Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

skiddlydiddly

I've seen the installations around Crystal Peaks in Sheffield and they do seem to be on larger properties.I've applied but not sure if my semi detached is big enough as they do seem to put a lot of panels on the roof.

Optimist

skiddlydiddly wrote: »

I've seen the installations around Crystal Peaks in Sheffield and they do seem to be on larger properties.I've applied but not sure if my semi detached is big enough as they do seem to put a lot of panels on the roof.

I did look at this and was accepted but I wanted to peruse the contract in my own time, specifically with regards to selling the house and transferring the contract or not. They wanted somebody go over it with me. I got that double glazing salesman feeling so I declined..

patman99

The CIS installed a micro-wind farm on top of their Miller Street tower block, they reckon to get about 10% of their power from these.

The people who are really making money out of renewables are the ones who make the kit. It makes sense to source panels from abroad then pay a team to fit them for you. A chap on Grand Designs' imported a 4Kwh wind turbine from India, it cost him £1000. To get the same from a UK supplier would have cost him a great deal more.

Oh, and cardew, my uncle has plenty of hot water during winter thanks to his solar panel.

Cardew

patman99 wrote: »

Oh, and cardew, my uncle has plenty of hot water during winter thanks to his solar panel.

Where does he live? On the equator?

Look up any statistics/websites for solar Hot Water in UK and you will find that the output of even the best evacuated tube system in winter(in UK) is measured in pennies.

The very worst people to ask are those who have invested £thousands in solar HW and are not going to admit that they have made a mistake.

Perhaps you will get your uncle to present some evidence instead of a face-saving claim.

Mankysteve

patman99 wrote: »

. A chap on Grand Designs' imported a 4Kwh wind turbine from India, it cost him £1000. panel.

I remember that one. On the follow up he got rid of replaced with a British made one.

skiddlydiddly

Can Sarah shed some light on what happens to the contract when you sell up?To some people, free electricity will be a major plus but others will think its an eyesore and want it removing.
Looking at the site it does state you an have i removed if you like but just want some confirmation on this scenario.

seejayess

I have a contract with A Shade Greener to fit in a couple of weeks.
The system is passed to the next house owner if the existing owner moves. The new owner thus agrees to any remaining duration of the term.
Also,at the end of the agreement, the property owner has three months to request removal at no expense otherwise it is simply left in place for the property owner to maintain.

Cardew

seejayess wrote: »

I have a contract with A Shade Greener to fit in a couple of weeks.
The system is passed to the next house owner if the existing owner moves. The new owner thus agrees to any remaining duration of the term.
Also,at the end of the agreement, the property owner has three months to request removal at no expense otherwise it is simply left in place for the property owner to maintain.

Could you clarify a couple of points please?

1. How long is the duration of the agreement?

2. If you sell your house - say after a year - is it a condition of the sale that the new owner must keep the panels and honour the agreement that you made?

3. If you, or new owner, don't want the panels, what is the penalty for asking them to be removed?

4. If the agreement is less than 25 years, do the FIT payments come to the houseowner assuming that the system is still working?

seejayess

Cardew wrote: »

Could you clarify a couple of points please?

1. How long is the duration of the agreement?

2. If you sell your house - say after a year - is it a condition of the sale that the new owner must keep the panels and honour the agreement that you made?

3. If you, or new owner, don't want the panels, what is the penalty for asking them to be removed?

4. If the agreement is less than 25 years, do the FIT payments come to the houseowner assuming that the system is still working?

1. The term of agreement is the duration of the FIT scheme or 25 years, whichever is the shorter.

2. In the event of a sale of the property it is agreed by the parties to this agreement that all the benefits of the agreement will be novated to the new owner of the property who will be bound by the agreement for the remainder of the term.

3. The agreement can be terminated before the end of the term by mutual consent of the parties to the agreement. Upon termination the company will remove the system entirely at its own cost and will be responsible for rectifying any damage incurred by the removal.

4. Answered in (1) - (the installation then becomes the homeowners property but without a FIT scheme)

JennyR68

Just had the email to say my application is declined. My roof is 100% south facing, unshaded, so guessing being a semi it's too small.:(