Unsolicited Phone Call re Solar Panel Servicing?

Superscrooge

Bit of a bizarre one this - 

I've just spoken to my 87yrs old dad on the phone and he told me someone is coming round to check his solar panels tomorrow.

Apparently he had an unsolicited phone call last week from someone saying his solar panels must be checked because they hadn't been serviced for over 10 years? He doesn't have any service contract on the panels. They were installed about 15 years ago and seem to be working fine. He hasn't received anything in writing.

Anyone with solar panels had any similar phone calls? His energy supplier is British Gas and DNO is Electricity North West. But he doesn't recall them mentioning they were phoning on behalf of either of these firms. Does anyone know if these firms are checking solar panel installations?

Dad is fairly compos mentis for his age. But I'm a bit concerned it could be some sort of con, although not quite sure how? unless they are hoping to persuade him to spend lots of money having them upgraded or such like?     

Reed_Richards

There is little need and certainly no requirement to check solar panels and if they seem to be working fine then they are working fine.  It smells very very fishy to me.  

QrizB

I get those calls every so often. I think there must have been a customer data leak from somewhere.

As far as I can tell it's not legitimate; it's just an excuse to get into your house and try to sell you a maintenance contract, a replacement inverter or a home storage battery.

I don't let them get a foothold. Sometimes I tell them we don't have any solar panels and they must have the wrong address

I definitely wouldn't allow them onto my property.

QrizB

PS here's a thread on the sort of dirty tricks that this sometimes leads to:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5789208/ese-solar-panel-free-health-check

Martyn1981

QrizB said:

I get those calls every so often. I think there must have been a customer data leak from somewhere.

As far as I can tell it's not legitimate; it's just an excuse to get into your house and try to sell you a maintenance contract, a replacement inverter or a home storage battery.

I don't let them get a foothold. Sometimes I tell them we don't have any solar panels and they must have the wrong address

I definitely wouldn't allow them onto my property.

Yeah I've had lots over the last decade. Often starting by telling you your installer is no longer trading (which I assume is a guess). Another sales pitch may be to suggest an upgrade to SolarEdge (or similar). Both my systems are Solaredge, and it does a great job, but a retrofit will never pay for itself unless you have loads of shading problems and are on one of the earliest FiT rates.

If the system is working then leave it alone, I believe the saying is - "If it ain't broke, don't buxxer about with it."

jimjames

Superscrooge said:

Bit of a bizarre one this - 

I've just spoken to my 87yrs old dad on the phone and he told me someone is coming round to check his solar panels tomorrow. 

If it's not too late to cancel (I'm guessing visit today) then I would. Chances are that they will try to sell a service contract or similar. Worst case might be that they alter something to stop them working and then want to charge to fix it.

Solarchaser

"Solar panels, no mate. I dont have any.
Can you ensure you remove me from your database"

Clearly a leak of data has given out names addresses and phone numbers, or more likely our data was sold to unscrupulous bampots.

Don't let them anywhere near your dad.

Dave_Fowler

Solarchaser said:

"Solar panels, no mate. I dont have any.
Can you ensure you remove me from your database"

Clearly a leak of data has given out names addresses and phone numbers, or more likely our data was sold to unscrupulous bampots.

Don't let them anywhere near your dad.

I think some of the 'data leak' is via Google Earth, the freely available Electoral Register and the Telephone Directory. I'm ex-directory and I'm not listed on the published Register and I've never had any unsolicited calls. I've had one or two letters over the 12 years I've had the panels addressed to 'PV panel owner'.
Dave F

QrizB

It would be good to know how @Superscrooge 's dad got on.

Heedtheadvice

I agree with all the warnings and the easy way to see properties via Google Earth, street view etc. It could be, but not necessarily a data 'leak'.

Even if it has been said they can come and 'inspect' just turn them away. Sounds like a cowboy outfit but potentially a lot worse. Take note of previous posted warnings.

My own personal policy is to never have anything to do with unsolicited offers or callers!

Solarchaser

Surely Google earth gives address, but not phone number?
And certainly not second name.