Questions About After-Sales Support Before Signing a Solar Contract

A solar installation can outlast the sales representative who arranged it. Clarify who will support the system and how problems will be handled before you accept an offer.

Identify the company that will sign the contract and the business that will perform the installation. Ask for the exact equipment models, relevant installer credentials and a description of the installation scope. Requirements for licences and accreditation differ across markets, so verify the appropriate local registers rather than relying on a logo on a quotation.

Find out who handles an inverter alert, roof concern or warranty claim after commissioning. Ask whether there are separate manufacturer and installer responsibilities, and how customers should contact the relevant organisation. Request written information about labour, travel or diagnostic charges that may apply under the stated terms.

Specify that the final layout, equipment details and operating instructions will be supplied. Discuss access to monitoring data and what happens if the homeowner changes internet providers or sells the property. Keep copies outside a salesperson's email account so they remain available over time.

Review exclusions, payment stages and responsibilities for additional work. Ask questions about anything that is not clear, and avoid pressure to sign without understanding the documents. A well-defined support arrangement adds value even when two systems have similar equipment and generation estimates.

Australian customers can use the Solar Consumer Guide to prepare questions for prospective retailers and installers.

Australian Government — Solar PV and batteries

Photo: Mischa Frank / Unsplash. Stock image for context; not a photograph of a project reviewed in this article.