renewable/solar energy solution sales across SME and Commercial and Industrial, both in Australia and overseas. In his previous roles, he worked with companies representing GE Jenbacher and Cummins Power Generation, to name a few. Farhan is passionate about sustainability and he is currently studying Masters of Engineering in Sustainable Energy at RMIT University.