Jump to content

Recommended Posts

When leaflet for solar panels from the mayor's office came through the door I decided to register my interest. Mayor Khan explained that once Londoners had signed up (with no obligation to proceed), he would send it out to tender. The company called Green Energy Together was awarded the contract. I have a small 3 bed and the cost of panels plus battery came to about ?6.5k. The battery cost came to almost half of the cost but you don't have to included it in the package. Anyway I went ahead with it and the installation all went swimmingly. There was a bit of a delay on the admin side getting the paperwork together but it all came good in the end. It was installed just before Christmas and I didn't see much production in winter. However, to give you some idea I've just checked total production and consumption for the month of May. Consumption 4.12kwh, Production 3.10 kwh. Bear in mind that we are home a lot, so Tele, lights, kettle going most of the day and also all electric cooking. My biggest bugbear is not being able to connect it to the grid yet because we can't get our smart meter converted, despite waiting 2 years.....but that's another story.
It's good that you had a positive experience as so many were dismissive if this scheme including a thread on this forum. It should also add value to the property. Our issue is that they would have to go on the front of the house. If people have issues with pay back on solar panels, you should look at grey water and rain water recycling. Can cost 10s of 1000s

So? I expect it didn't meet planning law/framework. If the decision was wrong then they could get it overturned by the planning inspectorate. If it was not in the approved application but was ok in principle then permission may have been granted retrospectively


More importantly do you have a view on the original question? I did.


You won't be the only person here who has an issue with Southwark but there are other threads you can join in.

I had 7 panels installed by Green Energy Together in March 2022. Customer service, communication, installation date scheduling,have all been appalling.

I am still waiting for a battery, without which I cannot export any excess energy to the grid.

I cannot recommend this company.

h3+ Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Were these quotes done recently? With the massive

> increase in power prices and rise of WFH (it's

> better to use the power than sell it to the grid)

> i believe the payback period can be around 8 years



The quotes were in April this year. Definitely not cost effective. With payback in 20 years, there are no savings to be made.

Lebanums Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> h3+ Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Were these quotes done recently? With the

> massive

> > increase in power prices and rise of WFH (it's

> > better to use the power than sell it to the

> grid)

> > i believe the payback period can be around 8

> years

>

>

> The quotes were in April this year. Definitely not

> cost effective. With payback in 20 years, there

> are no savings to be made.


You might be able to check if they used the new price cap rate if its mentioned on your quote. The new rate is around 28.34p per kwh compared to 20.8p per kWh. It looks like it might be getting closer to 40p per kwh from Oct

I expect this market was helped by government subsidies which always ends up with some shysters getting involved. Always helpful for good and bad comments about contractors on a suitable forum - trust a trader, trade associations and the like. General rule in any service is see whether they are a trade association member and if there is a code of practice. Sadly since austerity government tends not to get involved and local authorities have slashed trading standards teams. Ultimately you can go to court which I did once years ago and they settled rather than challenged. Of course you should complain to the company first.


A little off piste but don't let one shoddy company put you off. I would have thought that solar panels added to the value of property. The Archer family are fitting them to their milking shed in Ambridge in the West Midlands.

louisemurray Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> My experience with them is an ongoing nightmare.

> No response to emails, only respond and promise

> but dont deliver when you get through after a

> lengthy wait.

>

> All I can say is lucky you.



Have you tried posting a review on their Facebook page? They seem to reply quite quickly to negative comments

h3+ Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Lebanums Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > h3+ Wrote:

> >

> --------------------------------------------------

>

> > -----

> > > Were these quotes done recently? With the

> > massive

> > > increase in power prices and rise of WFH

> (it's

> > > better to use the power than sell it to the

> > grid)

> > > i believe the payback period can be around 8

> > years

> >

> >

> > The quotes were in April this year. Definitely

> not

> > cost effective. With payback in 20 years, there

> > are no savings to be made.

>

> You might be able to check if they used the new

> price cap rate if its mentioned on your quote. The

> new rate is around 28.34p per kwh compared to

> 20.8p per kWh. It looks like it might be getting

> closer to 40p per kwh from Oct


The new rate was used. I will never make my money back whilst living in my current house. I have 0 interest in pursuing this until the cost comes down. Also investigated a heat pump, but the placement of the external unit would mean it would not work as intended.

  • 2 months later...

Has anyone on here received their paperwork - ie Certificate of Installation and Handover pack from this company? I have chased up many times by phone and email and am still waiting since my installation in March 2022


I have been trying to contact them via the commissioners for Southwark council scheme Solar Energy Together. No progress so far.


Do not use this company.

Quite amazing that the offer from Green Energy Together was accepted by the council considering this looks to be the same people (David Elbourne) that were responsible for Solarplicity. They also had an astonishingly poor track record (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solarplicity).


In fact Ofgem took action against the company in 2019: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47329324 and they were in administration by the end of year (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/solarplicity-companies-information-for-customers).


Looking at the google reviews for Green Energy Together, this clearly isn't just Southwark. Nor does it look like Mr Elbourne has improved on his track record.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Per Cllr McAsh, as quoted above: “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution. " Is anyone au fait with the Clean Air Act 1993, and  particularly with the state of 'Smoke Control' law and practice generally?  I've just been looking  through some of it for the first time and, afaics, the civil penalties mentioned  were introduced into the Clean Air Act, at Schedule 1A, in May 2022.  So it seems that, in this particular,  it's a matter of the enforcement policy trailing well behind the legislation.  I'm not criticising that at all, but am curious.  
    • Here's the part of march46's linked-to Southwark News article pertaining to Southwark Council. "Southwark Council were also contacted for a response. "Councillor James McAsh, Cabinet Member for Clean Air, Streets & Waste said: “One of Southwark’s key priorities is to create a healthy environment for our residents. “To achieve this we closely monitor legislation and measures that influence air pollution – our entire borough apart from inland waterways is designated as a Smoke Control Area, and we also offer substantial provision for electric vehicles to promote alternative fuel travel options and our Streets for People strategy. “We as a council support the work of Mums for Lungs and recognise the health and environmental impacts of domestic solid fuel burning, particularly from wood-burning appliances. “We are currently updating our Enforcement Policy and changes will allow for the issuing of civil penalties ranging from £175 to £300 for visible smoke emissions, replacing the previous reliance on criminal prosecution.  “This work is being undertaken in collaboration with other London boroughs as part of the pan-London Wood Burning Project, which aims to harmonise enforcement approaches and share best practice across the capital.” ETA: And here's a post I made a few years ago, with tangential relevance.  https://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/topic/278140-early-morning-drone-flying/?do=findComment&comment=1493274  
    • The solicitor is also the Executor. Big mistake, but my Aunt was very old, and this was the Covid years and shortly after so impossible to intervene and get a couple of close relatives to do this.  She had no children so this is the nephews and nieces. He is a single practitioner, and most at his age would have long since retired - there is a question over his competence Two letters have already gone essentially complaining - batted off and 'amusingly' one put the blame on us. There are five on our side, all speaking to each other, and ideally would work as a single point of contact.  But he has said that this is not allowed - we've all given approval to act on each others behalf. There are five on her late husband's side, who have not engaged with us despite the suggestion to work as a team, There is one other, who get's the lion's share, the typicical 'friend', but we are long since challenging the will. I would like to put another complaint together that he has not used modern collective communication (I expect that he is incapable) which had seriously delayed the execution of the will.   I know many in their 80s very adept with smart phones so that is not an ageist comment. The house has deteriorated very badly, with cold, damp and a serious leak.  PM me if you want to see the dreadful condition that it is now in. I would also question why if the five of us are happy to work together why all of us need to confirm in writing.             The house was lived in until Feb 23, and has been allowed to get like this.
    • Isn’t a five yearly electricity safety certificate one of the things the landlord must give for a legal tenancy?
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...