Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

[Deleted User]

My power was off one day for 15 mins while they fitted the isolation switch then when the electic blokes hooked it all up it was off for about half an hour. That's the sun total of it.

Lostrider

I agree with Shelvis. It took them anout 6 hours to do the wiring but the power was off for about half an hour.

The power monitor (effergy Elite Wireless) is currently averaging 7.42 kwh per day from the solar feed. That is over a couple of mixed days. I have found that the other monitor, attached to the live feed in from the supply reads in both directions. Meaning it registers usage wheather the power is being used or being fed back to the grid. So is not accurate. Back to the drawing board for that one.

Cardew

Lostrider wrote: »

I agree with Shelvis. It took them anout 6 hours to do the wiring but the power was off for about half an hour.

The power monitor (effergy Elite Wireless) is currently averaging 7.42 kwh per day from the solar feed. That is over a couple of mixed days. I have found that the other monitor, attached to the live feed in from the supply reads in both directions. Meaning it registers usage wheather the power is being used or being fed back to the grid. So is not accurate. Back to the drawing board for that one.

It would be nice to know how much of that 7.42kWh you were using in the house - 3kWh???

Lostrider

Cardew wrote: »

It would be nice to know how much of that 7.42kWh you were using in the house - 3kWh???

HI Cardew

That figure was an average over the last few days. The panels have actually produced 13.5kwh today so the average is up to 8.18 kwh. As soon as I can work out which cable to attach the second meter too I will post details. I think it's a little early to make much from these readings as it is only a few days since comission. Both meters hold historical information i.e daily, weekly & monthly usage and average usage. You can also enter the price per Kwh so it gives a cost.

joolsleeds

Lostrider - do A shade greener provide the meters to track the output from the panels then?

Cardew

Lostrider wrote: »

HI Cardew

That figure was an average over the last few days. The panels have actually produced 13.5kwh today so the average is up to 8.18 kwh. As soon as I can work out which cable to attach the second meter too I will post details. I think it's a little early to make much from these readings as it is only a few days since comission. Both meters hold historical information i.e daily, weekly & monthly usage and average usage. You can also enter the price per Kwh so it gives a cost.

Assuming that the panels will produce around 2,800kWh a year, it seems that 40% of that total used in the house is a reasonable estimate for most people?

Ideally you want something like a 1kW immersion heater(not seen one that small) to heat water during the day!!!

Lostrider

joolsleeds wrote: »

Lostrider - do A shade greener provide the meters to track the output from the panels then?

They initially said we would be able to monitor the system. I spoke to a ASG yesterday and he sais this is not so. They "intend" to send a report. How frequent I don't know. But you can't check the output and decide to put the dishwasher on unless you invest in a monitoring device yourself.

Lostrider

Optimist wrote: »

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..

There are two documents to sign. A 25 year Placement agreement (the panels etc) and a 25 year lease agreement for the roof space (a document lodged with the land registry). Their home visit team represensitive used high pressure and on me to sign the lease aggreement. I am still taking legal advice. I objected to certain differences in the contracts. I am hoping these have been sorted out.

As far as I can see this system free or not, would not suit everybody. If I was younger and out working all day, I would probably buy the system myself. If you are out at work all day there is little benefit to you as you dont receive anything for what's going back into the grid (that's why they are free). There is of course, a great benefit to the environment.
If you are retired or at home all day, working from home as I do, or are a house"person", then you can use what the panels produce.

Remember the power is being produced wether you use it or not so make sure you have timers on your washing machine / dishwasher etc and have then come on consecutavley to benefit from the free energy. I am finding they need to be on after 10am when the sun gets higher in the sky.

SarahLucyD

I swore not to post ever again on this thread. However I do monitor it from time to time to ensure that we are not being defamed.

I must say, Lostrider, that I am sure I know who you are and your post is somewhat misleading and quite unfairly so in that you omitted to say that we sorted that out and I told you that I was aghast at the way you were approached by this particular member of staff and it has been sorted internally and will not happen again. If you are who I think you are we positively encouraged you to seek legal advice. If you are not who I think you are then why haven't you contacted me to express your concern over the tactics and the lease? I encourage people to contact me if they aren't happy in any way.

We have even PAID homeowners legal fees so that they could take independent legal advice as regards the agreement and the lease. We do not expect people to sign anything unless they are entirely happy and we positively discourage high pressure tactics. Our people are not paid a commission, so there is no reason whatsoever for them to use such tactics. Unfortunately, this particular member of staff's experience in the past is sales, perhaps he couldn't get it out of his blood! It is, however, sorted internally and should not happen again.

Lostrider - as regards monitoring the output. We don't just intend to send a report, according to my records (if you are who I think you are) you should have received an email from me explaining that there will be an 'app' on our website soon where those who have their system installed will be able to monitor what is being produced by their system. This will be exactly the information we have. You can also buy an energy meter at very little cost from most major DIY stores and if the cuff is placed correctly this will show you realtime. If you buy one, I will arrange for an electrician to fit it. In fact, give me a ring and I will buy it for you!

Sarah Dyson - A Shade Greener.

dane-katie

Well hopefully our house and barns will be good enough we have someone coming to look at the in june