5 questions to ask a solar energy company

You’ve done your research and decided that solar is right for you. Now it’s time to talk to a solar energy company about installation. Where do you start? We’re here to make your life easier by helping you ask the right questions to get the result you want. Here’s five questions you should ask any solar energy company.

1. What system size should I choose?

Picking a system size is a complex task. It requires more than merely looking at your energy bills and picking one big enough to support your electricity consumption. Professional solar companies should be able to string together multiple pieces of information to make an informed decision about what system size would deliver the most benefit. Some of the factors we consider at Sunbank Solar Batteries are:

• Your home energy usage patterns
• The orientation and angle of your roof
• Surplus energy you’ll export to the grid
• Which electricity provider you use and how much they charge

Information like this allows us to determine the perfect system size for your home. We recommend staying away from companies who treat sizing your system as a simple task. Remember that solar is never a one-size-fits-all-solution, any company that treats it as such should raise a red flag.

2. Are you licenced, and how much industry experience do you have?

No one wants to be a guinea pig! Make sure the solar company you’re dealing with is certified and has been in business for a reasonable amount of time. It’s wise to ask who will be doing the installation, e.g. a contractor within the company or a subcontractor? If it’s a sub-contractor, you may need to do some hunting around to ensure they are licenced and experienced as well.

Sunbank Solar Batteries are a Clean Energy Council approved solar retailer who only use Clean Energy Council approved solar installers. We’re also ISO 9001 certified, which means we’ve been accredited by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) for our superior customer satisfaction and products.

We have over 30 years combined industry experience in the solar PV and solar battery market. As Australia’s largest solar PV and solar battery installers, we can offer you professional, expert advice to tailor a solar solution that’s right for you.

3. What if I require additional solar storage in the future?

Many things can change the way you consume energy. From the kids moving out to the family expanding, life can be unpredictable at times. Ensure that the solar company you’re dealing with is equipped to offer you a solution if your circumstances were to change.

Be careful though! Some solar companies might sell you their biggest (and most expensive) solar battery if you tell them your situation could change. Here at Sunbank Solar Batteries, we don’t need to sell you our biggest solar battery if it isn’t going to benefit you.

Our HIVE solar battery is a popular choice amongst our customers for the fact that its modular design allows it to be expanded from 2.9kWh to 17.4kWh. This means you can add extra storage as you need it, saving you money and time. 

4. How will the warranty be handled?

Solar products usually come with some type of warranty. A warranty protects you in the unfortunate case that your solar product faults. There are a few different types of warranties, so make sure you ask what kind of warranty your product comes with and exactly what it covers.

As an example, our HIVE solar battery comes with a 5-year product warranty and a 10-year performance warranty offering peace of mind. In the rare case that the HIVE solar battery faults, our customers will be covered for the duration of their warranty.

 

5. What kind of after-sales care do you offer?

Unfortunately, there are many solar companies who are just looking to make a quick buck. Make sure the solar company you are dealing with offers aftercare support to their customers. You’ll want to find out how fast they respond to after-sales enquiries, and if they have measures in place to support you after the installation of your solar product.

Here at Sunbank Solar Batteries, we have a dedicated in-house service department who can happily assist you with any after-sale concerns or enquiries. We have a strong process that supports our customers in getting them fast and helpful answers. We also have multiple channels you can contact us on, whether it be email, phone, Facebook or our live website chat.

If you have a question regarding solar, give us a call on 1300 28 29 30.