Purchasing a solar PV installation or having it installed for free is a conundrum which many people face. Obviously, the first question that many people ask is “what is the catch”? Well, there is a catch we’re 100% honest about that.
The reason we are able to install solar panels for free is because it is a financial investment for Sustain.
That does not mean that a free solar power installation is of no benefit to our clients there is still plenty of logic to suggest that it will work well.
Let’s take a look at the differences between a free solar panel installation and a purchased solution:
Ownership
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
When you pay for a solar PV installation, you own all of the equipment including the panels, inverter, cabling, mounting system and other constituent parts.
With a free solar panel installation, we retain ownership of all of the said parts, however, at the end of the feed in tariff scheme we will agree to leave the panels on the property. So, you can continue to use electricity generated by the panels after the 20 year period of the feed in tariff and you will not be charged for the equipment. You may also be able to benefit from tariffs that could be in place at that time but this of course is speculative and may not be the case in 20 years’ time.
Buyout
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
Once you have purchased the solar PV system, it is of course yours and you are free to manage it in a way which maximises efficiency, however you are not required to buy any further products from Sustain.
Following the installation of a free solar panel system, it will be owned by Sustain for the duration of the feed in tariff period which is 20 years. Currently there are no buyout clauses in place to enable clients to purchase a solar PV system at any point during the feed in tariff period. The system will always be owned by Sustain for the duration of the feed in tariff.
System Choice
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
For a purchased solar PV installation, you are free to choose the panels and equipment that is relevant for your purposes. Sustain will guide you through this process to ensure you receive everything that is relevant to your specifications.
Equipment will be specified by Sustain for free solar panel installations and this includes the solar panels and other related equipment for the system.
Warranty
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
The workmanship guarantees as well as the manufacturer warranties are applicable for specific durations as part of a purchased solar PV installation. If anything breaks down, the appropriate warranty or guarantee will be implemented to ensure the smooth operation of a solar PV system. Be aware that specific parts of the system are only guaranteed for a certain period of time and it is the clients responsibility to ensure extended warranties are in place where applicable. We will advise you with all the options and protection available for your system.
With a free solar panel installation, the equipment is owned by Sustain and as such we will manage any of the manufacturer warranties and finer details. Clients do not need to worry about any of these particulars.
Maintenance
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
While the solar PV system will require very little maintenance over the course of its life, the panels may need to be cleaned occasionally and shading needs to be kept to a minimum in the vicinity of the panels. Sustain are always on hand to help and guide you with information in relation to maintenance, but are not directly responsible for purchased solar PV solutions unless it falls within our warranty period.
With a free solar panel installation, maintenance of the solar PV system is ultimately the responsibility of Sustain. We will manage and monitor warranties and will arrange visits from time to time to assess the operations and efficiency of the solar PV system. We will arrange a time that is suitable with you and at your convenience. We do ask that basic maintenance around the property is in place and shading from trees is at a minimum.
Faults
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
For a purchased solar PV installation, if any of the parts are faulty during the warranty period, we’ll work with you and the manufacturers to rectify any problems. If any of the equipment fails outside of the warranty period you can always contact Sustain for guidance in relation to repairing these items or indeed replacing them where necessary. We cannot guarantee that all of the products will last for the duration of the 20 year feed in tariff but there are extended warranties in place to ensure you are correctly covered. We want to help you get the most out of your investment and to protect returns where possible, so we will guide you on the best way to maximise efficiency.
With a free solar panel installation, the systems efficiency will be monitored by our head office and if there are any faults, Sustain will deal with them appropriately. We may have to visit your property to make repairs, or to replace faulty items, but in reality, this rarely happens. It is ultimately Sustain’s responsibility to manage any system faults but we encourage our clients to contact us if they’re concerned about the efficiency of the system so they can continue to receive cheaper electricity bills.
Suitability
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
With a purchased solar PV system it is always the best option to install it on a south facing roof because efficiencies will be greater and the return on investment will certainly deliver more. However, roofs with an orientation of South East or South West are still efficient enough for certain properties to benefit from solar PV. We will of course offer purchased solar PV installations to these properties.
With a free solar panel installation if the optimum orientation cannot be achieved, then you may not be granted the opportunity of a free solar panel installation. In order for Sustain to make the free solar panel installation financially viable an optimum orientation position is required and as such, your property may be rejected if we cannot install the panels in an optimum position. We may also decline a free solar panel application if the property is overshadowed by trees or other objects as they will also affect the performance of the panels.
Selling Your Property
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
When selling your property with solar panels installed, the transfer of ownership for the equipment will be part of the property sale process if you paid for the installation. The new owner will then continue to benefit from the feed in tariff scheme and the reduction in electricity bills from the solar PV installation.
With a free solar panel installation, you will sell the property and transfer the contract that you have in place with Sustain to the new owner of the property. It is a fairly seamless process, which transfers obligations to the new owner.
The Investment
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
After you have paid for your solar PV installation you’ll be able to apply for the feed in tariff scheme, which will pay you an income for 20 years after the installation date. This extra income will contribute to paying off the installation costs within potentially 6 to 10 years depending on the size and scale of the installation. You will also benefit from cheaper electricity bills and as such over a 20 year period the purchased solution will deliver a significant financial return.
For a free solar panel installation, you will not receive the benefits of the feed in tariff. Sustain will effectively be renting your roof and will claim the benefits of the feed in tariff. This income is used to finance the installation costs, but it also means that you can benefit from cheaper electricity bills. Use the electricity generated by the panels during the day to save money on your electricity bills. In short, the financial returns of a free solar panel installation are not the same as a purchased solution.
Electricity Bill
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
With a purchased solar PV installation, you will continue to receive electricity bills because you need to be connected to the grid so you have a supply of electricity during evenings when the solar PV system is not generating electricity. Your electricity bills should of course be less.
You’ll also receive electricity bills for a free solar panel installation, but once again the bill is likely to be less given that you’re able to use electricity from the solar PV system.
System Alterations
Purchased Solar Installation
FREE Solar Installation
During the 20 year period of the feed in tariff you may wish to alter your property or undertake renovations. As part of this process you may need to move constituent parts of the solar PV system. With a purchased solar PV system, these alterations are your responsibility and of course you can contact Sustain for assistance. There is essentially no problem with moving constituent parts or slightly altering the system, but of course you need to be made aware that there are costs involved to do so.
With a free solar panel installation, you are not permitted to make any system alterations during the 20 year period of the feed in tariff. Even if you wanted to move the location of the inverter due to an impending extension of your property, this would constitute a breach of contract unless you agreed for Sustain to complete this work on your behalf and you agree to the costs incurred.
Contact Us
If you have any further questions in relation to the differences between a purchased and free solar panel installations get in touch with us and we will help you further. The arrangements are very similar for a domestic and commercial property but there may be variations in the contract given the scale of the project.
