A lot of people spend weeks comparing solar panels and prices, but forget to ask the most important questions before accepting a quote.
The brand of panel is important, but choosing the right installer matters even more. If the installation is done poorly, you could end up with roof leaks, system faults, or ongoing warranty issues.
PSC Energy has installed hundreds of solar systems across Western Sydney, so we’re a little biased on this topic. We’ve also helped customers who were left without support by other installers, with no service department to call and no one to handle their warranty. We know where issues can arise.
In this article, you’ll learn about the following:
- Why the Quote Stage Is So Important
- Solar Installer Checklist: Questions About the Installation Team
- Questions to Ask About Insurance
- Questions About Warranties and Workmanship
- Questions About the Service Department
- The Full Solar Installer Checklist
- FAQ: Solar Installer Checklist
By the end of this checklist, you’ll have the main questions to ask any installer before you accept a quote. Ask these before you sign anything. Their answers will help you make a smart choice.
Why the Quote Stage Is So Important
Once you accept a quote, your options are limited. Before you agree, you have full control. You can compare offers, ask key questions, and walk away if something doesn’t feel right.
At this stage, most installers will answer your questions honestly because they want your business. Make the most of this opportunity.
This checklist isn’t about catching anyone out—it’s here to help you find an installer you can trust with your home.
Solar Installer Checklist: Questions About the Installation Team
Are your installers employees or subcontractors?
This is one of the most important questions. The answer tells you who will be responsible for your installation.
There are two common business models in the solar industry:
- In-house installers employ their own electricians. They train them, manage them, and take full responsibility for their work. If something goes wrong, you deal with one company.
- The subcontractor model means the company sells you the system, then hires independent electricians to install it. The subcontractor has no direct relationship with you and no obligation to support you after the job is done.
Both models are legal and can work well, but there are real differences in who is accountable.
Subcontractors are often paid for each panel they install, which can make them work quickly. Some try to finish two jobs in one day, spending just 4 to 5 hours on each, no matter how complicated the job is.
Working fast doesn’t always mean working well. Subcontractors might also cut costs on materials like cables and flashings, and there is usually no direct penalty if they do.
In-house teams cost more upfront, but they offer better accountability, more training on specific products, and a single point of contact if any problems come up.
Make sure to ask this question so you know which model the company uses before you decide.
How many accredited electricians will be on-site for the full installation?
Every solar installation must have a licensed, SAA-accredited electrician present. SAA stands for Solar Accreditation Australia.
Some companies have one accredited electrician cover two sites in a day. This person moves between locations to sign off on work and take compliance photos, while apprentices and labourers work alone in between. This approach doesn’t guarantee a quality installation.
Ask directly if a licensed electrician will be on-site for the whole installation. A clear, confident answer is a good sign. If they hesitate, take it as a warning.
How many installs does your team complete in a single day?
For systems over 10 kilowatts, an experienced installer should only do one job per day. If they say they do more, ask how they avoid rushing. The quality of your installation depends on their answer.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of a good installer for your solar (the most important component of any system, seriously), you might want to check out the following article titled, In-house Installers vs. Subcontractors: Which is Better?
Questions to Ask About Insurance
Do you hold public liability insurance?
This is a basic requirement. Public liability insurance protects your property if something goes wrong during installation. Any reputable installer should have it.
Do you hold Home Warranty Insurance for jobs valued over $20,000?
This question helps you find out which installers take their work seriously.
Home Warranty Insurance is compulsory in New South Wales for any residential building work worth more than $20,000.
That threshold includes GST and any government rebates applied to the total value of the job. Many solar installations, and nearly all battery installations, cross this threshold.
But here’s the issue:
- Most solar installers don’t hold Home Warranty Insurance.
- It’s hard to qualify for, and managing it takes a lot of ongoing work.
- If your job qualifies for this insurance but there isn’t a policy, you aren’t legally protected.
At PSC Energy, managing Home Warranty Insurance policies is almost a full-time job. We issue a policy for every project that qualifies, while most installers skip this step entirely.
If the installer isn’t familiar with Home Warranty Insurance, that says a lot about their experience.
Questions About Warranties and Workmanship
What is the workmanship warranty, and who is responsible for honouring it?
Product warranties cover the panels and inverter, while workmanship warranties cover the quality of the installation. Both matter and serve different purposes.
General benchmarks to look for:
- Panel product warranty: 25 or 30 years
- Panel performance warranty: 25 or 30 years
- Inverter warranty: at least 10 years
- Workmanship warranty: at least 5 years
If the company uses subcontractors, make sure you get in writing who is responsible for warranty claims related to the installation. Sometimes, the sales company and the subcontractor blame each other when problems come up. This can leave your system offline while you pay full grid prices during the dispute.
Can you provide a written estimate of my system’s expected annual output and post-solar electricity bill?
A trustworthy installer should give you an estimate of how much electricity your system will produce each year, and provide this information in writing.
Ask them:
- What annual output do you expect from my system in kilowatt hours?
- What feed-in tariff rate did you use to calculate the bill savings?
- What will my electricity bill look like after installation if my usage stays the same?
A written estimate gives you a clear reference. If your system doesn’t perform as expected, you have proof to discuss with the installer.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the importance of your roof type and how it affects your solar installation, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Does Your Roof Affect Your Installation?
Questions About the Service Department
Do you have a dedicated service department with staff who handle faults and repairs?
Many people forget to ask this question, but it’s one of the most important for your system’s long-term performance.
Most installers will say yes, but not all of them can actually provide the support you need.
Before you sign, try calling the company and ask to speak with the service department. Pretend you already have a system installed and ask one of these questions:
- “I changed my internet provider and need to update the Wi-Fi password on my inverter.”
- “My solar production seems lower than what I was told to expect.”
- “My electricity bills are still high. I want to check whether the system is performing as promised.”
If you reach someone who can help, that’s a good sign. If no one answers or you’re told someone will call you back, keep that in mind.
Solar systems often come with warranties of 25 years or more. Manufacturers like Enphase and Tesla often send their customers to PSC Energy because their original installers don’t have a working service department. Many of these customers say they wish they had picked a different installer from the start.
If you’d like to learn more about that, we suggest you check out the following article titled, How Long Will My Solar Install Take?
The Full Solar Installer Checklist
Take this list with you to every quote meeting:
About the installation team:
- Are your installers employees or subcontractors?
- How many accredited electricians will be on-site for the full installation?
- How many installs does your team complete in a single day?
- Do your installers have specific training on the system type I’m getting?
About insurance:
- Do you hold public liability insurance?
- Do you hold Home Warranty Insurance for jobs valued over $20,000?
About warranties:
- What is the workmanship warranty, and who is responsible for honouring it?
- If you use subcontractors, who handles warranty claims and repairs after installation?
About performance:
- Can you provide a written estimate of my system’s expected annual output in kilowatt-hours?
- What do you expect my electricity bill to look like after installation, assuming my usage stays the same?
About service:
- Do you have a dedicated service department with on-the-ground staff for repairs?
- Who do I contact if my system has a fault six months from now?
Wrapping Up: Asking the Bright Questions
Choosing a solar installer is about more than just the price. The cheapest quote can end up costing you more if it leads to rushed work, poor service, or warranty problems that leave your system offline while you still pay for grid electricity.
This checklist helps you ask the right questions before you decide.
PSC Energy is an in-house solar installer located in Western Sydney. All installers are full-time employees. The company holds Home Warranty Insurance, has a dedicated service department, and trains apprentices at its own facility. If any issues arise, PSC Energy takes care of them directly. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about what our team does, you might want to check out the following article titled, What to Expect on the Day of Your Solar Installation.
FAQ: Solar Installer Checklist
What does a solar installer checklist include?
It’s a set of questions to ask any installer before you accept a quote. The checklist covers the installation team, insurance, workmanship warranties, expected system performance, and post-installation service. The goal is to know who you’re hiring and what protection you have if something goes wrong.
What accreditation should a solar installer have in Australia?
All solar installers working on grid-connected systems in Australia must hold SAA accreditation. SAA stands for Solar Accreditation Australia. You can verify any installer’s accreditation status at saaustralia.com.au. It’s free and takes under a minute to check.
What is Home Warranty Insurance, and does it apply to solar installations?
Home Warranty Insurance is a legal requirement in New South Wales for any residential building work valued over $20,000, including GST and government rebates. It protects you if the installer fails to complete the work properly or goes out of business. Many solar jobs and most battery installations cross this threshold. Most solar installers do not hold Home Warranty Insurance because it is difficult to qualify for. If your job qualifies and no policy exists, you have no legal protection.
What is the difference between an in-house solar installer and a subcontractor?
An in-house installer employs its own electricians and handles the full job from sale through to ongoing service. A subcontractor model means the solar sales company sells the system and then hires independent electricians to install it. Both are legal. The differences lie in accountability, quality control, and who handles your warranty if something goes wrong.
What warranties should I expect from a solar installation?
Look for a 25 to 30 year product and performance warranty on the panels, at least a 10 year warranty on the inverter, and at least a 5 year workmanship warranty on the installation itself. Ask in writing who is responsible for each warranty. This is especially important if your installer uses subcontractors, as the lines of responsibility are often unclear.
How do I know if a solar company has a real service department?
Call the company before you sign and ask to speak with the service department. Ask a specific question about a system fault or a monitoring issue. If you get through to someone who can answer it, that’s a real service department. If you’re bounced around or told someone will call you back, that’s a warning sign worth taking seriously.
What should a solar quote include?
A complete quote should include the system size in kilowatts, the brand and model of the panels and inverter, the total installed price, a breakdown of what’s included, such as metering changes and grid connection paperwork, and a written estimate of expected annual output and bill savings. If any of these are missing, ask for them in writing before you proceed.
