Why the installer is the most important decision
You can buy the best panels and inverter money can buy, but if the system is poorly installed you won’t get the most out of them — and in some cases a bad installation can be unsafe. Beyond the panels and inverter, a solar system includes wiring, isolators, racking, and mounting hardware. How all of these are installed matters as much as the brand name on the box.
The problem is that you can’t easily tell whether a system has been installed well just by looking at it. That’s why finding a company you trust is the single most important step.
Company longevity matters
Some of the biggest solar companies from five years ago no longer exist. If the company you bought from closes down, there may be nobody to honour your warranty or fix a problem. This is worth thinking about when choosing between installers:
- A local business that has been operating for years may be more likely to still be around in a decade than a fast-growing company that appeared recently.
- Ask how long the company has been in business, and whether the people installing your system are employees or subcontractors.
- Check online reviews — but also ask whether they can put you in touch with a past customer in your area.
Get at least three quotes
Getting multiple quotes is not about finding the cheapest price. It’s about giving yourself something to compare — both the systems being proposed and the people proposing them. If a company is unwilling to drop their price, that’s often a good sign — it suggests they’re confident in the value they deliver.
Use the quoting process to ask questions. A good installer will welcome them. A bad one will rush you past them.
Questions worth asking
- Who will design my system, and what are their qualifications?
- Who will do the installation — your own team or a subcontractor?
- If something goes wrong in five years, who do I contact? What if the business is no longer operating?
- How much electricity should I expect the system to generate on an average day?
- Are there any factors that will significantly reduce output — shading, roof direction, structural limitations?
- What is included in the quote — panels, inverter, racking, isolators, monitoring, paperwork?
- What warranties apply — manufacturer warranty on equipment and workmanship warranty on the installation?
Take your time
Do not feel pressured into signing on the spot. Sales tactics like “this price is only available for 24 hours” are a red flag, not a reason to rush. Prices don’t fluctuate that dramatically, and buying the right system from the right company will save you far more in the long run than getting a discount today.
Read through the rest of this guide before committing. Get your quotes, compare them side by side, sleep on it.
Red flags to watch for
- Door-to-door sales with pressure to sign immediately. Reputable companies give you time to decide.
- A quote that is dramatically cheaper than the others. There’s usually a reason — cheaper components, shortcuts on installation, or a company cutting margins unsustainably.
- No site visit before quoting. A good installer will want to see your roof, switchboard, and shading situation before committing to a design.
- Vague or missing equipment details. The quote should specify exact panel and inverter models, not just “6.6 kW system”.
- Reluctance to answer questions. If they can’t or won’t explain their design choices, that’s a problem.
Consider local tradespeople
In many countries, solar installers are qualified electricians or work closely with them. If you already have a local electrician or tradesperson you trust, it’s worth asking whether they install solar — or whether they can recommend someone who does.
There is a simple reason local businesses are often a safer bet: they can’t disappear into the night. A family business that has been operating in your area for decades has a reputation to protect and a community to answer to. Big solar companies come and go — some of the largest from just a few years ago no longer exist. A local operator who has been around before the solar boom, and plans to be around long after, has a strong incentive to do the job well and stand behind it.
They’re also easier to get back on the phone if you need them later.
What a good quote looks like
A proper quote should include:
- Equipment specified by model — exact panel brand and model, inverter brand and model, battery if applicable.
- System size and expected annual generation for your location.
- Total price including installation, GST/VAT/tax, and any applicable rebates shown separately.
- Warranty terms — both manufacturer equipment warranties and the installer’s workmanship warranty.
- Estimated timeline — when the installation would happen and how long it takes.
- Any assumptions or exclusions — switchboard upgrades, roof repairs, council approvals.
If a quote doesn’t include most of these, ask for them. Comparing quotes is much easier when they’re all itemised the same way.