Solar Panel Maintenance

flatcat

I was a bit loathe to mention the company that installed our system but I don't think it's libelous since it is true.

The company is (or should I say was) Solar Plus UK Ltd. We checked on Companies House and they have gone into liquidation so this puts us in a difficult position.

spgsc531

flatcat wrote: »

I was a bit loathe to mention the company that installed our system but I don't think it's libelous since it is true.

The company is (or should I say was) Solar Plus UK Ltd. We checked on Companies House and they have gone into liquidation so this puts us in a difficult position.

If they are not trading yet tried to charge you £300 for call out, isn't that a matter for the police? or at least trading standards?

zeupater

flatcat wrote: »

I was a bit loathe to mention the company that installed our system but I don't think it's libelous since it is true.

The company is (or should I say was) Solar Plus UK Ltd. We checked on Companies House and they have gone into liquidation so this puts us in a difficult position.

Hi

Check your paperwork for REAL membership ..... http://www.realassurance.org.uk/scheme/consumer-code#tag8.1

"The guarantee must be valid for a minimum of two years, and be transferable to the new owner in the event that the consumer moves home. This guarantee should be in line with any conditions set out in the relevant MCS installer standards. In the event that the installer falls into receivership, administration, or bankruptcy during the term of the installer's guarantee, members must have arrangements in place to ensure that the guarantee will be honoured. Such arrangements can include an insurance-backed workmanship warranty or a bond, for example. The scheme administrator has arranged an insurance scheme with QANW for this purpose. It is part of the Deposit and Workmanship Warranty Insurance (DAWWI) Scheme. (See also section 6.3 of the Code.) Members who cannot demonstrate that they have equivalent arrangements in place should use the DAWWI Scheme."


There seem to be 3 REAL membership entries trading under names similar to the one mentioned, so hope that your installers are/were members .... http://www.realassurance.org.uk/scheme/members/all/43

HTH
Z

flatcat

Believe me this story is getting much worse. I had an argument today with a Solar Plus manager. He was trying to warn me that using another guy to look at our system would invalidate the warranty.
I asked him about the liquidation and he said that they did it voluntarily, all bills were paid up etc. so that some dying director could get access to money quicker. He admitted that they were actually Solar Plus Services Ltd now.
My main point is that we signed a contract with a company that has gone into liquidation - where does that put us. Are they really honouring the original contract or treating us as cash cows?
Their customer services stink so I cannot advise anyone to go near them. Be warned.

grahamc2003

flatcat wrote: »

Believe me this story is getting much worse. I had an argument today with a Solar Plus manager. He was trying to warn me that using another guy to look at our system would invalidate the warranty.
I asked him about the liquidation and he said that they did it voluntarily, all bills were paid up etc. so that some dying director could get access to money quicker. He admitted that they were actually Solar Plus Services Ltd now.
My main point is that we signed a contract with a company that has gone into liquidation - where does that put us. Are they really honouring the original contract or treating us as cash cows?
Their customer services stink so I cannot advise anyone to go near them. Be warned.

The government tried to stop solar being the new double glazing by introducing many controls and registrations for anyone involved in it. It looks like they didn't (or couldn't) cover for the disappearing company trick. Run a company for a year or so, rake in the cash, don't pay all bills (and I bet 100/1 that the Inland Revenue's bills haven't been paid by the company), give out guarantees like confetti, basically run up lots of obligations, then simply close the company, and pay £50 for another the same day and carry on as normal with a clean sheet. Obviously, all guarantees are then worthless, and if anyone rings up, then you can charge through the new company to fix it, with work which is guaranteed (but again effectrively worthless) of course!.

Looks to me like the government should be stopping this remaining racket, like making directors responsible for guarantees rather than the company (easier said than done, but I'm sure something could be done to stop this remaining money spinner for thieves).

Cardew

flatcat wrote: »

Believe me this story is getting much worse. I had an argument today with a Solar Plus manager. He was trying to warn me that using another guy to look at our system would invalidate the warranty.
I asked him about the liquidation and he said that they did it voluntarily, all bills were paid up etc. so that some dying director could get access to money quicker. He admitted that they were actually Solar Plus Services Ltd now.
My main point is that we signed a contract with a company that has gone into liquidation - where does that put us. Are they really honouring the original contract or treating us as cash cows?
Their customer services stink so I cannot advise anyone to go near them. Be warned.

As Graham states this has been standard practice particularly in the solar thermal 'industry' . There have been a couple of Watchdog type programmes on firms who have gone 'bust' two or three times, yet retained the same directors, same rented premises, same employees, vans etc and a slightly different name of the firm.

Even if the directors were banned from practicing as a director, they can get a figurehead.

A pal of mine some years ago paid huge money for damp course treatment. It had a 25 year insurance backed guarantee. The firm did exactly as above and it turned out that the insurance was useless - it depended on staged premiums being paid by the firm.

Fortunately all the indications are that solar PV is reliable technology.