Things to consider when choosing the right Solar Installer

Imagine that you decided to get an early start to your work week and finalise that proposal you’ve been working on only to discover that you are caught in load shedding. Frustrating, right?

To combat this frustration you and your family have decided that you are no longer letting the load-shedding schedule dictate your work and personal schedules, and that it is FINALLY time to go solar! 

By going solar, you are not only making the greener choice but also the financially wise one too. Solar energy has proven to be an incredible solution to South Africa’s energy crisis, with many people who have decided to equip their homes and businesses with solar energy. Research shows that ‘South Africa now has over 10GW of wind and solar generation capacity,’ proving that the time is ripe to switch to alternative energy.

Solana Energy is an Absa-approved solar installer which is doing 30-40 solar installations a month.
They are trusted installers who have competitive pricing packages that will allow you to go solar without breaking the bank.

But, before you go solar make sure you choose the right solar partner.

Here are a few things to consider in order to get the job done without any headaches:

• The first financial decision you are likely to take is whether you are going to go with a cash purchase or opt for “solar as a service” or a rental model. Larger, credible service providers such as Solana Energy have the balance sheet to be able to offer rental options that make solar accessible within your budget.
  
• Ensure that your chosen solar installer has a proven and established track record and sufficient experience. Solana Energy has recently completed over 100 residential solar installations which proves their credibility and ability to assist you in the best way possible.
  
• It is imperative that the installer has qualified staff to execute the job properly. You can check their qualifications by asking them to provide proof of registration from the electrician completing the job. This proof of registration is also known as a Wireman’s license as this proves that they have the necessary skills needed in order to get the job done efficiently and properly. Solana recognised the need for qualified staff as the solar boom started to take off, everyone from plumbers to builders were quickly becoming solar installers … in response to this, we developed a world-class training centre. The training facility has trained over 100 solar installers, not only facilitating job creation but also igniting passions in the lives of many individuals. 
• Double-check their understanding regarding municipal (as well as Eskom’s) by-laws and ask them about the processes in which they follow for household installations. You should also engage with your body corporate around any rules and regulations you may need to adhere to.
  
• We often monitor the social media of a number of our competitors and note their images of installations where installers are on the roof with no safety harnesses or equipment. Safely working at heights is a technical skill taught at our academy for a reason. 
  
• Enquire whether they are able to best advise you on the correct position for your solar panels to obtain maximum exposure during the day. This will demonstrate their technical capabilities and know-how.
  
• A good solar installer will offer you good quality post-installation service. You should inquire whether they have an after-sales service and offer maintenance contracts and if so, ask them to provide you with their service level agreements. When chatting to your solar installer regarding their post-installation services, it is in your best interest to assess whether they provide necessary warranties and guarantees. These warranties and guarantees are for both the installation and the various equipment used.
  

It is incredibly important that you go through all the necessary checks to ensure that you are choosing a solar installer that conducts their practices ethically, safely, and competently. You are investing a fair amount of money into an installation, and it is in your best interest to sign with a solar installer that can do the job properly.

If you are interested in taking control of your future and the way your life operates by means of solar energy, don’t hesitate to contact Solana Energy to do the job.

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