BBC Watchdog

[The Launderer]

BBC Watchdog have a feature on solar this Thursday on BBC 1. Don't think its going to be saying how wonderful it is.

 

[SRE]

It's about free solar and selling tactics I believe, shouldn't be a problem for decent installers.

 

[SolarCity]

If it is about solar panels in general then lets hope they do a better job than Which? and their abortion of a report.

 

[Mark_Burgess]

As SRE said, those of you decent installers shouldn't have a problem, however depending in what is shown tonight you will probably be questioned or scrutinised over the next couple of weeks.

I do hope they pick out those that con the elderly into having it done at a high price and put the panels on an east facing slope!!

 

[SolarCity]

Actually, slightly off topic, but you may be surprised how well an east facing system performs.

 

[MCACelectrical]

Hi

Are there any courses out at the moment for people wanting to get involved in installing PV systems?

Thanks

Matt

 

[solarsavings]

A company in Norfolk installed a system on a north west facing roof which we wouldn't do and the owner says it's working better than they hoped for, given those of us that said it wouldn't and at least as well as the company that installed it Solar Energy Solutions Norfolk - Home. Got bigger balls than me that's for sure.

 

[SRE]

Actually, slightly off topic, but you may be surprised how well an east facing system performs.

Yea, we've got a customer in Scotland with a West facing roof, projected SAP 2650, installed at end of March and has generated 2450 already. Obviously you'd expect the Summer months to be better but still, not a bad result for West facing in Scotland.

Our installation is 51 degrees East and in 46 weeks has generated 3295kwh against a projected 3090.

 

[Guest123]

Hi

Are there any courses out at the moment for people wanting to get involved in installing PV systems?

Thanks

Matt

There are a number of PV courses available from a number of different organisations.

1. NICEIC PV
2. City & Guilds 2399
3. Logic Solar PV

Google any of the above and you should find what you're after.

 

[Adam W]

If it's a 'Rogue Traders' item they'll just pick a camerashy installer, wait for him to give his sales pitch, jump out with a camera crew and shout "Matt Alright BBC Rogue Traders" then wait for him to run away from the cameras, which is an instant admission of guilt by default, whereas if the 'rogue' participated in the televised ad-hoc interrogation session with questions repeated by someone with no knowledge of the matter in hand, well that wouldn't make such entertaining telly, which is the only reason it's on at all.

You may as well just watch the X-Factor instead - at least that's unashamedly trashy TV rather than trying to tart itself up as consumer advice.

 

[solarcat]

If the Watchdog is about warnign consumers to beware of bad sales and install practices...then it's welcome! I've lost too many jobs to installers offering poorely installed systems, shaded panels and so on...time for revenge!

 

[series530]

Rent a roof scandals and being charged an up front fee of £500 and then having to wait a year or more for panels - Energy savings Group featured

Not an especially in depth article but I didn't expect much more - TV is all about sound bytes and lacks depth these days.

 

[SolarCity]

I was delighted that Energy Saving Group were shown. They're crooks as previous threads will testify.

Crap report though. The tag line "It could save you lots of money but it may end up costing you far more" - this didn't seem to have any relevance to the report which focused on a crap company which, by common knowledge, has been ripping people off.

 

[Paul Roberts]

Anne let off Steve Dixon lightly I thought, she started pressing him about the £500 and what was it actually for when British Gas etc don't charge anything, he came out with some lame response then she just dropped it. Was hoping she was going to really make him squirm but no such luck.

Best part was the look on his face when the camera switched to him - he looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights!

 

[vernam616]

He was talking jibberish and contradicting himself heavily, hopefully the appearance on watchdog may help innocent people realise not to go with them