Take a look at how many manufacturers are no longer active in Australia compared to a few years ago:
In addition, more than 750 solar installation companies have gone into liquidation or ceased trading since 2011.
That is why it is important to avoid the appeal of cheap solar;; Systems that are often supported by hollow promises and unreliable products or an offer that appears to be for the same system but is much cheaper than other offers.
There are several factors to consider when looking at the guarantees that come with your system. The following describes the various warranties that come with a solar system so that you can ask the right questions before deciding on a system and an installer.
Warranties for solar panels
When choosing solar panels for your home or business, it is important to use modules from the industry leading manufacturers.
This is not the same as a Tier 1 supplier (more info on Tier 1 manufacturer scams here)
The manufacturer of solar modules we recommend is LG Solar. LG Solar’s NeON solar panel is consistently voted the best solar panel in Australia by the industry. Not only are their panels better quality, they also perform better in all weather conditions and come with a 25 year product warranty.
You can find more information about the LG NeON 2 panels here: The best solar panel in Australia
How do you minimize your risk and ensure that your investment is safe for the next 25 to 30 years? It’s never really been easier. As shown in the graphic above, there are only a few dozen solar manufacturers left in Australia selling solar modules. Of these, we recommend LG Solar or Trina Solar.
Otherwise, choose a manufacturer with:
- A strong financial position
- An Australian office – This can be your point of contact if your plumber goes out of business. So make sure it’s more than just a serviced office in the CBD with a phone and receptionist.
- Established supply chains with Australia’s largest distributors or, better yet, with a company like LG that is big enough to work directly with the top installers
- A global portfolio of large-scale solar projects (due diligence on these projects ensures that the best solar modules are selected)
- A large production base that is vertically integrated (and not just a fitter)
- An established research and development department
If you’re trying to compare panels, we recommend calling the Solaray team at 1300 221 586.
When buying cheap brands there are two important things that we keep seeing. Either the output is not what it should be, or the components simply break and need to be replaced. It’s rare for a cheap system to show signs of problems in the first year or two (by which point you’ve left a glowing review of the system), but it’ll be around three to four years (right when you get it ) Your money back) that things go wrong.
This is where a lot of people learn why some of these systems are so cheap. Not only does the system break down, there is no customer support or a way to make a warranty claim.
Panel performance guarantee
The performance guarantee for solar modules is usually 25 years. But what is a guarantee of the panel’s performance?
This relates to the energy-producing ability of your modules as the performance of solar modules slowly decreases over time. Most suppliers guarantee a production capacity of approx. 80% after 25 years, while the upper plates usually guarantee an output of approx. 90% after 25 years:
This guarantee ensures that you get the expense that you paid for. IIt is important, however, that other aspects of product failure, such as defects, are not included in the warranty for the performance of the panel. If your panels break or stop working it must be covered by the product warranty.
Panel product warranty
The product guarantee of a solar module covers the module itself. It addresses defects and issues with the panel. As a rule, the product warranty for a panel is either 10 or 12 years.
Make sure you are clear about the length of the product warranty as customers may mistakenly assume that the materials are covered for a full 25 years. This is usually not the case unless you choose panels from Suppliers like LG.
LG Solar offers a 25-year product warranty – a full 15 years longer than the industry standard.
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