Free solar panel discussion

liquidity_2

Jon_Tiffany wrote: »

There's nothing clever about a 2 string setup, pretty standard stuff.

100% efficiency:eek: Now that is something special! I would be quickly showing them the door at this point.

Indeed - they failed to make the grade on a number of points:

• all over the shop about shading - first said it would not be a problem at all, then sucked his teeth and said it might be a slight problem but that it would make little difference and then said their magical inverter would ensure 100 efficiency regardless of shading or orientation!
• unwilling to provide an itemised quote
• unwill to indicate where their very high kWh/year figure comes from other than stating "It's what the government tells us it will be"
• made me a "if you sign today I might be able to get you a discount" offer and "let me phone my manager to see if we can do you a special deal"
• 35% more expensive than other quotes

Pincher

liquidity wrote: »

What I've found is that different companies quote wildly different figures for the annual output of a 4 kWp system. The figures went from a high of 4620 kWh/year to a low of 3300 kWh/year. I suspect this has much more to do with marketing than efficiency. The company quoting 4620 claimed to have a particularly clever "2 string" inverter that had the panels connected in two banks. When one bank was shaded the other bank would pick up the slack so that I would always see 100% efficiency from the installation. Amazing.

I seem to remember seeing an example of this two bank arrangement, it was meant for East-west roofs: bank A is on the East roof, and bank B is on the West roof.

You can only put 24m2 on the south facing roof, not on the north side at all. But if the same house faces East-West instead, you can put 48m2 on the whole roof.

It makes sense for the eco-warrior for whom money is no object.
If I won the lottery, I'll blow it on solar panel? Nah!

Gizmosmum_2

liquidity wrote: »

Indeed - they failed to make the grade on a number of points:

• all over the shop about shading - first said it would not be a problem at all, then sucked his teeth and said it might be a slight problem but that it would make little difference and then said their magical inverter would ensure 100 efficiency regardless of shading or orientation!
• unwilling to provide an itemised quote
• unwill to indicate where their very high kWh/year figure comes from other than stating "It's what the government tells us it will be"
• made me a "if you sign today I might be able to get you a discount" offer and "let me phone my manager to see if we can do you a special deal"
• 35% more expensive than other quotes

These guys are in breach of REAL Assurance guidelines which say they have to provide an itemised quote, the most they can offer discount is £200 and they're not really supposed to do that. They should tell you where the kwh's are from.

I thought that MCS installers had to sign up to the REAL Assurance code of practice ..... does anyone know?? Sounds to me like poor training. If the company is registered with REA Assurance then I'd be having a word with them..

liquidity_2

Gizmosmum wrote: »

If the company is registered with REA Assurance then I'd be having a word with them..

They are indeed REAL registered - will ask them about this when they next contact me.

Cardew

liquidity wrote: »

Indeed - they failed to make the grade on a number of points:

• made me a "if you sign today I might be able to get you a discount" offer and "let me phone my manager to see if we can do you a special deal"
• 35% more expensive than other quotes

That was standard procedure for selling solar thermal systems - loads of 'watchdog' type programmes about that selling technique, and hundreds of complaints to Trading Standards offices.

I thought with PV it would be different!!!

Pincher

Cardew wrote: »

That was standard procedure for selling solar thermal systems - loads of 'watchdog' type programmes about that selling technique, and hundreds of complaints to Trading Standards offices.

I thought with PV it would be different!!!

Anglian is now doing both PV and thermal.
It says "new" on there website.
Here we go again.

It seems that the BBC keeps a close eye on MSE, as Working Lunch used to break stories from MSE.

Personally, I think they should do a Rogue Trader feature on solar sales, if they haven't already.

Gizmosmum_2

Pincher wrote: »

Anglian is now doing both PV and thermal.
It says "new" on there website.
Here we go again.

It seems that the BBC keeps a close eye on MSE, as Working Lunch used to break stories from MSE.

Personally, I think they should do a Rogue Trader feature on solar sales, if they haven't already.

We need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater though. They aren't all bad.

Cardew

Gizmosmum wrote: »

We need to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater though. They aren't all bad.

Unfortunately solar thermal firms have a dreadful reputation which is well justified in many cases. Outrageous claims for savings, prices inflated beyond belief etc. They have been subject to a number of 'Rogue Trader' type shows and ask any Trading Standards office about the complaints and prosecutions.

Unless the regulatory body uses its teeth for any similar tactics with solar PV it is likely to go the same way.

What would the average punter know about kWp, kW and annual output in kWh, inverters etc? All he reads in the paper is that it is a sure fire winner!

Gizmosmum_2

Yeah I know about the reputation of some solar thermal firms 8k systems etc etc. but I've worked with a lot of really good solar thermal firms and suppliers too and they suffer from the bad press as much as the "bad" guys.

Maybe we should just quietly shoot the bad guys at dawn and leave the good guys to get on with their work. :j

Elainemary

albo1960 wrote: »

Fantastic posts on this forum explaining what is clearly a complicated new system and process - as a newbie I really appreciate the time everyone has taken

I am considering installing my own system (ie not taking advantage of the "free" offer) but I have seen precious few mentions/recommendations of reliable companies to use. (I recall British Eco getting a good mention by someone.) Furthermore, this is clearly a massive growth area (evidence = Tescos getting involved!) so there must be an element of market competition going on - some of those posting have mentioned the high profit margins for the installers - is there any evidence of companies offering competitive pricing for systems?

Can anyone recommend any good, reliable, value for money companies operationg in North London that it would be worth me approaching for an initial discussion?

Thanks in advance

Albo

Hi there ALBO1960. I've already asked this question regarding SW London and have yet to find a reply. Hope you have better luck than me