Don’t become another statistic!
What we mean by this is, generally when the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. The old saying ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ comes into mind here where if you’re buying something cheap, it’s likely to be poor quality and it will wear out, break, or not be fit for purpose. Therefore you’ll need to replace it, costing you more money in the long run.
“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money – that’s all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything, because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot – it can’t be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run, and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”
John Ruskin
According to the Australian Government Department on Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, as of January 2022, Australia has the highest uptake of solar globally, with around 30% of homes with rooftop solar PV, that’s more than 3 million systems.
When choosing a solar or battery storage retailer or installer, it pays to do some research. It is recommended you seek multiple quotes for comparison and read product reviews online before making your decision. (Source – Australian Government).
We, at Renewables4U, want to clarify that we do not advocate choosing the most expensive installer or products. Our main concern is to raise awareness about the renewable energy market, which is unfortunately filled with companies that take your money, install subpar products, and then vanish when faced with warranty claims, only to reemerge under a different name and repeat the cycle.
Did you know that around 1 in 3 homes have solar installations from companies that no longer exist? This situation is referred to as ‘Solar Orphans’ within the industry, where homeowners receive no support from the company that initially installed their solar system.
This problem is common when the Government subsidizes a product or service, as it attracts opportunistic individuals aiming to make quick profits. They may lure you with enticing offers, such as incredibly low prices, extended warranties, and top-notch installation teams, all for a meagre $3-4k for a 6.6 kW panel system. However, reputable companies would typically charge double that amount for the same system.
Now, you may wonder how these dubious operators manage to do it. Well, they often breach the Home Building Act by employing unlicensed and unsupervised workers, and they use inferior products on your roof.
And the most concerning aspect is that we’re talking about electrical items here – improper installations or using low-quality components can potentially lead to dangerous fires. We don’t want to frighten you, but it’s crucial to recognize the reality of the situation.
These renewable systems are installed in your homes, where your loved ones sleep at night and your children grow up. Opting for the cheapest system available doesn’t seem logical to us.
On the other hand, going for the most expensive system isn’t necessarily the best solution either. Many people opted for ‘LG’ Panels, considering them to be the best with the longest warranty and highest cost in the market.
However, on 2nd February 2022, South Korean giant LG announced the closure of its manufacturing facilities, highlighting that even the most expensive panels may not remain available in the long run.
How Do You Know What Brands to Trust?
Renwables4U have worked with many manufacturers over the last decade or so, and has established our ‘CIRCLE OF TRUST’.
These are manufacturers that we TRUST and would install them on our home or business, so as long as they’re within the circle of trust, you’ll be good.
If you want to find out more about them in more detail, click on the images below.
How Scary Can It Get?
“According to the Sunny Side Up report from the Consumer Action Law Centre, close to 700 solar companies have gone out of business since 2011, leaving about 650,000 Australians with no recourse if their systems fail.” (Source – ABC News)
That number is no joke. That’s why we need to carefully choose a solar installer.
We think it would be really worth a look at our blog post on ‘How Many Solar Companies Have Closed Down?’.
In the blog is a massive list of solar installers that have closed their doors, as the ABC reported, over 700 companies have done this!
Ease Your Transition to Renewable Energy
Renewables4U would just like to help you make your journey to renewables a little easier, and less daunting and try and help you navigate your way through the transition to using renewable energy.
We have done the hard work for you and can guide you to 1-3 (the choice is yours) locally endorsed companies in your area.
No pressure, No hard sales tactics, just good old honest and trustworthy advice, that should help you find your ideal and reputable installer.