Questions to ask potential solar installers

casper_gutman

We're thinking of getting solar panels and battery storage in the next few months. For context, we live along the M4 corridor, we have a south facing area of roof about 10m long by 3m wide, 30 degree pitch, and we use about 5000kWh per annum at the moment (though this could rise in the next year or two as we're considering getting an electric car).

What are the pitfalls to watch out for? What questions should we ask potential installers? And what are the pros and cons of using local independent installers versus deals offered through energy companies, in terms of price and quality?

Alnat1

Try asking on the Green & Ethical board, it's where the solar people hang out.

casper_gutman

Thanks, will do!

Eldi_Dos

Alnat1 said:

Try asking on the Green & Ethical board, it's where the solar people hang out.

Seems to me that a lot of the prep work for these type of installations could be carried out by a couple of competent DIY  people. No harm in reading up and seeing what you would feel capable of and whether a local installer would work with that.

Screwdriva

I tend to send these to people after I've connected them with a trusted installer but here you go - hope it helps you!

1) Pay the installer you end up contracting with a credit card, even if it's just the deposit. This will provide Section 75 protection incase the installer disappears. 

2) Always check each component (but especially the panels) when they arrive at the location prior to installation. Sometimes they get incorrectly switched due to error etc. (Make sure your panels actual say Eurener 500W Bifacial etc as an example) 

3) Be politely detailed with any installation instructions when it comes to panel and battery placement and associated wiring on the day of. Installers always select the path of least resistance, which may not match your aesthetic requirements, so remember to be upfront and specific on the day. 

4) Always fit the max. # of panels on any South/ West or East aspect for the best return on investment. Share this intention during the installer survey. 

5) Insist in writing that final installment (10%) will only be made after 48 hours of successful continuous operation, visible in the SolarEdge or Tesla app. 

6) Ask that the duration of the workmanship warranty (10 years recommended) is included in your contract. 

I'd add that you should evaluate an installer not just by their online reviews (which can be solicited/edited) but by the quality of the brands they offer to you. I can't emphasize how important this is for long term peace of mind. Best of luck! 

paul991

when checking panels check the panel not the box ,

Ectophile

Check that they are MCS registered.  If not, you may have difficulty getting paid for any spare electricity you export.

Qyburn

Screwdriva said:

2) Always check each component (but especially the panels) when they arrive at the location prior to installation. Sometimes they get incorrectly switched due to error etc. (Make sure your panels actual say Eurener 500W Bifacial etc as an example) 

I had a "moment" when I saw various bits of cardboard with "JA Solar" markings, setup in the cab shading the dog. A quick peak showed the panels themselves were correct.

Iiyama

Screwdriva said:

I tend to send these to people after I've connected them with a trusted installer but here you go - hope it helps you!

1) Pay the installer you end up contracting with a credit card, even if it's just the deposit. This will provide Section 75 protection incase the installer disappears. 

2) Always check each component (but especially the panels) when they arrive at the location prior to installation. Sometimes they get incorrectly switched due to error etc. (Make sure your panels actual say Eurener 500W Bifacial etc as an example) 

3) Be politely detailed with any installation instructions when it comes to panel and battery placement and associated wiring on the day of. Installers always select the path of least resistance, which may not match your aesthetic requirements, so remember to be upfront and specific on the day. 

4) Always fit the max. # of panels on any South/ West or East aspect for the best return on investment. Share this intention during the installer survey. 

5) Insist in writing that final installment (10%) will only be made after 48 hours of successful continuous operation, visible in the SolarEdge or Tesla app. 

6) Ask that the duration of the workmanship warranty (10 years recommended) is included in your contract. 

I'd add that you should evaluate an installer not just by their online reviews (which can be solicited/edited) but by the quality of the brands they offer to you. I can't emphasize how important this is for long term peace of mind. Best of luck! 

This is excellent advice and I wish I had known about.. 

We had less panels installed than promised, a battery that failed to take charge and a system that was not commissioned properly on installation. The solar company Solar4Good had subcontracted to a company that had a winding up order against them. The whole process was a farce. It took the manufacturer of the battery and inverter to sort the problem. Which thankfully they did.

If I had thought of the advice above there would have been a lot less pain!

casper_gutman

This has all been really helpful, thanks. I've had a couple of quotes back now. The one that appeals most is from a local company and has 16 × DMEGC Solar DM-M10RT-B54HBB 450W panels and a myenergi Libbi unit with 5kW inverter and 10kWh battery (actually 2 × 5kW modules stacked). Obviously I'll watch like a hawk to make sure this is actually what we get! Any major pros and cons of these items, please? Any pitfalls to be wary of?

Qyburn

Is that a DC coupled battery? Asking because you have 7.2kWp of panels but only 5kW inverter output.