Help with my 3 kw solar panel quote please

Julie-H_3

shafeeq wrote: »

Hi Julie

I requested the install to be ASP but again made it clear that I only want it if my house makes grade d or above for EPC. If I have to spend any money to make it Grade D then I will not go ahead.

Shafeeq

You should be fine then, as it will be in the contract that you signed. However you are still relying on their honesty to give you the deposit back if you are not insured.

EricMears

Julie-H wrote: »

You should be fine then, as it will be in the contract that you signed. However you are still relying on their honesty to give you the deposit back if you are not insured.

Rather than 'their honesty' , he should be relying upon agreed and carefully recorded terms of contact enforcable if necessary through the courts.

Julie-H_3

EricMears wrote: »

Rather than 'their honesty' , he should be relying upon agreed and carefully recorded terms of contact enforcable if necessary through the courts.

I agree thats why the insurance backed guarantee is compulsory - i am worried he isnt with a reputable company as the lack of insurance, EPC being done on the day of the installation, and all of it whilst he is still in his cooling off period, seems very unorthodox.

I dont know if the agreement about the EPC not reaching level D is written in his contract.

Martyn1981

Salim wrote: »

Yes sure my panels were Yingli 250watt, the biggest problem was trying to deal with Yingli, I had to deal with everything myself as the company who fitted my panels had disappeared. They have a shocking customer service and were not willing to help me.
The best advice I can give you apart from avoiding Yingli is to use an established company and not a newly registered company.

Salim, can I just clarify some things with you. Both of your posts seem to be knocking YingLi panels on the grounds of quality.

The above is not clear but also seems to suggest that YL are a newer company.

You were promoting Sunrise panels.

Now, I appreciate it was myself that introduced the YL panels to this thread, simply to give an example to Shafeeq of 'standard' size panels that produce in excess of 250W. This was to inform him that a larger install may be possible, budget dependent. I made every effort to explain that a range of makes should be available. 'He pays his money, he takes his chance.'

Also, I don't want to get into an argument about panel quality, since there are simply too many makes and models, and many peoples experience will differ.

However to criticise Yingli, one of the biggest, longest established, most respected chinese manufacturers, whose products are, to the best of my knowledge of a very good quality. Whilst praising Sunrise solar who are also chinese, but are a very young start up company and whose panels are of as yet unknown provenance, seems strange.

Also, aren't Sunrise panels cheaper than YL panels as they are still trying to muscle in on the market, whereas YL have been around for some time.

I think at this stage any strong opinions on panels should be taken with a very large pinch of salt. I for instance have 18 Sharp panels (made up of 2 different sizes), I have had no problems whatsoever during my first year. But I would not state their quality, or lack of, based on such a small sample size.

Mart.

Martyn1981

shafeeq wrote: »

Hi Julie

As I said I have made it perfectly clear about EPC, that if my house does not make the rating then I will not go ahead with they system.

Too be honest I will be tottally suprised (shocked) if it does not make grade d, but I am not sure what the requirement for grade d is. I have been assured that they have spoken to EPC person about my house and it should be fine.

Shafeeq

Shafeeq, bit of a catch 22 situation developing here regards EPC. If you get it done before the install, then it won't benefit from the PV contribution, but you don't want to have the install only to find that it doesn't reach a D!!!!!!

One suggestion would be to check locally for similar houses to yours that are up for sale, then take a look at the EPC's that they have received.

Also remember that you only get locked into the FIT rate once you submit the EPC, so if it fails to reach a D, but works can be done to improve your rating, you'll be able to do so, so long as you don't submit your FITs application with a lower EPC beforehand - mind you, why would you.

Personally, I'd check it out as best you can first, just in case. peace of mind etc. You can do an on-line one with the EST (Energy Saving Trust). Two small problems, when they say 'the results have been e-mailed to you', it actually takes a few days to arrive. Secondly, my 1930's semi-detached came out as a B with A potential. Now I've tried hard, loft insulation, wall insulation, low energy bulbs, DG, efficient boiler, TRV's and PV etc, but a B. Surely that can't be right?

Mart.

shafeeq

Hi Mart.

My next door has Solar panel installed around feb. this year, he must have made it to Grade D . I am not worried on that front. On post 18 I did say that one of the installer from this company I know him well. He knows my house and what's in it. He is the one I am dealing with. So he did say he has spoken to their EPC guy and my house shouldn't have a problem.

I was aware that you will be locked in to FIT rate after sending the EPC in . I am assuming by having a 3kwp Solar panel system will increase points toward grade D if there is an issue

Shafeeq

EricMears

shafeeq wrote: »

My next door has Solar panel installed around feb. this year, he must have made it to Grade D

Not necessarily. Surely that rule is a more recent introduction ?

shafeeq

Oppsss yes i forgot that, thanks

shafeeq

Hi

Bit of update.

Slow going, today they manage to do 3 rails, 1 more to go which will be done tomorrow. Two guys working, they are taking their times, due to being rosemary tiles, they lifting the tiles doing bolts, cutting the tiles, then they do the flashing then puting the tile back.

Hopefully should have panels up tomorrow.

Shafeeq

Julie-H_3

Sounds like you managed to get your EPC cert OK today - what rating did you finally get?
Really pleased for you - as having gone through so much research, through this forum (which we have all followed and appreciated the advice), you appeared to chose a company that didnt do anything by the book - where i think we were all worried for you.
Thankfully your experience looks like it will lead to a happy ending.