How to Choose a Solar Installer in Perth: 10 Questions to Ask Before Signing
Getting solar quotes in Perth is easy. Finding an installer you can actually trust is a different story.
Western Australia’s solar market has grown rapidly, and with that growth comes a wide range of installer quality. Some companies are meticulous, accredited, and built for the long haul. Others cut corners on components, subcontract to unvetted tradespeople, and disappear when something goes wrong five years down the track.
The contract you sign locks in your system, your warranty, and your relationship with that company for decades. Before you put pen to paper, these are the ten questions every Perth homeowner should ask.
The stakes: A poorly installed 6.6kW system can cost you thousands in repairs, lost feed-in tariff revenue, and voided warranties. The right questions upfront cost you nothing.
1. Are You CEC-Accredited and Is Your Installer on the CEC Approved List?
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) is Australia’s peak body for the renewable energy industry. CEC accreditation means the installer has completed formal training, passed competency assessments, and agrees to comply with the CEC’s code of conduct.
This matters for two concrete reasons:
- You need a CEC-accredited installer to access the federal Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) rebate. Without accreditation, your system is ineligible, and you forfeit thousands of dollars in upfront savings.
- CEC accreditation is not the same as a general electrical licence. An electrician can legally wire your home without being CEC-accredited. Only accredited installers are qualified to design and install grid-connected solar systems to Australian standards.
Ask to see the installer’s CEC accreditation number and verify it directly on the CEC’s online register.
Red flag: Any installer who can’t provide their CEC accreditation number on the spot, or whose number doesn’t appear on the register.
2. What Does Your Workmanship Warranty Cover, and for How Long?
Product warranties cover the panels and inverter. Workmanship warranties cover the installation itself: the mounting, wiring, roof penetrations, and everything the installer physically did on your property.
These are entirely separate, and the workmanship warranty is the one most homeowners forget to ask about.
A short workmanship warranty is a red flag in itself. It signals that the installer isn’t confident enough in their own work to stand behind it for more than a year or two. Industry-leading installers in Perth offer workmanship warranties of 10 to 20 years.
What to ask specifically:
- Does the warranty cover roof penetrations and waterproofing?
- Does it cover the full DC and AC wiring, not just the panels?
- Is the warranty backed by the company itself, or a third-party insurer?
- What happens to the warranty if the company changes ownership?
Red flag: A workmanship warranty of less than five years, or vague language like “we stand behind our work” with nothing in writing.
3. Can You Provide an Itemised Quote?
A lump-sum quote tells you very little. An itemised quote tells you everything: the exact panels being installed, the specific inverter model, the number of mounting brackets, the cable run length, and what labour is included.
Itemised quotes allow you to compare like for like across multiple installers. Without them, a cheaper quote might simply mean cheaper components you didn’t know you were getting.
Every itemised quote should include:
| Line Item | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Panel brand and model | Look up the panel’s efficiency rating and product warranty |
| Inverter brand and model | Confirm it’s on the CEC’s approved inverter list |
| Number of panels and system size (kW) | Verify the system matches what was recommended for your usage |
| Mounting system | Confirm it’s roof-type appropriate (tile, metal, flat) |
| Labour and installation | Should be a separate line, not bundled |
| Grid connection and metering | Confirm who handles Western Power’s connection application |
Red flag: A quote that lists only a total price with a brief system description, or a quote that changes after you’ve verbally agreed to proceed.
4. Are the Panels and Inverter on the CEC Approved Products List?
The CEC maintains an approved products list for both solar panels and inverters. Products on this list have been independently assessed to meet Australian performance and safety standards.
Using approved products is a requirement for accessing STC rebates. More importantly, it protects you from being sold cheap, off-brand components that fail prematurely or create safety hazards.
Some installers source panels from lesser-known brands with attractive price points but questionable quality control. If a panel brand isn’t on the CEC list, it’s a non-starter.
Red flag: An installer who becomes defensive when you ask about the approved products list, or who offers to “swap in” different components from what was quoted without explanation.
5. How Do Warranty Claims Actually Work?
This question separates companies with genuine aftercare from those who vanish post-installation. A warranty is only as good as the process behind it.
Many installers sell you a system and then act as a middleman between you and the manufacturer when something fails. That means slower resolution times, unclear accountability, and frustration when you need help most.
Ask these follow-up questions:
- Do you handle warranty claims in-house, or do I contact the manufacturer directly?
- What is your average response time for a warranty callout?
- Do you have your own licensed electricians for fault diagnosis, or do you subcontract?
- Is there a callout fee for warranty-related visits?
An installer with in-house licensed electricians can diagnose and resolve faults without the delays that come from coordinating third parties. That’s the standard worth holding out for.
Red flag: An installer who tells you to “call the manufacturer directly” for any fault, or who cannot give you a clear answer on response times.
6. Will the System Include Monitoring, and How Does It Work?
A solar system without monitoring is a black box. You’ll have no visibility into how much energy your panels are generating, whether your system is underperforming, or if a fault has occurred.
Most quality inverters come with built-in monitoring platforms accessible via a smartphone app. Ask the installer to walk you through what the monitoring covers and how alerts are handled.
Good monitoring should show you:
- Real-time and historical energy generation
- Energy consumption (if a consumption meter is included)
- Alerts for system faults or underperformance
- Feed-in data to your grid
Some installers also offer remote monitoring services where they proactively flag issues before you notice them. This is particularly valuable for catching faults early, before they cost you weeks of lost generation.
Red flag: An installer who doesn’t mention monitoring at all, or who installs an inverter without a functioning monitoring portal.
7. What Is the Installation Timeline, and Who Will Be on My Roof?
Two things Perth homeowners rarely think to ask: when will this actually happen, and who is physically doing the work?
On timeline: from signed contract to a live, grid-connected system, a realistic Perth timeframe is typically three to eight weeks. This accounts for system design, equipment procurement, council or building approvals (if required), Western Power grid connection, and scheduling.
On who’s doing the work: this is critical. Many solar retailers subcontract installations to third-party crews. That’s not inherently bad, but it does mean the company you’re dealing with may have less control over installation quality. Ask directly:
- Will your own employees be completing the installation?
- Are the installers on the day CEC-accredited?
- Who is the licensed electrician responsible for the electrical work?
Installers who employ their own tradespeople carry more accountability for the finished result. Subcontracting chains can dilute that accountability significantly.
Red flag: Vague answers about who will be on site, or an installer who cannot confirm the CEC accreditation of the crew completing your job.
8. What Government Rebates Apply, and How Are They Handled?
Perth homeowners are currently eligible for federal STC rebates, and may also be eligible for WA-specific incentives depending on their circumstances. A knowledgeable installer should be able to explain both clearly and apply them directly to your quote.
The two main incentives to ask about:
- Federal STCs (Small-scale Technology Certificates): These are calculated based on your system size, location, and the number of years remaining until 2030 when the scheme ends. A reputable installer will assign the STCs to themselves and pass the value to you as an upfront discount, rather than asking you to manage the process independently.
- WA Household Battery Scheme: If you’re considering adding a battery, ask whether the installer participates in the WA Household Battery Scheme, which provides subsidies for eligible battery installations.
Ask the installer to show you exactly how the rebate is reflected in your quote. It should appear as a line-item reduction, not a vague “after-rebate” total with no breakdown.
Red flag: An installer who cannot explain how STCs are calculated, or who quotes a post-rebate price without showing the gross cost and rebate amount separately.
9. What Happens If a Component Fails Outside the Warranty Period?
Solar panels carry 25-year product warranties. Inverters typically carry 5 to 10 years. What happens when an inverter fails at year 12, or a panel develops a fault at year 18?
This is a question about the company’s long-term viability and service model, not just their current warranty terms.
Ask the installer:
- Will you still be operating in 10 to 15 years?
- Do you stock or have access to replacement components for the brands you install?
- What is the typical cost of an inverter replacement, and do you offer service plans?
- If the manufacturer has ceased trading, how do you handle warranty claims?
The solar industry has seen numerous companies enter and exit the market. Choosing an established installer with a track record in Perth, not just a national call centre, significantly reduces the risk of being left without support.
Red flag: A company that has only been operating for one to two years, or one that cannot give a clear answer on out-of-warranty service costs.
10. Can You Provide References from Recent Perth Customers?
Any installer worth signing with should be able to provide references from real customers in Perth, ideally from installations completed in the last 12 months. Verified online reviews are useful, but a direct reference lets you ask specific questions about the installation experience, communication, and aftercare.
When speaking with references, ask:
- Did the installation go ahead on the quoted date?
- Were there any issues, and how were they handled?
- Has the system performed as expected since installation?
- Would you use this company again?
Beyond personal references, check the installer’s reviews on Google and ProductReview.com.au. Look at how the company responds to negative reviews, not just the volume of positive ones. A company that engages professionally with complaints is demonstrating the kind of accountability you want in a long-term service partner.
Red flag: An installer who cannot provide a single reference, or whose online reviews show a pattern of post-installation communication failures.
The Non-Negotiables: A Quick Reference Checklist
Before signing any contract, run through this checklist. Every box should be ticked.
| Check | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| CEC accreditation | Verified on the CEC register |
| Workmanship warranty | 10+ years, in writing |
| Itemised quote | Line-by-line breakdown of all components |
| Approved products | Panels and inverter on CEC approved list |
| Warranty claims process | In-house team, clear response time |
| System monitoring | Included, with app access |
| Installation timeline | Confirmed in writing with named crew |
| Rebates | STCs applied as upfront discount, WA schemes explained |
| Out-of-warranty service | Clear pricing and parts availability |
| References | Recent Perth customers, verifiable reviews |
If an installer hesitates, deflects, or cannot answer any of these questions clearly, that hesitation is your answer.
Choosing the Right Installer for Your Home
The cheapest quote rarely reflects the best value. A solar system is a 25-year asset. The installer you choose will either support that asset for decades or leave you managing it alone.
Perth homeowners who take the time to ask these questions before signing consistently report better installation experiences, fewer post-installation issues, and greater confidence in their system’s performance. Those who skip the vetting process are the ones posting cautionary tales in Facebook groups years later.
Talk Energy Solar & Battery offers CEC-accredited installations across Perth metro and regional WA, backed by a 20-year workmanship warranty, in-house licensed electricians, and 250+ verified five-star reviews. If you’d like a transparent, itemised quote with no pressure, get in touch with the team today.
