Questions to ask about the products.

QA: 
Question: 
Are your panels on the current Bloomberg Energy Tier 1 module list?
Relevance: 
This list is a guide for quality, manufacturing diversity and production size/capacity. There are 20 brands on this list. If you are being offered a brand not considered Tier 1, ask why.
Answer: 
Solargain only offers Tier 1 panels to our commercial (and residential) customers.
Question: 
Where does the panel rate in terms of other peer reviewed industry publications/sites e.g. Photon Magazine & Desert Knowledge?
Relevance: 
These are peer reviewed third party organisations. A panel that is on the Bloomberg list, is well reviewed in Photon Magazine, and is performing well in Australian conditions at Desert Knowledge, is bound to be a good panel.
Answer: 
Solargain considers industry rankings such as these when deciding which panel brands to offer our commercial customers. Not just Year 1 performance, it is how the panel system performs over the life of the PV system, which should be in the order of 20 years.
Question: 
What are the warranty periods on the products you supply?
Relevance: 
These days, warranty periods are similar across most products, what is more important is how usable the warranty is in the case of a claim.
Answer: 

Your inverter should come with a minimum of a five-year warranty, with quality suppliers offering extensions to 10 years free of charge or with minimal additional cost.

Solar panels or modules come with two types of warranties. The first is a performance warranty, which is a minimum guaranteed output from the panels, generally over a 25 year period. The second is a warranty on the manufacture of the module itself, which is for 10-12 years, covering items such as the glazing, framing and wiring.

Also very important is the workmanship or installation warranty – Solargain offers a five-year installation warranty.

Question: 
Do the panel and inverter manufacturers have their own offices here in Australia (not imported via a distributor)?
Relevance: 
This ensures you and your retailer have local backup and support. A direct relationship with the manufacturer is much better than the limited support available on products distributed through an importer.
Answer: 

Solargain chooses supply chain partners that are large, international, well established manufacturers who support their products locally in Australia with their own staff and offices.

The products that we recommend are not only used for many other commercial systems, but also for large international solar projects, including both rooftop and utility scale projects.

This is important from a quality point of view and also from a financial stability point of view. The warranties provided for the core products extend over many years, which means we need renowned manufacturers who are able to stand behind their warranty obligations for the long term.

Question: 
What is the size of the manufacturer in relation to the international market for your product?
Relevance: 
The market for solar panel manufacturing is consolidating. We have seen many brands come and go in the last 10 years. Your product manufacturer’s size and background will indicate if you are purchasing from a manufacturer which will stand behind their warranty obligations for the duration.
Answer: 

Solargain does not supply panels that are not independently assessed by peer reviewed organisations such as Bloomberg Energy Finance US and therefore appearing on their Tier 1 solar panel manufacturer list. Such accolades recognise the manufacturer’s commitment to quality manufacturing processes, independent testing and certification, longevity and stability in the market, and after-sales service.

We also assess the manufacturer’s global reputation – proved track record in markets that they have been operating in for longer than in Australia.

Question: 
Are they a diversified manufacturer or is solar their entire business?
Relevance: 
This is all about risk minimisation. A larger diversified company is more likely to be able to withstand the ups and down of the solar market if they also do a range of other things.
Answer: 
As part of assessment process when taking on a new products, Solargain reviews the overall business of the manufacturer, considering such factors as global reputation, financial strength, product quality, and the like, to ensure we are only offering products from strong, stable manufacturers who will be around to support their products for years to come.
Question: 
Are you a large or small customer for the brands you represent?
Relevance: 
This will give you an insight into their relationship with the manufacturers and brands the company are offering.
Answer: 
Due to Solargain’s position in the national market place, we generally represent a more significant portion of our brand’s Australian business. This is important for pricing, as greater volume translates to lower prices. We can also be confident we have the manufacturer’s after-sale support and attention in the unlikely event of any issues.
Question: 
How long have you been selling these brands?
Relevance: 
Does the retailer have long term relationships with the brands they stock or do they regularly chop and change, buying anything they can get their hands on at the latest cheap rate?
Answer: 
Solargain prefers to maintain longer term relationships with the brands we represent. This ensures not only the most competitive pricing, but also the manufacturer’s ongoing support of any after-sale issues.