I've been a massive fool...My planet UK Solar.

FJR_Otto

My experience with MyPlanet has been, so far very positive: having heard about them from a friend who's had them install £8+K's worth of panels, and then having read the OP's post, I got in touch - but with a local firm also tee'd up. I spoke to the man for my friend's area, who promptly referred me to his colleague, who would deal with enquiries for where the house is that we've bought, told both of them about the post I'd seen, and expressed reservations. The local man I'd 'tee'd up' made an appointment, but didn't turn up, nor did he respond to my 'What happened..?' e-mail, mooting a re-schedule. So I got in touch again with Ian Mayer (MyPlanet for this bit of the S.W.), and we met yesterday (not only did he arrive, but he arrived early!). He was not pushing for a 'close' - although it's true to say both of us knew that with cuts to FITT imminent... We were interrupted by a Joiner/Carpenter, a Builder, and a Heating Engineer, but he was not in the least fazed by this. He'd done his homework (on me, my property, and my Referor) and not only knew his product, but was able to give useful advice in allied areas (the pros and cons of having 'Dual-fuel', and which energy firms to speak to direct, and which not to go to direct, but through e.g. M&S). I was able to negotiate a modest price-reduction, and my Referor will get a worthwhile 'commission' - as, I suppose would I, if anyone reading this were encouraged to order a system from MyPlanet, and mention me!
Early days, I know, but perhaps nevertheless a useful corrective to the poor experience the original poster had. My Referor - a friend of my Wife's, really - tells me that, even on a dismal day like yesterday, she could check and see that her system is earning her 50p. of so, while also saving her gas-boiler from coming on at all for Hot Water in the daytime.
So I think my couple of hours with him was time well-spent.
FJRO

Martyn1981

Otto you were a little vague on the details, you didn't give system size (kWp) nor price, but you did mention £8k+.

But some good news, if the price is 'modestly' within the range of £8k, and you only ordered 2 days ago, then you still have time to cancel and seek decent quotes nearer to £5k (£4.5k to £6k).

Mart.

Cardew

I really admire people who specially join MSE to post about their positive experiences with a firm!

Ollie92

Some really useful info on here thanks guys!

Neil_S1

Hi.
With regards to My Planet Ltd - I have had a nightmare trying to get my panels repaired by them - My system failed just before Christmas and have been trying ever since to get somebody to organise a repair - The engineer in Scotland is completely useless - Never answers his phone and never returns your messages - I even got in touch with Mark Bonifacio (MD) who initially replied and promised this would be sorted - An engineer was supposed to call on Friday (15th Jan) nobody turned up - I eventually managed to speak to the engineer who said he would look into it and promise to call me back - No such luck. I complained to 3 departments including Mark Bonifacio and NOBODY has bothered to reply - I am still waiting for a reply (19th) - In my opinion, I would not trust this company with your money and give them a very wide berth. There are plenty of more reputable companies out there and i really don't think these are very good at all.

Magri

I don't understand this, although I appreciate I'm seeing this late. I've had My Planet install these panels and I'm fairly happy. The charges were not extortionate, pretty much in the ball park and the figures are comparable with other suppliers so I certainly don't see anyone ripping anyone off. I also had issues with the way in was installed and I kicked off about that but that's all. Obviously we will see in time if the figures match up but then my main reason for having solar panels was not financial but the reduce my carbon foot print. I hope you feel happy in the years to come when everyone else are being nailed to the wall for their energy bill and you have the peace of mind that you're producing your own.

DavidP24

Funny how in consumer forums you see the same old faces. 8 pages of comments on Which forums and I heard a case about them on BBC Consumer show.

Same old complaints, wild claims about energy produced, overpriced and poor after sales service.

According to Duedil, Mark Bonifacio has 26 closed directorships, several of which appear to be myplanet regional companies with unfiled accounting.

Then you have the "My Planet" companies, always sounds dodgy when you get companies disolved and then starting up again in same market with similar or exact names. The companies are connected by Directors and addresses.

My Planet Ltd (06636963) 2008 -

Mr Mark Bonifacio
Mr John Paul Murphy
Mr Adrian Philip Kitching

My Planet Solar Ltd (08314231) 2012

Mr Mark Bonifacio

My Planet Solar Ltd (06636958) 2008 - 2011 DISOLVED

Mr John Paul Murphy
Mr Peter Garrett
Mr Adrian Philip Kitching

What is of interest to me is what company names appear on paperwork.

According to their website they have pulled out of Domestic Solar PV market:

Sliwka

Hi folks!
I have been a massive fool two weeks ago too !
Only got 14 panels 4 W and haven't paid yet as thy kept messing up and negotiated discount to £9200.
Still too much but !
And something to make people aware of ;THEY ARE NOW CALLED "OUR PLANET" !!!!
There were many occasions I should have herd ringing bell but my mind has gone on leave ;-(
BW

brewerdave

I keep getting phone calls from "UK Solar" - wonder if they are connected ????

System

Sliwka wrote: »

Hi folks!
I have been a massive fool two weeks ago too !
Only got 14 panels 4 W and haven't paid yet as thy kept messing up and negotiated discount to £9200.
Still too much but !
And something to make people aware of ;THEY ARE NOW CALLED "OUR PLANET" !!!!
There were many occasions I should have herd ringing bell but my mind has gone on leave ;-(
BW

Out-of-interest, how did your installer persuade you that FIT payments and energy savings would cover the cost of this installation, and over what period?