³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

The reason why the UK solar hot water industry charges over the odds is because there is a lack of understanding on the differences between Solar Hot Water and Solar Photovoltaics (PV - Electricity producing Solar). Watchdog having pictures at the start of an article on Solar PV panels continues this confusion.

People need to understand that Solar Hot water is basically a radiator working in reverse on your roof, while Solar PV is something more complicated about electrons vibrating around and producing electricity.

Please explain this Watchdog

having just watched your programme on solar direct - we too were given the same hard sell that was featured on your show. when we asked for prices for the system the salesman tried to baffle us with figures that just did not add up !! Maths is a strong point of my wifes so when that approached failed we were told he would give us a one time only offer that had be signed there and then and could not be cancelled. All the time he was standing over us trying to intimidate us as he was a big guy, this did not work and he was asked to leave the premises. He did turn a bit nasty and start shouting but he soon found my husbands toleration level and was ejected. we did email solar direct to complain about the salesman but now wish we had contacted a third party after watching your programme.

not that i agree with the miss selling of the solar power heating systems i did have to write and say having viewed numerous sites regarding the waiver of 7 day cooling off periods it seems the chap selling the solar panels was actually correct and watchdog appear to be wrong. many people rely on your info and it needs to be correct. it would seem that the waiver varies massivley according to where and how goods are purchased so for the average person it is not quite so clear cut .... if it is please send me a link showing me where there is no opt out of a cooling period


thanks


Mark
[Note from Watchdog webteam: Thank you for your comment. Here is a link to the Office of Public Sector Information which explains the law:
- hope this helps. Best regards, Mariam Abu-Hejleh, web team]

i wish to comment on solar direct, earlier this year we asked for solar direct to visit we had pretty much the same sort of presentation as the retired couple but we were also told we would need a new water cylinder as our one was not compatable. our cylinder was less than a tear old and the rep said a new one would cost us over a thousand pounds.

Where on earth do your so called "experts" get their figures from??...6%..... Solar thermal will produce 60-70% of domestic hot water needs.
Are you aware of the damage this so called "Expert" may well of done to what seems to be an industry thriving during a credit crunch???..
More research needed on Watchdogs behalf, where was the input from a few of the 10's of thousands of satisfied solar thermal users???..Poor show.

Yet again another ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ factual(sic)programme drowns the positivity of renewable energy as an important tool in the fight against climate change by giving airtime to a company (Solar Direct/Simplee Solar)that have been shown to be rogue traders in the past.
There is nothing nice to say about Companies like this but I have to say that the programme's so called experts are quite wrong about system performance statistics and the company should have been given the opportunity to properly respond,

I can't argue about solar direct but I know a comment about not saving money with solar panels is wrong. I bought the pyrex tube type panels with our system in 2002 since that time we have not used any gas or electricity for hot water during the months April to September and we also get hot water during he winter months our emersion heater has never been switched on and our gas is turned off completely during those months and we have as much hot water as we can use. Our system cost £3087. Since the increased cost of gas and electricity I estimate my outlay will have paid for itself by 2010.

Ive had a similar experience except I cancelled the next day after doing the calculations. Payback would have been 12+ years. Still trying to recover my deposit. Small Claims process failed, we were the last in a long chain of claimants. They have now reappeared. Question is why dont the OFT do something about these guys.

What a shame to have solar targeted, [Personal details removed by Moderator]When a company charge 7k + for a system the only way to justify this kind of investment to homeowners is to play on figures. The expert (the gentleman with the eyebrow piercing)mentioned that poppy would receive a 6% saving on her total gas bill and mentioned earlier that a 3rd off total gas is a fair prediction on savings. I would like to hear more about the expert in terms of qualifications and experience in this field. However by the sounds of it, if poppy could only save 6% on her gas then her property was not well suited to solar. On this basis maybe this should have been pointed out to the public rather than making solar look like a worthless investment. Obviously in this instance with 'Poppy' solar was a pointless excercise. however this certainly wouldnt be the case for many homeowners.

I accept that there is a case for solar panels, but have experienced the same 'hard' and inaccurate sell from a [Personal details removed by Moderator] company, who sold us a system that claimed to do the hot water as well as making a meaningful contribution to central heating costs. Having had the system installed (five figure sum) and having realised we'd been duped, I sent a long a reasoned letter on compliant on July 22nd and have yet to receive a reply, despite having spoken to several senior figures at the company. Has anyone had the same experinece with this company (name witheld for legal reasons, though anyone with a brain should be able to work out who they are!). Ta, Chris.

We installed solar tubes about 15 years ago. Although I can't quote exact figures we reckon they halved our gas bill. Even on a dull day the water heats to over 20 degrees, as the system seems to work on light, not just direct sunlight - on a sunny day it can be up to 65 or 70 degrees. Between about Easter and late September we don't need the gas at all. There might be a lot of mis-selling, but don't believe people who say that it's not worth installing. Just think what would be saved nationally if every new home had solar water heating installed as standard! It's never mentioned in Government plans to cut carbon emissions.

Having watched tonight episode of watch dog I have to say that is the 1st so called expert I have seen with an eyebrow piercing, perhaps his brain is pierced too, having spent too much time in the sun. His saving of 6% is a total joke, perhaps he is one of the so called experts who thinks that there is no such thing as global warming

Watching tonight’s program was interesting. I have had solar hot water for over 18 months now, and it does save you money. I stopped using the boiler (wood burner) back in March, and it finally went back on in October, so over SIX months where I didn’t pay a penny for my hot water, and it was hardly sunny weather up here in Yorkshire this year! So, it can pay. I paid £6k for mine, which included a new cylinder which I had resited in the attic at my request, so Solar Directs price wasn’t too far off, allowing for the cold call etc. (Incidentally, these cylinders are kind of special, it’s good to have a large one depending on the size of your family, and they normally need at least two heat transfer coils plus emersion for backup/service). HOWEVER, what I am niggled about are two points – Watchdog – You got a representative on your show, and you just DIDNT give him a RIGHT TO REPLY!! You are all too busy playing the blame game, cutting people dead before they can answer and you can challenge, it’s the one thing I hate about the show, and it’s the ATTITUDE of your presenters when interviewing. Also, the guy from SDUK said you had given them THREE complaints – Are you kidding? You brought this to the attention of MILLIONS of viewers, for just THREE complaints?!! Every company will get people who are not happy with the service. I also feel for those elderly people who recon they were hard done by, but quite frankly, they signed on the dotted line, and it’s not like it was a bodge job. Fix the attitude Watchdog. Now where do I complain?

I would just like to say that these so called experts of Watchdog used in the programe must be compleatly mad. I work for the largest Solar company in the UK and know that how can ones enery comsuption for hot water be 25% through that year when hot water amounts to 60% ?????????????
Rather than making the Solar market in the UK unreputable Focus on the future of renuable Enery !!!!

I do not necessarily agree with the sales tactics of Solar Direct, some of their figures can be argued. But I do object to the so called "experts" the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ seem to dig up for attacks against the solar industry.
Having been in the industry for over 10 years myself I have been told by solar users that they save fortunes on their bills and have an abundant supply of hot water and in many cases use only the solar for their hot water for the majority of the year. May I suggest the next time the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ want to attack a solar company to get real expert comments from the people who have it installed & have been saving money for years. Your experts comments only damage the industry and spoil things for the decent companies out there. It also damages the fight against climate change, money and fuel savings. Maybe next time you will do some research and talk to real users and not people who feel they have been ripped off, this does not represent the industry as a whole, just a few people who have been told by others they did wrong in buying solar. I can assure you, for every disgruntled person out there, there are 1000's of happy ones. But I guess you never hear from the happy ones, it wouldn't make "good" viewing.
Well done to Mr James of Solar Direct for standing his ground, its a shame you never let him speak.

we have just installed solar direct panels. The salesman definitely told us we would save 60% of our gas bill beacause more gas is used to heat water than for the CH system. He also said that the german manufacturers had an EU grant to promote the system in this country and we would benefit from this grant by having the installation price reduced from £11000 to just over £7000. The payback would be about five years, but we would have to monitor the system weekly (this is not diffcult) in order to qualify for the grant. we must also signe there and then as otherwise he would have to select someone else in the area for this pilot scheme.
However having said this the actual panels and system seem to be very efficient and are definitely a green way forward - BUT NOT at this inflated price.

Although agreeing that the woefull way Solar Direct went about their business was wrong I thought that there was an irresponsible portrayal of Solar panels by the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and where they dragged the so called expert from God only knows, he had obviously never seen evacuated tubes before and had no idea how the system worked. There is no doubt that the sun heating your water 365 days a year rather than the boiler saves considerable amounts of gas and to say it saves 6% was ludicrous. The female presenter was so full of herself when questioning the chappie in the studio she didnt actually give him time for any explanations. We should promote such eco friendly products not just dismiss them because you found a rogue company. 44% of Scandinavia has Solar water heating we are so far behind in this country and it doesnt help when you get excitable journalists trying to condemn an efficient eco system just to score points. Not impressed.

i have just watched the solar direct article. I work as a solar engineer my company is fully registered and certifide this company has performed many bad installations over the years but would like to state that the so called energy expert featured on your behalf is completely wrong and that solar will save a lot more than six percent it is not unusual for our clients to have there water heated by the solar alone throughout the summer months and only assisted by the boiler in the winter.Also your guestamet on how much these systems are also wrong if it is only a small house with a vented system around £5000 is right but if you have an unvented system or a larger house you will pay a bit more for the systems as more panels are required and unvented cylinders are more expensive to buy and there is a lot more work to do on the installation you need to remember somtimes you really do pay for what you get and there are some really unreliable solar panels on the market

It would appear that there is a general consensus among system owners via the message board that the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have through their chosen 'experts' mislead the public regarding the effectiveness of solar in the UK.
I seem to remember the same happened a while ago on their other consumer programme (Rogue Traders) when their expert also spouted what anyone who owns one of these systems would refer to as complete rubbish.
Odd then that there are Government grants (£400 from the LCBP in England & 30% of cost from SCHRI in Scotland. available for this technology that is apparently worthless??????
It is high time the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ put THEIR experts claims to the test making sure the results were broadcast to the viewing public fairly and without the disgraceful bias displayed by the female presenter last night.

Thanks to those happy customers who understand solar thermal panels with there positive response.
Solar should cost between £4-5000 installed with a new cylinder.With ever incraseing energy bills its now more viable to produce your own energy.

What an unsatisfactory report. The dodgy statements made by Solar Direct were eclipsed by the unsubstantiated and inaccurate statements made by the reporter and the programme.
If SD had claimed 'at least 75% saving' on the hot water, they should be thrown to the lions! As it implies a minimum saving. There is no evidence in the programme of SD or their salesman making that claim.. only that hot water was 75% of the bill (although wrong, is not the same)
Watchdog are just as guilty as SD when it comes to playing with the figures. SD are mis-informing a few, Watchdog are mis-informing millions!
The expert in renewable energy, who on cursory research on the web is an expert in Biomass and not Solar, talked about a 6% saving for Polly with no explanation why. Was it just for effect?
This was very poor and lazy journalism pandering to popular misconceptions.
What is needed is a proper programme with real facts and unbiased experts looking at all aspects of micro-generation and how the homeowner can make a difference.

I would like to comment on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ watchdog programme.I have a reasonable knowledge on solar hot water and pv and cannot fathom where the so called expert obtained his figures, the vast majority of correctly fitted systems produce hot water throughout the summer and proportionately in the winter months.The reputable companies who use evacuated tubes especially of the german variety produce savings to virtually all their users.It would also be nice if the journalists allowed the gentleman to reply without trampling all over him

An open letter to the programme producer.

It is quite obvious from the groundswell of comment on this message board from the real experts ie, the viewers that actually own these systems, that you or rather the experts you rely upon seem to have got things seriously wrong regarding performance.

It would appear that in trying to expose doubtful sales techniques including mis-selling, you have only succeeded in giving the viewing public mis-information regarding the relative merits of solar in the UK.

As a publicly funded broadcaster, will you now take responsibility and address these anomolies or at least acknowledge they exist in your next Watchdog broadcast (doubtful) and also please explain why prime time viewing was given over to what appeared to be two quite sane and rational (albeit elderly) people who had obviouly been caught spending their kids inheritance.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ you made a programme against the solar industry after just 3 complaints. On this blog you have over a dozen positive statements, do you not think you should redress the balance and make a program stating that your 'expert' got his figures wrong? along with millions of others I pay your over inflated wages, now I want you to put my money to better use and apologise to the nation for misleading them. How can you expose companies and be exempt from critism and exposure yourself?

I really have to comment on amartinwest's post as it along with the programme typifies why solar in the UK is shrouded in myth and legend and 30 years behind the rest of Europe.
He mentions a payback period of 12 years.
Anyone in the city will tell you that is a reasonable time but it completely misses the point.
Gas and oil do not offer a payback period so why should renewables?
Double Glazed Windows, Conservatories and Cars don't either but we still buy them and for a lot more than the cost of a solar system.
Utility bills are like a never ending Bank Loan which only cease on the day you die.
Payback is what the Earth is experiencing now amartinwest so do yourself a favour, find a reputable company and re-order that system.
You wont regret it I promise!

I recently had a panel installed and have now seen Watchdog on the web. I was assured, by a salesman from a company with a very similar name to the one on the programme, that the system responded to light, not just sun. When the panel fitters arrived they said I should have two panels, one back and one front. This had not been mentioned; would it have cost extra? Surely. The pump only works in bright sunlight, and if there is sun at the back (SW). Was the sales pitch wrong or have others been told the panel responds to just ‘daylight’?

I had s solar system installed by solar direct nearly 3 years ago, my dealings with the company from start to finish was brilliant,i have saved massive amounts of money using my system, it seems to me that the company are being persecuted by watchdog, i really coundn,t see what they had done wrong, i have to admire the fact they sent a representive to the bbc, as everyone knows that it is impossible to defend yourself as the presenters have a attitude of contemp to anybody appearing on that show,as for the expert i,m sure i saw him selling the big issue last saturday. This all came about from 3 complaints from what i could see,i do hope they haven,t sacked the salesman who was filmed,he was the same person who solad me my system and is a very nice and polite man.
these consumer programs are a joke.
I have read the local paper (Bournemouth echo) it is mentioned in there that solar direct uk offered a challenge to watchdog, they are willing to install thier system free of charge to one of there producers homes, all they ask is that after 12 months if the system is as rubbish as watchdog say, then come on and tell the world how right they were about solar, and if the system provides a anywhere near a 40% to 60% saving on there gas bill, come on and eat humble pie and beg for forgiveness for perscuting them.
It does not say if the challenge has been accepted, but come on watchdog for once in your programs life, you have the chance to use facts. [Note from Watchdog: Our piece was in no way criticising solar panels - simply the salesmen who miss-sell them. We made clear that solar heating systems can have financial benefits as well as environmental ones, but the problem arises when companies exaggerate or even lie about those benefits - which of course is what we focused on in our report. To help people interested in solar energy work out which claims are correct and which are bogus, the Energy Saving Trust have answered some fo the most common questions we've been asked. You can find it on the front page of our website this week. There's also a link in the second paragraph at the top of this blog. Regards, Eddie Botsio, Watcdog web team]

There have been a total of 27 posts to date (2 more being moderated as I write regarding the Solar segment of this week's programme.
Out of that 27, a staggering 20 which is an overwhelming percentage have questioned the information put out by the programme and 'rubbished' the opinion of the expert.
Energy today is the single most important challenge facing our World and the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ have an obligation to afford those with opposite views the opportunity to be heard.
It is after all our money and we demand that you are seen to be fair and impartial.
Reporting the strength of opposition you have received via this blog on next weeks programme would be a stsrt.
We will be watching!

[Note from Watchdog: Our piece was in no way criticising solar panels - simply the salesmen who missell it. We made clear that solar heating systems can have financial benefits as well as environmental ones, but the problem arises when companies exagerrate or even lie about those benefits - which of course is what we focused on in the piece. To help people interested in solar energy work out which claims are correct and which are bogus, the Energy Saving Trust has answered some of the most common questions we've been asked. You can read them on this page: /watchdog/consumer_advice/latest_solar_panels_pic.shtml

Best wishes, Zoe Behagg - Watchdog Web producer]

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Hi that was my dad on this :) and what he said was 100% right except the fact that watchdog cut every good point he made and turned down the offer my dad made when he offerd to put one on there houses and come back in a yar to prove that it works Poor show making bad points about good people

I have also had a similar experience with a company selling a solar water heating system.
[Personal details removed by Moderator]
In July 2007 their salesman contracted to install their system for £3750 if we monitored its performance for a year.
In September 2007 a team installed the frame on the outside of the roof, and left some bits and pieces in our loft. The work then stopped.
In December 2007 they drew
down the agreed deposit of £750. However till now the work has not been restarted despite our writing a number of letters and receiving promises that the work was imminent.

I find it hard to believe that my last post i still with the moderator, must be because its a positive comment.
Unbeliveable the watchdog moderator says thay were not having a go at solar,just the company selling tactics, so what was there so called expert doing when he made false claims regarding the performance of solar, what a joke program.

Just noticed my first post was removed,this is a joke, anything that is written that they dont like is removed, now that really is fair, i would love them to print the challenge that was put to watchdog by solar direct.

Thank you for the useful information Zoe but Its just not good enough.
The photograph on the link is of photovoltaic panels (not what the salesman was selling which was solar thermal) which is a different technology and the Energy Saving Trust (although still not completely accurate) have also contradicted your expert.
This needs to be addressed on next weeks programme as it his contribution was totally misleading.

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My husband and I were horrified to see Solar Direct featured on Watchdog last Monday. We, too, signed up for their system priced at £7,350 payable in 3 chunks according to the work being done. Having paid out £4,500 we were on the point of having the final work done and making the final payment of £2,940. We cancelled this and are in the process of writing to the company in an effort to resolve the issues. We feel that the selling methods employed were questionable but too extensive to go through here. We thought the basic product was acceptable and well-engineered but see now, having looked into costs, that the price was excessive, inconsistent and seemingly poor value when compared with other companies. For once in our lives, we did not look into the subject or obtain at least 3 quotes. Perhaps we can be forgiven for that since we are in our seventies, both ill with osteoporosis and, in my case, advanced breast and bone cancer. In our effort to cut escalating costs so that we could stay in our home of thirty years for the final years of our lives, we took this unwise step. I am optimistic that fuel costs would be considerably reduced but now believe that the installation costs are terribly high. I hope that Solar Direct will make amends to us and other elderly (or otherwise) people in the same situation. If not, can anyone recommend an installer to complete the project; one who would not think it acceptable to make what they can out of the vulnerability of us all?

The programme has obviously roused a lot of feeling from those who felt that the programme, in its efforts to highlight the broad and exaggerated claims from Solar Direct, went for the sensational and failed to accurately address the issue of financial savings. It should be stated that solar thermal works and has proved to give 100,000’s of people savings across Northern Europe. However each installation is individual and percentage savings from one installation can vary dramatically to the next. A family of five in a well insulated home could well be using 60% of their gas for hot water whereas if it was poorly insulated that percentage would fall dramatically and a single person with a combi-boiler would benefit the least. Large savings can be achieved and can exceed expectation. This is evident from the 1000’s of satisfied solar users. The easiest way to estimate your hot water expenditure (although still not totally accurate) is to take April-September bills which should be all hot water bar some days and for the October- March consumption use the ’Summer’ figure adding a percentage (about 20%) to cover increased winter hot water consumption and lower feed temperatures. Once added together should give you somewhere close to a realistic figure. The amount a Solar Thermal system can contribute to the hot water depends on technology used, the size, orientation and shading of the system. A quality evacuated tube system should be sized to give 60% of hot water supplied. The Solar Keymark, a proof of internationally regarded tests a Solar thermal system must pass to qualify for grant status, has a test which calculates how much is needed to give 60% of a set consumption figure. The cost of the system can vary a great deal. It is true that a simple low cost install will start at around £3,500 (DIY £2-2500) but many installations in my experience are not straightforward if you encounter a combi boiler, an unvented system, east/west orientation, expensive access equipment , long pipe runs etc costs will rise. So to give an upper limit on price is being unrealistic. This is where the solar industry in its efforts to stamp out the cowboy shoots itself in the foot. The reason the national companies charge what they do is they spend fortunes on marketing, on the infrastructure to support a large business and pay marketing managers (salesmen) and their managers commissions (salaries would push up costs significantly). These national companies are responsible for 100’s of solar installations every week and any solar installation has to be a good thing and should be applauded. That is not to say they shouldn’t be held accountable for mistakes that they make. And move their sales techniques from the 80’s and into the 21st century.
The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ went for the simplistic and sensational approach which has done nothing to encourage people to take up Solar Heating it has only served to put doubts in their minds. The statement that the programme ‘made clear that solar heating systems can have financial benefits as well as environmental ones’ was totally lost in the editorial thrust of the piece. The producers of Watchdog should be more responsible and have greater awareness of the impact their decisions can make.

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I WATCHAED YOUR PROGRAMME ONLY TO CONFIRM MY THOUGHTS. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I HAVE READ OR SAW A PROGRAMME THAT LETS BOTH SIDES OF A STORY BE TOLD. MORE INFORMATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GATHERED, WE ALLWAYS JUMP TO THE DEFENCE OF THE ORDINARY MAN BUT LETS FACE IT I WORK AND HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC AND ALL THEY EVER WANT IT SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. FAMILIES WHO THINK THAT THERE PARENTS ARE SPENDING THERE MONEY. TRUTH IS PEOPLE DONT ALLWAYS INVESTIGATE WHAT THEY ARE BUYING BUT IM SURE THAT [Company details removed by Moderator]HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TRYING TO JUMP ON A BAND WAGON TRYING TO GET SOMETHING FOR THEM SELF. YOUNEVER STATED WHAT PROCEEDURES THE COMPANY HAVE IN PLACE, WOULD HAVE BEEN INTERESTED IN FINDING THIS OUT. I CANNO HELP BUT FEEL THAT THE ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ HAS LOST ITS WAY FROM BEING RESPECTED TO SEEMING DESPERATE IN TRYING TO FIND A PROGRAMME THAT ONLY GOES ONE WAY. PLEASE STOP BEING SO AROGANT HELP BY AL MEANS BUT GIVE THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW. AS YOU SEEM TO POINT OUT NOT EVERYONE IS WHAT IT SEEMS THAT INCLUDES YOU AND YOUR REPORTERS ALSO THE 3 COMPLAINTS THAT MUST BE EVERY COMPANYS DREAM 3 COMPLAINTS. TAKE CARE YOU MAY BE A THING OF THE PAST SOON IF PEOPLE CANT BELEIVE IN YOU.

Hi Watchdog

There are 4 problems with solar heating:

1. UK is in the north of the Northern Hemisphere.

2. People in UK do not believe in solar heating.

3. Sellers can make wild claims without being understood.

4. Cost.

Let me take these in order:

1. UK is in the North of the Northern Hemisphere.
People go on holiday to Spain, Greece, etc., for the heat and to get a suntan. Solar panels work there very effectively, because of the heat. People do not holiday in the UK because they cannot obtain a satisfactory suntan. Similarly, solar panels do not obtain enough heat to supply heating all year round.

2. People in the UK do not believe in solar heating.

The sun does not shine all of the time.
As UV filters through cloud, solar heating occurs, although it is not as much as in soring/summer because the power of the sun is not as intense through cloud and winter sun.

3.Sellers can make wild claims without being understood.

During spring/summer periods, fuel consumption reduces, as central heating is switched off. Therefore, savings are due to reduced demand, being only for water heating , not central heating. Customers do not understand that fuel consumption varies throughout the year, ans savings can vary from season to season.

4.Cost.

The cost of installation is greater than the savings.

Therefore, the questions to be asked are:

1. How much energy do I use each quarter?

2. How much energy use will I save each quarter?

3. How much will it cost me to have this system installed?

4. How much time will it take for the savings from the installation of the system to pay for the cost of installation?

The answers, will, I fear be that the saving will mean that the cost of installation will take over 20 years to be recovered. However, as energy costs are rising, this time will be reduced.
Therefore, the customer has to decide whether the installation will pay for itself or whether whether the cost is a price he/she is willing to pay for saving the planet. Only he/she can decide.

Regarding the item on Watchdog relating to this subject, I can only say that perhaps the Scottish Terrier (Nickie Campbell) should take lessons from the Wicked Witch from the North (Anne Robinson), who, at least gave her victims a chance to reply.

Best wishes

Austin

I'd like to clarify for all of you why I complained about Solar Direct.

They'll stick their system onto any old boiler that is still operational. My father in law has nurtured his boiler for over 25 years. He needs a new boiler not a dubious solar panel system. It is amazing to see their heath robinson device attached to an obviously out of date boiler. The salesman and surveyor they sent must have been aware of this.

The payback on this system is appropriate for a new build house not a victorian house, not fully double glazed, with the original roof in need of maintenance.

The maths they use to make their case is shoddy. My father in law was under the impression that it would heat his central heating. He uses an electric shower, and has a cold water feed dishwasher and washing machine.

They charge over the odds, and didn't give him a chance to cool off and change his mind.

I've nothing against solar panels, or making an informed decision to purchase such items. But Solar Direct take advantage of people's ignorance and willingness to both save money and be ecological. Beware.

The guy who wrote as to the reasons why he complained about the company who had sold his Father in Law a system obviously has no knowledge of what in fact his Father in Law purchased.
He mentioned about the existing boiler but these systems are in addition to not instead of conventional methods of heating domestic hot water.
In truth, a properly fitted system will render the boiler mostly redundant through the Summer months and will reduce the load on it for Domestic Hot water during the Winter months.
This is where the programmes expert got it so wrong.
If you dont burn any gas between say March and September and have reduced consumption throughout the rest of the year as far as domestic hot water heating requirement is concerned, then it is obvious that the savings will be significant in properties that have an acceptable level of insulation etc.
Come on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ, two of your consumer programmes have mislead the public about Solar Energy over the last 4 years.
As a public service broadcaster and in light of the number of comments on this site, you owe the viewing public the alternative view from the real experts. The silent minority that have invested in these systems.

The expert in this show was completely correct. The energy saving trust state that an average solar thermal system could save around £65 per year in gas or £95 per year in electricity at current prices. The average system costs £4200 including installation. It is simple maths to work out the payback time for these sytems will be between 45 to 65 years. The energy saving trust also publish figures stating an average household uses 25% of its overall energy consumption on hot water and 58% on space heating. The average uk household spends £1250 on energy bills, so 6% is a generous allowance for the savings with solar thermal. These are facts and easily found with a google search (or go to the energy saving trust website). I am astonished that so many people make statements on blogs like this challenging somebody who clearly is an expert without checking the FACTS first! The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not misleading the public, the companies fitting these sytems are doing that.

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I was sold a system on 2nd December by the saleman for Solar Direct, who has been suspended His figures gave a payback period of between 5 and 10 years. He also gave figures showing a saving on an investment basis for the system. He also conned us into agreeing to waive the seven day cancellation period. I paid my deposit of £2450. About 3 weeks later I was warned about these people and did some calculations, which showed that I would have to save at least £530 a year if the system was to be worthwhile. My calculations showed that I only use about £70 of hot water each year. I therefore rescinded the contract on the grounds of misrepresentation and asked for my money back. So far I have not got anywhere and it looks as though I will have to take legal action to recover the money. These systems are definitely not worth the money especially for a two person household which keeps its water consumptiohn to a minimum.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.