It appears that ever since Australians can no longer spend big money on overseas holidays, we are more likely to spend money on our houses, with renovations, real-estate and all types of Home Improvement going gang-busters.
Solar too, has been going crazy since it has been caught up with the excitement of people both wanting to improve their house and also being at home more and using more electricity with work or the snap lock-downs that are a new part of life.
We talk to Daniel, C.E.O of one of the best solar company’s in Brisbane, Queensland Solar & Lighting. He said his biggest problem at the moment is finding good solar installers with high-standards who are available to work.
“That’s definitely the biggest issue, we have all this demand for people wanting high-quality solar systems, but not the high-quality solar installers to go with it. The thing is it’s so busy right now in the solar industry that all the good installers have easily found employment and are comfortable where they are, getting a lot of work. The installers that are out of work during this boom-time, well it really does beg the question, ‘why? what has happened?’
Daniel, C.E.O Queensland Solar & Lighting
The shift to seeing consumers buying quality over cheaper gear is definitely a welcoming sight to see in the industry. Solar customers are now seeing the devastating effects of cheaper products sold by bigger National solar companies who have come and gone. It appears that solar buyers are starting to demand quality.
“Last year in Early December we had to turn the office phone off because it was just getting too busy. Yeah, we were losing jobs and money but how many solar installation disasters did we avoid by not just putting on ‘any new random installer.’ This really is an Industry where quality control is paramount. Too many big national solar companies, like the one’s you see on TV – Check out all their reviews online, thousands of unhappy customers! What about the big players just 4 years ago, where are they now? True Value Solar and EuroSolar just to name a couple – Gone. Customers warranties – Gone too.”
Daniel, C.E.O Queensland Solar & Lighting
REPLACEMENT SOLAR SYSTEMS IN BRISBANE
Nearly half of Queensland Solar & Lighting’s new solar system sales and Business comes from homeowners with clapped-out solar systems that are barely 10 years old. These home-owners own ‘Orphaned solar systems’ – No one has a responsibility for the warranty on them.
“They’re dead and they call us because they want to replace it with some German Solarwatt panels or buy an LG System from us this time around. The Cheap Chinese Tier 1 panels are just built for solar retailers to get easy sales, but as for the longevity… They’re not looking to good. Many of the Tier 1 companies that are still in Australia from 10 years ago are being helpful and Co-operative with the Warranty side of things – for now at least, but how sustainable is that? The amount of Trina Honey 250w panels that we have replaced over the last 2 years is incredible. It was only back in 2013 that these were the flavour of the month!”
Daniel, C.E.O Queensland Solar & Lighting
“This year we should be more prepared for Summer, with some guys we had worked with 5+ years ago now coming back on, another crew coming back after a few years who had Commercial solar contracts fall over as a result of the uncertainty of Covid-19. We are keen and ready to go!”
Daniel, C.E.O Queensland Solar & Lighting
