Smart choice checklist

Are you solar ready?

There’s no doubt rooftop solar is a great way to produce cleaner energy and reduce your power bill, but it does require a significant upfront investment. When you're talking to a solar retailer or installer, here’s a few things to consider to help you make the best decision for your home or business.

Choosing a solar installer

Before you choose a solar system, you will most likely discuss your requirements with a solar retailer or installer. While Horizon Power is not permitted to recommend specific systems or installers, we're here to help point you in the right direction so you can make an informed decision.

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) solar retailer program is designed to lift the minimum requirements and bring about a better standard of service within the solar industry for the benefit of customers. That's why it's important to choose a CEC accredited installer. Visit their website to locate an accredited installer in your area.

Locate an installer

Discuss your energy usage

Understanding how much energy you use during the day is an important first step to ensure you benefit from the potential savings of solar. If most of your household energy requirements are during daylight hours then solar will be a good choice for you.

To help with this conversation, you can share your energy usage data with your installer directly from the Horizon Power app.

What questions should I ask my installer?

1.	Are you an accredited Clean Energy Council installer? You can quickly find an accredited installer near you or check if your preferred installer is accredited through the CEC website here.
2.	How much experience do you have working with Horizon Power (my local energy company)?
3.	Will the company quoting on supplying the solar system also be doing the installation?
4.	Do you subcontract work on your systems, and if so, how do you ensure your subcontractors do a good job?
5.	Who do I contact if something goes wrong with my equipment?
6.	Who will submit the application for the connection to Horizon Power?
7.	How long have you been in business?
8.	How many solar systems have you installed? How many in regional WA?
9.	How important is the orientation of solar panels? Does shade affect a solar PV system?
10.	Does the racking use both mid and end clamps to secure the panels?

Important things to look out for

The solar retailer / installer will provide detailed documentation with written quotes, warranty terms, and details of installed components.

Horizon Power will never ask you for a deposit to ‘secure your place’ on a solar application list. Any requests for a ‘holding deposit’ from your installer is not a request from Horizon Power.

What about the maintenance and warranty?

11.	How will the system be maintained?
12.	What racking (mounting) will be used and what is the warranty?
13.	Are manufacturer warranties supported locally and how are warranty claims handled? What happens if something goes wrong with the PV system?
14.	How long is the warranty period for a solar system?
15.	Do you provide an additional warranty on the installation, workmanship or operation of the system?
16.	What warranty protection is available for the solar panels, inverter, etc? What are the warranty terms for each product or component (i.e. inverter, panels)?

General questions

17.	What size system will meet my household needs?
18.	How do I know whether the system I’m offered is a good quality solar PV system?
19.	How much money will I need to spend?
20.	How important is panel efficiency?
21.	What are solar panels made from and is one type better than the other?
22.	Why is a particular system being recommended to me?
23.	Do any government rebate schemes apply? If you export excess energy into the network you could be eligible to sell that power back to us. Learn more about renewable energy buyback here.