Solar panels – Would you benefit from independent advice?
With the scheduled Feed In Tariff review in April 2012 getting closer and closer (I know it’s only September! But…..), the need to have your solar panels (PV for electricity) installed before then, thus gaining the highest tariff payment, is becoming more important?!
However, the “rush” to get them installed could lead you to making snap decisions about your installer choice, your panel and inverter choice, and the price you pay. And indeed, make some wrong ones?
As the pace of the industry speeds up, there are more and more choices of installers, and more and more choices of solar panels which you can use?
If you’re not careful, you could end up paying more than you need to,or get “fooled” into paying top dollar for the latest “premium” product?
There are some common “mistakes” made by consumers:
1). Not all panels are the same – You have mono crystalline and poly crystalline. There are differences, but it’s not such a big deal these days. There are other factors. Indeed, not all 200wp panels are the same.
2). Not all systems of the same size give the same performance – If you had 3 installers each quoting you for, let’s say, a 3kwp system. Each using different equipment, would you know which one was best? One salesman may say his panels have the highest efficiency, but there’s more to it than that.
3). “Sign now, to save 10% (or more!)” – We all think we’ll never fall for that old trick? But, in reality, many people do! That’s why the salespeople still use it! Invariably, this means that he/she was overpricing the system in the first place!
4). National Companies have better buying power, which they pass on to the consumer with lower prices. Not necessarily. In many cases they are more expensive than the local guy? They spend fortunes on marketing, sales reps, assessors, etc.. Someone’s got to pay for it? YOU!
5). National companies have their own installers. Again, not necessarily. Usually, the work is sub contracted down several levels. With the main company providing the MCS accreditation. It’s conceivable that the guys putting solar panels on your roof have not achieved MCS accreditation, and may have never installed solar before!
So… If you want to avoid these pitfalls, then you need some independent advice, and from someone who doesn’t sell or install these products, but has several years in the industry and knows how it works!?
True, it will cost you some money! But, if your considering spending £000’s it WILL be worthwhile!!
For more information, call us on 0845 437 4484, or email info@viridisec.co.uk