Free Solar Offers - What to look out for
June 05, 2009
There has been a rush of 'free solar' offers being advertised and promoted in the lead-up to the end of the Federal Government's $8000 Solar Homes and Communities Plan rebate.
Free Solar Power Offers
With the SHCP expected to end at the end of June, there is a rush to take advantage of this rebate and get as many solar systems installed as possible. However, how do you tell whether these deals are good value, what additional costs may exist, what products are best and whether you are getting value?
If you are considering one of the many free offers out there, here are some questions to ask / things to look out for.
Additional Costs
What is actually free and what additional changes may exist? Many offers will require additional payment for what they call 'non-standard installations'. This will often include:
The majority of installations will require a changeover electricity meter. This may cost between $350 and $450 and is typically not included in offers. Older homes may also require the upgrade of the electricity meter board - potentially a few hundred dollars more.
It is important to ask about any additional charges before signing anything.
Warranty
Warranties are an essential component of any purchase you should expect the following:
RECs
Another consideration is whether you can retain your Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Almost all of these offers will require you to sign over the rights to your RECs to the installer, effectively selling the 'greenness' of your system. (See this ReNew article for an explanation.)
Many offers allow you to buy the RECs back and retain the greenness of your investment; however some dont have this option. You should pay around $800 to retain the RECs from a 1kW system.
Shop Around
Finally, there are quite a number of retailers / installers offering free solar offers at present. Don't go with the first one you see. Shop around.
Also, if ongoing customer service is important to you, give consideration to how long the company has been around. Established solar installers with a diverse business - not just doing solar PV installation - are more likely to be around in the long term, well after the rebate disappears.
