Solar and battery solutions that last

South Australia’s sunny weather is perfect for efficient solar power generation. However, our harsh climate puts extreme demands on solar panels. Many solar panels are simply not designed for Adelaide's weather challenges.

Cheaper panels may deteriorate more quickly and react adversely. As a result, they may fail or lose power output.

When curating our panel selection, we consider:
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    •   Where the panels are designed and for which climatic conditions
    •    Where and how the panels are manufactured
    •    Panel efficiency, taking into consideration the size of each individual panel
    •    Performance warranties

Not surprisingly, only a small number of panels meet our criteria, as well as cater to a range of budgets and aesthetics.

Our panels are sourced from reputable suppliers who have a proven track record and many years in business. We also only work with suppliers who reliably honour warranty claims and replacements.

As you can see, price is not the only factor when choosing the right panel.

All too often, we hear horror stories about discounted solar panels that were bought over the phone, only to have the installer add a list of extra charges at the time of installation.

At NRG Solar, there are no surprises. Before we formulate a detailed quote, we check off a comprehensive list of items (see below.) We also insist on a site inspection for your peace of mind.

While modern aerial imaging makes remote quoting possible, a site visit allows us to inspect features of your property, such as shadowing from trees, panel positioning, and where best to locate your inverter and/or battery system.

When considering solar, here is a checklist of questions to help guide your investment:
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    •    Do you conduct a free site visit at my home/business or do you only quote over the phone?
    •    Are there any site factors (trees etc.) that may affect the performance of my system?
    •    Do I need to upgrade my meter?
    •    What will the panels look like on my roof?
    •    What information do you need in order to analyse my system requirements and calculate the payback period? (Generally, at least two previous electricity bills, but four is better to show any seasonal effects).
    •    Why do you recommend the system you have suggested? Please explain how it meets my needs.
    •    What factors have you considered when recommending this option?
    •    How much will I save on my electricity bills?
    •    What is the payback period? (The length of time required to recover your investment in terms of electricity bill savings.)
    •    Do I qualify for any rebates, feed-in tariff, or incentive schemes?
    •    Do you handle the paperwork?
    •    Where are your solar panels manufactured? (Get the answer in writing.)
    •    Can I expand the system or add battery storage later, if I don’t add it now?
    •    What are your terms of warranty? (Length and scope, products and workmanship—get it in writing.)
    •    Can I please have a list of previous customers to speak with?
    •    What are my payment options?
    •    How do your finance products work?
    •    What after-sales support and maintenance services do you offer?   
    •    How long have you been in business?
    •    Is your quote a fixed price quote? (This is important!)
    •    Does the system come with solar monitoring?
    •    Will the solution be compliant under SA Smarter Homes requirements?

The solar solution you choose will have both immediate and far-reaching effects on your power costs, which is why it should be a considered investment.

But unfortunately, not all solar providers make it easy for you to understand their quote or allow you to easily compare pricing.

One of the biggest indications of quality is price. Reputable industry experts recommend that you should pay no less than roughly $1000-$1400 per kilowatt for a quality solar power system.

If your quote is lower than $1000/kW, it is a possible indication that the provider is cutting corners. They may be compromising on the quality of components (panels, inverter, racking, isolators) or labour, or a combination of both.

The best advice is to steer clear of cheap deals. We base this recommendation on years of experience repairing thousands of discount systems installed by other companies.

In many cases, the products were not designed for Australian conditions and/or the customer was left with the results of poor workmanship and no after-sales support. This is why cheap solar deals often end up being a case of “buy cheap, buy twice”.

Another red flag is package deals. Some solar companies promote ‘one size fits all’ solutions. This allows the provider to improve their profit margin by buying in bulk. It does not necessarily result in the best deal for the customer.

Getting a correctly sized system to suit your energy needs, your property, and savings objectives is the key to making the most out of your solar investment.

At NRG Solar, we always start with your objectives in mind. We begin by clearly understanding your motivations for going solar and what you aim to achieve. We take time to review your past energy consumption patterns and power bills. We make sure we understand your plans for your home now and into the future.

Once we have a clear picture of your circumstances, we then design a tailored solution to achieve your aims.

We are one of the largest installers of residential and business solar in South Australia and our reputation is built on high-performing, lasting solutions. In fact, more than one-third of the installs we do come from word-of-mouth recommendations from our customers.

As a family-owned and operated Adelaide business, we are especially proud of being local, like you!

‘Tier One’ is a term created by Bloomberg New Energy Finance Corporation to describe the financial stability of solar panel manufacturers. It does not rank the panel’s efficiency or performance.

It equates to little more than empty marketing. In our experience, you should avoid companies who focus on ‘Tier One’ in their sales and advertising.

To read more about which panels we recommend click here.