Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

SarahLucyD

Arthurian - considering we've now had over 30,000 applicants for our panels (currently 500 per day) and considering that people are starting to check out property that they're thinking of buying to make sure it fulfils our criteria before they put in a bid, don't you think it more likely in this neck of the woods that when trying to sell a property with ASG panels on them, they will easily find a buyer? There are lots of folk out there who want free panels, free electricity, free maintenance. Due to demand we now have a 'homes for sale' page on our website ready for when homeowners who have our panels decide to sell.

Sarah - ASG

DonnySaver

DonnySaver wrote: »

I've put my request for some panels in today. Wait and see what happens ....

I've just received an email saying I've been accepted, subject to a further inspection.

furndire

Arthurian wrote: »

ASG own the panels so they will repair them, if I understand correctly.

It might make a difference to the overall viability of the scheme if sometime in the next 25 years you decide to move, but you lose a purchaser who might otherwise have been keen, (or if they decide to offer £15,000 less) because they think the panels are unattractive. Of course, not a problem if you know you're not going to want to move house in the next 25 years.

The problem is Arthurian, MSE is a brilliant site for making people aware there are pitfalls for anything, seems too good to be true, no such thing as a free lunch etc etc. The downside of this is that when an offer comes along like this most people are cynical - to any of you who are offered the panels, my advice (for what its worth) is go for it, unless you can afford to install your own.
ShaderGreen seem to be a very ethical company, who (obviously every company has to make money somehow) who are in it for the long haul.

As for roofs looking unatractive, there are a lot worse things than solar panels, anyone offering less for a house, because their roof doesn't look pretty, and by the way you will be getting some money off your electric bills because of them ....... I don't think so.

Arthurian

furndire wrote: »

The problem is Arthurian, MSE is a brilliant site for making people aware there are pitfalls for anything, seems too good to be true, no such thing as a free lunch etc etc. The downside of this is that when an offer comes along like this most people are cynical - to any of you who are offered the panels, my advice (for what its worth) is go for it, unless you can afford to install your own.
ShaderGreen seem to be a very ethical company, who (obviously every company has to make money somehow) who are in it for the long haul.

As for roofs looking unatractive, there are a lot worse things than solar panels, anyone offering less for a house, because their roof doesn't look pretty, and by the way you will be getting some money off your electric bills because of them ....... I don't think so.

I'm not saying everyone will be put off by their appearance, just some. Like some people are put off by "plastic" windows, which are also energy-saving, and some people will pay a premium for a pretty country cottage even though it is not energy-efficient. Is it going to be the case that if your house has these panels installed, a buyer must accept them and keep them for the remainder of the agreed term, or can they have them removed at their own expense?

SarahLucyD

Arthurian - yes, a buyer would have to accept them but as per my post above Furndire's, which I think you may have missed (apologies if you didn't) - to re-iterate: we have had over 30,000 applications for these now and they're coming in at the rate of 500 per day, so that's evidence that people in these parts REALLY want them. Potential buyers are checking out properties before putting in a bid - to see if the property is suitable for our system. We have a page for homes for sale, which can be used (when the time comes) to advertise a home that already has one of our systems installed (and we don't charge for that). Anyone who does have a system will advertise their property for sale with an ASG system already in place because it would be desirable in these parts - accordingly, why would anyone even put in an offer if they didn't want the system? If someone advertises a home for sale with a conservatory, they're not going to get someone who thinks conservatories are naff putting in a bid for the property or if they did, would they demolish it if the potential buyer said they didn't want it?

As for pretty 'chocolate box' country cottages - generally such roofs are unlikely to be suitable for our system, which favours very straightforward, bog-standard roof shapes.

Sarah ASG

Arthurian

SarahLucyD wrote: »

Arthurian - yes, a buyer would have to accept them but as per my post above Furndire's, which I think you may have missed (apologies if you didn't) - to re-iterate: we have had over 30,000 applications for these now and they're coming in at the rate of 500 per day, so that's evidence that people in these parts REALLY want them. Potential buyers are checking out properties before putting in a bid - to see if the property is suitable for our system. We have a page for homes for sale, which can be used (when the time comes) to advertise a home that already has one of our systems installed (and we don't charge for that). Anyone who does have a system will advertise their property for sale with an ASG system already in place because it would be desirable in these parts - accordingly, why would anyone even put in an offer if they didn't want the system? If someone advertises a home for sale with a conservatory, they're not going to get someone who thinks conservatories are naff putting in a bid for the property or if they did, would they demolish it if the potential buyer said they didn't want it?

As for pretty 'chocolate box' country cottages - generally such roofs are unlikely to be suitable for our system, which favours very straightforward, bog-standard roof shapes.

Sarah ASG

As they MUST stay in place for 25 years, then I agree with you - "why would anyone even put in an offer if they didn't want the system?" That's my point - a lost house purchaser.

I do believe you are being swamped with enquiries at the moment, I really do.

gilfachboy

Having read all the posts it's a good thing for the people who's property is suitable to have them fitted on. But people who cant have them fitted because they are not south facing etc are going to pay the price for them by increased electricity bills in the near future. Nice to see private companies cherry pick where they want to put them for maximum profit.

Jon_Tiffany

I dont think the FITS will make much impact on everyone elses bills, dont forget that the energy company gets to buy the exported electric at 3p per kWh and then sell it immediately for 9-14p (or whatever they charge). No doubt they will use FITS as an excuse to raise prices.

As for the value of a home, I'm with Sarah, I think solar panels will increase the value of a home, those who do not like the panels will be a minority.

Dont forget we will ALL benefit from the increased energy security/independence of the UK as a whole.

XRayDave

Arthurian wrote: »

As they MUST stay in place for 25 years, then I agree with you ...

Hi Arthurian,

This is not true. You can request the panels be removed at any time and A Shade Greener will do this at no cost to the house-holder. This is part of the contract that you sign with them.

If you decide that you don't like the look of the panels they can be removed at any time - with no damage to the roof - it will be exactly the same as it was before the panels were fitted.

So, if you decided to have the panels removed before putting your house on the market, this can be done. Quite why someone would not want free electricity with NO cost to themselves is beyond me.

I agree that some installs an the front of houses do not do the look of the house any favours - I saw an install the other day on the front of a house with a dormer window and the panels were in three rows fitted around the dormer. Not pretty - although it wouldn't look so bad if the roof tiles had been grey rather than the brick red that they were.

Personally, anything that a) provides free electricity and b) increases the value of my house has got to be a winner!

XRayD

EDIT: Furthermore, the contract is transferrable to any new owner. They can, should they so desire, request that A Shade Greener remove the panels to put the roof back to original condition.

XRayDave

Just to clarify some other points on ASGs PV Panels

1) The panels belong to ASG but become yours after 25 years.

2) Lease is transferrable should you sell your house.

3) NO cost to the house-holder at all. No install cost, maintenance cost, insurance cost or equipment cost.

4) Free electricity - as much as you can use up to the output of the panels (which varies during the day and the time of year).

5) Any fault / damage is sorted by ASG (as the panels belong to them).

6) Panels can be removed at any time - again with no cost to the house-holder.

Hope this helps

XRD