Solar panels - Deborah Meaden

Lokolo

Nu-LightLED wrote: »

I can't believe my post on over inflated prices has been removed, must have upset someone.

Please people be very careful when you choose solar PV, Free installs are not all what they seem.

Yes you get a free solar PV kit on your roof, but because it is not owned by you all you are doing is renting your roofspace for a cut of the energy generated. This usaully is around 10-20% MAX, the company selling the system gets the rest tax free.

Its a scam, there will be grants available from next August from the government if the proposal gets through parliment. Every household will be eligable for up to £10,000 towrads solar PV and LED lighting. Thats why there is a big rush to sign people up now before the market gets competetive.

My company has researched solar PV, we can install an MCS approved 2.2kw system for half the price these companies are charging, the average profit margins for an installed system is at least 100% at the moment. We only put our standard mark up on Energy saving products we manufacture, my company has a non greed policy ALL of our products are fairly priced compared to other green technology companies.

Your post was removed because it is touting for business, which is against forum rules. And posts will be continued to be removed.

Discussion is fine, as long as no "my company can do this".

edinburgher

Thank you for the feedback, i am not actually touting for business. I am just trying to warn people of the dangers in the energy saving market.

We have a policy of fair pricing because we know the actual manufacturing cost of solar PV and LED lighting and we are aware of the high markups other companies are using.

Sorry, but I don't agree. Almost every single post you've made screams 'I'm trying to get business'.

If you were posting on this forum as an anonymous member of the public saying something along the lines of 'my firm believes that other firms in the UK charge too much' as a general concern, this would be fine.

But you're not - firstly, you've clearly identified your business (touting for business), you're complaining about the competitors (touting for business) and you've named at least one prominent individual/firm who didn't opt to do business with you (not touting for business, but very unprofessional and far too much information).

I suggest you review how you operate your business as regards social media interaction - you're not really giving a very good impression at the moment.

Edit: Also, lines such as:

our policy of fair pricing has already caused a stir in the LED market.

sound like prime business BS - something straight off a promotional flyer

edinburgher

I don't agree, obviously you own some sort of green company

What - so because I highlight how laughably bad someone's marketing spiel is, I'm suddenly a competitor?

I'm a civil servant, have never worked in a green company in my life. The nearest I get to green working is being sent an email once a quarter reminding me to turn off my computer at night :rotfl:

Shall i reveal the actual cost of a 2.2kw system then you can compare this price with what the solar PV companies are charging then you can make your own mind up.

Sorry - but why the heck should I give you yet another opportunity to vomit out some more free marketing for your company? If I want to find out costs for comparable systems I will do some research. This is my problem with your entire approach - you're a company (seeking to make a profit like any other), but you're veiling it under this touchy feely 'I'm a friend of the consumer' nonsense.

I am i big campaigner for fair pricing and high quality and thats why i cringe at the thought of any consumer paying over the odds for technology that is relativly cheap to manufacture.

You sound like a total shill.

I suspect if the other Directors of your company knew you were making them look this stupid, they would be less than pleased. Please - quit while you're behind.

Academic

Nu-LightLED wrote: »

Shall i reveal the actual cost of a 2.2kw system then you can compare this price with what the solar PV companies are charging then you can make your own mind up.

I am i big campaigner for fair pricing and high quality and thats why i cringe at the thought of any consumer paying over the odds for technology that is relativly cheap to manufacture.

OK I'll bite.........reveal the actual cost of a 2.2kw system (and give details of the panels you would use, etc.).

Whilst you are at it give us a 'quote' for what your company would charge to install such a system on a residential property.

edinburgher

You must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed today or you just hate the fact that i am a director trying to give valuable information so comsumers can choose for themselves and know what to look for. Mind you all civil servants are grumpy at the moment as they have to pay extra pension money so us taxpayers don't foot the bill in the future.

I'm not at all grumpy - no problem whatsoever with extra contributions being taken if it will make for a more sustainable future for both civil servants and UK taxpayers (including civil servants!) As it doesn't look like these increased contributions will be ringfenced, I doubt any amount of increases will solve the problem but hey ho, that's by the by as regards this thread.

Also it looks like you are a resident on here and i'm a newbie, well bully all you like i am going nowhere i will continue to post on here with fair comments about green technology

I'm not bullying you at all (although it looks like you're trying to start an argument with your comments about pensions). I object to someone with a massive vested interest (i.e. you trying to sell your products, services and expertise) posting in a manner that disparages the competitors without them having the ability to reply.

As for your pension, well done Mr Cameron its about time the civil service paid their way.

Not sure how this relates to the points being made? Amusingly enough, I did give you the fact that I'm a civil servant as a rope with which to hang yourself - congratulations, you now look like an even bigger berk than you did before

thenudeone

There's a large number of threads on the topic of solar panels here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=100

So I suggest everyone looks there before posting any more questions, because it will almost certainly have been answered already.

To quickly answer some points raised:
-Yes. 10% return is quite possible in the right circumstances but there is 0% chance of getting the capital back in cash. Only when the house is sold will any extra value be realised.
-At current energy prices, panels are only viable with the government-backed 25-year Feed-In Tariff. Without that tariff, they would provide an extremely poor return. As energy prices rise though, they will become more attractive.
-The tariff might be closed or scaled back for new applicants in future, but industry "experts" think it very unlikely to be withdrawn for existing recipients (The government would then be accused of mis-selling)
-DIY is not an option because one of the FIT conditions is that installers and equipment are certified.
-"Free" (Rent-a-roof) installations are possible (the installing company gets the FIT payment whilst the householder gets the much much smaller benefit of some free electricity) but unless you are planning to stay in your house for decades, the messy legal situation it creates when the house is sold makes it unattractive.

almondsalty

There's a calculator on the business website for the company on Dragon's Den, it's pretty useful and bases returns on panel size and assumes a 25 year return.

edinburgher

Ok lets start again, i apologise for the civil service comments i am sure you do a good value for money job in your certain field.

I'm not sure about that, but it's kind of you to say so

I will not tout my company on here as it was not my intention to do so in the first place but if asked a specific question by any member i will try and answerr honestly to my best knowledge.

I will try and act resposably while trying to give valuable information to consumers.

That's all I asked. It would certainly help if you responded to queries, discussed technologies etc. as an individual (as opposed to a representative of your company). Starting a new profile might be an idea, as it's very hard to avoid accusations of vested interests etc. when you appear to be selling a service/product (even if that wasn't your intention).

Still, this is probably the longest a thread about Deborah Meaden has ever been on the front page of the forum :rotfl:

jennifernil

I would be interested, we are about to start getting quotes. I have sent you a PM.

darkpool

going slightly off topic

!!!!!!! deborah has her own website dedicated to herself! how much of an ego must you have to do that.

anyone else think that new dragon looks like a man in drag?