How To Shop For Solar

Do Your Research

Before making a decision to purchase a solar power system and which solar retailer to go with, we recommend you undertake some basic research.

This will ensure you get the right system and solar supplier that best matches all of your energy, quality and budget needs. 

You should also be clear on the expectations you have of your new solar power system. Do you want to reduce your electricity bills? Do you want to eliminate your power bills completely? Or do you want to make some money from any excess power generated by your solar system?

At Love Energy we advise you do your homework before committing to any solar retailer. We suggest you visit the Clean Energy Council’s website and read the Consumer Guide To Buying Household Solar Panels. It will provide you with unbiased and valuable information, as well as guiding you through the steps to going solar.

We also recommend that you undertake some research via the internet on the companies you are considering as your solar system supplier and installer, and the solar equipment brands (for the solar panels and inverters) you are considering. The online forum Whirlpool is a good place to start.

As a guide, you should always establish the following before selecting your solar power system and solar retailer:

• Where are the solar panels and inverters being supplied and installed by the retailer actually manufactured?
• How long has the solar equipment manufacturer been in operation?
• Are the solar brands (solar panels and inverters) being offered, world leading solar brands?
• What are the solar system Warranty timeframes and terms, and are they supported by a local office and team in your market?
• Can they prove their Warranty claims?
• What is the output of the recommended solar system, and is the output an average over 365 days or only based on summer performance?
• How does the system perform in real-life conditions? For example, in extreme temperature variances, and in low light conditions?
• Have you been offered a FREE personalised home assessment before quotation?
• Who will be installing your system?
• Are the installers accredited and certified?
• Does the solar retailer have a Building Contractors Licence?

In a nutshell, we strongly recommend that you undertake some research on the best solar power system for you, and don’t base your research on price alone. Cheaply priced solar systems can be tempting, but will they deliver on their performance Warranty (normally 25 years), and will the solar retailer or the solar equipment manufacturer still be around to honour that Warranty?