Here's a handy checklist, to use when considering your solar options.
Is the company a member of the Clean Energy Council?
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) represents Australia's clean energy sector. Nickel Energy is CEC accredited, which means you're in safe and very professional hands. CEC accreditation ensures your solar system is designed and installed by experts who meet the clean energy industry's best-practice standards.
Is the company using CEC accredited designers and installers?
Nickel Energy’s design engineers and installers are CEC accredited and registered electricians to ensure you get exceptional and professional service. Our engineers have diverse backgrounds in the industry and many years' experience working with residential and large commercial solar installations.
Does the company have an established track record and a good reputation?
This is important if you want excellent service and good quality products. Nickel Energy has successfully designed and installed thousands of residential solar systems across Australia, as well as for many larger commercial enterprises.
Do the company's solar panels, inverter and mounting brackets meet international and Australian standards?
The CEC provides a range of standards that all good solar panels, inverters and mounting brackets must meet in Australia. You can rest assured that Nickel Energy panels, inverters and mounting panels meet the CEC's strict standards. You can learn more about these standards at the CEC website.
What are the company’s warranties and guarantees?
Solar PV panels generally come with a performance warranty that can last up to 25 years and a guarantee lasting five to ten years. Additionally, panel material warranties and workmanship guarantees generally span 5-10 years.
It is important to know who is providing the warranty – the manufacturer or the importer. In the absence of a manufacturer, the importer is responsible for the warranty. However, if the importer changes their business name or sells their business, their warranty obligations towards you cease. Ask your installer who is providing the warranty. A system manual that provides operation, maintenance and safety information should be provided by your installer. This must also include a system energy output (kWh) estimate. It is important to ensure you obtain written confirmation of statements made by your installer, including performance claims, guarantees and warranties. Documentation will be essential if you need to make warranty or insurance claims.
What questions should you ask your designer/installer?
When signing a contract with your designer/installer, you need to be informed. Important questions to ask include:
Accreditation
• Is the designer accredited?
• Is the installer accredited?
• What are their accreditation numbers? Ask to see their accreditation photo ID card
• Will your system be designed and installed by an accredited individual?
• Check the list of accredited installers on the Clean Energy Council website to confirm
• Contact the designer/installer's former customers to find out if the they were knowledgeable, easy to work with, and took the time to explain the systems operation. Also find out if their systems are working well, if there have been any problems, and, if so, if they returned to fix them. Ask for the designer/installer business references, and check them, especially if the company's reputation is unknown.
Experience
• How many systems has the designer/installer completed?
• How many systems similar to your system has the designer/installer completed?
• When was the last time the designer/installer completed a system? New products are constantly entering the market. A designer/installer who has completed several recent installations will probably be up-to-date on the newest products and the latest regulatory issues.