Solar System Installation Dilemma

solidsnake1291 on 13/10/2023 - 23:30

We accepted a proposal for a 23 panels solar system and paid deposit, on the day of installation they could only install 22 due to roof space. Was told by the installer that the company would adjust the final invoice by deducting the price of this panel.

They sent me the same invoice and refused to deduct the price of this panel. Couple of email exchanges later I stood still and they advised they will uninstall the system but they refused to refund the deposit back which is $800.

Am I being unreasonable to request the money back for something they didn't install ?
What should I do.

Home & Garden Solar Energy System

Comments

  • MS Paint on 13/10/2023 - 23:34

    What's the panel worth? ~$150??

    • solidsnake1291 on 13/10/2023 - 23:57

      Wouldn't be more than $200 I believe

      • djkelly69 on 14/10/2023 - 09:47
        +1

        Assuming the contract you signed says 23 panels and they could only install 22, just under pay the invoice by $150 or $200 or whatever the value is.

        They don't have have grounds to come onto your property and uninstall, they have no grounds to come after you under the contract, and are also unlikely to for that amount of money.

        IME they also need your signature on the paperwork so they can get their credits or whatever paid by the government, so obviously don't do that until this issue is sorted.

  • iDroid on 13/10/2023 - 23:37

    Ask for the panel and flog it on marketplace.

    • solidsnake1291 on 13/10/2023 - 23:58

      Thats what I did. I asked them to either return the panel or deduct the cost from the invoice but they won't agree to do any.

      • DoctorCalculon on 14/10/2023 - 22:58

        That is very unreasonable.

        What you should do is forward their response to the most appropriate consumer affairs department in your state, and CC the sales guy at the same time.

  • try2bhelpful on 13/10/2023 - 23:40
    +3

    They are not going to uninstall this system because of the loss of the single panel cost. It would cost them more than that to get the whole thing uninstalled.

    A couple of things.
    - they should’ve understood your roof before the install so how did they get it wrong?
    - what is the cost of the additional panel? Maybe you can do a 50/50 split.

    These guys sound a tad cowboy to me. A professional organisation wouldn’t be making nonsense claims like this.

    Keep your cool and sit down and talk this out. If need be go to the small claims tribunal.

    Best of luck.

    • solidsnake1291 on 14/10/2023 - 00:00

      They are not ready to talk. They have advised that they will uninstall the system but not refund the deposit.
      Since they already claimed STC's on this system it would be easy for them to sell.

      • rumblytangara on 14/10/2023 - 01:11
        +1

        Take it to *CAT

        Or if it's already installed and running, let them take you to *CAT instead.

      • jv on 14/10/2023 - 01:34
        +2

        They have advised that they will uninstall

        Get a Rottweiler.

      • try2bhelpful on 14/10/2023 - 07:42

        Sounds like an opening gambit to get you to pay. Surely they can’t claim the rebate on a system they are threatening to pull out? As far as I know this is your rebate, not theirs. I, suspect, when you tell them you are going to discuss this with the proper authorities they will cave. These guys are getting even dodgier IMHO.

        This is the Queensland solar website.

        https://www.qld.gov.au/law/your-rights/consumer-rights-compl…

        Following the links will give you people you can contact to discuss this with.

        Best of luck.

  • Mokr on 14/10/2023 - 00:09
    +4

    Sadly you have to do half the work for tradies these days.

    Got to measure the roof your self and do the calc.

    Got to check they don't mess stuff up and chase up.

    Wolves and sheeps.

    They detect weakness

    • solidsnake1291 on 14/10/2023 - 00:15

      I couldn't agree more.
      You think you are paying for a service so that you can have peace of mind but it is not always the case.

    • DoctorCalculon on 14/10/2023 - 23:01

      Or, could you could suss out a better tradesperson to begin with (by reading reviews and what not).

  • avoidfullprice on 14/10/2023 - 06:53
    -1

    I think you’re with in your right to get back what you didn’t pay for!

    Is not like you Karen them to install the 23rd panel.

    In fact they agreed to refund you!!

  • Porker on 14/10/2023 - 07:02
    +4

    Perhaps inform them that if the attempt to recover their panels, that you will info them thst you'll call the police for trespassing - call their bluff(?)

    I don't believe trades are allowed to go in and recover or destroy their work for not being paid. Plus if they damage your property in the process I believe that it opens the door for you to seek damages/costs etc

    Best speak with a proper legal representative

  • pegaxs on 14/10/2023 - 07:10
    +8

    They can’t just come around and remove the system. The moment they set foot on your property, you ask them to leave. If they refuse to leave, they are then trespassing and you can call the police.

    It’s a bluff anyway, they are not going going to send 2 or 3 guys around for half a day to remove a system over a $200 panel.

    If your system quote and invoice says 23 panels and there is only 22 panels, this is literately an open and shut case for your state’s *CAT. ACL is pretty clear about getting what you paid for.

    They are also not going to chase you through the courts for a $200 panel.

    Make sure you put everything in writing and make it clear that you either want the 23rd panel that you have paid for or you want the cost of the panel and the installation labour for this panel removed from the invoice.

  • chrisie on 14/10/2023 - 08:47
    +2

    Doesn't look like your going to get much warranty from theses guy's either if something goes wrong.

  • JIMB0 on 14/10/2023 - 09:07

    This happens when they do the quote from aerial photography. They should get on the roof and run a tape measure over it.

  • Drakesy on 14/10/2023 - 09:18
    +4

    Lol they wont unistall it over 1 panel, thats effectively a days labour wasted. They do need to reduce the cost though, you paid for something that hasnt been delivered otherwise.

  • Zeph101 on 14/10/2023 - 09:47
    +1

    I would pay the invoice less the amount for a single panel. They're won't chase you for the rest but your going to be screwed when it comes to warranty most likely.

    Your not going to get your deposit back because they have pretty much completed the install.

  • Protractor on 14/10/2023 - 09:47

    Publish a fact filled review.Naming them. Send them a link.

  • JimmyF on 14/10/2023 - 12:25
    -2

    Am I being unreasonable to request the money back for something they didn't install ?

    All that over what? a $200 panel.

    LOL That goes both ways mind you, the installer and you.

    I think it's fair they either give you the panel or a discount. What was the total invoice cost?

    They won't uninstall the system as it would cost them more in labour than the panel. If they do, then there is more to the story than you shared.

    • DoctorCalculon on 14/10/2023 - 23:03

      I think it's fair they either give you the panel or a discount. What was the total invoice cost?

      https://www.ozbargain.com.au/comment/14417106/redir

      • JimmyF on 15/10/2023 - 10:09

        So what was the invoice cost?

        As I said, its a lot of fluff and BS from both sides over $200 panel, there is more to the story than has been shared.

        • solidsnake1291 on 18/10/2023 - 18:47

          They keep changing their statements, first they said, that the STC on one panel is more than the actual price of the panel which they have used towards installation. I checked with CER and STC was claimed rightly on 22 Panels. Sent them an email saying how come STC of the non installed panel was used towards installation when STC was not claimed on that panel at all. They have now changed their statement saying that they had to use special sort of mounts for the brackets hence price can't be reduced. I know for a fact that it is just a matter of $200, I would have happily not even questioned about this money had they showed some courtesy and respect. Their attitude is very disrespectful and bullyish even when they are on the wrong. They have now remotely shut down the inverter as well.

  • holdenmg on 14/10/2023 - 13:08

    Is this around 6.66 kilowatts install?

    What is the Panel Wattage? If 285 your max might be 22.

    It might not be roof space despite what they say.

  • deme on 16/10/2023 - 19:16

    Fair trading ACCC etc

  • solidsnake1291 on 18/10/2023 - 19:01

    There were stink pipes on the roof which they didn't consider during designing the layout of the panels.
    On the day of install they requested my approval to cut the stink pipes, I contacted the builder since the house is newly constructed and was advised that the stink pipes should be up the roof by at least certain height in QLD following the builder's code for warranty and insurance purposes and mine are just about this height. So they had to install the panels around the pipes which caused one less panel to be installed. I sent them an email requesting for a new proposal to be sent to me since the design was changed, they never did. They are blaming us for not letting them install the 23rd panel where as we have saved us from a lot of fuss if they would have cut the stink pipes

  • Aust on 22/10/2023 - 14:12

    Id love to see photos of this install if they have zig zaged it around sewer vents

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