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16 questions from our users

Gary

Garyasked

I have just had a solar system installed and they put the wrong panels on my roof. They gave me 22 stp 300s suntech panels and we should have had 21 315 watt trina split cell panels. My question is should I get them to swap the panels to the correct panels or are the ones I have been given just as good and I leave them on the roof save messing about.



1 answer
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Gary, was the system installed by Solargain or a different company? We don't stock the products you're referring to (Trina or Suntech). If you would like to discuss this over the phone, please call us on 1300 73 93 55 and ask for our Service Department.

David

Davidasked

Some years ago Solar Gain put us in 6 panels and later a new hot water system. We were impressed with the service but would like some advice/quotes on possibly upgrading the current system we have. We live in Maida Vale

3 answers
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi David, thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. We're so happy to hear that you're impressed with Solargain! We've sent you a message regarding the advice/quote. Kind regards, Solargain.



Golly
Golly

David, like you we installed six panels and a 1.2 kW inverter along with a solar hot water system with a gas booster. The solar panels was via solargain and after ten years our inverter failed. Our hot water tank started leaking so we had Solargain install 9 panels, a 2 kW inverter and an i store hot water system. So far we are very happy but it has only been installed for about five weeks. We are producing a lot more energy and lots of hot water.
Regards
Golly

Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Golly, thank you for the advice. iStore is an exciting new & innovative product and we are sure that you will be very happy with it. We look forward to getting your feedback in the future. Kind regards, Solargain.

jen

jenasked

experiences for a replacement solar system please

1 answer
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Jen, we'd be more than happy to chat to you about your options. Please feel free to give our Service Department a call on 08 9550 1550.



Harry

Harryasked

Hi there
Can you send me again your quote for 6.6kw system with Trina and Jinko mono perc black panel combine with Fronius inverter including your company name please as i have mixed up all?
Thanks

1 answer
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Harry, sure thing. As we can't see any further contact details on here (and wouldn't want you to share them publicly) would you kindly call us on 1300 73 93 55? Kind regards, Solargain.

jimbojames

jimbojamesasked

Anyone had any issues with this company substituting quoted products with others of 'equivalent quality and performance'? It seems to be an annoying part of their terms and conditions that two other quotes don't seem to have. Their quotes are substantially cheaper, hence the concern.

No answers
head

headasked

Any body have a 10kw system and on a cliplock flat roof .approx cost and do they tell you the rebate amount ?

1 answer
the merrieminer
the merrieminer

Sounds like an installation more suited to commercial sized properties rather than residential, unless you live in a rural area. There may be power limits imposed by your local electricity grid operator but in WA the upper limit seems to be about 7Kw. Hope this helps, regards the merrieminer

Rit

Ritasked

Our original inverter was replaced due to it being faulty under warranty. Now the replaced inverter is faulty and Solargain says the warranty on the new inverter starts when the original inverter was installed. Is this right? The replacement inverter is less then 3 years old but Solargain says not under warranty.

2 answers
Andrew
Andrew

Hi, Unfortunately its standard practice across all sorts of industries that when parts are replaced its only covered for the balance of the warranty from the original supply or install date. Solar gain can only extend what the manufacturer offers so you have to be very careful when purchasing. It can be so hard to figure out what your entitled to.

Chris
Chris

Yes, it is right. We had exactly the same issue with 2 inverters not lasting out the warranty period.

bill h

bill hasked

what is cost of 3 extra Q cell panels to be installed on my 3 kw system

1 answer
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Bill, thank you for your enquiry. We cannot answer your question without collecting some information about your system. Please contact our sales team on 1300 73 93 55 to find out what our best price would be for your situation.

bill

billasked

How much for a decent system installed in safety bay

1 answer
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Bill, thank you for your enquiry and apologies for the delay in getting back to you. All of our systems are tailored to our customers’ individual needs so please contact our sales team on 1300 73 93 55 to find out what our best price would be for your situation.

Oscar

Oscarasked

Solar gain seems to be good but do they supply the battery storage units? If so what price? Thanks in advance.

2 answers
John C.
John C.

Hi Oscar,
In answer to your question, yes, Solargain have the Fronius 5kw inverter ready for battery storage, my 5 kw system was put in yesterday, $6, 690-00 with 24 panels, but there are other systems by solargain, you will have to check their website.

J. C

Oscar
Oscar

Thanks JC it is helpful to know that once the unit is installed it will fit in with battery storage. I am aware that the technology is still moving forward on battery's but at least once a good one is available it will be compatible
Cheers

Carl

Carlasked

What are the costs relating to the meter box, mine will need a full upgrade ?

3 answers
LRWoz
LRWoz

Good day! Solar gain put an allocation of around AU$900 for a new main board. Ours was fine and up to code, so no dramas. Cost avoided. Now with respect to a smart meter, that's more an issue with the electricity generation monopoly in your area. Ours is Powercorp. In Victoria, there is a state law that requires all home to have a smart meter and that cost should be borne by the distribution company...ergo..no cost to you. Don't know about the other states so suggest you contact your power company.

mikey
mikey

hi Carl,
changing over to the digital meter only costed approx $150. I'm in W.A, not sure if that makes any difference.

cheers, mikey

Carl
Carl

Thanks guys.
Got a quote for $1500, theyre moving it from the back, required to be near the front of house now.

Damien

Damienasked

I have an Aurora 5kw Inverter less than 3 years into a 5 year warranty...been told I may have to pay $165 for some tech head to come out to my place. Have seen some blogs that speak to this common error in the Aurora inverters (Error # 031)...why should I pay when this is under warranty????

2 answers
Mike Crowe
Mike Crowe

In the document Electrical and Whitegoods - An industry guide to the Australian Consumer Law on the Australian Consumer Law website (www.consumerlaw.gov.au) the following example is given to explain callout fees:

Charging for repairs
You (the supplier) must not tell a consumer that they are required to pay for any rights equivalent to a consumer guarantee – this includes repairs. This means you cannot charge a consumer for repairs that are to remedy a failure to meet a consumer guarantee under the Australian Consumer Law. Example: A consumer bought a new washing machine. After a short period of normal usage, the door broke and fell off. The retailer offered to install a new door, but they charged the consumer a callout fee of $120. In this case, the retailer should not have charged the consumer a fee, as the repairs were to fix a problem covered by a consumer guarantee (the guarantee of acceptable quality).

So, it would seem clear that your faulty inverter, which is an electrical item, has failed the consumer guarantee of acceptable quality during the warranty period, and it must be repaired free of charge (including any callout fee).

If your supplier attempts to charge a callout fee you should contact your local consumer protection agency.

Damien
Damien

Thanks for the info Mike - still waiting on a response form the ever reliable Solargain.

sevgilim

sevgilimasked

Where are the components for the SolarGain panels and inverters made please?

1 answer
Mike Crowe
Mike Crowe

The SMA Sunny Boy inverter is made in Germany. The Renesola Virtus 250W panels are made in China.

Katrina

Katrinaasked

I have a 5kw & 16 panels, I'm confused as to the best time to use power like washing, aircon ect. Night or day & explain why?
Thanks Katrina

1 answer
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hi Katrina, thank you for your question. As most states are on a net export feed in tariff (FiT) it would be best to run as much of your house during the day. When you generate Solar, that solar is sent to your house first for consumption (known as the offset). The excess, if any, is exported to the grid. The value of the offset is currently higher (the rate you pay for electricity per kW/h) then that of current FiT available. The nominal rate of the FiT is around the 6-8 cents per kWh.
So in essence the more you can power of the Solar you generate, the more you will save. This is known as load shifting.

cumdrop

cumdropasked

Mmm had my solar system up and running now for 2 years .The macsolar inverter 2kw is terrible.I have had the inverter replaced by solargain 4 times now with solargain replaced the units still under warranty with reconditioned units? And after having the solar system for more than 2 years you have to pay the tradesman to install the remove and replace the reconditioned inverter....that's not a warranty ???

2 answers
Solargain
SolargainSolargain

Hello, thank you for your post.

Please allow me time to investigate your matter and formally reply to your concerns regarding inverter warranty.

Regards

The Solargain Team

simmos16
simmos16

I too have the MacSolar 2kw inverter initially installed and commissioned by Solar Gain in October 2012. Inverter was replaced no cost to me mid 2013 -I was not informed that the replacement would be a reconditioned unit. As the unit was not alarming we did not know about it being faulty until we received a power bill which was some $270 more than expected - a cost we were expected to wear. Now the inverter has gone into fault yet again and I am advised that they will replace the inverter again (presumably with a reconditioned unit although I expect they don't plan to tell me that), however this will be at a cost of $165 to me because it is more than 2 years since initial install - even though the inverter that will be replaced this time was installed less than two years ago. I find it interesting that the Macsolar website warrants their inverters for a full 60 months, but lcally Solar Gain don't honour this and that Solar Gain's website is now devoid of any mention of the MacSolar

M.Leonard

M.Leonardasked

Do you have to replace your meter box when installing solar system ?

1 answer
Squirta
Squirta

No. We had a smart meter installed during the initial roll out. The power company did come out and reprogram it to enable it to record the output.

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