Ready to embrace that solar powered life? Your next step is to find an installation company – which can be daunting. Here’re some key things to consider when making your choice.
Check customer reviews
Get the tea on companies through customer reviews – the more the better. Google and Facebook reviews are usually more credible than handpicked testimonials on a company site, though those hold some weight too. Asking your friends, family, colleagues and your local footy club couldn’t hurt too! If a supplier receives negative feedback, word of mouth can travel fast.
Chat to their team
Chatting with their team can be a great measure of service quality. Some good questions to ask in that initial call are:
- How long have they been operating in this industry?
- Can they supply a customer contact who will vouch for them?
- Are they a member of SEANZ (Sustainable Energy Association of New Zealand)?
- Do they belong to any other relevant industry organisations?
- Who’ll be doing the installation and how many on site installers will they supply?
- How detailed is their professional quote information?
- Will it include a proposed design system with expected generation?
- Will the quote include an itemised list of specified component brands?
- What are their warranties and undertakings in the event of system faults or failures?
You may have other questions but a reputable company ought to be able to answer these questions in your initial phone call.
Know the basics of the installation process
Installing a solar panel system on your roof is complex, but it’ll help to have a general understanding – like the positives and pitfalls. The how, where, and what are well worth doing the research. Before the first solar panel installer sets foot on your property you’ll need to know the condition of your roof, because it’s the foundation for the panels.
Make sure you contact your electricity retailer before 1) choosing your preferred solar power installation company and 2) signing the contract to schedule the work.
Get quotes from multiple providers
Try and get quotes from at least three or four panel installation companies to help you pick the best one for the job. Your home is probably your most valuable asset – no one wants a botched panelled roof! Be up-front in letting the companies know you’re getting multiple quotes, because as was found in a Consumer Research Report, recommendations can vary – such as price and parts proposed.
Know someone with solar panels? Ask about their experience.
If you know someone in your area with solar panels installed, it’ll be a big advantage to learn from their experience. They may be able to address some of your concerns. A great question to ask is, “what would you do differently if you were looking for someone to install your solar panels now?”
A provider with good history and commitment to servicing
The solar power industry is relatively young. The length of time an installation company has been in the game can be a good measure of who to hire. Providers with an excellent reputation and longevity in the solar industry should be on your short list. SEANZ have a drop down search bar on their professional directory page where you can read a detailed profile of any member company in your area and learn more about their track record and offerings.
Review what products they work with and research these
As part of your high level research, you’ll have learned that there’s a great deal of choice for solar panel brands in New Zealand. You may find that your quotes contain specifications of different brands of panel. There are some independent online quote and solar advice services you can source which provide good information on the best solar panel brands in the marketplace. Additionally, a Google search of a specific brand and model will generate a huge amount of info to guide you. The details can seem quite technical (remember, this is a system that’s going to change how you receive and process energy in you home) so it’s worth doing the research!
Learn more about solar power
Check out our comprehensive Solar Power guide to learn more about using solar power in New Zealand, and whether it might be right for you.