Solana Solar Specialists Reviews
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About
Solana Solar Specialists (also referred to as Solana Energy Specialists) is a Solar Power Installation business servicing areas of Newcastle NSW. Here are their reviews as submitted by visitors to SolarQuotes.
Reviewers report paying: $6,450 - $8,000 for depending on hardware choice and installation difficulty ( how is this calculated? )
Panel brands currently installed
Inverter brands currently installed
Inverter brands previously installed
The views expressed by reviewers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect those of SolarQuotes Home Electrification Pty Ltd, which makes no representations as to the accuracy of the reviews. For our full disclaimer and further information, see our Terms of Use and our Review Guidelines.
Solana Solar Specialists Reviews (10)
Show Most Recent reviews from All time
Average Scores
Value for money
Quality of System
Installation
Customer Service
- 5 star 2
- 4 star 6
- 3 star 2
- 2 star 0
- 1 star 0
04 November 2024
31 October 2024
Happy customer.
After a short delay and a follow up phone call, Solana arranged an on site visit to assess our requirements and prepare a quotation. Patrick patiently and comprehensively answered our questions and gave a good overview of the system proposed to meet our needs. We accepted Solana's quote shortly afterwards and installation was scheduled two weeks later .After a one day delay due to weather conditions, installation proceeded and was completed on the one day . Prior to commencement, the Supervising Electrician , Tim, ran through the process and confirmed the location for the inverter, roof access etc. All went very smoothly. The team worked carefully and safely and we are very happy with the installation work and appearance of the system.
Tim submitted the required paperwork to our energy supplier to arrange Grid connection and provided an overview of the SEMS+ App . The "App" is recording we are achieving the estimated production and consumption rates.
Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
18 October 2024
Great Install, after service support non existent,
Sales and quoting process was great. They were really good and helped me with a lot of concerns. The competition was recommending 27 optimisers one for each panel. Russel said there was no need, and we would add them as required.Installation went well, the guys who came on site were on time and really helpful. There was an issue the parts that were sent to do the install however they got me sorted on the day and came back a few days later to finish the job.
I asked about the optimisers and was told they were not in stock, and they would be back out to sort it. Since then the office helped me with my connection to the grid and everything was worked out with my energy provider well.
Sadly no one will reply to me about the optimisers, I have requested to be called multiple times and have been told they will get in touch with me, but no one ever does. There is a bank of 9 panels that gets the edge 2-4 panels shaded every afternoon causing my output to drop dramatically just when we start loading the power to get ready for the evening. I really do hope they honor the install proposal and finalize the order.
Panel rating: 5/5
16 September 2024
Review
Very early in the process. Too early to tell how the system is benefitting.08 April 2024
Informative Sales and Good Installers - Planning and Support Needs Work
I went with Solana because of the 475W Jinko panels they offered, and they offered Sungrow inverter/consumption meter. I was very happy with the sales guy Tom who took me through everything and ran some very approximate/optimistic calculations which they all seem to do. He answered all questions and concerns promptly. One of the points he made was that they do not sub-contract out the install, so quality should be higher and issues should be resolved easier...I was informed that there would be a few weeks delay due to lead time on the Sungrow products which was fine. I woke up one morning to a phone call stating that the installers would be there in 1 hour! Obviously some mixed communication going on on their end as I was never informed or asked to confirm an install date, which is pretty crazy considering they were travelling from Newcastle for a Sydney install.
I was happy with the install - the guys were friendly and flexible with me choosing the inverter position.
As soon as the system was turned on during summer, I had been getting a particular inverter fault every 1-2 days which meant solar production was halted for something like 20 minutes - not a big deal in itself, but obviously it's not supposed to fault all the time, and could be indicative of an actual problem. I emailed them and got a prompt response saying they'll look into it. A month later, after following up with them 3 times via email, not a peep from them. The fault has for some reason subsided, but I assume it'll come back in the summer.
Despite being pretty happy with everything, even with the mismanaged install time, it doesn't seem like support/communication is a priority for them - for this reason I would go with another company if I had my way again.
Inverter rating: 3/5
13 March 2024
Great communication throughout
Very happy with the sales and installation process. The initial design was modified several times following the roof inspection and changed even during installation due to the complexity and various constraints of the site. However, a month after installation, I’m still waiting for AGL to connect to the grid. That is not SOLANA’s fault, but be prepared to do some chasing up.13 March 2024
Very happy with the service
The quoting process was quite easy, with some back-and-forths on size and price options but Tom was easy to contact and quick to respond.The installer was great, came on a particularly warm day but was quick and tidy.
I ended up contacting my Supplier about the grid connection but was advised that paperwork has been submitted as well from the installer
Was initially quoted a GoodWe inverter but due to a stock shortage was upgraded to a GE
Inverter rating: 5/5
26 December 2023
Professional installer, timely installation
Quoting process was easy, it was not the most expensive or the cheapest. Seemed like an honest genuine sales rep. Installation, polite, tidy, punctual and informative. Slight hiccup with organising grid connection after install it was hard to reach them, I felt that once I had installed the system they didn’t get back. However I was called several days later as the customer service rep was sick hence the delay. I am pleased with this company, I did have reservations at first as they didn’t have as many year’s experience as other companies but I am very happy with how it all worked outInverter rating: 3/5
13 November 2023
Couldn't be happier
Excellent service, quality package and sales were not pushy and freely have their time to answer any and all questions. After install service and support is also top notch. Thanks guys!Panel rating: 5/5
Inverter rating: 5/5
14 September 2023
Reliable sales person and installers. Well mannered and efficient. Price comparable to one other quote. Good follow up after installation.
Polite and knowledgeable salesman. Reliable and punctual. Comparable price. Good follow up after installation. Efficient installation. Well mannered installers.
Value for money.
After thorough research, I went with Solana as I wanted Tiger Jinko Neo solar panels over LONGi, but then just after I committed, the 2024 results came out and LONGi turns out to have the edge.Solana came in at $100 less than the lowest quote to get my business. In the end, there's really nothing in between them and their nearest competitor. Warranties and products are all very good.
Solana were very efficient and got everything in and sorted within two weeks.
My only dislike, is that after I committed I found that the salesperson's mobile was no longer answered immediately, and I needed to text or email to reach them, and then they would call me back. It was only at this time that I realised no office number was to be found. This can be frustrating for some people, who like to call and leave a messages. Personally I can't stand texting, emailing and waiting. The only negative in this sale. Otherwise they were very good and answered all my queries and met all my needs.
Inverter rating: 4/5