PV mounting damage/incorrect fix

[Deleted User]

We have a major problem with the mounting of pv panels onto our flat smooth pitched roof. They were mounted onto carriers with no fixings to the roof, the roof cannot have fixings into it. They were installed nov 2009 and we determined 10 days ago that the whole lot has moved a good 12 inches down the slope, coming to rest against a flue pipe. We had someone down, who said that there is no ballast

We have set wheels in motion ie contacting zurich, re the house guarantee and also the company with photos showing the squashed and moved mountings. The house builder since went bust and the pv co say they will do nothing until we get almost £3000 to them to pay for the builders shortfall. Zurich have not yet replied

Does anyone know what might be the next step as we were told by their young inspecting engineer that they should have had ballast to cope with the high winds we get here and also the roof stucture

I could do with some objective advice. They are a big well known company, supposed to be reputable

rogerblack

Who did you have install the panels?
Was this a new build?
What have the house builders got to do with anything?

WestonDave

Sounds to me like the house was built including solar panels, and therefore the OP had a contract with the house builder who in turn contracted the solar PV installer. If that's the case it complicates matters considerably because her direct recourse is to the builder with whom she had a contractual relationship, and not to the PV installer who only has a relationship with the now defunct builder. The fact that the PV installer didn't get paid by the builder probably also limits the chances of the PV co getting involved out of goodwill.

Where this goes from here probably depends on the extent to which the insurer (Zurich) is willing to cover defective workmanship since its pretty clear this isn't a storm related damage claim. If they aren't - which I would imagine is probably the case, then the question is whether its better to go to a different PV installer to sort the problem out for £X rather than pay the original company who got it wrong £X+£3k to sort it out.

Would be interested to see the set up - sounds very complicated.

rogerblack

WestonDave wrote: »

The fact that the PV installer didn't get paid by the builder

Doesn't to qualify for the FIT require that the PV is paid for?

[Deleted User]

Thank you WD, you hit the nail on the head re the build, a purpose built eco house, standing on its own. Our neighbour has the same problem with the pv. He is following zurich as the movement caused a seal in the roof membrane to open, leaking rainwater down through the ceiling, he has not yet heard either. There is a 5 year goods and services warranty on the pv supplier site and I believe that warranty passes on with the property

RB, I have no intention of naming the supplier or builder

In the meantime I have found the REAL site and we will follow their recommended complaints procedure and if no joy then will report strongly to MCS as correct install is part of the requirement for MCS certification. There is also the artbitration process. I should not think that the solar co will want this to go public as we are in what was a well researched house

rogerblack

kittie wrote: »

TThere is a 5 year goods and services warranty on the pv supplier site and I believe that warranty passes on with the property
<snip>
In the meantime I have found the REAL site and we will follow their recommended complaints procedure and if no joy then will report strongly to MCS as correct install is part of the requirement for MCS certification. There is also the artbitration process. I should not think that the solar co will want this to go public as we are in what was a well researched house

Directly approaching the PV vendor may be problematic - as above mentioned - you have no direct commercial relationship with them.

It's also complex as you don't know what the PV company was specified to do.
If they were told 'fit PV panels on that roof' - fine - it's their fault.
If they were told 'fit PV panels, and we'll come along and fix them properly' - it's the builders fault.
If they installed to a faulty architects design, it's the architects fault.

You need to read the insurance carefully - and find out if you're covered for all of the above.

It could be a simple case of getting up on to the roof, pushing the panels up 12" and throwing a couple of sacks of rock into each ballast tray - if they are designed to have ballast.

But then the problem arises that doing this might damage the roof structure, or might cause it to slip further.

It's a potentially complex problem that you really want to offload onto the insurance company - as it could get expensive to fix - and the solar company may not have the skills to fix it.

scotsblood

kittie wrote: »

RB, I have no intention of naming the supplier or builder

Why not? If the house builder has ceased to trade and the original pv installer didn't do the job properly then not naming them simply allows other to keep thinking they are to quote you, "supposed to be reputable".

It is only by word of mouth, good or bad, that a reputation is formed.
Not passing on the information may cause another to suffer.

Having spent many hours researching our prospective installer, week after next fingers crossed, I will feel mighty miffed if I then find out his work on previous jobs wasn't up to scratch and people didn't speak up!

[Deleted User]

it is being sorted amicably, sorry scotsblood, our welfare has to come first and naming names will not help us at all. Job will be done very soon and dh and I know that we have a wealth of `clout` behind us as a safety net, so looks as though all will end well. Was a bit complicated but we are the innocent party and this is being taken into account

Thanks for any positive responses

scotsblood

Hi kittie, if not willing to actually tell us the names perhaps you can say which party actually is doing the 'sorting'?
Are the original pv installers doing the honorable thing and correcting their errors or has the recourse of Zurich been required.

What I'm afraid is absolutely certain is that just like every other form of pooled risk arrangement if the insurer ends up settling a claim we all end up paying.
If we have to reply on insurance policies to compensate for poor workmanship rather than weeding out by poor reputation those not worthy to receive our custom we must all get used to a reality where a significant portion of purchase prices or trades quotes will be the insurance premium, or our buildings policies will cost substantially more!

Where the blame lies and who eventually picks up the tab for rectification works are clearly two different things but nevertheless significant for all who may face similar problems.

[Deleted User]

Hi scotsblood, pv installers will put things right. We aren`t laying any blame as no physical harm done to persons, just anxiety. I think they realise their lack of judgement in not fully completing the installation. We will prob have to pay some contribution but it won`t be excessive. I can understand where they are coming from, not having been fully paid but it was a bad call and could potentially have had big consequences, lucky we spotted at this stage and I think they will be relieved at escaping what might have been. We won`t need to go with insurers, although they are willing to take on if we don`t get it sorted. There was never any point in kicking and screaming, just had to show that we knew what was wrong and that it should never have occurred wrt the various codes. Having said all that, it will be nice to get it out of my head at night

[Deleted User]

just an update, for the few who expressed an interest.The solar company would not fix the problem The system and damage has now been completely fixed via the insurance company, using various excellent contractors and not the pv company. We had to pay a fee upfront. We have taken the solar co to court and they admitted full liability and we have been awarded full settlement of any fees and payments, also loss of generation. They have a month to pay or will get a ccj

So a fantastic result and we now have a good secure system. I am so glad that dh kept all paperwork photos and e mails and was able to produce an excellent and coherent case

I still won`t name them btw, so don`t ask. They are members of this and that organisation and credited for installation for fit payments. The insurance co were superb and so was their surveyor and the building co they employed to supervise everything. They employed several sub contractors and we had scaffolding up for 3 months but the result was worth it