How we choose the solar installers on My Solar Quotes

Written by Kristy Hoare, Founder & Solar Market Research Specialist
Last updated: 10th November 2026

When you request quotes through My Solar Quotes, I want you to know you're being matched with solar companies that have been properly checked out.

We don't just let any solar company sign up. Every installer has to meet six requirements before we work with them, and the checks don't stop once they're on board.

I've been working in the New Zealand solar industry for 17 years, and I started My Solar Quotes back in 2012. Over that time, I've got to know a lot of solar companies, seen plenty come and go, and learnt a thing or two about what makes a good installer.

Here's how we decide which companies make the cut.

The six things we check

1. The right electrical qualifications

First things first, the electricians doing the work need to be properly registered with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB).

There are now additional licensing requirements for electricians working on grid-connected solar and battery systems, including the Mains Parallel Generation Systems endorsement.

These requirements have been phased in, with the latest changes taking effect from September 2026 as electricians renew their practising licences.

We check that installers have the appropriate qualifications and endorsements for the work they're carrying out.

2. SEANZ membership is a must

Every solar company on My Solar Quotes must be a member of the Sustainable Energy Association New Zealand (SEANZ).

SEANZ is New Zealand's solar industry association, and it has its own process for checking companies before accepting them as members.

There are background checks, references where required, and a Code of Conduct that members must follow.

That Code covers things like fair pricing, honest communication, appropriate insurance, product and installation standards, honouring warranties, and dealing with complaints properly.

And importantly, SEANZ can revoke a company's membership if it fails to meet its obligations.

3. At least 12 months of solar experience

We require at least 12 months of experience installing solar. That can be through the business itself or the previous experience of its owners.

Being a good electrician doesn't automatically make someone a good solar installer.

Solar is a specialised area of electrical work, and I want the companies we recommend to have some decent experience behind them.

4. Good Google reviews

Before bringing a company on board, I spend time looking through its Google reviews.

I'm interested in more than just the star rating. I look at what customers are actually saying, whether there are recurring complaints, and how the company responds when something goes wrong.

I also keep an eye on reviews after a company joins.

If I notice a pattern of unhappy customers or a drop in standards, I'll get in touch with the installer to find out what's happening.

And if I'm not happy with the response, they're at risk of being removed from My Solar Quotes.

5. A properly registered business

I check the Companies Register to see who's behind the company, how long it's been operating, and whether there are any obvious red flags.

Solar is a long-term investment. You're buying equipment that's expected to last 20–25 years, so you really want to deal with a company that's going to be around to support you if something goes wrong.

Of course, nobody can guarantee a business will still be trading in 10 years, but a bit of homework can help reduce the risk.

6. Feedback from our customers

This is a really important one.

We ask people who use My Solar Quotes to leave feedback about the installer they chose, and we publish those reviews on our website.

It's another way for me to keep an eye on how companies are performing.

A company might have all the right qualifications and great Google reviews, but I also want to know what the experience is like for people we've actually connected them with.

If something isn't right, I want to hear about it.

Why SEANZ membership matters so much to me

My Solar Quotes has been a SEANZ member for over 12 years, and I've spent eight years on its board.

That means I've seen first-hand how the association operates and why its standards matter.

For me, there are two big benefits to requiring SEANZ membership.

The first is the vetting process. Companies don't automatically get accepted just because they're willing to pay a membership fee. SEANZ assesses applications and carries out background checks.

The second is accountability. Members agree to follow a Code of Conduct, and if a company seriously breaches it, SEANZ can take action, including cancelling its membership.

And if a company loses its SEANZ membership, it can no longer be part of My Solar Quotes.

It's another layer of protection for homeowners, and one I think is well worth having.

I've written more about this in Why the big fuss about SEANZ?

I've got my ear to the ground

One of the biggest advantages I have when choosing installers is simply how long I've been involved in the solar industry.

Before starting My Solar Quotes in 2012, I spent two and a half years working for a solar installation company.

Since then, I've been heavily involved in the industry.

• I've spent eight years on the SEANZ board.
• I've been a judge for the SEANZ industry awards.
• I've attended every SEANZ conference since 2012, along with regular regional meetings.
• I'm regularly talking to solar installers, suppliers and other people involved in the industry.

Over the years, I've built up a pretty good network of contacts.

And that's useful because you don't always hear about problems through Google reviews.

Sometimes it's through conversations with other people in the industry that I first hear about staff leaving a business, jobs being delayed, or customers having trouble getting things sorted.

It's not a foolproof way of knowing what's happening, but it certainly helps.

I've seen plenty of solar companies come and go

Having been around the industry for so long, I've watched a lot of solar businesses start up. Unfortunately, I've also watched quite a few close down.

And I've removed several companies from My Solar Quotes over the years because of concerns about how they were operating or feedback I'd received from customers.

One recent example of why choosing a solar company carefully matters is Solar Hub, which went into liquidation in October 2026.

I had a homeowner contact me after the collapse. He'd originally received three quotes through My Solar Quotes but decided to go with Solar Hub instead, paying them a deposit.

It's a situation nobody wants to find themselves in.

And it's a reminder that a flash website, a convincing salesperson or a cheap quote doesn't necessarily tell you how reliable a company is.

When you're spending thousands of dollars on solar, you really want to do your homework on who's installing it.

Can I guarantee every installer will be perfect?

No, and I wouldn't want to pretend otherwise.

Even good companies can have problems. Staff leave, businesses change ownership, jobs don't always go to plan, and sometimes things simply go wrong.

I can't personally supervise every solar installation.

But what I can do is be selective about who we work with, keep an eye on their performance, and take complaints seriously.

If I hear about a problem, I'll look into it. Sometimes it's a matter of sorting out a misunderstanding or getting the installer to put something right. Other times, it means deciding we no longer want to work with that company.

And I'm quite comfortable making that call.

Since starting My Solar Quotes in 2012:

• We've helped more than 38,000 New Zealanders with their solar journey.
• We've built up a 4.7-star Google rating from 146 customer reviews.
• We continue to monitor the installers we work with rather than treating vetting as a one-off exercise.

How does My Solar Quotes get paid?

It's worth explaining this too.

Solar installers pay My Solar Quotes a flat fee for each quote request we send them.

The service is completely free for homeowners, and you'll never be matched with more than three installers.

But paying us doesn't automatically get a company onto My Solar Quotes, and it certainly doesn't guarantee they'll stay.

They still have to meet our standards.

Five things I'd recommend checking yourself

Even with our vetting process, I still recommend doing a few checks of your own before signing a solar installation contract.

1. Check the electrician's registration. Ask who's responsible for the electrical work and check their details on the EWRB public register. Make sure they have the appropriate endorsement where required.
2. Read the bad Google reviews, not just the good ones. I always find the one, two and three-star reviews interesting. Pay attention to whether complaints are isolated or whether the same problems keep coming up. Also look at how the company responds.
3. Find out who's actually installing your system. Will it be the company's own team or subcontractors? Either can be fine, but it's worth knowing.
4. Be careful with large deposits. Ask how much you need to pay upfront, when the balance is due, and what happens to your money if the company closes before your installation is finished.
5. Get your warranties in writing. Make sure you understand the warranties on your panels, inverter, battery and installation workmanship, including who you contact if something goes wrong.