Are you in the process of getting quotes to find the best solar system for your home?
If you’re seeing cheap solar quotes, be careful.
Getting multiple quotes is a good start to find the right system. But with such variation in products and prices, you might have difficulty determining what you should pay for a quality solar system.
When it comes to minimising your energy bills, it is crucial to understand why these quotes vary so much and what you are getting for the quoted price. To make the best decision for your home and your family, there are a few things you should know.
What does a quality solar system cost in Australia?
According to the Clean Energy Council, here are the average costs for the most popular system sizes in residential solar installations:
- 6.6kW system – $5,500 – $7,500
- 10 kW system – $9,000 – $12,000
These prices are a guide provided by the peak body for renewable energy in Australia.
Why Are Some Solar Quotes Much Cheaper Than Others?
Now you might wonder why some of the quotes you have received were substantially lower than the prices provided by the Clean Energy Council.
The truth is, there are solar companies out there sacrificing the quality of installation, the quality of the solar panels and inverters and the level of customer service and warranties attached to your system.
Why? To make the system seem more appealing to you by cutting costs.
Do cheap solar systems perform the same?
A cheap solar system may initially seem to perform similarly. However the big difference is that a quality and therefore more expensive system will ensure a lower degradation rate of your solar panels.
You will also receive better warranties, aftercare you can rely on and higher quality solar technology which will perform better with different levels of shading.
If lasting performance and reliable customer service are important to you, be wary of cheap solar quotes. Especially those you see advertised for under $5k on TV.
How Do I Choose The Best Solar System?
Do your homework or seek professional advice.
But here’s the john dory: you must compare quotes for the same system size and the same quality solar panels and inverters. It makes no sense to compare two totally different system sizes or an LG panel with a no name panel.
What to ask yourself before falling for a cheap solar quote
When receiving quotes for your solar energy system, be sure to ask yourself the following questions.
- Have they considered my energy bill, property and daily usage?
- Do they have in-house Clean Energy Council Accredited Electricians?
- Did electricians design my solar system, or was it a salesperson?
- What level of aftercare service do they provide?
- How long are the product and performance warranties?
- How many customers do they have? Can I be sure they’ll be around if something goes wrong?
You can feel more confident that the system has been designed for you when you’ve been asked the right questions.
If it’s a package being advertised with a standard size and price, BE WARY. Understand the quality of the system you are being quoted on before being tricked by the cheap quote.
What if I decide to go for the cheap quote?
Be prepared for the following issues.
- Contractors are often paid per job, not per hour. They may cut corners and rush complex or tricky jobs to maintain profitability.
- Poorly installed solar systems are unlikely to last long. You may be able to replace your panels or inverters under warranty but some manufacturers will try to get out of their responsibility.
- You may find yourself fighting for your warranty or paying for a new inverter or panels, or a whole new system
- Check the T&Cs. Cheap installers may advertise top end components, but in the T&Cs they reserve the right to swap out the inverter and panels for equivalents.
If you have received either residential or commercial solar power quotes and are unsure which one offers you the best value for money solution, then simply call Totally Independent Solar Consultants on 0413975042 and we will take the guesswork out of your solar quote decision and make going solar simple…
8/3/2023