The Solar Battery Video They Tried to Remove (Re-Upload)

We've done nearly a thousand videos, but this one clearly hit a nerve. We got a copyright strike for showing a Facebook ad that [music] exposes poor practices

in this industry. And we've cut the footage to keep the platform happy, but we are re-releasing this video because the danger is real. So, my job isn't to

be polite. [music] It's to stop you from

be polite. [music] It's to stop you from getting ripped off. Watch the video.

Judge for [music] yourself.

You've just spent $5,000, $8,000, or even $10,000 on a home battery. It

[music] works great for about 2 years.

Then one morning, the lights seem to be out. I think the battery is dead. You

out. I think the battery is dead. You

check the warranty certificate. Oh, the

manufacturer's contact number is a ghost company in Gen Zen. This is happening right now in Australia. But here's the secret that nobody tells you on the

quote sheet. Not all warranties are

quote sheet. Not all warranties are created equal. In fact, [music] there

created equal. In fact, [music] there are three very different ways batteries are sold in this country. One way gives you three layers of protection [music] and one way leaves you completely

exposed. So, we interviewed Australia's

exposed. So, we interviewed Australia's biggest battery distributors to show exactly [music] how to make sure your warranty has the strongest backing.

>> Presented by your energy answers.

>> So, let's start with the gold standard.

So, this is the model you want to be in.

It involves three layers of protection and that is the installer, then [music] the distributor and the manufacturer.

They all responsible for that warranty.

And why does this matter? Because of the Australian consumer law. When a

distributor imports a battery, they are legally become the [music] manufacturer in the eyes of the Australian law. So if

the factory in China suddenly decides [music] not to sell that product anymore or they go bust, the distributor is on the hook and they know it.

>> The Australian consumer law has a a stepped process. So anybody who imports

stepped process. So anybody who imports a product takes on ultimately very very significant responsibilities. Um I think

significant responsibilities. Um I think a lot of people uh don't recognize the importance and the risks [music] associated with importing products directly because it can literally uh

sink a business if uh you import the wrong product. that uh has a problem and

wrong product. that uh has a problem and it's not supported by the manufacturer, that's a big problem.

>> So, [music] the distributors act as like a quality filter. They usually only stock three or four batteries. Why?

Because [music] they can't afford to sell you junk because if it's junk, they can get burnt themselves. They hold the warranty. They're responsible.

warranty. They're responsible.

>> For Solar Juice, we look at at really three core things. The first thing is we look at the bankability of the particular product. One of the good

particular product. One of the good measures to be able to look at bankability is companies [music] that are listed publicly. They're on a capital market. They have a lot of

capital market. They have a lot of compliance. They need to, you know, be

compliance. They need to, you know, be accountable to shareholders. The second

piece is around the R&D. [music] This

space is evolving very quickly. And the

third piece is around after sales and warranty and local support. For us,

those three brands are sort of split into Tesla, which is, you know, one of the companies that really has been a foundation supplier of stationary storage. Uh, another brand that comes

storage. Uh, another brand that comes [music] to mind is BYD, a very well-known brand now coming up in the EV space. Um, and thirdly for us is a brand

space. Um, and thirdly for us is a brand called Sunro. um really easy for

called Sunro. um really easy for installers to use, good modularity, so being able to expand um on the system quite easily and has been in the in the local market here in Australia for

almost 10 years. So the layer one is the manufacturer like Tesla, Sig Energy, Sunrow, any of those. And if they fail, [music] you got layer two, which is the distributor to come and help you. And if

they fail, you got the layer three, which is the installer. So with three layers of protection, you're relatively safe. Now we move to the second model,

safe. Now we move to the second model, the middle ground. This is where an installer buys from a manufacturer with an Australian presence, but without the middleman of a distributor. And [music]

we spoke to Ampura, who is one of the many new Chinese battery manufacturers coming into the Australian market, but they are currently not being distributed

by one of the major solar distributors.

If you bring it in directly from Australia, I only got one parachute and not three. Wouldn't I have a much higher

not three. Wouldn't I have a much higher risk? Yes. On a hypothetical scenario, I

risk? Yes. On a hypothetical scenario, I don't really play in hypothetical scenarios. I think the investment that

scenarios. I think the investment that you're seeing from the global company into the Australian market is an indication of how long they plan on being here. So, our business model is

being here. So, our business model is all about sustainable growth rather than being here for a boom and and not being around when we all know the bust is coming. But I mean, why are you saying

coming. But I mean, why are you saying the bust is coming? I mean, we're supposed to get this battery rebate for 5 years. Because if you talk to anybody

5 years. Because if you talk to anybody that's been in the industry that's got hair like I do or has got wide hair, they will tell you whenever there's a boom, there's a bust. And that's not specific to this industry. Any industry

I've worked in, when there's a boom, there's a bust. And we need to be planning for that if we're thinking we're going to be around for 10 to 15 years.

>> So, there's a bit of a contradiction here. Ampura believes the idea of having

here. Ampura believes the idea of having three levels of warranty support is nice in theory but not needed. However, they

do believe that with every boom there's a bust [music] and especially within the solar industry which is very volatile with companies going bust literally all

the time. Wouldn't you want as much

the time. Wouldn't you want as much protection as possible? And finally, we have the danger zone scenario three.

This is where an installer imports generic batteries direct from China and slaps their own sticker on the box. But

remember that consumer law rule. If the

installer imports [music] it, they are legally deemed to be the manufacturer in our consumer [music] law. So if that battery has a recall, Bob's solar has to

pay for it. Does Bob have [music] 5 million in the bank to replace 500 failing batteries? probably not.

failing batteries? probably not.

>> There's really big risk people are taking buying directly off an installer who are importing straight from the manufacturer. That small installer or

manufacturer. That small installer or that small electrician is the one that's actually responsible for the warranty here in Australia. So if that battery fails at some stage, that homeowner goes to that electrical company or small

solar business and says, "I've had a failed battery." They'll probably be

failed battery." They'll probably be lucky to be able to support a small handful of those failed batteries if the manufacturer isn't backto-back supporting the warranty. But isn't it much cheaper just to close the doors than do a runner?

>> Unfortunately, Phoenixing is a thing we've experienced in this industry. Give

credit to the entrepreneurs out there that are running small solar businesses that are looking to get their own product out of China. But I would tell them be very cautious because there's a very good chance that you've got a

liability coming up down the track. You

don't have the bank account to support and therefore you're going to leave those poor homeowners hanging out dry.

>> In this scenario, you have zero parachutes. you are free falling without

parachutes. you are free falling without a rig. So, how do you protect yourself?

a rig. So, how do you protect yourself?

You don't need to be a solar and battery expert. You just need to ask these three

expert. You just need to ask these three questions before you sign the quote.

>> If I was an end user, the first thing I would ask is, does the manufacturer have a place of business here in Australia?

That's the first layer of protection.

Second thing I'd ask is, where did you source this product from in this country? Was that through a reputable

country? Was that through a reputable supplier? And the third thing I'd be

supplier? And the third thing I'd be looking at is how long's the install company been around that's installing it for you as well. If all three of those stack up, then you've got a more sound investment than choosing that small

solar business which is importing it straight from overseas. Asking these

questions [music] is critical because it protects you from the rebate trap. You

might see a battery on Facebook for half the price of the big brands [music] and is so tempting, especially with a new federal battery rebate. You might think, "Oh, just [music] get the cheap one.

That's all I can afford. The government

is paying for it anyway." But here's the catch. [music] You can only claim the

catch. [music] You can only claim the battery rebate once.

>> So, what would you say that I see a cheap >> Poor man pays twice, mate. Poor man pays twice. And the thing is, you can't get

twice. And the thing is, you can't get it twice under the government rebate.

So, one thing [music] I'd say is you're looking at those cheap solutions. You

think you're taking advantage of the government money and getting a battery solution at a really good price. The

thing is, it's not like solar STC's. You

cannot get those credits again. So, you

go buy this cheap battery tower and it fails, you cannot get the rebate again.

So, there's a very good chance you're going to end up buying another solution without the rebate if you make the decision to get those cheap products.

>> So, always buy from a local reputable installer in your area, not from the large interstate sales company on Facebook selling you on a cheap price. A

local installer that has been around for a decade is the way to a good result.

Those guys understand the volatility of the solar and battery market and would be smart enough not to bring in products direct just for the quick buck. If this

info helps you to make a smart solar and battery decision, then why don't you hit the subscribe button, ring the bell, leave a comment, and help us to power Australia into a renewable future.

>> [music] >> But please with quality gear and less scabs.

>> Please support the channel by liking the video. Hit that subscribe button and

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you next time. Bye.