"Simplee Solar" / Energy Watch

Rex_Mundi

I've only ever deleted posts here that were too insulting or too rude to be here. The Forum Manager also deleted some posts today.

Seeing as some people cannot post without insulting other members. I'm locking this thread again. I've already reported this thread back to the abuse team.

If anyone has a problem with any actions taken. Please feel free to email the abuse team [Removed by Forum Team]

Laberknolli

solarfoiler wrote:

Successfully got deposit back,despite "no cooling off period" after citing Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999 demanding strict proof of companys alleged "costs and loss of profit".....they settled out of court.Would love to share how I did it with any aggrieved party;it was a long struggle,but helping anyone else would make it even more worthwhile.
Intending to go more public once I have got the OK from my legal advisors

Hi, van you share how to get out of one of these contracts without cooling down period. We were dumb enough to sign one with Simplee Solar, and try to cancel it witout loosing too much money.
Thanks in advance, Laberknolli

trisontana

When was this thread unlocked ?

D_P_Dance

I have in front of me a mailshot received yestersday in which it appears that Simplee Solar are still ignoring the ASA below ruling in spirit if not in letter

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/Public/TF_ADJ_42146.htm

The words "significant subsidy" has now been altered to read "significent savings" but surely this is unproven. Rather than try to clean up their act, they seem hell bent on continuing to rip people off with their "significant mark-ups".

I spoke to a Mr Brian Notley yesterday, the National "Solar watch" Programme Co-ordinator no less, but, apart from abusing me, he seemed unwilling to discuss the matter.

funkidrumma

i am currently looking into the possibilities of installing a solar system for generating electric for my mid-terrace. Having read a few of these posts i am shocked at the cost of such a system, even with a grant. I have done a google search on solar technology and come up with this article which i thought might be interesting. Basically its saying that there is a new solar technology being developed which is due comercially around 2009 which should make the whole thing a lot cheaper, so im tempted to wait a while and see what happens.

/www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/02/19/ccview19.xml

trisontana

There is a full-page article in the Money section of today's "Sunday Times" about people being conned by some solar water heating companies. Specific mention was made of Simplee Solar and their extravagant savings claims. According to the article the true saving on a house's total energy bill is about 5.5% and not the 30% -50% claimed by some firms.

The article also quoted the director of the Solar Trade association who said
the £6,000 cost of a system installed by Simply Solar was a excessive. A more realistic price is between £3,000 and £4,000.

Other firms mentioned in the article who have attracted complaints are Smart Energy(UK) , Solar Technik and Spectrum Energy.

trisontana

Here is the Sunday Times article I mentioned in my previous post :-

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/consumer_affairs/article1781343.ece

redwasp

Hi all,

Has anyone had any experience with a solar energy company called Sky Energy?

Having read the comments in this thread (I have posted separately on this as well), I am concerned that perhaps I have done something usually against my better judgement.

In a moment of possible madness, my husband and I (generally intelligent people, though I am 8.5mon pregnant and so a little mad at the moment!) have paid a deposit (yesterday) for over £2000 for a three panel solar heating system to be installed in our four bed house.

We were given a 25% "discount" for agreeing to use a board outside out house and have photos taken of the property, as well as recommend the company should we be happy with the installation.

We believed the sales guy when he said:
- 2000 (third generation) tubes were used, which is why the system was more expensive than other systems...is this right, is there such a thing and are cheaper systems using 1970s tech which is what he claimed
- that though they were more expensive, that was because they were better using high quality german parts from company called Schott and what was why the cost was high
- that we needed an extra panel as our roof is west facing, so three rather than two
- that the reason for the cost is that each tube (16 per manifold) was £150 to make so with three panels, that was £7200 in total AND we have a pressurized system which makes things even more expensive...is this true?
- that we were getting a good deal as they will give us our money back if we generate six referrals, which is they are as expensive as they sound is highly unlikely
- that is we dont get any referrals, we will get our money back in 6-7 years
- that the company had never had any complaints about the system
- and so on.

All sounded too good, and now on reading boards on this website and investigating further, which I should have done before, I am getting VERY cold feet.

Any experiences, and are his claims correct?

Sadly, I asked him for the quote, and have paid for the deposit on a credit card, so not sure I have a leg to stand on if we want to cancel, if I want it back...any thoughts?

Much appreciated, as I cant sleep and I need that for the coming event in two weeks!

Cheers

maninthestreet

Sounds like you've fallen for some high-pressure sales techniques.
£7200 sounds a bit on the high side, regardless of what the saleman told you about the use of quality parts from Germany. A west facing roof is going to struggle to generate hot water in the winter (contrary to popular belief, the sun does not set in a direction considered to be due west each and every day of the year). It will take many years for you to recoup your invesment of £7200 pounds, base on cost savings related to generting how water.

Do you have any contact details for this Sky Energy company, particularly a company registration number?

redwasp

I do have a registration number for them; on their literature and will see if I can find more from companies house.

Thanks for the info; the cost of the system is actually £8,700, £7200 was just the evacuated tubes bit.

Cheers.