Undercover Investigation exposes UK solar thermal firms that are “misleading customers” over system benefits

An article published in the Independent on Sunday has highlighted a number of major solar-thermal companies using ‘misleading financial statistics’ in order to boost UK sales. An undercover investigation by independent consumer group Which? launched an investigation after a huge rise in complaints about solar thermal installations.

The results of the investigation underline the risks that renewable energy manufacturers and suppliers are taking if they fail to invest in remote monitoring systems. Live remote monitoring allows organisations to monitor their installations in real time, and give accurate readings that ensure the customer has a good indication about the energy they are producing. With live monitoring, it is possible for both the customer and the organisation to have access to online displays, allowing greater transparency for everyone involved.

Undercover investigators from Which? rented a house in southern England and got organisations to pitch for solar thermal installations. The investigation was only aimed at solar thermal installations, technology that uses the energy from the sun to heat water; and not solar PV, which is technology that turns solar energy into electricity.

The investigation found 10 organisations greatly exaggerated the financial savings possible with their products, with a representative from one organisation claiming that their system could save around 30 times more than possible.

With The Renewable Energy Association showing concern over the investigation’s conclusions, manufacturers, installers and suppliers are likely to be faced by increased scrutiny from official trade bodies. Investing in remote monitoring is one clear-cut solution to the problem, allowing organisations to reduce the risks involved in supplying renewable energy technologies by ensuring they keep accurate, live data.

Original Article: Major solar thermal firms ‘are misleading consumers’

(Martin Hickman, Consumer Affairs Correspondent

The Independent Sunday, 25 April)

This entry was posted on Friday, May 7th, 2010 at 3:10 pm and is filed under Industry News.