Project Solar Again

thriftytracey

I know there are a number of threads on this topic but could not find a recent one.  My husband called them unbeknown to me and I would have cancelled it if I had known it was Project Solar.  The salesman said he would need a couple of hours at least, luckily we told the person who booked the appointment we only had an hour as we were going out.

I felt very uneasy as soon as he arrived, oily salesman tactics and he had to go into every room in the house for his survey and needed to use our WiFi.  Said he could fit 17 panels on our SW and S facing roofs.  Seemed very intent on emphasising how much money we would be making from the feed in tariff which I thought was absolute BS.  99 year guarantee - I questioned this and he said they have insurance.  I think these salesman take advantage of people's naivety as he looked a bit taken aback at some of my questions and said "you have obviously done your research".  Also, telling us things that I am sure most people know like timer on dishwasher etc.  

I asked him to send quote in writing via email and he stated that he liked to call and discuss the proposal.  What?  He didn't really give us a full price - he showed us his laptop £10k for panels and installation but then didn't really answer the question about the cost of battery but it was a 7kw one.

He stated they are very thorough and they are award winning and part of this was because they do a detailed technical survey.  Thing is, other quotes I have received are after a telephone conversation and the companies looking at Google Earth, together with information supplied. 

Whilst he was here I was reading the negative reviews on Trust Pilot about poor aftercare and quality of solar panels.  He stated that they manufacture their panels and are the best in the UK.  Project Solar did have a number of positive reviews on Trust Pilot.

My question here is - Is a detailed technical survey necessary?  I am worried about the other quotes now.  This chap looked in lofts, boiler, meters you name it.

Well, at least he has my husband's mobile number so he can listen to the spiel when calls back to "discuss the proposal"!

jimjames

Feed in tariff is definite BS, that hasn't been available for new installs for quite a few years now. I can't believe any company would offer a 99 year guarantee on the entire system as components have a finite lifespan.

The places he looked are nonsense and not needed for survey unless it was to determine location of inverter. Even so I'd say that wasn't needed at the quote point and sounds more like a way to look around the house and give an impression of detailed analysis.

Petriix

They are widely known to make verbal promises which aren't reflected in the contract they have you sign. Run. Run a mile. 

thriftytracey

Yes, intend to.  TBH I don't think he will come back to us I think he realised we weren't going to be a pushover when I started questioning his statements.  Reading the negative reviews on TrustPIlot are very revealing.  Seems like poor workmanship, damage and poor aftercare and customer service are common.

thriftytracey

We got a quote back from them.  It was £10k ish for panels and battery.  I am not proceeding with them due to what I have read on Trust Pilot, however, it seems they have dropped their prices, as I was reading on TP of people who have paid £17k for similar in the past.

llewdiskram

@thriftytracey I had a quote from Project Solar and to be honest I'm shocked at how expensive it is.

What was the quote for 10k for?

Mine was 13 Evolution Elite 445 panels, Solax Battery and Inverter 6kw and it came to 17.5k.

thriftytracey

It was 13 panels - Sun Sync
Inverter - Sun Sync
5.32 kwh battery - Sun Sync

I was probably given the lower spec equipment -  the quote doesn't mention Evolution Elite equipment or Solax battery.  I haven't researched the equipment stated as I don't intend to proceed.