Beware of the cold calling solar seller

Be prepared for these cold callers when they come knocking

The potential solar power has in the UK is becoming more clear as the year progresses. Here at the Solar Power Portal, we have been reporting on all things solar in this country, from FREE installation offers to large-scale power plant plans, but how do you know who you can really trust in this new industry?
This is the very issue the UK’s Energy Saving Trust is trying to resolve.
Since the UK’s feed-in tariff was announced on April 1^st, the dreaded door-to-door salesman has come out of his closet. Instead of offering you a new set of windows or a stylish kitchen, he’s touting the latest in solar power deals. These solar sharks are preying on the naïve, offering solar deals to those who don’t really know the ins and outs of renewable energy.
Heavily discounted rates
One of the ways these salesmen are deceiving UK customers is by offering heavily discounted rates – or what they say are heavily discounted rates. In fact, they are quoting above and beyond the average price for the installation of solar (around £28,000), saying that this is a cut-price, and pocketing the difference.
Since the solar industry is so infantile in the UK, the average citizen wouldn’t know the price of installing solar (approximately £7,000-£10,000), and could therefore be quite easily tricked into paying out a whole lot of money that they will never get back.
The icing on the cake for those who have been lured into this expensive deal is that these salesmen are not mentioning the feed-in tariff (FiT). They talk a lot about the fact that you can save money on your electricity bill, but don’t utter a word about the FiT. This is rather suspicious, and suggests that they are most likely pocketing this subsidy themselves.
The feed-in tariff, which pays 41.3 pence per kilowatt hour for all green energy produced in the UK, is designed to pay out enough over 25 years for the customer to gain a good profit. This way they earn back the initial cost forked out for the system. If they pay above and beyond the actual price for solar, they will actually lose out quite heavily.


Free solar anyone?
You will have read our news on free solar offers in the UK from legitimate companies such as A Shade Greener and ISIS Solar. However there are also free solar offers that do have a catch.
As you know, the offers provided by A Shade Greener and ISIS Solar are highly beneficial for both the company and the homeowner. These companies work by installing the system for free, because they are pocketing the FiT payments, while the customer benefits from the free electricity provided. Since these companies profit so greatly from the FiT payments, they are entirely responsible for the solar power systems (since they actually own them for 25 years, the homeowner simply ‘rents’ their roof). This responsibility includes maintenance, monitoring and repair.
Some of the crafty salesmen are offering solar power to customers free of charge, yet they are adding on a hefty payment for maintenance. If you own the system, then you are advised to pay a maintenance worker if and when you need it. If you don’t own your system, and someone has installed it for free, then you shouldn’t be paying a penny for this service.
The Energy Saving Trust offers free, impartial advice on renewable energy sources, and is urging anyone considering taking advantage of the offers to contact them first before making any decisions.
Ed Leddy Owen, the trust’s microgeneration co-ordinator, said: “The typical cost of a solar pv installation is around £7,000-£10,000.
“Some companies offering discounts quote a non-discounted price of up to £28,000 which is very misleading and implies a far greater saving.
“Although the up front investment is significant, the benefits to the purchaser are that their electricity bills are vastly lowered and the government pays them for all excess electricity which is sold back into the national grid. On average, the homeowner would generate around £650-£900 per year and that is money in the bank.
“We are also concerned because some householders have told us the salesmen are offering cut price or free panels and make no mention of the money they will earn from the Feed in Tariff arrangement, which suggests the installers will keep the money for themselves.
“And some companies mention homeowners will have their panels maintained for 25 years for a handsome maintenance fee. The fact is no maintenance is required so this charge is just another ruse to get more money from householders.”
So, based on this evidence, we’d advise you to do some research into the company trying to sell you the solar system. If you’re unsure, make sure you get advice. You can contact the Energy Savings Trust by visiting their contact page on their website.

Harish Dabasia UKs most connected person in the PV Solar Power/Energy sector Advocate, Ambassador, Introducer, Influencer, Facilitator and Deal maker. Through Act On Solar compiling the UKs First PV Solar installation Map.