How Solar Scout Vets Installers
Choosing a solar installer is one of the biggest decisions in your solar journey. A good installer means a system that performs for 25+ years. A bad one means headaches, warranty disputes, and potentially unsafe electrical work on your roof.
Solar Scout exists to take that risk off the table. Every installer in our network has been independently vetted before they can quote a single job. This page explains exactly what we check, why it matters, and how we keep standards high over time.
Want to compare quotes from vetted installers? Answer a few quick questions and we will connect you with up to 3 pre-vetted local installers. Free, no obligation.
Why vetting matters
Solar is a long-term investment. A typical residential system costs $13,000 to $18,000 and sits on your roof for decades. The installer you choose determines how well that system performs, how safe the electrical work is, and whether your warranty actually holds up.
In New Zealand, anyone with an EWRB registration can legally install solar panels. That is the bare minimum. It does not tell you whether they have solar-specific experience, whether an industry body holds them to a code of conduct, or whether their past customers are happy.
Not all solar installers are created equal. We do not accept everyone who applies.
That is why we built a vetting process that goes beyond the legal minimum. We check registration, industry-body membership, solar experience, and customer reviews before any installer joins the Solar Scout network.
How we evaluate and choose our solar installers
Every installer in the Solar Scout network has passed our vetting standard. An installer clears every check below before they can quote you:
EWRB registration
Your installer is legally allowed to do electrical work in New Zealand. It is the one credential the law actually requires, and we ask every applicant for their registration number.
Positive customer experiences and real references
We read the reviews and we call the references before an installer can quote you.
SEANZ or Master Electricians
Your installer is backed by an industry body that holds them to a code of conduct.
SEANZ membershiporMaster Electricians certification
5 years of solar
At least five years of solar behind them. Not a crew who picked it up last summer.
5 years as a solar companyor5 years of solar industry experience
1. EWRB registration
Every installer must hold current registration with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). This is the legal licence to do any electrical work in New Zealand, and it is the one credential the law actually requires. We ask every applicant for their registration number and we check it.
2. Positive customer experiences and real references
We contact references and read Google reviews before approving any installer. Installers must maintain positive customer feedback to stay in the network.
3. SEANZ or Master Electricians
We require one of the two. SEANZ members commit to a published code of conduct and technical standards, including honouring the warranties they give you. Master Electricians certification brings a $20,000 workmanship guarantee on the electrical work for 12 months, and the association itself funds the fix and can send another member to do it.
4. 5 years of solar
We require at least 5 years of solar-specific experience, not just general electrical work. That can be 5 years as a solar company, or 5 years of solar industry experience behind the people running it. A new company founded by a long-time solar installer counts. A crew who picked up solar last summer does not.
NZ solar certifications and what they mean
Several certifications exist in New Zealand's solar industry. Here is what each one means and whether Solar Scout requires it:
EWRB registration is a legal requirement for any electrical work in New Zealand, so we require it of everyone. SEANZ and Master Electricians are voluntary. SEANZ is the solar industry body and Master Electricians is the wider electrical trade body, and both hold members to standards the law does not. We require one of the two.
Legal requirements for solar installation in NZ
Before any solar system connects to the grid, several requirements must be met. A quality installer handles all of this for you:
If an installer asks you to arrange your own CoC or Distributed Generation application, that is a red flag. Quality installers handle all paperwork.
Red flags we screen for
Not every installer who applies joins our network. We specifically watch for these warning signs:
High-pressure sales tactics
Rushing you to sign, "today only" pricing, or discouraging you from getting other quotes. Quality installers give you time to decide.
Cheap equipment with poor warranties
Cheap panels with thin warranties are a warning sign. Quality panels carry a 25-year manufacturer warranty, and we watch for installers who don't fit them.
Subcontracting without disclosure
If work will be subcontracted, installers must disclose this upfront. Hidden subcontracting is grounds for removal from our network.
Incomplete documentation
Quality installers provide full system documentation including panel specs, inverter details, warranty certificates, and as-built diagrams.
Unresolved complaints
Any installer with unresolved customer disputes must resolve them before joining or remaining in our network.
Ongoing monitoring
Vetting is not a one-time check. We continuously monitor our installer network to maintain standards:
- Credential checks: We re-check EWRB registration and SEANZ or Master Electricians membership regularly.
- Customer feedback: We keep reading the Google reviews after an installer joins. We do not sit over individual jobs, so if yours goes wrong, tell us and we will look into it.
- Complaint resolution: If an installer falls below standards, whether through expired certifications, poor customer feedback, or unresolved complaints, we work with them to address the issues. If problems persist, they are removed from the network.
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Compare up to 3 quotesFrequently asked questions
How does Solar Scout verify installer credentials?
We ask every installer for their Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) number and check it. We check their SEANZ membership or Master Electricians certification, and we look at their track record through customer reviews and references.
What happens if an installer doesn't meet your standards?
If an installer fails to meet our criteria during initial vetting, they cannot join the Solar Scout network. If an existing installer falls below standards, whether through expired certifications, poor customer feedback, or unresolved complaints, we work with them to address the issues. If problems persist, they are removed from the network.
Can I report a problem with a Solar Scout installer?
Yes. Email us at support@solarscout.co.nz with details of your concern. We take every complaint seriously and investigate thoroughly. Our goal is to ensure every customer has a positive experience, and feedback helps us maintain high standards across our network.
Do you receive payment from installers?
Yes, installers pay a small fee to participate in the Solar Scout network after we have vetted them. This is how we keep the service free for homeowners. Importantly, installer fees do not influence our vetting process or recommendations. We apply the same strict criteria to every applicant.
What qualifications should a solar installer have in NZ?
At minimum, any solar installer in New Zealand must be a registered electrician with the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB). This is a legal requirement. Beyond that, look for SEANZ membership or Master Electricians NZ certification, and at least 5 years of solar installation experience. Solar Scout checks all of these before approving any installer.
How do I check if my installer is properly registered?
You can verify an electrician's registration on the EWRB website. Master Electricians NZ also has a searchable directory at masterelectricians.org.nz. Or simply use Solar Scout, where we have already verified all installers against our strict vetting criteria.
What paperwork should my installer handle?
A quality installer handles all paperwork for you. This includes the Distributed Generation application to your lines company (2 to 4 weeks before installation), the Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) issued at completion, and coordination with your electricity retailer for meter upgrades. If an installer asks you to arrange these yourself, that is a red flag.
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