Go Sunny Solar

Costly – So several years ago (3) we priced and installed a Solar System from Go Sunny Solar. They seemed friendly and helpful enough, which is generally typical in any sale process. We purchased a 16 Kw 3 phase system. (approx $20,000) After a bit of to and fro-ing we made the purchase and had it installed. The installation went well, the installers were very communicative neat and thorough. They cleaned up after themselves which is not always common with tradies these days. They commissioned the system and explained what I needed to do as far as a new smart meter installation and went through the operation of the system. Anyway, the purchase was made with on the proviso that batteries could be added at a later date without too much grief or cost (Apart from the Battery costs of course). The installation comprised 40 panels and 3 x GE Grid Tie inverters. All seemed simple enough. After approximately 18 months, I called them to give them first option to sell me some battery. After 3 phone calls over about a month, I received a call back. Yep, batteries, no problem, however you can't power your whole house! Initially they said I'd have to replace all the inverters. You also have to select "essential" loads, such as Internet ! Television ! Lighting and fridges. I questioned their interpretation as to what "essential" was, because for us, HWS every 3 days would be essential, but Internet and TV were certainly NOT essential.

(In some minor way, I can understand the suppliers concern about the loads when people have a battery installed. BUT as I mentioned to many, if you run out of fuel when driving, you need to modify you driving habits. Something I would think obvious, but apparently it's not. Apparently there are people who think when you install a battery, you'll never have to buy power from the grid ! Well, if you get a big enough battery, that is correct, but it will come at significant costs.)

As a Customer though, I will not be dictated to as what I can and can't run when on Battery and I am not a fool.

Anyway, we finally achieved a "solution", but the battery location became an issue. Right up front, I said the batteries were to go outside and sent pictures and measurements which were agreed. Although I was not particularly happy with the cost of the solution versus the functionality because there were several things left out. (Black Start for one required manual intervention which was a significant shortcoming and Islanding has some quirks.) Anyway, I placed the order. (33kW Sonnin Battery). Very soon after, I received a call from the Service Department advising the batteries would need to go inside or there would be warranty issues. I immediately called the salesman who confirmed that the batteries could go outside as agreed. I asked for the confirmation in writing, but it never came. Although I was happy that they were going outside, I was perplexed about the big dis-connect between the Sales and Service departments. Remembering my own saying "that Service is forever", I started to think about the potential difficulties 5 years down the track when there was some kind of issue and that the Service Department would throw up the fact that the Batteries were located outside..... Anyway, the next day, I cancelled the order citing that I had lost confidence in the company because of the poor communication between the Sales and Service departments and this was not the first time. Thinking back, the Service Department were always on the defensive when any "difficult" questions arose, even during the sale process. After several months, I made contact with another supplier and we came to a solution, where I could have complete power to all my phases in my house. (I don't run any 3 phase equipment, it's just that the house has 3 phases.) The final solution was more expensive by about $3,000, but I got what I wanted and what was agreed. It necessitated removing 2 of the 5kW inverters and installing a 10 kw 3 Phase inverter and the batteries.(Not as straight forward as I was initially told) The battery system has been in for over 12 months and works well. Ongoing communication with the new supplier is always good.

Whilst the Sales department of Go Sunny were pretty much on the ball, the major concern is with the Service/Installation department. Like most, I like to be treated as a Customer, not as a nuisance or an inconvenience. As I mentioned, the Installation team were very good, but alas the Service Department let the side down. As is reality though, that any areas that need attention are the responsibility of the company overall. Given that I cancelled a $43,000 order, I would have expected a phone call to discuss the matter to see if it could have been resolved, but the call never came.

That was my answer as to what the Company really thought of me.

Solar with Batteries is not a difficult thing technically. Where the difficulties arise is where the Customer doesn't really know what to ask. This is not a failing of the Customer, but a failure of the Company because they are not forthcoming with information. Many say "Do your research", but what does that mean when you have no idea as to what is truth or fiction? If Companies truly know their products, they will know what needs to done to achieve what the Customer wants. They should be conveying this to the Customer upfront and not expecting the Customer to ask questions they have little or no idea about.

So one question you should ask, is for reference sites. Don't be afraid to call the reference sites. Ring several and ask about the system they purchased and the after sales service. If the company won't give you reference sites, then there is an alarm to note. If I am happy with my purchases, I am more than happy to be a reference site. Don't be shy, after all it's your hard earned cash.

They screwed us – We have had nothing but trouble with this company! They said we needed a new power board which was never installed which meant our control load (hot water) was not wired into use the solar because it needed a new switch board to do so. They gave use $800 back but this is not enough to have a new switch board installed which is going to cost around $2000. Do not deal with these people, if our house burns down because of an electric fault we are not covered by insurance because non-compliant because it is stated in the electricity standards that no new wiring may be added to old board

promised heaps delivered very little – i contacted sunny solar with the intention of lowering or wiping out my power bill , they told me a 10 kw unit would do the trick and they worked out payments so i would not being paying out any more than i was already , i live alone and am away working half the time and yet besides paying the $200 a month for the solar set up i am still getting a quarterly bill of over $400 , so i have not received what was promised and would be better off financially not having the solar set up at all .

Very good product – Very happy with final products (panels and inverter) after two changes to original plan due to council requirements. Contracted panel installers were a bit sloppy. Left nuts, bolts, wire cuttings and general rubbish in roof gutters. Also dislodged a roof capping tile which we now have to repair. Was also told someone would help us to install and use a mobile monitoring app but that didn't happen. Overall though, very happy with the system.