I’m going to say something that might annoy a few panel manufacturers: the difference between a Tier 1 panel and another Tier 1 panel is, for most homeowners, basically irrelevant. The difference between a good installer and a dodgy one? That’ll define your entire solar experience.

I used to be an electrician. I’ve crawled through enough roof spaces to know that installation quality varies wildly across the industry. And I’ve seen enough warranty claims to know that most “panel failures” are actually installation failures.

The installation quality gap

Here’s what a bad installation looks like, and I’ve seen all of these in person:

• Panels oriented wrong because the installer didn’t bother with a proper site assessment
• DC isolators mounted in direct sun, slowly cooking themselves
• Cable runs that are too long, causing unnecessary voltage drop
• Roof penetrations sealed with silicone that’ll fail in three years
• Rail systems undersized for wind ratings in the local area
• Inverters installed in full sun on a north-facing wall

None of these are panel problems. They’re all installer problems. And every single one will cost you money — either through reduced performance, early component failure, or expensive repairs.

What a good installer actually does differently

A competent installer will spend time on the design phase before they pick up a drill. That means:

Proper shading analysis. Not just looking at your roof on Google Maps, but understanding how nearby trees, chimneys, and neighbouring buildings will cast shadows throughout the year. A 10% shading issue on one panel can drag down an entire string.

Electrical design that accounts for your actual usage. The right system size isn’t always the biggest one your roof can fit. If you’re a two-person household using 12kWh a day, a 13kW system is overkill unless you’ve got a battery or EV to soak up the excess.

Correct panel placement and orientation. This sounds obvious, but I’ve seen installers slap panels on an east-facing roof because it was easier to access, even when the north-facing section was perfectly suitable. Orientation matters enormously in Australia.

Tidy, compliant wiring. The electrical work should look like a professional did it, because one should have. Neat cable management, proper labelling, correct conduit where required, and isolators in appropriate locations.

How to find a good installer

Start with the Clean Energy Council’s list of approved retailers. It’s not perfect, but it’s a baseline. Then:

Get at least three quotes. If someone gives you a quote over the phone without visiting your property, run. A real quote requires a site visit, full roof assessment, and a detailed system design document.

Ask about their warranty support. What happens if your inverter dies in three years? Will they come back, or will they point you to the manufacturer’s 1800 number? The best installers handle warranty claims themselves.

Check their CEC accreditation level. There’s a difference between a basic CEC-accredited installer and one with additional design accreditation. For larger or more complex systems, the design qualification matters.

Look at reviews, but read them critically. Everyone’s happy on day one. The reviews that matter are from people who’ve had their system for two or more years. That’s when installation shortcuts start showing up.

Ask what happens if they go bust. This is the uncomfortable question, but it’s important. Small solar companies fold regularly. If your installer disappears, who services your system? Companies that partner with larger electrical firms for ongoing support are generally safer bets.

The panel obsession

Don’t get me wrong — panel quality matters. But within the range of Tier 1 panels commonly sold in Australia (LONGi, Jinko, Trina, Canadian Solar, QCells), the performance differences are measured in single-digit percentages. They all come with 25-year performance warranties. They all work.

The much bigger variables are installation quality, system design, and inverter choice. An average panel on a well-designed, properly installed system will outperform a premium panel on a poorly designed one every single time.

My recommendation

Spend less time comparing panel datasheets and more time interviewing installers. Visit their past installations if you can. Ask hard questions about their process. And if the cheapest quote is significantly cheaper than the others, ask yourself why.

Quality solar installation isn’t cheap. But a system that’s designed and installed properly will generate power reliably for 25 years or more. A cheap installation might give you problems within five. You do the maths on which one actually costs more.