Official MSE Free Solar Panel guide discussion

PaulineJS

I was contacted by the energy saving trust Sat about solar panels said I was eligible for the feed in tariff and that I wouldn't have to pay anything up front for them - I said I couldn't afford to buy and would want the free panels option where the installers keep the FIT (I had read your guide), they arranged for a company to come and see me today - they were Solar Studio not A Shade Greener. When they came today they said the panels wouldn't be free I would get all the electricity generated towards my energy bills but I would have to take out a loan with them (arranged through Tesco Finance) to pay for the panels. For 14 panels they were charging £13,400 and it would cost £181 per month (loan period 7 years), they said the electricity would cover most of this and I'd have to pay the difference (about £20 p.m.). Since I'd been referred to them by the Energy Trust this was not at all what I was expecting after reading about A Shade Greener on your site and that they keep the FIT. The costs sounded very high to me since most people I know have paid between £6K-£8K, and I also have an Equity Release loan which requires me to ask permission for any structural work. The manager of the company got back to me when he heard this and said it wasn't necessary to inform them and also offer without the loan for £8+K instead of £13K! I'd already told him I had no money left in my budget to pay. I was also pressurised to give an answer in 2/3 days. I've decided against already, just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience.

Martyn1981

PaulineJS wrote: »

I was contacted by the energy saving trust Sat about solar panels said I was eligible for the feed in tariff and that I wouldn't have to pay anything up front for them

That price is a joke, as you spotted. A good target price is now £5k for 4kWp.

It might be worth you contacting the Energy Saving Trust (official body) as I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have contacted you. Do you have some sort permission where they let you know about 'stuff'? Or could the company contacting you have used a similar name in order to mislead you?

Mart.

Davesnave

Martyn1981 wrote: »

That price is a joke, as you spotted. A good traget price is now £5k for 4kWp.

It might be worth you contacting the Energy Saving Trust (official body) as I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have contacted you.

Mart.

Yes, there are organisations with names close to that of the Energy Saving Trust, and they are not necessarily nice people with your interests at heart!

And a check of that company's accounts shows why they may be attempting to charge an extortionate amount for an installation.

PaulineJS

Thank yes, I will contact the Energy Saving Trust it could have been a scam I guess but I would never agree to anything on the day, interestingly they were supposed to call me back this afternoon and nothing yet!

Cardew

ac198621 wrote: »

Don't just jump into bed with anyone without doing thorough prior research first.

I wonder (text removed by MSE forum Team) realizes the implications of requiring a MCS registered installer if you want a subsidy!

Martyn1981

True. And the need for it be properly certified and the DNO notified of the install. Otherwise it'll be illegal and suffer a cease and desist order.

Mart.

Cardew

ac198621 wrote: »

I am wondering if anyone knows where to buy solar panels from along with all of the mounting equipment?

I am new to this and would like to setup my solar array before the government feed in tariff is cut.

A friend of mine suggested solarandheatstore.com

Does anyone have any other ideas? Really want to get this sorted.

You cannot DIY fit solar panels and get the FIT. It must be installed by a MCS registered installer.


Even if you didn't want the subsidies(unlikely) the installation must be approved by the DNO.


You were told that on the other post of yours.


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69465383#Comment_69465383

PaulineJS

I did contact the Energy Saving Trust regarding this and as thought they do not make this kind of cold calls, they occasionally employ agencies to make calls for them but not of this nature. I feel very annoyed with myself for letting the company come to my home and only did this because I thought initially that I was speaking to the Energy Saving Trust, that was also the only reason that I continued listening to the call, others I've received I've rejected immediately. I queried this with the woman I spoke to twice, I asked her directly if she was a private company and she said no they were a public body. Then later I asked again where she was calling from - it was very plausible. The EST said they would investigate if I still had the telephone number of the person calling me which I have but its a mobile and so not much hope, also although I was told the person who called on me was from Solar Studio I would be unable to prove this because the calls I received from their rep and "manager" were from mobiles also. I looked at their Company accounts which don't look great, plus found only one review on the company which was awful. Just glad that I never make a decision on anything at all on the day that I see anyone about any work, I always do my research. I hope no one else has been caught by this. Good lesson learned.

Dird

Is the free install option worth it if you're not on a pre-pay meter? If you normally pay £80/month regardless of usage will this still be reduced when you install solar panels? Or does it only typically reduce for those on a usage meter?

Cardew

Dird wrote: »

Is the free install option worth it if you're not on a pre-pay meter? If you normally pay £80/month regardless of usage will this still be reduced when you install solar panels? Or does it only typically reduce for those on a usage meter?

Do you own your property?