Just to let you know, I can confirm that Energy Saving Group have not ‘gone’, they still exist, are still carrying out surveying work, and are issuing customers' refunds. A large number of people have already received them, and they are being issued on a weekly basis.
It isn't a con, it isn't a scam; the company itself are not at fault. One of the installers they used dragged their heels and then changed their criteria, so loads of customers ended up finding their property was no longer suitable for the scheme. The installer that they were using are nation-wide, hence the problems in all areas.
The new installers are much more efficient and I can confirm that customers are having their panels installed now within weeks of placing the order.
The company are now using other installers and panels are being fitted without problems or delays. Customers who were rejected or have cancelled are either being resurveyed to see if they are now suitable under the new installers, or refunded if this isn't possible.
As SO many customers were left requiring refunds, the company are working as quickly as they can to get the cheques out, but as the money people have paid up front is used to process the order (there's all sorts of legal paperwork, surveyors etc to pay for and that's what the money is used for) so they have to get this back before they can refund people.
They're working through the refunds in the fairest way they can, which is in chronological order so people who paid their money first, get their money back first.
Everyone who is entitled to a refund will get a refund, but as explained, looks like this may take a bit of time; I can confirm for you that refunds are definitely going out and the company are doing all they can to issue these as quickly as possible.