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TECHNOLOGY IN THE GREEN INDUSTRY

Sunsynk installation Panel installation underway
BEWARE OF FLY-BY-NIGHT

SOLAR INSTALLERS

By Teresa Kok, Marketing Director of the One Energy Group

The solar energy boom has given rise to a many fly-by-night contractors who have
suddenly sprung up, trying to cash in. We hear of unsuspecting consumers getting
taken for a ride with a bad deal, outdated technology, unqualified installers and
non-compliant installations, and even being sold counterfeit and stolen goods. In

some of the worst cases, these fly-by-nights have disappeared with large deposits.

he installation and management of performance, premature battery failures and installation happens, does your installer
solar PV systems is a technical, complex at worst, an outright safety/fire hazard; if the provide an onsite consultation and energy
Tand highly skilled undertaking sitting worst should happen, any insurance claim audit at no charge? Has a site assessment
on top of your most expensive asset – your will be rejected due to non-compliance. and energy audit been done to ensure that
home or business. It’s essential to work with your proposed solution is fit for purpose
qualified professionals who have reliable One Energy has compiled a checklist of all the and your needs? Does your installer fully
track records, qualifications and experience important aspects that should be assessed understand your expectations and are
in the market. Carry out due diligence on when investing in solar: the capabilities of your proposed system
your solar installer. • Track record: Choose a partner with the aligned and capable of any required future
Also consider that the lifespan of a solar technical expertise and proven track record expansion if needed?
PV system is a good 20+ years, so this isn’t a so that you get it right first time. Ask for • Finance options: For many home or
short-term relationship with your provider – client references and think carefully before business owners, the upfront capital
you need to be sure that they will be around working with solo operators – what is the outlay of financing a solar PV system is not
for the ongoing back-up, support, warranty succession plan to provide ongoing back- manageable, but be circumspect on the
management and servicing of your system up and support on your system if the type of finance option you select. Many
and that there is a succession plan in place. original installer is no longer around, for solar rental options have sprung onto
With so many new solar products and whatever reason? How prepared are you the market, offering seemingly low initial
changing technology, every component to pay upfront deposits of 70% or more to monthly instalments, while the contract
in your system needs to be compatible solo operators where you have no recourse fine print mentions hefty initiation fees,
– not every inverter is compatible with to a head office if things go awry? Whether above inflation annual escalations, never-
every battery, and even different makes you intend to finance your deal or pay ending ‘ever-green’ rental terms for systems
of municipal electricity meters can prove upfront for it, consider working with bank- you will never own, and high penalties
problematic. Sometimes the best equipment approved solar providers who have been for early cancellations. Rather finance
will fail and perform badly if not installed and through the stringent vetting, quality and your solar PV system in the same way
programmed correctly. The consequence of compliance checks. you finance your car or other asset - with
a non-compliant installation is poor system • On-site consultation and audit: Before any trusted financial services providers. Take

20 Landscape SA • Issue 132 2023 Check us out www.salandscape.co.za