Deciding Whether to Buy from a Dealer

Local dealers may be more familiar with local conditions and may be in a better position to provide service than a remote dealer or the manufacturer. Dealers may also offer systems from a variety of manufacturers.

Important questions when choosing a dealer:

• Years in business?
• Background or qualifications?
• Familiarity with local electrical requirements, codes, zoning regulations?
• Technical and pricing details available?
• List of customers available for reference?
• Copy of installation and maintenance manual available?
• Independent test reports of equipment available?
• Operational experience satisfactory? Able to service systems in remote locations? Under various, possibly harsh, conditions?
• Services offered? Installation? Warranty support? Technical support? Maintenance?
• Price and payment options? Purchase the system outright or lease on a term arrangement? Performance contracting?
• Member of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA)?
• Can you buy the turbine with a written contract detailing your responsibilities and those of the dealer (incl. details about follow-up service and service contracts)?

After noting the tips above, see our extensive list of dealers and installers who sell and/or install small wind turbines in Canada.

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