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

tweedmill1

We are in a battle with this company as we speak so not getting the return guaranteed by the sales rep

System

tweedmill1 wrote: »

We are in a battle with this company as we speak so not getting the return guaranteed by the sales rep

Hi - welcome to the forum. How exactly was the return guaranteed?

DavidP24

tweedmill1 wrote: »

We are in a battle with this company as we speak so not getting the return guaranteed by the sales rep

If there was a fault, new Oct 2015 consumer act allows you to return for full refund within 30 days, you can reject the goods and demand a refund.

Old law said you had to give them a chance to fix, this no longer applies in first 30 days.

Any warranty/refund options promised by the saleman are over and above your statutory rights.

Suppliers will delay or say they have a right to fix, they are wrong.

jcontest

People need to do a lot of research when it comes to solar PV. Several quotes are needed. I know some local jobs have been done here lately that fall foul of MCS Requirements (30 year old home, single glazing, no cavity wall insulation!).

I paid 15,350 for a 3.84kw system in December 2011 (trying to beat the 12 December Deadline that later moved to April 1st of 2012, cost me a LOT extra)

Even when I had mine done there was a lot of issues. The company that I finally found to do it wouldn't be around (I asked for a security bond and insurance to be paid by them ahead of time cause I suspsected they would just close their doors - they did). My original quote was for a 4kw system but Due to the rush that December the only panels I could get in time was the 3.84kw system (I paid the same price!). The way the government had worked it means that your stuck using someone who is "Certified".

A full 4kw system now cost about £3,000 before install cost. So anything you pay over about £3k is just down to installer cost and profits. Mine closed their doors a week after my job was done, there are issues but the MCS scheme didn't offer any sort of protection after the fact. The "Company" that did mine has closed and opened at least 3 more "Energy" related "Green Deal/Solar" companies since my jobs was done. Just keep it in mind that no matter who you get there is a good chance they will not be here in a few years time.

Now in 2016 I don't think anyone should expect to pay more than £5.5k for a 4kw system - fully installed with all required insurance.

The way the subsidy system worked means that a lot of cowboy providers moved into the system. The "Green Deal" and "Loans" let more of them in / allowed them to change roles once the solar pv subsidy had been cut. Just do your research and make sure that you use multiple quotes before a decision is made. I do not regret my panels but the subsidy now is so poor that you cant buy them with the idea that its going to cover your cost. For some people it will cover cost, for most it probably will not. The only upshot is that you index-link your money for the next 20 years.

DavidP24

Thanks for your advice and honesty.

I think you make a valid point about research and you actually provide the answer

"you cant buy them with the idea that its going to cover your cost. For some people it will cover cost, for most it probably will not."

It is a nice idea that you will generate enough electricity not only to cover your own needs but you will actually have enough left over to feed back into the grid where you will be paid.

The reality is that is a fantasy

It will not add value to your home, more likely to put high paying buyers off.

Chances are the equipment will not last the period of time required for ROI, we have reports of it packing up within 2 to 3 years and replacements costing thousands.

I think this is in need of regulations, the same way the former FSA used to make companies have to give you a detailed break down of investment and show how much commission was being earned.

It is true that there is a fool born every minute but even the intelligent could be persuaded to believe this kwap.

For the commission that is being made you could probably afford to go to China and get your own kit, subsidy or not

jcontest

Selling your home is a good point that a lot of people should also consider. Buying the product fully from the start removes complication here, I have read that some mortgage providers do not like the "Leased" roof schemes and you are correct that some buyers are not keen on the idea of having them. If you plan on moving home or live in an area where people are quite picky about the look of the roof then I would say don't do it. Personally speaking I would be happy to buy a home with solar panels installed.

Should you worry about the system going out?, I don't think so. If you pick a quality panel then they will often have a warranty for 10, 20, or 30 years. The warranty is quite simple and can vary, but mine states that output will not fall below 80% over the first 20 years of life. I know there are panels out there that are well into 50+ years of life working near their old rated values. I did push to get a inverter that was larger than what I needed and then rate limit it to 4kw. The inverter has a 7 year (I think) warranty, but they should last around 10 years before any issues crop up, and don't be surprised if you hear of more lasting 20 years than 5 years.

Cardew

jcontest wrote: »

Selling your home is a good point that a lot of people should also consider. Buying the product fully from the start removes complication here, I have read that some mortgage providers do not like the "Leased" roof schemes and you are correct that some buyers are not keen on the idea of having them. If you plan on moving home or live in an area where people are quite picky about the look of the roof then I would say don't do it. Personally speaking I would be happy to buy a home with solar panels installed.

Should you worry about the system going out?, I don't think so. If you pick a quality panel then they will often have a warranty for 10, 20, or 30 years. The warranty is quite simple and can vary, but mine states that output will not fall below 80% over the first 20 years of life. I know there are panels out there that are well into 50+ years of life working near their old rated values. I did push to get a inverter that was larger than what I needed and then rate limit it to 4kw. The inverter has a 7 year (I think) warranty, but they should last around 10 years before any issues crop up, and don't be surprised if you hear of more lasting 20 years than 5 years.

With regard to PV panel looks - 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder'! Whilst people might tolerate them, surely nobody can like them? That is backed up by the fact that they are mostly banned in conservation areas where they can be viewed from the road.


IMO a lot of people are going to be disappointed in their guarantees. With the long overdue reduction in FIT most of the installation firms have, or will have, moved on to pastures new and so any guarantee they gave will be useless.


Agreed that the more reputable manufacturers will honour the warranty on panels and inverters. However the sticking point for most home owners will be in the diagnosing of any faults on the system. Who for instance will clamber over a roof to test the output of panels. How do you determine 'that output will not fall below 80% over the first 20 years of life'? It will have to be removed for testing.


Also don't forget that it is mandatory for scaffolding(costing £1,000+) to be erected when workers are on the roof.

getevenfromsteepleashton

I have tried to sort out a problem with RECC and they are useless. The code appears to be unenforceable and I am looking at suing them as I am nearly 10k out of pocket. neither RECC Hetas or MCS want to know - they are not what they claim to be.

Tina_W

Hi all
Another myplanet victim, we purchased panels September 2014, we were told that if we moved we could take them with us for the first 10 years BUT now company doesn't do domestic solar panels & I cant see any reference to this in our paperwork.
Anyone else had this promise, I'm really annoyed with myself as we knew at a later day we would want to move but have found' the house' now .
I found a reference somewhere else that you can take your panels with you but they revert to the current rate not the rate we got 2014.
ALso who do we get to move them & how expensive is it or is it totally impractical ??.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
cheers Tina

Cardew

Tina_W wrote: »

Hi all
Another myplanet victim, we purchased panels September 2014, we were told that if we moved we could take them with us for the first 10 years BUT now company doesn't do domestic solar panels & I cant see any reference to this in our paperwork.
Anyone else had this promise, I'm really annoyed with myself as we knew at a later day we would want to move but have found' the house' now .
I found a reference somewhere else that you can take your panels with you but they revert to the current rate not the rate we got 2014.
ALso who do we get to move them & how expensive is it or is it totally impractical ??.
Any help or advice would be appreciated.
cheers Tina

Welcome to the forum.


You will probably get better advice in the Green and Ethical section of MSE. However my understanding is that you will need to have the panels installed on the new house by a MCS registered installer, and not only will you get the new rate of FIT but there is doubt if your 'second hand' panels will qualify.


The cost of scaffolding to remove panels(fixing holes in roof made good) and scaffolding/installation in the new house make the idea a non-starter.


You would be better trying to get the buyer of your old house to pay you a couple of thousand pounds.