My Solar Panel Dream - Shattered! 😢
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- My dream of having solar panels installed has been absolutely shattered!
This week has been a proper crap one… So much build up to having major works completed to give us a more sustainable and environmentally friendly home and it’s ended in tears 😢
#solarpower #solarenergy #solarpanels #solar #airsourceheatpump #sustainableliving #sustainable #environmentallyfriendly #environmentallyconscious
Thank you everybody for your comments, feedback, and advice, it really is very much appreciated. We have an update as of today which I will share with you all in my next video 🙏
I've got concrete tiles. House built 1986. Had 24 panels fitted covering both sides of roof. The guys broke 4 tiles fitting the panels and found 2 more that were broken. They replaced them in the cost of installation. Sound like scare mongering to me.
Thank you for sharing this, we could certainly more likely afford to replace a few tiles but definitely not the entire roof as was suggested 🙏
I've just seen this, I had solar panels fitted to my concrete roof 13 years ago. No-one fell through, they've not come loose, just washed a few times (hose & extending window clean).
I had walls filled with insulation years earlier (gas board voucher), noticed difference immediately, worth every penny. Roof insulation is DIY easy. Glad you have someone to help sort out the contractors.
This is good news! Thank you for sharing. We've had a roofer out who has confirmed that our roof is sound so I'm hoping to share a positive update very soon 🙏
While the scaffold is up you could jet wash the moss off the tiles and have a walk on them to see if they crack. At least it would be easier for someone to inspect the roof later on depending on what you want todo.
We have a roofer coming on Thursday to inspect it but when I got home on Tuesday the scaffolders had already been and everything was removed, without me even knowing they were there! Another case of miscommunication 🙏
Concrete tiles are standard enough. In general you can walk on them unlike slate/fibre cement so I’m not sure about that part. The install detailing is slightly different but in many ways easier than slate. Usually it requires grinding grooves into the tiles to accommodate sufficient space for the bracket to fit in. I suspect that the contractors suspected the condition of the tiles was indications of weakness/cracks. And was not experienced with making good. It may have been a good call but the surveyor would have to take responsibility for this.
It probably was for the best in the end but yes, the surveyor should have picked this up and saved us the hassle of scaffolding up, then down, and all the different people that came to the house for what was in the end, no good reason! 🙏
It is definitely possible to fit solar panels on concrete tiles.
Is it maybe that the particular tiles are no longer available or the roof is in a poor state?
I would ask another solar company to take a look and potentially a roofing company/surveyor.
You may also want to consider in roof solar.
It could be that the roof is in a poor state. I guess as far as being a roof goes, it's doing its job, but maybe just not good enough to also hold solar panels. Another person commented on in-roof solar and they look fantastic, but just not something that we could afford at the moment 🙏
Very interesting to hear what you went through. I need to watch the update now.
Thank you, it's not good news unfortunately 🙏
Concrete tiles should be the easiest roofs to put solar on
Not according to these dudes! We haven't given up on the whole idea though, we just have to wait a little longer than we wanted to 🙏
@thedreadedyogini would be interesting to see some pics of your roof maybe some drone footage
@@dama054 I do actually have some footage in one of my previous videos, just have to figure out which one! It’s one of the ones where we had the scaffolding up on the gable end as we were replastering and painting it. I’ll have a look and see if I can link it 🙏
@@dama054 at about 05:12 you’ll see the North facing side, and then after that the South facing 🙏
th-cam.com/video/h7K5UM88HjY/w-d-xo.htmlsi=ueO-4-mMj3IDJEcA
@thedreadedyogini looking at the roof it's more the structure not the tiles it looks like the rafters are starting to sag and the issue would be to much dynamic load on the structure this should have been picked up straight away in the original inspection
Yeah concrete tiles break, but they're easy to replace, if the contractors any good they'll turn up with a bunch of matched replacements, or just hide the replacements behind the panels. I had some work done on my roof verge and the guys broke some tiles, they just swapped them out.
Thank you for making this video. It is SO useful for others to maybe learn from your experiences! I know that doesn't help you sadly. I'm catching up so hope there's better news in subsequent videos. Take care :)
Thank you so much 🙏
The concrete roof tiles vs slates is a classic load of 'misunderstandings' between the two types of roofers (and the experiences of the solar PV panel installers).
Folks of scared of the unknown, and happy when they now what they can get away with!
Lots of stories of bad fitting by cowboys from either side of the trades.
Thank you for your comment 🙏Does that mean in your experience, that there's no reason we couldn't install the panels on our roof? The installers advised that they could do it but had no way of sealing the underside, but the Ops Man claimed it was because the tiles were too brittle. Definitely conflicting information there! I've still not heard anything back from either Company 😪
I don't see any reason why they can't fit panels on your roof. Plenty roofs with concrete roof tiles have solar Pv's fitted. Only reason I can think of ,is if the roof itself cannot take the extra load. This should have been part of the initial survey.
I have 16 panels installed on a roof with concrete tiles. Have they given you a definitive reason as to why they can't fit?
It easy to fit (badly) the roof clamps to slates. Hole straight through and silicone bodge. Slates crack, holes leak, 5-10 years and it's a new roof.
Doing slates right needs to remove a slate, special clip and a sealing 'rubber tile'. More expensive.
Concrete tiles have a different special clip, then if properly done a small groove ground under the tile to make it fit neatly. Quicker and a bit cheaper.
Likely they had the wrong clips and were going to bodge. Now they can't.
@@col1929 They didn't mention anything about the load but I agree whatever the issue is should have been picked up at the point of the survey. Installers advised they'd be unable to seal the underside once drilled, company advised the tiles were too brittle. They have at least been in touch with us today to advise that they're still looking for a solution, but only after my husband took to social media... 🙏
@@philipoakley5498 Now that's interesting! Thank you for sharing that with me, it's all at least questions I can ask them 🙏
name the company please who the installers were and heat pump installers if they were through the same company etc, the pre inspection is responsible for insuring the roof is suitable, having congregate tiles doesn't mean they are not suitable, they can break easy but any breaks by the team should Be covered by them as part of the install. once installed have them walk the roof, ensuring tiles and trustes are correctly installed, (my first install they missed the trust, then tried to say its safe, they have to remove the pannel and correctly install, as well as waterproof the drill area,)
It was all the same company, they're not local to us, but they were covering everything, including the initial survey - LMF Energy - they have really good reviews but I'm guessing that's from a workmanship point of view, but I'll never get to find out! 🙏
You have to be able to stand your ground and demand them to do what they promised. Concrete tiles are in no way a problem for installing solar panels. You MAY break a tile or two on the process but they are very easy and cheap to replace. So they are just bulls_____ng you! They just try to avoid any responsibility, they are pulling your leg. If they made an survey they are obligated to deliver what they promised. I hope you have a written contract. You can use that to oblige them.
Of course the roof may be in such bad condition that there is no way solar panels can be adequately installed there (no matter the material) but then the whole roof needs replacing no matter what. That is totally another matter BUT this is also a thing that should have been noticed on the survey. So it is their mistake and the extra costs due the delays are on them. But not the cost of new roof if required, that is your responsibility.
PS. I would always fit solar panels on ground stands if possible. The roof is the worst place to have them but often the only possible location and that's why it is chosen. It is very tedious to go to the roof to clean the panels of leaves etc. from time to time. On ground stands it is a breeze.
Thank you for your comment, we had a roofer in today who pretty much said what you have so hoping for some good news soon 🙏
Just subbed Lisa ❤. Gutted to join on a sad video. I'm sure it'll turn around for you, I hope it will be sorted!! 🙏
Aw thank you, I'm absolutely gutted but hoping we can come up with an alternative solution, my dream can't end like this!🥺Thank you also for subscribing, I really appreciate it 🙏
im an Exterior cleaner. I am shocked This sort of thing should of been brought up on the survey end off. i would get them to repair the holes and seek any compensation due. this company seems very chip chop on organisation. and if you are struggling to communicate with them anouth red flag... sadly there are alot of cowboys and chip chop companies in the solar and heat pump game. I'm currently researching to have my own solar but going to keep my combi due its new and ive also spent a bit on new rads and dont fancy having any of that ripped out. also having a mixter of heating is better wear i live. but solar is not cheap especially if your using a reportable company and is a fear of mine getting some bad company fit solar that just has issues and has a worthless warranty.
my big question do you have some pics off your roof or a vid?
im sorry you have had this happen. on you're wood shed filling vid to me what i could limited see you're roof seems ok bar Lychine and probably mosses growing. but looks prity common roofing but it was at a distance . but i would add I'm no expert on solar arrays installs but have cleaned some on that style off roofing.
You're not far off according to what the roofer who came out today said! Your set up sounds good though, I hope you do find a good company and get the work you want done 🙏
I'm an off grid wannabe too. Company No.1 is responsible for supplier control. Sounds like they sub work out to the cheapest bidder, without vetting competencies. Fitting and wiring solar panels is fairly hard work, but not overly complicated as it's all DC. The only part one needs an electrician is the interface with the national grid. ASHP complete waste of money, unless you're very lucky, my brother's opinion, (he's an apprentice trained, self employed plumber with many years experience). Get the roof tiles sorted, fit solar panels (or fit them on a wall, or in the garden, they don't have to be on the roof, then get yourself some electric radiators for each room, which are easy to fit yourself, from Amazon (or similar). Fit a 5Kw + battery (+ charge controller and an inverter) between the grid supply and the solar panels and you should find you have more than enough power. We also bought a couple of portable 15kg gas bottle heaters, which we move around as required. Have several spare gas bottles of course. We use 1 to 1& 1/2 bottles over the winter. Obviously it matters how many people are in your household/how much energy you need to use. There are only two of us in our house. We have 12 solar panels. My brother has 14 panels and was generating so much power he fitted underfloor heating in his living room, just to use it. There are 4 in his house. I do feel for you and hope you get to a happy outcome.
Ooft, sounds like you're way ahead of me on the 'off-grid wannabe' scale, my knowledge is literally just scratching the surface but that's some great info there, thank you. We've had lots of differing opinions regarding the ASHP and it seems there's firmly 2 camps - love or hate. We figured the solar panels would offset the cost of running the ASHP as opposed to our current oil setup, hence why we wanted to go with both, but honestly I would just be happy with the solar panels at this point 🙏
@@thedreadedyogini We've just completed fitting the solar panels (x12 435W panels). We are doing it all ourselves, but I'm fortunate, I have two brothers, one is a retired electrician, one is a plumber and I'm a retired mechanical fitter. The scaffolding was taken away two days ago and we are now waiting for delivery of the battery etc. We are buying one that can have another added later if we need it, we also have room for a few more panels on the roof, if needed. We just moved in about a year ago and it is a detached bungalow, which makes things a little easier, a bit lower down! At our last house (a three bed semi) I fitted 3 panels on the flat roof of the garage which powered two small freezers in the garage. In summer we also ran the fridge freezer in the house, powered the lawn mower, hedge trimmer phones and laptops and charging a couple of Bluetti E70s, which we used to power the living room lights. We did have to switch to mains a few times in the winter months though and the solar system was totally stand alone, not connected to the grid at all, so occasionally had to plug the freezers into the mains in winter. My brother, the plumber, had already fitted solar to his house and his daughter's, so we had some experience in hand. He said the heat pump thing seems to have worked for some but too many problems for others, so we decided not to bother with the risk and use the battery electricity for heating. The power demand is automatically prioritised by the battery system and will only default to the grid if the amount of charge is too low. One minor problem is that if there is an outage, the battery system needs a grid supply to work. So it's still not fully independent. However, as I have a small Honda generator and the independent garage roof supply (when I get that fitted) I should be able to supply the 240V needed so that the system will be able to operate fully independent, which is what I want of course, eventually (so says my electrician brother anyway). I'm not sure yet how that will work yet. Good luck, I do hope it works out for you. EDIT: I was just speaking to "ar kid" (the electrician one) and he says the battery set up can be programmed how you want it. So, because we'll have it programmed to always use battery before grid, we can use what's in the battery even if the grid is down - now, let's get that big water butt I just bought plumbed into the roof drain. I already have a Berkey filter set up - Off grid heaven!!
@@thedreadedyogini The problem with ASHP is the way they are being sold in the adverts as straight boiler replacements with a grant towards the cost. They can work well if your house is suitable. In general the more modern the house the less extra money you will have to spend changing things. The house needs to be well insulated and that can include ground level floors.. If you don't have a hot water tank you may/will have to find a space to fit one. The size of you radiators may/will have to change. ASHP work best with large radiators (low water feed temperatures) hence why underfloor heating is recommended. Higher temperature ASHP are available but they tend to be more expensive and are less efficient. If you fit more insulation and larger radiators and spend a couple of hundred on more sophisticated controls including "proper" weather compensation then you could get a modern gas boiler to run more efficiently.
IF you have to have roof replaced you can get integrated solar panels look better and save on tiles
We have a garage with concrete tile that had solar fitted 8 years ago with no issues. Any fitting of solar involves broken and reworked tiles. Sounds like the lowest bidder got the job.
You could be right! 🙏
When fitting solar panels there is no need to stand on the roof, it can all be done standing on roof ladders, Yes he may brake some tiles in the fitting, but that is priced in as part of the job and the fitter has to have his own insured before he can set foot on your roof, He should have presented a copy of his insurance to you, So you, if needed, can claim from them, if the solar fitter has no proof of Insurance then the solar fitter is a cowboy. Insist on having all building site insurance details of all contractors before any more work is done.
They decided not to do it in the end so we didn't even get that far unfortunately 😔🙏
@@thedreadedyogini Just show they are a bunch of cowboys - All my 4.5 kW 16 solar pan are in my back garden fitted to my shed roof, I built the shed in 2012 - I made and fitted all the solar panel roof fittings - I bought all the cabals, Dug and laid the 6mm armored Mains from shed to house - All I needed was a qualified electrician to wire and certificate the grid feed side to the grid, so I get paid by the grid an average of £1200 a year. Total cost now 2024 for a 7Kw solar off grid system with batteries £4500 so will be upgrading soon.
@ oh I love that! 💜 Maybe we should do it ourselves, it’s not something I’d thought of but now you’ve planted a seed… 🙏
@@thedreadedyogini That all started because I wanted a big shed, But also Later because like a mug I contacted an ad for FREE Solar Panels, and reading the contract, I read that I got free electric every day but they got the Feed in payment every year, after the house survey I was told NO the house roof was to small and facing the wrong way, So I got and fitted my own solar system, the rest is cash in the bank.
@@uksuperrascal sounds like it worked out best in the end for you, hoping it'll be the same for us 🙏
Put them vertical on a south facing wall, maybe?
I hadn't thought of this but we maybe don't have enough wall space. We did suggest ground mounted ones around the bank in our garden but it's looking like that may be too expensive and not practical as they usually mount these on flat ground 🙏
Uk energy management by any chance. !
@@ZoeLeslie-p1w It wasn’t them, but don’t tell me you’ve had a similar experience with another company?! 🙏
Find another company to install them seems like they are not roofers and only done a day experience in a warehouse
Maybe! We're getting a roofer out this week to inspect it and give us another opinion so watch this space 🙏
@@thedreadedyogini with baited breath, if you are getting a new roof look into or ask about solar trays I do not know the exact name, but instead of tiles under the panels its is a tray and the panels are flush to the tiles, they look good and you don't have birds nesting in them.
@@DodgyFPV That sounds like a great idea but we're not in a position to be able to afford it at the moment. If these works do get knocked on the head then that is something we could definitely consider in the future though 🙏
Just googled the solar tiles, very smart! 🙏
Surveyor's fault. Should know what tiles are used. Thats why you pay silly money for their so-called expertise
100% agree! 🙏
So someone did a survey and you engaged the company to install it. If they started then they have agreed a contract. It’s their problem to deliver the contract. First thing I would do is look at the contract you have with them. I’d get professional legal advice and then see where that takes you. If you paid something in advance with a credit card then they will be equally liable so tend to be helpful.
we had concrete tiles in our old house, they crack as you walk up them, the firms you had for the original quote are morons for now spotting this, not to mention that the way they blew a hole into your kitchen was amateurish, you drill a small pilot then drill from the wall surface to the middle to prevent this. The scaffolders were awful too for just blindly wrecking your garden. As for fitting a vent at an angle, well again thats amateurish.
The even bigger issue is the age of your house and the lack of efficiency of ASHP. Your house doesn't appear to be super insulated. I would seriously consider legal action against the firm for this debacle.
This myth needs to die. Insulation doesn't directly affect efficiency. You can have a super-insulated house, and if your distribution of the heat is inadequate (e.g. microbore and tiny radiators), your efficiency will suffer. Insulation affects heat loss, heat loss determines heat pump size. How well that heat can be distributed (pipework/radiators) affects flow temperature, and thus efficiency.
Thank you for your thoughts, our house isn't insulated very well, we've just had additional added to the loft above the bedrooms, but we don't have any wall insulation 🙏
@@BenIsInSweden thank you for your opinion too, we were going to be getting additional radiators as well but that's obviously on hold right now until we find out if we are progressing or not. I can't say I understand all the ins and outs but I appreciate the advice of people in the know 🙏
Most of the cowboys in the solar and ASHP fitting industry were double glazing salesmen last week and only changed to solar and heap pumps because of the grants. How did you chose the company you have employed. Just because fitting solar is a problem doesn't mean the heat pump shouldn't go ahead but from your video you didn't do your research in selecting the companies to do the work.
Apparently this company are in the top 3 of the UK for fitting solar and ASHP! Not sure where these figures came from but I guess we could only really find out if the work had been completed. It's just the disorganisation and miscommunication that I've found very frustrating 🙏
Have you done your homework on Solar? I donnnnnn't think so. Never mind, I guess you'll find out in a couple of years.
I thought I had, can you tell me what it is that I don't know please 🙏
What a mental case, should go to a psychiatrist.
😂