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Official MSE Free Solar Panel guide discussion

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  • andyuk1
    andyuk1 Posts: 14 Forumite
    Hi all,

    Been thinking about Solar for a while now so answered a Facebook Advert. I was passed on to a Company called 'Energy Gain'. Just wondered if anyone here has used them? I'm thinking of using finance to fund it as I don't have a spare £6000. I gave the salesman my total projected Electricity consumption from my Bill, and was very surprised with the savings promised.

    Andy
  • zeupater
    zeupater Posts: 5,389 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    andyuk1 wrote: »
    Hi all,

    Been thinking about Solar for a while now so answered a Facebook Advert. I was passed on to a Company called 'Energy Gain'. Just wondered if anyone here has used them? I'm thinking of using finance to fund it as I don't have a spare £6000. I gave the salesman my total projected Electricity consumption from my Bill, and was very surprised with the savings promised.

    Andy
    Hi Andy

    As this is a thread specifically for 'free' systems (aka 'Rent-a-Roof') your post may be missed ... The majority of people with pv experience tend to post on the 'Green & Ethical' board on this site ... you'll find that there's a Q&A thread there which you will be able to check whether the salesman was giving realistic information ... have a look through the Q&A and the board in general then, if necessary, open a thread to discuss what you're looking to achieve, there's plenty of people with pv who will usually help steer you in the right direction ...

    HTH
    Z
    "We are what we repeatedly do, excellence then is not an act, but a habit. " ...... Aristotle
    B)
  • Had a survey done today through Solar Funding Incentive ... quoted £9k for an 11 x 285w panel system ... no upfront costs and no 'roof rental' ... seems v expensive for a small SE/SW facing semi but wonder how much is tied up in the financing ? ... we seem to get the FITS and Export tariffs and use 'refund + savings' to pay back the financing with overpayments of £400 in year 1 reducing to £0 in year 5 ...

    Anyone had anything thing similar form anyone else ?
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,060 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    jont-uk wrote: »
    Had a survey done today through Solar Funding Incentive ... quoted £9k for an 11 x 285w panel system ... no upfront costs and no 'roof rental' ... seems v expensive for a small SE/SW facing semi but wonder how much is tied up in the financing ? ... we seem to get the FITS and Export tariffs and use 'refund + savings' to pay back the financing with overpayments of £400 in year 1 reducing to £0 in year 5 ...

    Anyone had anything thing similar form anyone else ?


    Welcome to the forum.


    As said above you will be better off posting in the 'Green and Ethical' section of MSE.


    At £9k it would appear you are being charged about double the going rate; and doubtless the claims of savings have been exaggerated.


    Also, yes, we have loads of people reporting similar dodgy deals.
  • I've had my FREE solar panels installed for over a year now and personally don't see the benefits and technically we pay £1.10p per day for the benefit of having them on our roof. So on top of our normal dual fuel bill we also have a monthly payment which almost doubles our summer bill. When we were given the spiel by the salesman it all seemed normal and the charge was mentioned but glossed over pretty quickly. I now have no way of cancelling this extra monthly cost and will see no benefits unless I pay it off in full where I will then receive the FIT instead of it going to the grid. I can't really afford the extra monthly payment but see no way of getting out of this contract. :( :mad:
  • Martyn1981
    Martyn1981 Posts: 15,382 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Balderek wrote: »
    I've had my FREE solar panels installed for over a year now and personally don't see the benefits and technically we pay £1.10p per day for the benefit of having them on our roof. So on top of our normal dual fuel bill we also have a monthly payment which almost doubles our summer bill. When we were given the spiel by the salesman it all seemed normal and the charge was mentioned but glossed over pretty quickly. I now have no way of cancelling this extra monthly cost and will see no benefits unless I pay it off in full where I will then receive the FIT instead of it going to the grid. I can't really afford the extra monthly payment but see no way of getting out of this contract. :( :mad:

    Hi. What's the £1.10 for? That sounds horrendous.

    Mart.
    Mart. Cardiff. 8.72 kWp PV systems (2.12 SSW 4.6 ESE & 2.0 WNW). 20kWh battery storage. Two A2A units for cleaner heating. Two BEV's for cleaner driving.

    For general PV advice please see the PV FAQ thread on the Green & Ethical Board.
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Balderek wrote: »
    I've had my FREE solar panels installed for over a year now and personally don't see the benefits and technically we pay £1.10p per day for the benefit of having them on our roof. So on top of our normal dual fuel bill we also have a monthly payment which almost doubles our summer bill. When we were given the spiel by the salesman it all seemed normal and the charge was mentioned but glossed over pretty quickly. I now have no way of cancelling this extra monthly cost and will see no benefits unless I pay it off in full where I will then receive the FIT instead of it going to the grid. I can't really afford the extra monthly payment but see no way of getting out of this contract. :( :mad:
    https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5275469
  • I am thinking of having solar panels and have just had my first quote. The gentleman who called confirmed we have to have them on the front of our house. I have consulted an Estate Agent and they do not think it will detract from the value of our home but they also admitted they haven't really had a lot of houses for sale with them. Has anyone had any problems selling their house once they have had them or know anyone who has??? Thank you
    Thank you to everyone who has helped me MoneySave
  • i too feel mislead by this company Helms. I was visited by different persons who all assured me I wouldnt be out of pocket, just the opposite. I recall asking on more than one occasion,their assurance that I wouldn't have to pay anything on top of what I was paying, no was the answer. I recall, when left the first of a tidal wave of paperwork,asking why I was filling in a credit agrrement if there was nothing to pay?? Sadly, I can't remember the reply, but I know I must have felt comfortable to have gone ahead and signed it. Never, was it said I was buying these panels. I've had my first 3 month bill, and find Ive paid £84 green deal charges, I feel sick to see that figure. By the time I realised this charge it was too late, they had been installed for some months and I had gone past the point of no return. I read the paperwork before signing, but didnt take in the daily charge as mounting up as it did. I am taking this further, I have gathered all my paperwork and will go through it again. But I've a feeling I won't get anywhere, its my fault for not reading "CAREFULLY", but salesmen are very clever at taking you in at the start.
  • Does anyone have any experience of Dragon Energy Solutions?

    http://www.dragonenergysolutions.co.uk/free-domestic-solar/

    We are eligible to have 14 panels on the roof free for a 20 year lease and was wondering if anyone has used the company before and as we don't intend moving whether it is worth proceeding with it or is it more hassle than it's worth?

    I'd be genuinely interested in people's opinions.

    My dual fuel supplier is EDF and the electricity element of our monthly bill is currently around £48 so not sure there will be much to save anyway!

    Thanks
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