Solar Panels Poor Installation

V8Rules

I had solar panels installed thru a government grant in May 2022, all seemed well until Jan 2024 when I started to get water coming down a bedroom wall when it rains. I had a local roofing company inspect the roof as best he could but access is restricted as the roof is covered in panels, he put put a ladder against the Eaves and said he could see broken/cracked tiles and took some pics. He said the tiles would have to have been broken during install as you can't get to them, they are under the panels. I informed the installers, Madola Energy Ltd. Who said the warranty had expired !!!, as a matter of interest i was in hospital for 3 months from Jan having open heart surgery and then on recuperation when the warranty ended, and since when does poor workmanship come under a warranty, and anyway they stated that cold weather and ice could have caused it !!!!
I have contacted them a second time to no avail.
I have also contacted my MP, and also emailed Trading standards.
I would not have had panels but for the government grant, I am a pensioner, 80, now it looks like I will have to pay to get it put right and walls replastered.

Aylesbury_Duck

Forget the warranty, this is a different matter.  Write to the installer, enclosing the report from the local roofing company, and insisting the installer puts it right.

Let us know their response.

V8Rules

I emailed the installer twice, still waiting for reply.

Aylesbury_Duck

V8Rules said:

I emailed the installer twice, still waiting for reply.

Write to them.  No need for recorded post, but get a free proof of postage.   I don't know the precise legality of emails, but I understand that a physical letter is deemed to have been received.  Plus, a written letter comes across as much more serious than an email and might better grab their attention.  Keep a copy of all correspondence, you will need it if this goes to court.

The other thing you should do is contact your home insurer.  You have a damaged roof and the house is no longer weather-tight.  You may find you are obliged to inform your insurer in those circumstances.  Your insurer has an interest in getting this sorted - they don't want to be paying out on a claim caused by a third party's negligence.  They should be able to advise, and if you have legal cover included, that may be helpful as well.

Arunmor

Talk to your home insurer, they might get somewhere with and if not they should pay for repairs. I hope, but at least worth speaking to them.

V8Rules

Thanks for the comments, should have mentioned I had spoken to my insurers and they sent a surveyor to take a look. Apparently it is not covered due to "poor workmanship and design" by whoever installed the panels.

V8Rules

You have all these bodies set up to ensure that members who join perform with due diligence and that the Consumer get what they want and pay for or as in this case as it was paid for by a government grant the taxpayer gets value for money.

In my recent experience i have not found it so, i have been passed from one to the other to be told they can't help me.

HIES the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Contractors Scheme refused to help saying the warranty had expired, ignoring my comment that I did not think poor workmanship came under the warranty, referring me back to the installers, Madola Energy Ltd. 

CES Consumer Energy Solutions just referred me back to the installers, Madola Energy Ltd. 

MCS referred me to NAPIT which is where I am as I write this.

Whatever happens I will not give up, if I have to bring in another installer I will make sure they photograph and give me a full report of the installers, Madola Energy Ltd., workmanship as evidence when it goes to court.