"Free" solar panels....

[d9f1c7]

OK there are firm fitting these for free if they can have the fed back electicity through some sort of governement scheme. So what's the catch? Who owns the panels? do they maintain them? forever? do you have to sign a cc agreement even though there is ostensibly no cost? Anyone with first hand experience of this? What are the pitfalls?

[AB Editor]

Do you have the name of the company? Might be a useful starting point.

I'd imagine if they were fitting the panels for free they'd want to take the profit made from the surplus energy - this would usually go to the home owner when sold back to the national grid.

[d9f1c7]

There are lots of firms: http://www.uswitch.co...9mmhK8CFUEOfAod4zjc4A

the uswitch claim there is no cath but I'm not so sure this won't end in tears on watch dog in a few years.

[AB Editor]

Yeah, it's explained here:

"Companies install free solar panels because of a government scheme called the Feed-in Tariff , which means that they earn money for every unit of electricity the solar panels they install on your roof generate. The company earns money from the free solar panels on your roof and you get free electricity - it's a win-win situation. "

I guess it may be worth weighing up the cost of doing it yourself and also collecting the pennies while the sun is shining VS it being "free" but passing up on the cash?

Personally I always think it's better to be in control and a little out of pocket in the short term.

I imagine the catch will be, as you expect, that they won't maintain them for you and you'll end up with a fairly big bill if you need replacements; at this point is when I see the Watchdog situation coming in, as the company may attempt to claim the feed-in tariff cash if the panels are replaced.

[jno]

re pitfalls, this was in the paper at the weekend

http://www.guardian.c...m-mortgage-prospects?

[gness]

In some cases you are leasing your roof to the company for a set number of years. Can be a problem if you want to sell your house.
I don`t know much other than listening to a very messy case on the radio last week.
Land registry can also come into it. Do your research carefully.

[gness]

JNO. That is not the case I listened to but similar, although the couple concerned managed to pull out with the help of the radio station. Looks like it could become a problem.

[d9f1c7]

I see jno, so they are leasing your roof in effect! I can see that causing all sorts of issues when selling etc.

[gness]

Seems it does d9, as most buyers need a mortgage.