Did you sign up for free solar panels? Feedback wanted

semsley_2

We had totally free panels installed by A Shade Greener on 11th April. We originally applied sometime last year but were told they were not currently operating in our area. However, in December they contacted us and things moved quite quickly from then. We had a survey, then an email about a surveyor doing a desk study and a date booked for the scaffolding and installation. We had a home visit prior to this when everything was explained and we signed up. Everything was very transparent, the representative advised that if we had the cash we would be better off buying the system, which they also sell (we knew but were not in that position although the ROI with the FITs is far better than having money in a savings account). A Shade Greener insure the panels and maintain them free of charge and at the end of the 25 years you have the option of keeping the panels and taking over the insurance and maintenance or the company will uninstall them, take them away and dispose of them free of charge. We are not naive, we know that the company will benefit from the FITs and the supply back to the grid but they are also the ones taking the risk for the long term gain.

The scaffolders came first thing in the morning on the designated day and it was up in no time. The installers arrived at 7.30 am on the 11th April followed by the electrician around 8.45. The whole installation was completed before lunch time with no problems whatsoever. As they like to leave the scaffolding up for a week (in case of any problems with the installation and the need for use of the scaffolding) and the fact that we were going away for eleven days over the bank holiday, the scaffolding was up for a quite a while but that was because they couldn't take it down when we were away as we had our second car down the drive blocking access.

The customer service we received from all the staff was exceptional. Up to yesterday from 11th April we have generated 466 KwH (appreciate that the weather, particularly just after installation, has been unseasonably sunny). Looking at our meter and energy monitor we have "saved" 281 KwH.

We are very satisfied and would recommend the company to anyone with a suitable property.

One other thing, we live on a small cul de sac and our neighbour opposite complained that the scaffolders van had cracked three of the paving stones on their drive when manoevouring, we gave them the number of the installation manager who arranged for their stones to be replaced.

A Shade Greener - excellent company.

Cardew

semsley wrote: »

Looking at our meter and energy monitor we have "saved" 281 KwH.

May I ask how you calculate the 'saved figure'?

Rachaels

Hi, I looked into the free panels, but was told that my roof is too west facing by 30 degrees to qualify for the scheme. I then enquired about purchasing panels via a site called Quotatis , who keep emailing me saying they can put me in touch with suppliers who cover my area (NE Derbyshire), I have been contacted by 2 companies who made appointments, but then the rep has cancelled on the day he should have come, saying he will get in touch to rearrange, but then never does. Starting to think it's because the company won't get the government money year after year.
Can anyone give me some advice because I'm at a loss as to how to get solar panels now!!!!!!

PeterZ_2

I think that MSE should invite someone from ASG to post on this thread.

Cardew

M4ximillion wrote: »

Well you keep going on about how people can only save between £50 - £100 a year. If you read ASG website ASG now have feedback from homeowners whove had their system for over a year now and the savings have been way over that and they can offer proof of it.

I couldn't find the proof on the ASG website about the monetary savings - could you please point me in the right direction.

vikwal

I had solar panels fitted last September by A Shade Greener, and had a similar experience to other posters on this topic - fab customer service, very professional and transparent.

Until last month, my elec/gas supplier was ScottishPower, who provide a personal account graph which shows 12 month elec usage compared to the previous 12 months. This visually showed our energy consumption had almost halved since having the panels fitted.

I am sure that some of the savings are because we dont waste as much elec now (my 3 kids no longer leave every light on upstairs!!), but there is no doubt in my mind that having these panels fitted was the right move for us.

Cardew

M4ximillion wrote: »

Cardew - the above is from their website - theyre inviting people to email them and they will put you in touch with people whove got free solar but i guess you darent email them because i know that you don't want to be proved wrong. Before i had my panels installed i spoke to quite a few people whod had a system from ASG thats why i knew that what you and your cronies were saying about free solar was just you lot scaremongering and spreading nonsense because you are just anti because you cant stand the fact that these companies are going to make money. I dont give a damn whilst ever Im saving money and there are lots of people like me because we're the ones who aren't loaded and need to make savings where we can

M4,
Yes I did read the website and nowhere could I find any mention of monetary savings( - may I remind you that you said there was proof)

I personally have always praised ASG as a company(albeit I don't like the principle that venture capitalists cream off subsidies that even the poorest in our society pay for in increased charges)

Last year there was exchange of posts between Sarah Dyson(a director of ASG) and several posters; and the subject of exaggerated claims of savings.

= Cardew
As said repeatedly, I have no criticism of your company at all and you have been remarkably up-front with the information you have given.

My contribution to this aspect of the debate is to counter the exaggerated claims(not by your firm) of potential savings.

Also to point out that a 25 year agreement with yourself will prevent someone installing their own Solar PV system and pocketing the major financial subsidies - FITs - should solar panels and installation costs for domestic customers reduce to more reasonable levels; and we are not held to ransom by an MCS cartel.

Sarah Dyson - Director ASG
Cardew - a very fair and balanced post, as usual. I particularly agree with your comments too about the MCS cartel. It is keeping the price of panels ridiculously high and will continue to do so.

Regards - Sarah ASG

Surely it is reasonable that people are given realistic estimates of potential savings? ASG themselves and WHICH do not exaggerate.

rogerblack

PeterZ wrote: »

I think that this should be posted on here as it relates directly to free solar panels:

http://www.ashadegreener.co.uk/news/#important

http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php - I've found is useful.
For example, for a 3.3Kw array in london, it estimates 2720KWh/year.

This is - coincidentally - about 30% over my current electricity use.
So, it's quite clear that for some people, it can be a very significant amount of
generation.

I certainly couldn't use all of that power internally without reimporting, as it's happening at the wrong times.
But could I half the amount of power I purchase - sure.

I'm not choosing to investigate this sort of scheme - as I hope that it will be practical in the future to directly export at the consumer price of electricity.

http://sunelec.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=261 - for example - is a panel that would cost around 4000 pounds for a 3.3Kw array. I can only see prices coming down.

pip207

Did you check the small print ? i thought it was totaly loaded in the favour of British Gas, you even have to pay them if you have a prob with your roof and it has to be repaired.

M4ximillion

Cardew wrote: »

M4,
Yes I did read the website and nowhere could I find any mention of monetary savings( - may I remind you that you said there was proof)

I personally have always praised ASG as a company(albeit I don't like the principle that venture capitalists cream off subsidies that even the poorest in our society pay for in increased charges)

Last year there was exchange of posts between Sarah Dyson(a director of ASG) and several posters; and the subject of exaggerated claims of savings.



Surely it is reasonable that people are given realistic estimates of potential savings? ASG themselves and WHICH do not exaggerate.

This site is a joke. As usual your posts stay on and mine get removed just because i had cut and pasted what was said on the ASG website - i wonder why? Guess they didnt want people to see it because it disputes what the anti free solar clan are saying on this site.

A fair few folk reckon you are part of the MSE team Cardew cause you can say whatever you like, you have been rude and bullying and actually tell lies about free solar but your comments stay on.

There are testimonials on the ASG website saying how much people have saved - video ones and written, also if you get in touch with ASG they will put you in touch with real people, just as they did me - but you don't want to do that do you Cardew? They wont put real names & addresses & phone numbers on site because they cant because of Data Protection. As a matter of proof, as I said my consumption is down from same time last year by 40%. That is WAY more than you say people will save. ALSO ASG never ever said how much i would save, they said it was entirely down to how well i managed my electric, and they were right by the way - it does take some managing, but i dont mind that.

Also, as a matter of fact i'm one of the poorest in society who will be paying for the subsidy, but then again i pay my taxes which subsidise everyone on benefits - we all subsidise to a certain extent and as i said before if there werent free solar there is no way on earth i would have been able to have Solar PV so not only would i have been subsidising the FiT scheme, i wouldnt have had my free leccy either - even more unfair and you know it but you cant bear to admit it.

Had you had the idea and the wherewithall to do it yourself and make bags of money you would have done the free solar too. I certainly would have.

Dont take the moral highground Cardew - youre just lying to yourself and everyone else if you do.

I guess this post will be removed too because its off topic but ALL yours are because this thread asked for feedback but its YOU so yours will stay on.