How to ensure your solar products are the real deal

South Africans should do their own follow-up investigation to ensure the backup power system they have installed is from the original manufacturer and will perform as advertised.

The explosion of demand for solar and backup power due to significantly worsened load-shedding these past few years saw many households and companies looking into backup power.

There are numerous small players in the market offering legitimate products, problem-free installation, and good after-sales service.

Unfortunately, others do not have the best intentions and only want to make a quick buck without offering further support after installation.

In the worst-case scenario, customers might get secondhand or knock-off products.

But even when the right products are used, the incorrect installation can cause serious electrical damage, fires, injury, or death.

Sorting the wheat from the chaff can be a tall order for people unfamiliar with the technical workings of electrical systems.

MyBroadband spoke to a representative from one of the major reputable installers in South Africa to learn more about how consumers can confirm whether the solar products they received are the real deal.

One of the major issues that emerged in 2023 was counterfeit solar panels flooding the market.

The installer was quite frank that spotting counterfeit panels was not easy, even for the experienced.

One way is to check the packaging of the product for glaring errors like spelling mistakes, as shown in the example below.

However,  even legitimate installers might have missing packaging or have products with slightly altered appearance on arrival.

“Remember that some installers do their prep work offsite by either building a backboard system to speed up the onsite installation, or they apply branding like sticks at the warehouse to speed up the process of onsite installation,” the installer explained.

“For panels, these obviously get packaged for shipping based on quantities, so there isn’t necessarily a brand new pallet unopened arriving on your doorstep,” they explained.

Therefore, checking the packaging isn’t always the best way to gauge if a brand-new product has been received.

The installer’s business partnered with authorised distributors of inverters, batteries and panels to ensure it should not worry about counterfeit or fake products.

Customers could ask the supplier to provide proof the panels were bought from an authorised distributor.

However, the installer also advised that customers contact the manufacturers directly when it comes to verifying whether a product is from their factory and carries the standard warranty, in the event that something goes awry.

“The best way to approach this is for the end users to contact the manufacturers of the inverters, batteries, and panels and submit the serial numbers for verification,” they recommended.

Solar panel serial numbers are typically laminated between the cells and the panel’s frame.

The good news is that the installer believes many of the counterfeit panels have been flushed out of the market after 2023’s big solar rush.

The surge in demand sent the prices for legitimate panels plummeting, meaning there was little to separate the real products from fake ones.

Choosing the right company

When it comes to choosing the best company to fit your system, the installer recommended that users contact previous customers for personal feedback on their own experiences with the company.

Once the installation is done, the system must be approved with a certificate of compliance from a qualified electrician.

They must also possess a Wireman’s License and be registered with the Electrical Contracting Board of South Africa.

Other good general guidelines to follow include:

• Check if the company is registered on the CIPC database, has a VAT number, and has been in business for some time.
• Installers should be registered Installation Electricians with the Department of Labour and The Electrical Conformance Board of South Africa.
• Double-check with your local authority (municipality) to confirm whether it requires certain products to be used in the installation. The City of Cape Town, for example, maintains a list of approved inverters.
• Read online reviews and get personal recommendations where possible.
• Plummeting solar product prices have muddied the waters when it comes to spotting a deal that is too good to be true. However, checking reputable price-competitive online stores like Solar and Inverter Warehouse for an idea of realistic market pricing is still advisable.
• Notify your insurer of the installation so that its value can be added to your insured property value.