any downsides to free solar panels from ‘energy switch’

emma.cook3

I have been offered free solar panels from energy switch as part of the government scheme. Are there any disadvantages? It’s an old house- is the roof likely to be damaged? I can find very little about the company on the internet.  Thanks

Martyn1981

Hiya, could you give some more details please. I'm not aware of any Gov schemes etc to support solar specifically, perhaps a green scheme or possibly a private deal to get your custom, so really need more info on the 'deal'. Thanks.

Edit - sorry, not being negative, it could be a great deal (or not), just need more info for folk on here to 'judge'.

emma.cook3

Martyn1981 said:

Hiya, could you give some more details please. I'm not aware of any Gov schemes etc to support solar specifically, perhaps a green scheme or possibly a private deal to get your custom, so really need more info on the 'deal'. Thanks.

Edit - sorry, not being negative, it could be a great deal (or not), just need more info for folk on here to 'judge'.

Switch energy network- its the government scheme for energy conservation in homes

Reed_Richards

No, it's a private company: https://www.switchenergynetwork.co.uk/

Hexane

Switch Energy Network's website mentions the government's Green Homes Grant scheme, a complicated scheme which has been widely criticised and I believe is quite difficult to get anything genuinely "free" from.

A solar PV installation won't damage the roof, but you (or the installer) should make sure that the roof is in a good state of repair before installing it.

Other things to think about include:

1. will there be any shading on the proposed location of the panels? even a tiny bit can have significant impact.

2. how much are you actually being asked to pay.

3. is the company making unrealistic promises as to how much you will make or save.

4. is the company trying to encourage you to buy a home battery with the solar panels, that may or may not make economic sense.

5. do you need anti-pigeon mesh installed and if so can it be done at the time of install.

6. do you need DNO approval to export more than 3.6kW to the grid and if so will the installer arrange this.

7. what certification is needed and will the installer be providing this, e.g. to qualify for SEG payments

QrizB

Hexane said:

Switch Energy Network's website mentions the government's Green Homes Grant scheme, a complicated scheme which has been widely criticised and I believe is quite difficult to get anything genuinely "free" from.

This would be my main reservation too.

Free solar panels, whether solar PV or solar thermal, sound like a good thing but you need to find out exactly how free they will be.

Martyn1981

emma.cook3 said:

Martyn1981 said:

Hiya, could you give some more details please. I'm not aware of any Gov schemes etc to support solar specifically, perhaps a green scheme or possibly a private deal to get your custom, so really need more info on the 'deal'. Thanks.

Edit - sorry, not being negative, it could be a great deal (or not), just need more info for folk on here to 'judge'.

Switch energy network- its the government scheme for energy conservation in homes

Hiya. You really need to explain what the deal/package being offered by Switch Energy is. What they'll be installing, what implications there are for you and the household, any costs, payments, tie-ins etc.. 
Looking at their website they simply mention the Green Homes Grant Scheme, but what specifics have they told you?

Merlin139

The OP might want to read the reviews on TrustPilot. The scheme looks like its already closed.

Not sure what they are offering but the scheme only covered Solar Thermal on the Solar side. This would not include Solar PV Panels.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme

emma.cook3

I do have an e mail offering me completely free solar panels. No batteries. They didn't say how much I would save but did say I would need a smart meter to ‘sell it back’ to my energy company. 

QrizB

That's interesting.

I see they mention a "Retrofit Assessment". Did someone from the company visit your house to survey it?

I don't know who your Local Authority are but they may have a webpage on it, like this one from Essex:
https://www.essex.gov.uk/cut-energy-costs/green-homes-grant-local-authority-delivery-scheme

emma.cook3

And it says its all free.