How to choose a solar installer in Bendigo

Check accreditation and licences

For your system to be eligible for the federal STC discount, it must be installed by an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia, using products on the Clean Energy Council approved lists. Ask for the installer's accreditation number and check their status before you go further. Our guide, Do I need an accredited solar installer?, explains this in more detail.

Solar is electrical work on your home, so it should be carried out by licensed electricians. It also helps if the business can handle the electrical side as a whole, such as checking whether your switchboard is ready for solar or a battery, rather than leaving that as a surprise on installation day.

Get several quotes and a site visit

The government's Solar Consumer Guide recommends getting quotes from at least three suppliers and asking for a site visit. Someone who comes out to your home is far more likely to spot things like shading, roof access, where the inverter should go and whether your switchboard needs work, which helps avoid unexpected costs later.

To compare fairly, ask each business to quote on a similar system size as well as their own recommendation. If an installer has not seen your switchboard, ask them to include any upgrade that might be needed in the quote, so you are not comparing apples with oranges.

What a good quote should include

A clear quote shows the system size in kilowatts, the make and model of the panels, inverter and any battery, a design showing where everything will go, and the total cost with any government discounts clearly shown. It should also spell out any extra work, such as a switchboard upgrade, and who will do it.

Look for details of the warranties on the products and the installation, how long the quote is valid, and any savings estimate with the assumptions behind it. If something is vague, ask. A good installer will be happy to explain their recommendation in plain English.

Red flags to watch for

Be cautious of cold callers, door knockers and heavily advertised deals that seem too cheap. Pressure to sign on the day, a quote with no product brands listed, or a price given without anyone looking at your roof or switchboard are all reasons to slow down.

Be wary of anyone who promises guaranteed savings or a fixed payback period. Real results depend on your usage, your tariff and your system, so an honest installer will talk about estimates and show you how they got there. Reading online reviews and asking neighbours for recommendations can help too.

Think about aftercare

Solar is a long-term investment, so think about who you will call if something needs attention in a few years. The Solar Consumer Guide points out that a local installer is likely to be readily available for follow-up service, and local businesses rely on their reputation in the community.

Ask how the business handles support after installation, how to monitor your system, and what happens if a component needs attention under warranty. It is also worth asking who to contact if your system stops producing, or if you later want to add a battery or more panels. As a Bendigo business with more than 30 years of local experience and licensed electricians on the team, we are always happy to answer these questions before you decide.

Next steps

Want help with this at your place? See our Solar Panel Installs and free solar quote pages, or start with Solar Installers Bendigo for an overview of how we work across Bendigo and surrounds.