Small scale renewable technologies are proven technologies and very reliable when designed and installed correctly.

As a consumer looking at installing a system it's important to ask the right questions and have your system designed and installed by a qualified and experienced person or company. Until SEANZ introduces it's Accreditation program in 2009 the first question to ask is "are you a SEANZ member?"

10 further questions to ask and things to consider when installing a small scale renewable system:

1. Why are you installing a renewable energy system (save money, reduce CO₂ emissions, independence)?
   1. What other options exist to achieve these goals?
2. Energy consumption (kWh)
   
   1. What is your daily energy requirement (and are there ways to reduce this)?
   2. How much energy will the system supply for an average day (in the winter and/or in the summer, a solar PV array will supply much less energy in the winter)?
   3. Does the proposed system provide enough energy?
3. Peak power requirement (kW)
   1. What is my peak power requirement?
   2. Can the designed system provide the required peak power output?
4. What is the best system for the energy resource available on my site. Eg wind, water or sun?
5. What are the costs, savings and returns?
   1. Capital cost?
   2. Maintenance/equipment replacements costs(Expected life of the system)?
   3. Fuel costs?
   4. What are the costs of the alternatives?
6. Where should all equipment be installed to ensure that it is safe and reliable?
7. What standards is the system being designed and installed to?
8. What warranties are offered for the products and installation work?
   1. Is it a return to base warranty?
9. Is the designer and/or installer competent?
10. Have you signed a contract that clearly defines what the system will do, what equipment will be supplied, the cost and what the responsibilities of the various parties are?

SPS Contract

A standard contract is available in the SEANZ download area. This contract has been made available for use between those purchasing a stand alone power system and the supplier/installer of the system. The contract can be downloaded here:

http://www.seanz.org.nz/documents/cat_view/83-guides-and-resources

SEANZ Accreditation

SEANZ is in the process of implementing an accreditation scheme for designers, installers and products. Until this scheme is implemented there is no impartial method to distinguish a competent designer or installer for the most appropriate product. We recommend in the interim that as a consumer you make contact with SEANZ member organizations and seek references of prior work to determine level of service, competency and product performance from previous clients of the respective organizations.

Standards

There are a number of standards available for the design and installation of small scale renewable energy systems. There are few formally adopted in New Zealand at this time, though this will change with the implementation of the SEANZ standards and accreditation scheme. A list of suggested standards is listed here. These standards are currently available from Standards New Zealand or SAI global. A good designer or installer should work to recognised standards. It is suggested that you contact SEANZ to determine the standards that the designer and installer work to.