Solar Focus disappeared - meter no longer working!

majpurple

I would be so grateful for some advice - last June I had solar panels fitted by a company called Solar Focus Technologies. Everything seemed to be fine and all was working well. In the last few days, to see how things were going, I checked my meter and realised it wasn't moving up and the red light was solidly on.
I tried to contact Solar Focus (Barham Court, Teston, Nr Maidstone) but phone numbers were either permanently engaged or 'not in use' and no reply to email. Today I went to their registered address to find they 'vacated' in January and left no forwarding address!
Two problems: obviously I want to get them to pay for any repairs necessary for fixing whatever is wrong, but I don't know how to go about that; also I'm guessing I'll need to contact another company to get repairs done. Should I just pay up front? What is the procedure? I've been lucky enough that this kind of thing hasn't ever happened to me before, so am a bit at a loss... Can anyone help? Many thanks

macman

Have you tried shutting down the inverter at the emergency switching point and then switching it on again after a couple of minutes?
Both the panels and the inverter should still be covered by the manufacturer's warranty if Solar Focus have ceased trading.
I'm unclear if this is a straight FIT's install or a 'rent a roof' arrangement?

majpurple

Hi, thanks for quick response! I haven't tried but will do - not sure where the switch is, though... It is a straight FIT install, paid outright last year.

majpurple

Hi - tried scrambling about in cupboard under eaves and turned off things, then turned on again - nothing. Inverter seems completely dead. Now I just have to get another electrician in?

Pincher

I can see a new business sprouting up: Annual service and repair contracts for solar systems.


In small print: you have to supply the scaffolding every time, and cover for the inverter is an optional extra.


Call it Solman, short for Solar Management, registered in Gibraltar. When it disappears, I expect to see a warehouse full of dead inverters.