SolarQuotes Vodcast Episode 31 – The C Word

SQ cops a cranky caller, getting the most from solar power, concerns over the CEC’s Approved Solar Retailer Scheme and more.

A Case Of Mistaken Identity

00:10 -This episode kicks off with brief but interesting voicemail (NSFW) left for the SolarQuotes team by a cranky caller.

It turns out the caller had been getting relentless calls from an Indian call center on behalf of a solar company, and when he typed the company’s name into Google, the reviews page for that company on SolarQuotes was the first result.

“Now just to be clear, just because the company’s got reviews on SolarQuotes, that does not mean they are a SolarQuotes client,” says Finn. “These guys are absolutely not a SolarQuotes client.”

Finn’s advice to those who are being hassled by telemarketers is to simply tell them you have already recently purchased a solar power system. These telemarketers are on a commission and once they know that, they’ll likely leave you alone.

Added note: The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) views calls made to numbers on the Do Not Call Register very dimly. Solar companies need to ensure they acquire solar sales leads via a reputable source, as the financial and reputation hit from being collared for calls made to numbers on the Register can be huge.

Making The Most Of Solar Power

02:02 – In this short video, Finn steps solar owners through really simple concepts around solar electricity self-consumption, exporting and importantly – optimizing their retail tariff; something many fail to do.

“After you’ve had at least one bill post-solar – you can go to our tool, put in how much you exported to the grid, how much you pulled from the grid, and you can see which retailer in your postcode will have given you the lowest bill,” says Finn.

Finn also encourages solar installers to touch base with their customers a few months after installation to help the customer save even more by optimizing their retail tariff.

“It’s the missing puzzle piece, I think, to great solar customer service.”

Finn also has some advice for solar owners that have been put on a time-of-use tariff.

“If they’ve put you onto a time of use tariff, don’t stand for it. You’re almost always better off being on a standard tariff. And it just makes calculating stuff so much easier.”

Astronergy Solar Panels Review

06:50 – Ronald looked into Astronergy solar panels and his opinion was generally favourable. The panels were tested by DNV GL and they did well, so they look like they’re reliable modules – plus the company has an office in Australia.

Astronergy contacted us shortly after the article was published to state the panels have a 12 year product warranty rather than 10 years as stated by Ronald. However, the reason this was noted is because that’s what was stated on the Astronergy web site.

“If you’re going to offer a 12 year warranty, that’s great,” says Finn. “Thank you, but update your website and update the warranty documents before you announce it please.”

Switchboard Nightmare

09:04 – Finn was recently on ABC Radio’s Nightlife, taking calls and answering questions regarding solar power. A lady from Tasmania called who went through SolarQuotes to have a solar power system installed. The problem was her electricity meter was in a really odd position that didn’t conform to any modern standards – and that has resulted in a series of headaches when she needed to have the meter switched over.

It was an important example of why it’s important to determine if an old switchboard meets local network rules before installing solar power – the full case study can be read here.

Finn Gets Zappi

11:30 – Finn recently had a Zappi EV charger installed to use with his soon-to-be-acquired Tesla.

“..this is a brilliantly thought out device – they’ve thought of pretty much everything, ” says Finn. “They can handle AC coupled batteries, they’ve even got a way to handle DC coupled batteries.”

You can read more about the Zappi EV charger in an article Richard published on SQ August.

Finn and Ronald also chat about the potential benefits of increased electric vehicle uptake for the mains grid.

Best Review Of The Week

16:10 – The reviewer had a 6.6kW Jinko/ABB system installed by Green Wiring, a SolarQuotes client based in Western Australia. He was impressed by sales process and everything worked as it should the first time it  was switched on, including the monitoring. The reviewer feels he’s acquired a pretty good quality system at a good price.

Finn also shows off a new feature on SQ’s solar installer reviews.

Approved Solar Retailer Scheme Concerns

18:40 – We’re seeing an increasing number of consumers thinking that if a solar business not a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer, they are basically unlicensed, and breaking some law by selling solar power systems – which is incorrect.

“They’re getting it with confused with obviously accredited solar installer,” says Finn. “But, it’s easy to see how they can get confused. The logo’s almost exactly the same. The font’s the same.”

Finn says the language used by the CEC when promoting their “voluntary” scheme probably isn’t helping.

“Now, no one can control the fact, except the CEC, that people are assuming that you’re illegitimate and not licensed to install solar if you’re not an approved solar retailer,” he says.

Victoria Solar Rebates Snapped Up Again

21:00 – Demand for Victorian solar rebates continues to ratchet up – each time an allocation is released, they’re gone in a quicker timeframe. In September’s second release, they were all gone just 19 minutes.

“It doesn’t matter how good an installer you are, it doesn’t matter what the word of mouth is, it doesn’t matter what your history is,” says Finn. “Residential solar in Victoria is now 90% about how well you can play the game of snapping up these rebates.”

SunPower Gets Into Energy Storage

22:19 – The pair briefly touch on SunPower’s entry into the battery storage scene. It’s not clear at this point if SunPower’s energy storage solution will be available in Australia – we’ll have an article with more information on SolarQuotes soon.