Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

joolsleeds

XRayDave wrote: »

Hi Sarah,

My understanding was that if at any stage I decided (I haven't let me stress) to have the panels removed, I could request this and they would be removed - at no cost to me and no questions asked.

I also understood that I could have the panels removed temporarily (for replacement of the roof tiles for example) and have them reinstalled later - again at no cost to me.

Finally, I was led to believe that should I sell the house and a new owner wanted the panels removing (why I don't know), then again this would be done at no cost to them (or me).

This is correct isn't it?

XRD

Nope - just the removal in case of roof renovation (up to twice in the 25 year period)

Other than that, the system stays on the roof for 25 years......that's what's agreed to when you sign the agreement.

SarahLucyD

XRayDave - Joolsleeds is right, and I've emailed you about it. And I really think that the scenario about what you'd do if the new owners didn't want them is a bit old hat now that we've proved how popular they are. As I said in my previous posts, anyone not wanting them wouldn't even put in a bid for your property would they? It is my belief, however, that there are many more thousands, (and our website activity is proof of this) who would!

Sarah - ASG

gubdlog

Sorry I havent read all this thread can someone recap please?

What are the advantages for going with one of these companies who still own the sola pannels, or buying them yourself?

noncom_2

Seriously, you are considering making a decision about a system costing tens of thousands of pounds and generating thousands per year in income, and you haven't got 20 minutes to spend reading this thread?

XRayDave

gubdlog

The system being offered by ASG belongs to them and they get the FIT payment. Currently, this payment is 41.3p/kWh (the "generation fee").

However, you get any electricity that the panels generate for free. If you use more than the panels generate, then the excess comes off the grid - exactly as it did before the panels were fitted. If you are using less than the panels are generating, then the electricity being used is free (it is coming from the panels) and any excess goes back to the grid. If you owned the panels, you would get an extra payment of 3p/kWh for this "exported" electricity.

You do not pay a penny for anything - the installation, the maintenance, the insurance of the panels, any repairs. All free.

If you buy the panels, then the generation fee (41.3p/kWh) gets paid to you plus the 3p/kWh for any electricity exported. The 41.3p/kWh generation fee is paid for all of the electricity generated by the panels, the extra 3p/kWh onlyfor the electricity fed back (or "exported") to the grid.

Downside - the panels cost upwards of £15,000 - 25,000 and the installation, maintenance, insurance of the panels, etc are also yours to pay.

Estimated that the "pay-back period" for a 3kW PV installation is upwards of 12-15 years, however, the further North in the UK you are the less the panels will produce and the longer the pay-back period will be.

XRayDave

CharlieBilly

Found a article about ASG

http://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/a_shade_greener_offers_19mw_of_free_residential_254solar_658installations/

SarahLucyD

Charliebilly - interesting article, obviously a lot of guess work involved there as they haven't spoken to us. There are also some minor inaccuracies in respect of income - it will actually be more than what they are quoting per system per lifetime of the scheme but they have forgotten to take into account that the FIT payment is index linked.

What I can clear up for them is that at the end of the scheme, if the homeowner doesn't want to keep the system we simply remove it free of charge and will therefore be responsible for the recycling of them.

Sarah - ASG

savemoney

Sarah as you are a rep you might be wise to get permission to post see rule below

As I applied some time ago for ASG which at the time you didnt state how far you will go is there a chance you will expand the area like North Yorks?

PS I saw Look North gave you a plug last month




MSE TEAM PERMISSION: TV COMPANIES/ NEWSPAPERS/ RESEARCHERS

Any TV company, newspaper or researcher that wants to use the boards to ask for case studies needs to specifically have permission. We need to know in order to legitimise it. If approved there will be a note from the MSE team. If you see one without a note please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL] with a link to the post. Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert.

savemoney

I cant seem to find anyone else does what you do either given you only do a very small area of the country you obviously must make a profit from it abet over a long time wonder why know one else has jumped into this too

SarahLucyD

Savemoney - when I started posting on this thread it was simply because our company was in danger of being defamed. I reported some of the very early posts for being on the verge of defamation, the moderators read my own posts and emailed me to say that they thought I was doing a good enough job on my own and did I want them to remove the posts or did I think it better that I continued as I was doing - i.e. being totally transparent and telling it how it is. I said that I would continue posting as it was giving a more balanced view. I've continued to post and there's been no complaints as yet.

PS - we have no plans to go any further north than we are doing.

Sarah - ASG