15 Questions to Ask Any Solar Installer Before You Sign – And What Talk Energy’s Answers Are
Choosing a solar installer is one of the bigger financial decisions you’ll make as a homeowner. A quality system will pay itself off in a few years and run reliably for two decades. A poor one will leave you with voided warranties, unresponsive tradespeople, and a grid connection that drags on for months.
The problem is that most installers sound the same on the surface. Everyone claims to be “trusted,” “experienced,” and “SAA-accredited.” The only way to separate the genuine operators from the rest is to ask specific questions before you sign anything — and know what a good answer actually sounds like.
This guide gives you 15 questions to ask every installer you’re considering. For each one, we’ve outlined what a credible answer looks like, then provided Talk Energy’s own answer. Use it as a checklist, or use it to hold us accountable.
The rule of thumb: If an installer hesitates, deflects, or gives you a vague answer to any of these questions, treat that as a red flag. A confident, transparent company has nothing to hide.
Accreditation and Qualifications
1. Are your installers SAA-accredited?
What a good answer looks like: Yes — and they should be able to name the accreditation body and explain why it matters. In Australia, Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) accredits solar installers to a national standard. Only SAA-accredited installers can install systems eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which are the government rebates that reduce your upfront cost. Any installer who isn’t accredited is essentially asking you to forfeit money you’re entitled to.
Talk Energy’s answer: All Talk Energy installations are carried out by SAA-accredited electricians. We’re also a CEC Approved Solar Retailer, which means we’ve signed the CEC Solar Retailer Code of Conduct — a separate, higher-level commitment covering sales practices, consumer rights, and complaint handling.
2. Do you hold a valid electrical contractor’s licence in Western Australia?
What a good answer looks like: Yes, and they should provide the licence number without hesitation. In WA, all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrical contractor registered with EnergySafety WA. Solar installation is electrical work. If the company can’t give you a licence number, walk away.
Talk Energy’s answer: Yes. Talk Energy holds a current WA electrical contractor’s licence. We’re happy to provide the licence number on request — and we encourage you to verify it directly with EnergySafety WA.
Who Actually Does the Work
3. Will your own employees install my system, or do you use subcontractors?
What a good answer looks like: This is one of the most important questions on this list, and the most commonly dodged. Many solar companies are retailers or brokers — they sell the system, then hand the job to a third-party installer they may have never worked with before. The problem is accountability: if something goes wrong, the retailer points to the subcontractor, the subcontractor points back, and you’re stuck in the middle.
A good answer is: “Our installers are employed directly by us.” If they use subcontractors, they should at minimum guarantee that all subcontractors are SAA-accredited and covered under the retailer’s own warranty.
Talk Energy’s answer: Talk Energy uses in-house electricians — not subcontractors. The people who quote your job are connected to the people who install it. This matters for quality control, consistency, and accountability. When you call us after installation, you’re talking to the same company that did the work.
4. How long have your installers been doing solar specifically?
What a good answer looks like: General electrical experience is valuable, but solar has its own nuances: roof penetrations, inverter configuration, string sizing, shading analysis, and compliance with AS/NZS 5033. Look for installers with at least a few years of dedicated solar experience, not just a licence.
Talk Energy’s answer: Our installation team has years of solar-specific experience across Perth metro and regional WA. We’ve installed systems on everything from single-storey brick homes in the suburbs to large commercial rooftops, and our team regularly undertakes ongoing training as equipment and standards evolve.
Equipment and Specifications
5. What brands of panels and inverters do you install, and why?
What a good answer looks like: A credible installer can name specific brands and explain the reasoning — efficiency ratings, warranty terms, local support networks, and track record. Be wary of anyone who says “we use whatever the customer wants” without guidance, or who pushes ultra-cheap, no-name panels without disclosure. The Clean Energy Council maintains a list of approved products — your installer should only be offering equipment from that list.
Talk Energy’s answer: We install tier-one panels and inverters from reputable manufacturers with established Australian warranties and local support. We’ll walk you through your options, explain the trade-offs between brands, and recommend a system that matches your roof, your consumption, and your budget — not whatever gives us the best margin.
6. What system size do you recommend, and how did you calculate it?
What a good answer looks like: The right system size is based on your electricity bills, your daily usage pattern, your roof orientation, and any plans to add a battery or EV charger later. A quote that arrives without any analysis of your bills or usage is a guess, not a recommendation.
Talk Energy’s answer: We review your electricity bills before recommending a system size. We look at your daily consumption, peak usage times, and how your roof is oriented. We’ll also factor in whether you’re planning to add a battery down the track, so the system is sized to support that from day one.
| Factor we assess | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Daily kWh consumption | Determines how much generation you need |
| Roof orientation and tilt | Affects annual yield and seasonal performance |
| Shading from trees or structures | Can significantly reduce output if not planned for |
| Future battery or EV plans | Influences inverter choice and system sizing |
| Feed-in tariff vs self-consumption goals | Changes the optimal panel count |
Warranties and What They Actually Cover
7. What warranty do you offer on workmanship?
What a good answer looks like: Product warranties (on panels and inverters) come from the manufacturer. Workmanship warranties cover the installation itself — the roof penetrations, the wiring, the mounting, the way the system was put together. This is the warranty the installer controls, and it’s the one most commonly glossed over. Industry minimum is typically 5 years; anything less is below standard.
Talk Energy’s answer: Talk Energy backs its installations with a 20-year workmanship warranty — one of the longest in the industry. This covers the quality of the installation itself, not just the equipment. If a roof leak, a loose connection, or a mounting failure can be traced back to how the system was installed, we fix it.
8. What happens to my warranty if your company closes down?
What a good answer looks like: This is a fair question and a good installer won’t be offended by it. The solar industry has seen many companies come and go. A responsible answer explains what protections exist — whether that’s manufacturer warranties that survive the retailer, insurance-backed warranties, or membership with a body like the CEC that has dispute processes.
Talk Energy’s answer: Panel and inverter warranties are held with the manufacturer directly, so they survive any changes to Talk Energy as a business. Our workmanship warranty is backed by our own company, which is why we take our financial stability and long-term operations seriously. We’ve been operating in Perth for years and have no intention of going anywhere — but we also encourage customers to check our CEC Approved Retailer status, which provides an additional layer of consumer protection.
9. Are the panels and inverters covered by Australian warranty support, or is it overseas-only?
What a good answer looks like: Some cheaper equipment has warranties that technically exist but require you to ship defective panels to a manufacturer overseas at your own cost. That’s not a real warranty. Look for brands with Australian distributors or local warranty handlers.
Talk Energy’s answer: Every product we install has Australian-based warranty support. If a panel or inverter fails under warranty, the claim is handled locally — you don’t need to navigate international shipping or overseas call centres.
Installation Timeline and Grid Connection
10. How long from deposit to installation?
What a good answer looks like: Timelines vary with demand, but a good installer gives you a realistic estimate upfront and communicates proactively if it changes. Be cautious of anyone who promises an unrealistically fast turnaround without having assessed your roof and paperwork requirements.
Talk Energy’s answer: Once a deposit is received and your design is confirmed, we aim to have most residential installations completed within a few weeks, subject to equipment availability and your availability. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the time of quote and keep you updated if anything changes.
11. Who handles the grid connection application with Western Power?
What a good answer looks like: In WA, connecting a solar system to the grid requires a formal application to Western Power, the state’s network operator. This is not optional and it’s not instant. A competent installer handles this on your behalf and manages the process through to approval. If an installer expects you to handle your own grid connection paperwork, that’s a problem.
Talk Energy’s answer: We manage the Western Power grid connection application entirely on your behalf. This includes lodging the application, responding to any queries from Western Power, and coordinating the meter reconfiguration with Synergy. You don’t need to make a single call to a network operator — we handle it from start to finish.
Important for WA homeowners: Western Power approval is required before your solar system can export energy to the grid. Installing without approval — or with an installer who skips this step — can result in fines and system disconnection. Always confirm your installer is managing this process. See Western Power’s solar connections page for more detail.
12. Does your quote include all costs, or are there extras I should know about?
What a good answer looks like: A complete quote covers panels, inverter, mounting hardware, cabling, installation labour, grid connection fees, and any necessary switchboard upgrades. Hidden costs — like a switchboard upgrade that only gets mentioned on the day of installation — are a common complaint in the solar industry.
Talk Energy’s answer: Our quotes are itemised and include all standard costs. If a switchboard upgrade or other additional work is required, we identify this during the pre-installation assessment and include it in the quote before you sign. No surprises on installation day.
After-Sales Support and Complaint Resolution
13. What support do I get after installation?
What a good answer looks like: The relationship shouldn’t end when the installer drives away. Good after-sales support includes system monitoring assistance, inverter troubleshooting, help understanding your first few bills, and a clear process for raising concerns. Ask specifically: “Who do I call if my system stops working?”
Talk Energy’s answer: We provide ongoing after-sales support for all systems we install. If your system throws an error, your generation drops unexpectedly, or you have questions about your Synergy bill after going solar, you can call us directly. We also help customers set up and interpret their inverter monitoring apps so you can keep an eye on performance yourself.
14. Are you eligible to install under WA’s Home Battery Scheme or other state programmes?
What a good answer looks like: WA has had various state-backed battery incentive programmes, and eligibility requires installers to be approved participants. If you’re interested in adding a battery — now or in the future — your installer needs to be across the current WA government energy programmes and able to install under them.
Talk Energy’s answer: Yes. Talk Energy participates in WA battery incentive programmes and our team stays current on eligibility requirements, approved products, and application processes. We can advise you on whether you qualify and handle the programme paperwork as part of your installation.
15. How do I make a complaint if something goes wrong?
What a good answer looks like: A trustworthy company has a clear, documented complaints process. They should be able to tell you: who to contact, what the response timeframe is, and what escalation options exist if you’re not satisfied. The CEC Approved Retailer Code of Conduct requires member companies to have a formal complaints process — ask to see it.
Talk Energy’s answer: We take complaints seriously. If you have a concern, contact us directly and we’ll acknowledge it within one business day. If we can’t resolve it to your satisfaction, you can escalate through the CEC’s consumer complaint process or contact Energy Policy WA. We’re committed to resolving issues fairly — and the fact that we have 250+ five-star reviews suggests we usually do.
- Step 1: Contact Talk Energy directly — phone or email
- Step 2: If unresolved, escalate to the CEC (for CEC Approved Retailer complaints)
- Step 3: For broader consumer protection, contact Consumer Protection WA
The Bottom Line
A good solar installer answers every one of these questions clearly, without hesitation, and without making you feel like you’re being difficult for asking. That confidence comes from having nothing to hide.
The short version of what to look for:
- SAA-accredited installers and CEC Approved Retailer status
- In-house electricians, not subcontractors
- Workmanship warranty of at least 5 years (Talk Energy offers 20)
- Equipment from the CEC approved products list with Australian warranty support
- Full management of the Western Power grid connection process
- Itemised quotes with no hidden costs
- A documented complaints process and real after-sales support
Talk Energy is a Perth-based solar and battery company serving metro and regional Western Australia. We’ve answered every question on this list because we believe transparency is the baseline, not a differentiator. If you’d like to put us to the test, request a quote and ask us anything.
