Free solar panel feedback discussion: HomeSun

HomeSun_company_representative

We listened to consumer feedback groups who requested the buyout option and so we knew it was important to offer it. The price for buying out of the contract comes down year-on-year.

Best wishes,

Tanya

bearcub

HomeSun_company_representative wrote: »

We listened to consumer feedback groups who requested the buyout option and so we knew it was important to offer it. The price for buying out of the contract comes down year-on-year.

Best wishes,

Tanya

I know, but that's not the issue. The issue is that Homesun expect us to pay the money up front BEFORE they agree the date, or that they will do it at all. Given the many reports on here that Homesun seem to be finding it almost impossible to keep to dates for installation, or even turn up at all, I hold out very little hope that, once they have our money in their hands, that they'll turn up. Hence doing everything via a solicitor.

HomeSun_company_representative

babynurse wrote: »

Thanks, DoctorBanzai. I now wouldn't want to have Homesun panels even if they did change their mind. Today I managed to get the 'survey report' sent to me and it clearly records our roof as having no problems. When I got back to them with this they got someone from the surveying company (Mark Group) to phone me (even though I said my issues were with them and I didn't want to speak to anyone else) to say our roof wasn't stong enough. This was no surprise as I'd already concluded they were doing everything to cover their backs and I no longer trust them. I now see from previous correspondents that Homesun have used this 'second survey' ploy before. Seems to me they only want easy installations and as a deadline (such as the feed-in tariff change) approaches they look for excuses to not fit to awkward sites (my house is built on a slope and has bay window, both details recorded on the report). I will indeed share my complaints around. Thanks.

Dear babynurse,

I’m sorry that you feel that we have provided you with excuses not to install on your property however we assure you, that is not the case.

The reason why we asked the surveyors to contact you is because you were adamant that your roof does not require a structural survey despite being advised to you by HomeSun on more the several occasions why your roofs requires a structural survey, therefore we felt who else would be better to explain the technicalities other than the surveyors themselves. HomeSun will not override this decision and instruct the installers to continue to install as it would be irresponsible of us to do this as our main concern is the safety of the occupants of the home. In the unlikely event HomeSun did instruct the installers to continue, the installers own Health and Safety policy would not allow installing until the structural survey is carried out. We would have no objection in carrying out the structural survey however time is limited and we will not be able to complete this and have you installed before the deadline, hence why we cannot proceed.

Once again, despite HomeSun explaining to you why a structural survey is required we had no choice but to ask our surveyors to help you understand the reason why your property requires a structural survey. It is evident from the pictures taken by the surveyor, which have been sent to you, that there is no significant purlin running across the roof between the rafters therefore spreading the weight requires a structural survey.

Please note that the solar array on its own in total weighs about 300Kg’s, this doesn’t taken in to account the wind uplift and also the wind pushing the panels down and in winter the dead weight of snow.

Although the surveyor advised you at the time of the survey that there appears to be no issues with your roof, you were explained that that your roof did not come under any of the options given on the survey report and the surveyor would not have known by looking and measuring the roof that it would not pass the dead load calculation.

We apologise that you have experienced anything less than complete satisfaction. In closing, I hope this information clarifies our position however should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us on 0844 824 0000.

Kind regards,

Tanya

HomeSun_company_representative

bearcub wrote: »

I know, but that's not the issue. The issue is that Homesun expect us to pay the money up front BEFORE they agree the date, or that they will do it at all. Given the many reports on here that Homesun seem to be finding it almost impossible to keep to dates for installation, or even turn up at all, I hold out very little hope that, once they have our money in their hands, that they'll turn up. Hence doing everything via a solicitor.

Hi bearcub,

If money is paid then it would become our legal obligation to offer the service i.e. to remove the panels or install the panels, or any other service a customer pays for. The reason why we cannot offer a date from the onset is because it would be our subcontractor who will be carrying out the work and unfortunately we do not have access to their availability slots.

Regards,

Tanya

bearcub

HomeSun_company_representative wrote: »

Hi bearcub,

The reason why we cannot offer a date from the onset is because it would be our subcontractor who will be carrying out the work and unfortunately we do not have access to their availability slots

Right, so when installing panels you can't set dates because of your contractors. Seems a really bad arrangement you have there. No wonder people are so cheesed off with Homesun! (I'm really pleased that our double glazing installers don't work that way.) But the lease states, in the case of removal of panels, that the householder has to give a date for removal, not Homesun or your contractors. THAT is a legal obligation, I'd say. So, how would that work then, if Homesun can't guarantee a date?

HomeSun_company_representative

bearcub wrote: »

Right, so when installing panels you can't set dates because of your contractors. Seems a really bad arrangement you have there. No wonder people are so cheesed off with Homesun! (I'm really pleased that our double glazing installers don't work that way.) But the lease states, in the case of removal of panels, that the householder has to give a date for removal, not Homesun or your contractors. THAT is a legal obligation, I'd say. So, how would that work then, if Homesun can't guarantee a date?

Hi bearcub,

I think there is some sort of confusion here and I have some what got confused too. However I have just read your recent posts again. To put this confusion away, you would like the panels removed. To do this you will have to break the contract which means that you will have to buy out of the Lease.

If the Lease is to be determined this must be done so in accordance to the terms of the Lease documentation. Namely, Clauses 2.5, 2.7 and 11. The Landlord must provide no less than three months and no more than six months written notice which should specify a Break Date on which the Lease will determine.

Payment of the PV System Purchase price must also be paid on the same date of notice. The Tenant – HomeSun is under obligation to notify its FIT Licensee of the transfer of ownership of the panels from the Tenant to the Landlord (Homeowner) within 14 days of the Lease ending.

The panels will not be removed from the property by HomeSun as they will now be owned by the Landlord (The Homeowner) who will also have benefit of all the solar energy produced by the PV Solar System. At the time the contract has ended the Homeowner can remove the system at their own accord as HomeSun will have no involvement as the contract between us and the Homeowner would have ended at this stage.

The contractors who carry out the initial installation are therefore not required as the panels will remain on the Landlords (Homeowner) property as they become the property of the Landlord (Homeowner).

I hope this clarifies the matter fully.

Regards,

Tanya

bearcub

Thank you, Tanya, for a very clear explanation. The confusion happened because, when the previous householder asked what would happen if they requested the panels to be removed, he was just told it would cost him the installation price of the panels. I hasten to add, that I was present when he phoned your company, so he didn't make a mistake about what was said. I did think it was a bit much, when the panels would have had a couple of years use. So, that's the way we'll probably go then, and hopefully pretty soon.

You know, Tanya, you're wasted. I'm sure there's a really good company out there who could use your undoubted communication skills! Thanks again.

RAY70B

Hi
I have signed up for this Homesun pv panals sins the middle of November 2011 and still had not had them installed. I have phoned them a few times in the last two weeks to find out when they would be installed and they have said they would e-mail them but had no phone call back. I had a letter from them yesterday (01/02/2012) that they will not be able to be installed before this date. So I have been looking around and found a company that is still installing after this date.
But I will have to cancel this lease from this so called company HOMESUN.
I was told that the lease is not legel until the panals have been installed.
So Tanya if you read this threed I would like to cancel this contract.

HomeSun_company_representative

Would you please email in to [EMAIL="customerservices@homesun.com"]customerservices@homesun.com[/EMAIL] with MSE in the email subject box.

Best wishes,

Tanya

Kernewek_2

Good Evening

I seem to have a new slant on the problems with HomeSun.

In December 2010 I registered with them for the installation of Free Panelson my Roof, which faces, nearly South.

The surveyor did his job and eventually I was sent a contract the said as myroof did not face in the 'perfect direction I would have to pay £500 and £5 permonth if I wished to have a system installed. In early 2011 I told then that I wasnot interested in their system if I had to pay.

I them completely forgot they existed until I returned home to day to findmy next door neighbour, whose roof is at right angles to mine and my neighbouracross the road whose roof is aligned exactly as mine is, were having panelsinstalled.

I spoke to the nice Irish contractors who said it was a Government job and Ineeded to register. I then spoke to my next door neighbour who said that it wasbeing done by HomeSun.

I asked when she asked for it to be done and she said earlier in 2011 about9 or 10 months ago. I asked if it was totaklly FREE and explained why I had notgot panels on my roof in late 2010/early 2011.

She sauid she was paying no up front £500 nor a £5 per month charge. I saidI wasw amazed as her alignment was way out and mine was quite close to Southfacing.

She confirmed it was a FREE installation and that she had been approached bysomeone, presumably, HomeSun to ask if she wanted it installed.

I was gobsmacked to say the least as HomeSun had not contacted me.

I visited their site to register and received an email saying that therewere no FREE installations now.

I emailed back to say that I was not interested in a PAID system. I thenchecked with my neighbour again and emailed HomeSun a second time to ask forsomeone to contact me. Both emails were quickly replied to and I got a returnphone call.

I was told most emphatically that I could not have a FREE installation asthe 3 March deadline had passed. I said that I had previously registered aninterest. I was told that as I had refused their contract no-one had contactedme.

Quite rightly they refused to discuss my neighbour’s contract with me butthat didn't matter as my neighbour was most happy to show me the contract.There was no £500 and no £5 per month.

A 30 second check of the internet found this forum and ‘sadly’ I have nowread all the posts.

I got back into my house to find a missed call from HomeSun and would I ringthem on their 0844 number. The office was closed so I emailed them to contactme about the matter.

My question now, having read the forum is,;

If they do offer me a FREE installation is it worth it or should I justforget them totally?

I have emailed Krish PATEL and I suspect it is that person that wants tospeak to me. Maybe he/she will read this post before we speak – Tomorrow????

Any thoughts most welcome.

Kernewek