Approved Solar Retailer Archives | Energy Matters

How Do I Tell Which Solar Retailer Is the Best To Go With?

Beth P — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 00:00:00 +0000

Choosing the right solar retailer is crucial in transitioning to solar energy, as it’s a significant investment that will impact your energy bills and environmental impact for years. With numerous companies offering solar solutions, making an informed decision is essential. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the process and determine the best solar retailer.

Are you looking to save money on your electricity bills and reduce your carbon footprint? Solar energy is the perfect solution! Energy Matters can help you get up to 3 FREE quotes from pre-qualified and vetted solar firms in your area.

Energy Matters has been a leader in the renewable energy industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence. With Energy Matters, you can be sure you’re getting the best possible deal on solar energy. We only work with reputable solar firms with a proven track record of delivering high-quality solar systems.

Understand your local incentives

The availability and amount of solar incentives vary greatly depending on your location. Before you start shopping for a solar retailer, be sure to research the incentives that are available in your area. These incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, so it’s important to understand what’s available before you start shopping around.

Talk to your neighbours who have solar panels

If you know anyone with solar panels, ask them about their experience with their solar retailer. They can give you firsthand information about the company’s installation process, customer service, and solar system performance.

Research and credentials

Start by researching various solar retailers. Look for their credentials, certifications, and years of experience in the industry. Verify if they are accredited by organisations like the Clean Energy Council (CEC) in Australia or similar bodies in other regions. Accreditation ensures adherence to industry standards and quality.

Customer reviews and testimonials

Check customer reviews and testimonials on independent platforms. Reading about other customers’ experiences can provide valuable insights into the company’s reliability, service quality, and after-sales support.

Product quality and warranty

Assess the quality of the retailer’s solar panels, inverters, and other equipment. Inquire about the warranties provided for the products and services. High-quality components often come with longer warranties, indicating the retailer’s confidence in their durability.

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Customised solutions

A good solar retailer should offer customised solutions tailored to your needs. They should assess your property’s energy consumption patterns and design a system that maximises solar efficiency.

Transparent pricing and financing options

Look for transparency in pricing. Avoid retailers who use high-pressure sales tactics or provide vague quotations. A reputable solar retailer should be transparent about costs and offer various financing options or incentives, such as government rebates or financing programs.

Local presence and support

Consider choosing a retailer with a local presence and good customer support. Local companies often provide better customer service, quicker response times, and ease of maintenance or repairs if needed.

Environmental commitment and ethical practices

Assess the company’s commitment to sustainability and ethical business practices. Companies prioritising environmentally friendly practices in their operations are more likely to align with your values.

Ask questions and seek clarification

Don’t shy away from asking questions. Clear all doubts regarding the installation process, maintenance, system performance, and any other concerns you may have before making a decision.

Post-installation support

Inquire about after-sales support, maintenance, and monitoring services the retailer offers. A reliable retailer will assist even after the installation is complete.

Read the contract carefully before you sign it

Ensure you understand the contract’s terms and conditions before you sign it. Ask questions if you don’t understand something.

Get multiple quotes and compare

Once you have found a few solar retailers that interest you, get multiple quotes from each retailer. This will help you compare the installation cost, equipment used, and warranty.

Additional tips to keep in mind when choosing a solar retailer

Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics. A reputable solar retailer will give you time to decide and will not pressure you to sign a contract.
Avoid retailers that offer door-to-door sales. Door-to-door solar sales are often scams.
Be wary of retailers that offer free solar panels. There is no such thing as a free solar panel. Retailers offering free solar panels often try to lock you into a long-term contract with high interest rates.
Make sure that the retailer is licensed and insured. This will protect you in case of any problems with the installation or products.
Choose a financially stable retailer. This will ensure that they will be around to honour their warranties and provide support in the future.
Choose a retailer with a communication style that you are comfortable with. Make sure that they can answer your questions clearly and concisely.
Be sure to understand the payment terms before you sign any contracts. Ask about any upfront costs, financing options, and cancellation policies.
A good solar retailer should have a proven track record of success. Look for a company with at least several years of experience and a good reputation in the community. You can read online reviews to understand other customers’ experiences with different retailers.

Make sure the solar retailer you choose is licensed and insured. You can check with your state’s licensing board to verify the company’s license status. Additionally, some solar retailers may have certifications from organisations such as the Clean Energy Council (CEC) in Australia. Accreditation ensures that the retailer meets certain standards of quality and professionalism.
The solar retailer you choose should offer high-quality products and workmanship. Look for a company that uses Tier 1 solar panels and inverters. These are the most reputable and reliable products on the market. You should also make sure the company’s installers are experienced and certified.

Once you have chosen a solar retailer, be sure to get everything in writing

The purchase contract: This should include the price of the system, the equipment that is being installed, the installation process, and the warranties.
The financing agreement: If you are financing the system, understand the loan terms, including the interest rate and monthly payments.
The installation schedule: This should include the installation’s start and end dates and any special instructions for the installers.

Keep in mind that …

The best solar retailer for you might be a smaller or more well-known one; it’s the one that meets your specific requirements and offers reliable service.

Selecting the right solar retailer involves thorough research, considering various factors, and ensuring alignment with your needs and values. Following these steps and solar power transition.

Why choose Energy Matters?

We’ve been in the solar industry since 2005 and have helped over 40,000 Australian households journey to energy independence.
We’ve pre-qualified and vetted our solar installers accredited for their track record of delivering Australia’s best business and household solar systems.
We’ll match you with installers who are local to you, so you can get a quote that’s tailored to your needs.

Benefits of going solar with Energy Matters

Get up to 3 FREE quotes

We’ll connect you with 3 different solar installers so you can compare prices and services.

Work with trusted installers

We only work with solar installers who have been pre-qualified and vetted for their track record of delivering quality solar systems.

Get peace of mind

We’ll support you every step of the way, from the initial consultation to the final installation. Our team will assist you with the information you need to go solar!

Questions? Contact our team of friendly experts for free, no-obligation advice on the best solar panels, best solar batteries and full systems for your circumstances. You can also generate a quick solar quote or view our current system specials.

So what are you waiting for? Energy Matters can help! We have a trusted network of local, pre-qualified and vetted installers ready to provide competitive quotes and answer your questions. Get up to 3 FREE, no-obligation quotes by completing our quick quiz.

The post How Do I Tell Which Solar Retailer Is the Best To Go With? appeared first on Energy Matters.

Clean Energy Council: New Energy Tech Consumer Code Replaces Approved Solar Retailer Program

Energy Matters — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Australia’s transition to clean energy is gaining momentum, with small-scale solar power playing a crucial role in driving this transformation. As the country looks to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and meet its renewable energy targets, small-scale solar is emerging as a popular and accessible solution for households and businesses. In this article, we will explore the significance of small-scale solar in Australia’s clean energy landscape and details on CEC approval’s transitioning; drawing upon insights from a recent article by Kane Thornton, CEO of the Clean Energy Council, penned and published on EcoGeneration’s website.

Energy Matters has been a leader in the renewable energy industry since 2005 and has helped over 40,000 Australian households in their journey to energy independence.

Let us discuss and choose the best quote that suits your needs and budget, and we can connect you with our trusted local installers, who will provide up to 3 FREE quotes for your home and business solar energy system. Get your free quotes today!

CEC approval

The Clean Energy Council (CEC), in partnership with a number of leading business and consumer organisations, introduced the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) on February 1st, 2023, to replace the Approved Solar Retailer program and broaden the scope of consumer safeguards beyond solar and storage.

Following the initial Approved Solar Retailer program’s long-standing success, the federal and state governments requested that NETCC be created.

Thornton states, “It is a voluntary code of conduct governed by the NETCC Council, comprising several industry bodies, and administered by the Clean Energy Council. We take that responsibility seriously, and it’s an avenue for us to directly impact the small-scale solar industry, both from a consumer protection perspective and in helping small and medium size installers and retailers be the best they can be.”

“Our teams work with retailers daily to help them get their products and services up to standard. In most cases, companies and workers are eager to improve and meet industry standards. In the small number of cases where they aren’t, we are willing to suspend the approved status of those entities or even cancel their approved status altogether.”

The New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program broadens the scope of new energy tech products and services covered by the Accredited Solar Retailer (ASR) program, including solar PV, solar battery energy storage, EV charging, VPPs, and more.

Visit our page to learn more about what the CEC does and how; also, the full details of the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) program.

Avenue to the small-scale solar industry

What is small-scale solar or renewable energy?

Small-scale solar PV installations, defined as those with a capacity of less than 1 megawatt (MW), are typically situated near the location where the consumer consumes power.

Your system will be given a specific amount of Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs), whether a solar PV system, a wind turbine, or a hydro system. These STCs represent 1MWh (megawatt hour) of energy that has been consumed or produced by the renewable energy system. Your system will receive STCs based on the anticipated MWh of energy generated or displaced over the course of five years or a single maximum deeming period.

For example, if you were to buy a $10,000 solar PV system and had 100 STCs altogether assigned to it, you could anticipate paying $6,300 for your system in the end after deducting the value of the STCs.

Small-scale solar power has experienced rapid growth in Australia in recent years. The falling cost of solar panels and the availability of government incentives, such as the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), have made solar power more affordable and attractive to homeowners and businesses.

Small-scale solar is wider than just rooftop installations. It can also include other forms of distributed generation, such as solar farms, community solar projects, and solar-powered batteries. These alternative forms of small-scale solar can provide additional benefits, such as creating local jobs, enhancing energy security, and supporting regional development.

CEC has been collaborating with electrical networks on disconnecting rooftop solar panels during system security events in South Australia and Queensland. Manufacturers and installers of inverter systems experience difficulties as a result of the inconsistent techniques used by each network.

CEC has been putting a lot of effort into raising the standard of installers’ vocational training in Australia’s rooftop solar business. The Clean Energy Council participated in creating the first thorough upgrade of training units in more than a decade in 2022.

The IREC visits Australia

Thornton declared that Adelaide, South Australia, will host the International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) in 2024.

The conference will provide an opportunity to highlight Australia’s leadership position globally, which has been attained by people working at the forefront of the solar revolution, including installers, retailers, trade assistants, compliance managers, technology suppliers, managers, and leaders.

Small-scale solar will remain a key component of its clean energy landscape despite the challenges

Challenges and barriers exist to the widespread adoption of small-scale solar in Australia. These include regulatory complexities, lack of awareness and education, upfront costs, and grid connection issues in remote areas. Addressing these challenges will require continued policy support, investment in infrastructure, and public awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of small-scale solar.

Small-scale solar plays a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy transformation. Its rapid growth, affordability, and potential for income generation empowers households and businesses to generate their own clean electricity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a more decentralised and resilient energy system. As Australia continues pursuing its renewable energy targets and transitioning towards a more sustainable future, small-scale solar will likely remain a key component of its clean energy landscape.

References: “Small-Scale Solar Crucial to Australia’s Clean Energy Transformation”-published on EcoGeneration, CEC websites

Is solar energy suitable for your business?

Solar energy has numerous advantages that are worth investigating. Investing in solar will minimise your operational costs, reduce your company’s carbon footprint, and prepare it for the future. A commercial property with a solar installation is excellent for business.

When installing commercial solar for a company, it is crucial to be informed of all types of federal government solar rebates, incentives and the many benefits these provide, as they may help Australian businesses become future-ready and sustainable for years to come.

Contact us today for up to 3 FREE quotations from commercial solar firms we’ve pre-qualified and vetted for their track record of delivering Australia’s best business solar systems. Get your free quotes and begin your solar journey today!

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The post Clean Energy Council: New Energy Tech Consumer Code Replaces Approved Solar Retailer Program appeared first on Energy Matters.