Just had solar put in, installer had to move our antenna. There wasn't enough coaxial so it disconnected. Suggested that I would need to call an antenna person to get this fixed. Wasn't sure about this, but okay. His boss turns up and says that he needs $80 to install a mandatory C breaker on the meter so the entire system passes inspection. I agree as it seems like small charge. Later, I talk to the boss and get him to rejoin our antenna, as it was only a small section that could be joined. He gets one of his workers to install it. At the end, he says he needs $50 for moving the antenna and the $80 for the circuit breaker. I am going to check with his management, but thought to see if this is a common thing. Update: they have responded to a bad google review. It was actually a solar switch that was needed, not a circuit breaker.
Solar Installer Charged Extra for Cricuit breaker - Advice Wanted
Last edited 11/03/2020 - 10:55
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He did say the inspectors would just ask him to come back to make it compliant. And I would have to pay for that anyway. I thought $80 was cheap so I agreed but should have looked into it.
Had the same thing happen with a 6.6kw install. Installer notified me on the day and charged $50 for it to comply with AS3000 rules. I immediately notified the Solar Company who then reduced this amount from the total.
probably the same company, Arise Solar?
Yes as their price was/still is for my situation the best I could/can find. And the installers did a wonderful job with keeping me posted on install progress, photos of install/serial numbers, wifi setup on inverter, walking me through how to fully shut down the system including putting up all the mandatory stickers/labels on the powerbox,
left no mess behind, removed the old system and even patched a few small existing holes (they drilled a few new holes for new wires which were thicker due to larger solar system).Quality is good and they were quick too. Just annoying to pay as I did not order the system and it seems like a rehearsed way to get money out of people.
@Cave Fire: Lodge a dispute with the head office, see if they can reimburse or compensate. Luckily I contacted them straight away hence didn't have to pay extra.
This is clearly a hustle.
No reputable outfit turns up to install kit such as this and then drops, "oh, I'll need an extra $80 from you" for something that is fundamental to the install.
Regarding the $50 for the antenna, a bit of a grey area as it's a legitimate "extra job", but I can assure you that the $50 will be going straight into the beer fund … no way is that going through the books.
Agreed. Antenna was a seperate issue and indeed an extra.
it's all off the books, which is why I thought it was dodgy.
How much did they charge you in total for the 6.6kw setup? I am thinking of getting myself the solar panels in Melbourne.
around $3850 but in qld. very hot and clear day and the system was under 5kw at the inverter, so not sure if that is also not normal or not.
$3850 is after government rebate?
Yes.
No, this is not normal.
Response from installer: Hi Hyas, This installation was a sub contracted job. In their terms and conditions it explains that you may face extra charges on the day.It was a main switch that was required not a circuit breaker and the installer did give you the option to use your own electrician to do this but you chose to go with the solar installer. As for the antenna the solar panels would not fit on the roof if it stayed where it was. Again you was given the option to get an Ariel person out to do this but you chose not to . So all charges were justified.
So their company supplies and installs non compliant systems and it is up to you to option value added components to make it compliant?