Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

A question about : Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

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Hi fellow MSE users.
I have been offered a free solar power system by this company called a shade greener. They have a website (just google ashadegreener) sorry not allowed to post links as a new member.
Basically they are offering to install a photovoltaic solar system for free so that they can get some government money available next year aimed at getting more of these systems in use. All maintenance is by them but I get the benefit of having cheaper electricity. My house fits their criteria (south facing) and they are going to get in touch to give me more details but it just seems too good to be true. Is it a scam? Is a a marketing ploy to get a foot in my door or is it genuine? Some close friends have had their house turned down on the basis that it didn't face South so they are not just offering it to everybody. Has anybody had any experience of this company or has more knowledge of the government scheme. I'd be very interested to know before they visit me.
Thanks
Microbeman

:confused:

Best answers:

• From their FAQs:
  Quote:
• Hi volcano
  I had not thought about rent. I just saw FREE and assumed it meant just that but as you point out it only says free installation.
  I had considered the removal costs if I change my mind and it is one of the questions I intend to ask when they get in touch. I would have thought there must be some sort of minimum period which again will be interesting to find out.
  More points or questions welcomed
  Thanks
  Microbeman
• free solar panels - to good to be true
  1/ they probably charge for BOS
  balance of system - the inverter - roof mounting systems
  and installation etc
  2/ maybe they collect the money from the FIT feed in tarriffs
  lease your roof - common in europe but only a very large roofs
  if you need a pv system let me know
  Quote:
• they must either rent/lease your roof and collect the FIT
  feed in tarrifs - or supply panels free but charge for the BOS
  balance of system - inverters , installation etc
  w
  Quote:
• hhmmmmmmmmm I think maybe it is too good to be true. My Husband is a Solar Installer and I know that these systems are expensive so I cannot see how it would be free so Maybe just be careful before getting involved, just my opinion!
  Keep us posted xx
• Thanks for your replies,
  They have not got in touch yet so I am still none the wiser. I will post when I know more.
  Microbeman
• Just remember, nothing is free...........
• We were alerted through our website about this particular thread. I belong to the company A Shade Greener Ltd. This is not a scam. There are no hidden costs, rentals, extortionate costs of removal etc as suggested by the other posters We thought that we had made it clear through our website, by being as transparent as possible, but obviously we haven't made it clear enough. It is nothing to do with Feed in Tariffs - that system will be stopped next year - we will get our income through the new Generation Tariff that will come into force in April 2010. We have actually been liaising with Whitehall about this - there should be an announcement about the new Generation Tariff in the first week in January 2010. My colleague is in the process of contacting Mr Lewis as we want to invite him to our company to show him exactly how we are operating and how we are able to do this. Please ring me on the number provided on our website and I will be happy to meet with you in person and show you what we are doing and how we are doing it.
  Sarah Dyson - A Shade Greener Ltd
• Volcano - To clarify - we do retain ownership of the panels, at no point have we ever insinuated that we give them away - we have tried to make it very clear that we retain ownership because we will be paid for the electricity that they generate - that is how we will get our income. We fit them for free and let the homeowner use the electricity that is generated. Our website explains this. As for charging extortionate fees for them to be removed - the person having them fitted would have to sign a contract agreeing to such extortionate fees and nobody is going to do that.
  Sarah Dyson - A Shade Greener Ltd
• Its a nice idea but I would agree its a scam. Ask them who doing the insulation them or an outside contractor, as looking at the consultancy docs they'd have to get the fitting done by an MCS registered fitter and parts must also be MCS regulated. The MCS may have a view on this scheme
  They only mention Part P electrical fitted which isn't good enough to connect a generation factity it must be up to G59 regulation. MCS website
  https://www.microgenerationcertification.org/
• Cardew - we have been researching this for some time and anyone has access to this information, not just commercial firms - as long as you know who to speak to. Further, this is not simply a promise, there has been a consultation paper about this and there is a link to the PDF version of it on our website. The 'feed in tariff' is already in place alongside ROCs and grants - that system will be abolished and replaced by the Generation Tariff. We have not set up our business on any promises. I invite anyone to ring me on the number supplied on our website and arrange to come and see our company and inspect all our paperwork. How can you label us as a scam without first thoroughly inspecting what we do?
  Forgot to mention - no we do not sell solar panels to people whose roofs don't qualify. We don't sell solar panels - it's not what we are geared up to do - if anyone wants to buy solar panels there are plenty of firms in the UK who are selling them.
• Mankeysteve - I publicly invite you to come and see me and inspect what we do. I would give you access to all our paperwork and you can also interview our employees and our fitters. We have our own fitting teams and electricians - we are newly launched as a company and have JUST been MCS approved and Part P - excuse me for being a little ignorant on this - I'm not the technical expert, our Director - John Wade would be willing to discuss all this with you if you ring him on the number on our website. Once again, how can you label us as a scam without first inspecting what we do? It's simply not equitable. Accordingly, once again I invite you to come along and meet us - the number is on the website or you can email me - sarah@ashadegreener.co.uk
  Sarah Dyson - A Shade Greener Ltd
• I knew someone who had one fitted under these circumstances a few years ago.
• SimonJB - not by our company, we didn't exist years ago. Also, please explain your understanding of 'These Circumstances'? The circumstances under which we will be fitting the panels didn't exist years ago, the Generation Tariffs to which I refer don't come into being until April 2010. Perhaps you can give a few more specific details - cite some references? Names? Is it fair for you to make such accusations about our company without any evidence to back them up? I am being entirely straight, transparent and unlike you am not hiding behind a cloak of anonymity. I am inviting people to come and inspect our company and our practices and nobody has yet taken me up on my offer, instead preferring to continue to post anonymous messages that still insinuate this is some form of scam.
  Ring me on 0845 519 1598. Email me sarah@ashadegreener.co.uk and I will answer any questions you may have - you are welcome to record any conversation you have with me and you are welcome to visit our offices without giving us any notice and we will let you inspect our documentation - how much more transparent can we be?
• Mcfi5dhc - the present system of ROCs and FITS will be abolished to make way for the new Generation Tariffs, that is fact. However, if your PV was fitted under the OLD system of ROCs FITS etc, it is our understanding after speaking to various people in Whitehall that the old system will still apply. We will be fitting under the new system, which will be guaranteed for all systems fitted between April 2010 and April 2011. I should be grateful if you would explain why you would avoid us like the plague. What have we actually done wrong? What is it that we are proposing to do that you consider wrong? Have you actually visited our website and read about us? I am rather baffled. As you do not know what the Generation Tariffs are proposed to be, how can you calculate whether or not it will generate us an income? Also, you will be basing your calculations on the old ROCs and FITS system and what you paid for your PV, which will have been retail prices. We are not paying retail prices for our PV, obviously.
  Sarah Dyson - A Shade Greener Ltd 0845 519 1598 sarah@ashadegreener.co.uk