A New Quote (What do you think?)

cool_techie

ely_ellis wrote: »

They insisted my wife be there for the quote but didn't tell me the visit was going to last 3 hours and only then because we had to go out.
I'm only just starting, so don't understand a lot of it but this is how it was explained to me...
Anyway, down to the quote, see what you all think.
House: Semi-detached, need to utilise south facing and west facing roof with two sets of 5 panels.
Need to have micro-inverters because of the split and this is called the executive system.
Current yearly bill and usage, £390 (2800KWh)
Figures below were supposedly based on the worst case scenario.
System will generate 2002Kw per year, saving 71% (£278.85) on my annual bill.
The FIT will earn me £325 per year
Total is £603 per year.
The system, fully installed, complete 10 panel, micro-inverters, usage meter, software etc... wait for it... just ..... here it comes... just £12,120
No, that's not a typo!
Not to worry because my system over 25 years is going to save me £23,453 on bills and give me £12,010 in FIT giving me a total benefit of £35,463.
So, minus my super low £12,120 initial cost, that will give me a massive £23,000 of profit in 25 years.
As you can all see, that is an amazing deal that cannot be refused and coupled in with some credit by Barcleys at 9% APR, wow, its a must take deal!

Cheers all
Martin

Martin,

The above text sounds eerily similar to what I was 'offered' by funded solar.org. Have put it up at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5181412

Anyways that had a happy ending thanks to the ever helpful SolarGurus on this board.

So you are on the right path here. Wish you the best 👍

Regards,
CT

jimjames

1961Nick wrote: »

£12K for 2.5kWh + exaggerated claims about solar usage & failure to use the post April 1st FIT is almost worthy of reporting to the local trading standards.

Their total FIT of £12K over 20 years would require RPI of 7%. That alone must be mis-selling.

Certainly report to REAL and they should take action as these are all against their code of conduct which is meant to be part of being approved for installations.

ely_ellis wrote: »

The profit over the 25 years was based on their estimate of increasing electricity prices, but still, what a whopper!

By any chance did they try to use a massive inflation rate for electricity? When we had our quotes one installer tried to use 15% pa for the increase over 25 years.

When I pointed out that electricity would be more than a month's wage he started to get confused in his own numbers.

ely_ellis

I have been doing some checking because it is bothering me that I don't have any papers to prove who the company was.
I checked my phone records and it comes out at "The Big Green Company" based in Stockport.
I also entered the phone number of the 'salesman' without his name and I got a hit. Correct name and his picture and he seems to be some sort of DJ according to Twitter (I don't do/have Twitter so can see any more info).
Also when Google'ing the phone number they called me from, it comes up with a whole host of aggravated unsolicited calls with bad language etc.
Quite a company!
If I don't get my free mugs, torch & DVD then I will contact Tesco's (on of their sponsors) where I completed the table top card and complain to them.
Cheers
Martin

tunnel

ely_ellis wrote: »

If I don't get my free mugs, torch & DVD then I will contact Tesco's (on of their sponsors) where I completed the table top card and complain to them.
Cheers
Martin

By all means complain to Tesco, I'm sure they'd love to know what sort of company they're helping to endorse, as for the freebies I'd not worry too much, just count your lucky stars you didn't sign anything as dealing with such a company would probably have thrown up all sorts of headaches. Would you even want a mug with their logo on reminding you of the bad experience you've encountered?

asturdy2

big green energy company have done quite a few installs near us, I can see where people who don't know about solar fall for the patter, quoting high generation and savings figures. We had one national company come round to quote, again wouldn't talk to just me wanted the missus aswell. Once id told him of the quotes id already got and that I knew what I was talking about he made his excuses and left.

Caan

Them valuations are wild, whatever you do DO NOT PAY THAT MUCH! - The best valuations you'll find are generally not going to be on a comparison site as the smaller operations have far less overheads and can offer more flexibility in the price. A company I can recommend that are growing although still seem to offer some of the most competitive prices would be Oakwood Energy.
At least the industry is now clamping down on the shisters taking the mick with these kind of pricing, wouldn't touch anything thats not part of the Renewable Energy Consumer Code. Might be wrong but I think its law now for them to install on domestic properties..

theboylard

Nice plug.

Question: do they also do time travel?

From their Solar PV page...
"Virtually all customers solar panels to date have paid for themselves within the first 6 years of Feed-in Tariff application."

The full FiT can only be claimed for installs from 15 July 2009, with earlier installs only getting 9p/kWh.

As 6 years means July 2015 in my book, I think that's a bit of an ambitious claim?
Also their site gives no physical address? Why are they hiding?

Happy to be corrected if you know better?

ely_ellis

This afternoon I received a telephone call from the company, at first just asking about the surveyor that came and if he explained things etc.
I mentioned the fact that a 3 hour visit was a bit over the top and then got on to the £12,000 quote which I told them was excessive.
Now they responded explaining that the system is 20% more efficient than average systems as they use the LG Neon panels and micro-inverters all with a 25 year warranty.
Then he went on to explain that as they do group installations in each area, they need a minimum of 3 installations to make it pay and unfortunately for them someone has dropped out.
Therefore they are offering me the same, complete installation at TRADE price, that now being £7,500. (Remember this a 10 panel install).
Now surely, if they are not making anything, how would that make it more viable to them as they will still only make money from the two other installations in the area. This puzzles me.
They have emailed me regarding the discussion on the phone, but I have now asked them to list the equipment they would install so I can do a price comparison.
Cheers
Martin

pw22

Hi Martin,

A couple of things ring alarm bells to me -

1. How can they demonstrate that the system is 20% more efficient - yes LG panels and Enphase are reputable brands within the solar market but I think they would have trouble demonstrating that this system performs 20% better than others.
2. I think this has been mentioned previously - micro inverters are excellent if you have shading issues but a dual tracking inverter can cope as well over 2 aspects.
3. That is a big discount and I think they are breaking RECC guidelines by discounting that much. I think the mention about how they need 3 installs in an area is a pressure tactic to make you sign up quickly.
4. I think the price is still too high for 10 panels

Hope this helps.

tunnel

ely_ellis wrote: »

Therefore they are offering me the same, complete installation at TRADE price, that now being £7,500. (Remember this a 10 panel install).

Martin

Had that been me that took that call I'd have asked them if they wanted a new supplier for their future installs, that's definitely not trade price as it's still more than double the price for an equivalent size system...fitted!!


Geez....they've got some front these damn double glazing salesmen.