Discuss the free solar panel company: A Shade Greener

Nettie2377

Fitting went smoothly and all was well. Well until next door had her solar panel company fit netting to her panels, for free, to stop the pigeons. Now my hell has started! At least 5 nesting pigeons under the panels, a party on my roof 24 7 and the cooing is relentless!
Tried to ring a shade greener to see if they can fit the netting to my panels but only ever get through to an answer phone, I have left several messages and still no reply! My other neighbour, recently retired early after a triple bypass, is frustrated with me for not sorting out the very very noisy pigeon problem. However, as a single parent, I can't afford the £350 I have been quoted to have the job done myself. Besides, my other neighbours company did it for free!
Why can't I get through to a real life person at a shade greener? Maybe, as I'm out at work all day and therefore, not using my free electricity, they are happy to just ignore me and use me as a free landlord of their panels?
If you don't have this issue, I can only say that the constant cooing and squabbling of pigeons is extremely loud and constant.
if this company ever contact you, demand the netting to be put up as part of the initial contract or I assure you it will drive you insane and cause issues with you next door neighbour.
Very very unhappy about the lack of reply to my voice messages and the fact that the office seems to be closed.

Cardew

Pigeon problems discussed here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5617212

HafezAbdo

I leased my roof to A Shade Greener in 2014. They installed their solar panels. Initially they told me that they will only install the panels while I am in. I came from work and found the panels installed. They just install them in an odd way which makes my house looks odd. After their workmen have gone I noticed that they have caused some damages here and there. I had to call ASG to come back and fix the damage - I did not have a good experience with them at all.

Recently, I noticed that pigeons have nested between my roof and ASG panels. I guess this is a general problem that many people suffer from. However, this is a new experience to me but I would believe that ASG knew about such an issue, as they seem to have installed too many panels across the UK.
I emailed and telephoned ASG to discuss this issue with them. They only came back to me after I told them if they do not reply I will go to court. However, their reply was not satisfactory as they declined liability and responsibility. Rudely, ASG offered to install wire guard around their panels for a charge of £1,500.

My claim is based on the following points:
1- Their solar panels provided a shelter for birds to nest on my roof;
2-ASG is the main investor and they should be liable for any damages (and environmental damages) that may result from their investments; and
3- when installed the solar panles, ASG did not tell me about the possibility of birds and other animals living between roofs and solar panels, and never offered to install wire guard around their panels to stop birds from coming in between my roof and their panels.

Therefore, I see ASG is escaping from their responsibilities and are not conducting their business to a standard that meets UK standards.

The significant number of complaints I read about different aspects of ASG business activities across the UK confirms the default of this company. I am just wondering how long it will take before UK courts pick up on ASG. How much damage to homes and societies ASG would cause before they stopped.

I would not recommend ASG to anyone and would make a call on holding this company accountable for the damage they are causing to people and societies across the UK.

In terms of energy and money saving, you save very little by having other companies installing their panels on your roof, this is because solar panels generate electricity in summer where your electricity usage is at its minimal. However, they make the biggest share of profit. In my case, if ASG does not remove the birds and place a wire mesh guard around their panels I would make significant loss as a consequence of this investment. I would not recommend this type of investment to any one particularly if the company is ASG

lozjay

I am currently trying to buy a house with ASG solar panels fitted and I just wanted to post my experiences for anyone who thinks they may be experiencing the same thing.

Contrary to the bold claims on their website - There is a particular section in the lease that is not in line with CML Guidelines (perhaps as a result of the guidelines changing over the years, I'm not sure) As a result, our lender has deemed the property not suitable security
and so are not willing to lend against this particular property until either the lease is changed or the panels removed. The sticking point is that ASG only allow for removal of the panels 2 times during the 25 years lease whereas the CML guidelines state this should be unrestricted.

Hopefully when ASG are approached they agree to change the lease and don't drag their feet!

z.j.c

hey lozjay

I recently purchased a property with panels from ASG and had exactly the same issue.

How are you getting on? Im happy to talk to you about how I got them to agree to the changes if you require help?

There not the best to deal with.

Thanks
Z.J.C

Glevum_Owl

I think all of us with a '2 change ' contract would like to know how you managed to get that clause changed! Any chance of sharing in the forum, please?

BartyBoy

Hello all

I have my eyes on a house having the ASG solar panel system on the roof.

I have checked on the land registry, it says the system was leased from June 2015 for 25 years.

In terms of the legal bits, I take it I will be taking over the lease from the current owner. But what will happen if ASG goes bust one day, will I be liable to any debts that ASG used to buy and install the system?

Many thanks

Cardew

BartyBoy wrote: »

Hello all

I have my eyes on a house having the ASG solar panel system on the roof.

I have checked on the land registry, it says the system was leased from June 2015 for 25 years.

In terms of the legal bits, I take it I will be taking over the lease from the current owner. But what will happen if ASG goes bust one day, will I be liable to any debts that ASG used to buy and install the system?

Many thanks

ASG have a huge income stream from the subsidies claimed for many thousands of systems. Someone would buy the company from the creditors and continue to collect the subsidies.

z.j.c

I did manage to get my lease changed to allow an unlimited amount of removals instead of the two they stipulate.

In order to do this however I had to go to the top after many arguments and unsuccessful calls with ASG's "Legal Team"

After waiting 4 weeks for them to change the lease only to come back and say they wouldn't do it despite the fact they claim to comply with CML guidelines and after I posted them a copy of the guidelines to refresh their minds.

In the end and not wanting to lose the property I was purchasing I found the email for ASG's Managing Director and explained to him how difficult they were making it for me to purchase a property despite all their claims otherwise.

We exchanged a few emails and hey presto they changed the lease to comply with CML guidelines with unlimited removals and my mortgage company where happy.

Kinbobs

Hi I'm trying to sell my house and having huge problems with ASG not responding. When we agreed to have the panels installed we were told we would not have a problem selling our house? Maybe we wouldn't if they would help . Feel very let down by them.