Free Solar?

richindigo

Hey all - I only normally post competitions so apologies if I'm in the wrong area - but wanted to ask or point out about Free Solar?

Found this - via a competition :

https://www.energysaverplansouthwest.co.uk

It's from the same company I got a quote from about putting Solar Panels up but was too expensive for me. They've now got a scheme that means you pay nothing upfront (apparently) and take advantage of the the solar savings. Essentially it's another company paying to put the solar panels there and they get other benefits - but it DOESN'T lease your roof?

Anyone got any ideas/experience? I'm in south West where this company are - but apparently they do it across the country?

Cardew

There are many hundreds of posts on these schemes; search for Rent a Roof or RAR.


You put a question mark about not leasing your roof. I don't know what that means; how else could a RAR company protect their investment.


There are other schemes where they will fit panels and arrange a loan to pay for the installation; the income supposedly will pay off the loan.


The problem is that they tend to make outrageous claims of income, high interest rates and high costs of installation.


Prices have reduced a great deal lately, and so have subsidies, but it is still a better deal to fit your own.

Ectophile

Their claim is:

• Free Solar Panels
• No Roof Leasing Required
• £0 Upfront Payment
• Up to 15% Energy Savings
• 20 year performance guarantee
• Green, clean renewable energy

I think the magic word here is "upfront". You don't have to pay to have the panels installed, but they are not saying that the installation is free for life.


My guess is that there will be fees later on once the system is installed.

jimjames

Sounds like you are borrowing the money and the FIT and savings will cover the payments.

Rather misleading to say the panels are free - they have to be paid for somehow.

I also think their website breaks most business rules as there is no contact info or any details about their offer and any conditions.

Martyn1981

jimjames wrote: »

I also think their website breaks most business rules as there is no contact info or any details about their offer and any conditions.

Agree, pretty poor link.

If you do some searching against the company name at the bottom, you can finally get to this page, but it's still more than a little confusing:

Energy Saver Plan

It seems to have contradictory information:

Go solar and start saving up to 15% on your energy bill, with £0 upfront payment.

Why only 'upto' 15%? Saving £100+ should be simple, which is 20% on a £500 bill. Is there some catch, some limit? I support realistic leccy savings figures, but from the companies perspective upto 15% seems too low, and is raising more suspicions with me.

Next:

You’ll not only benefit from the electricity the system generates but from the Feed-in Tariff (FiT - a government incentive for solar installation) too, all of which will help you reduce your electricity bill and increase your savings.

&

No Roof Leasing Required

v's

PV System is owned by SunEdison and SunEdison receives all Government renewable energy benefits that accrue from generation of the PV System and passes the economic benefit to you.

No idea if this is a good or bad scheme, but at this stage it's got me nervous enough to start lacing up my trainers and looking for the quickest way out.

Mart.