Well that was an interesting encounter.
First off, I contacted MCS. "Both homeowners present" isn't a MCS requirement. Supplier has to abide by HIES' consumer code. Quick chat with them, and it's not their requirement. Only time they'd prefer another adult present would be when selling to a vulnerable adult. So, the smell of BS was real.
Fella arrived on time and pulled up in a new A-class Merc. Well dressed, early 20s if that, strong whiff of aftershave. So clearly sales and nowt to do with surveying.
I told him I was just after numbers as a source of thought and wasn't going to buy this year. Showed me pretty pictures of panels and inverters mounted in the attic space (interestingly, the photo showed no way of isolating the panels from the inverter, only an AC isolator) . Said they'd run cables down the inside of the wall cavity to the meter. Looked at Google Earth, picked the house, and started off trying for 20 panels; 10 front, 10 back even though the house faces SW and the rear gets only a few hours of direct light. He cut it back to 10, said they'd be rated 4kW, generate 3505kWh pa and cost £6642 + £342 for the insurance backed 10 year guarantee. Not pushy, just a pleasant chat.
What he didn't do is: measure angle of the roof, check the condition of the roof, look at the meter, walk around the outside space.
All that happened standing by the front door, total time less than 10 minutes, figures handwritten on a blank sheet of A4. He knew he wasn't going to get a sale so clearly didn't need to put in the effort.
Worth noting that the price is broadly inline with @SpecialK's figure. Does that mean he cut past the "I'll check with my manager" routine, or was he genuinely going to give me the best price straight off? Would another supplier be within a few £100s?
First off, I contacted MCS. "Both homeowners present" isn't a MCS requirement. Supplier has to abide by HIES' consumer code. Quick chat with them, and it's not their requirement. Only time they'd prefer another adult present would be when selling to a vulnerable adult. So, the smell of BS was real.
Fella arrived on time and pulled up in a new A-class Merc. Well dressed, early 20s if that, strong whiff of aftershave. So clearly sales and nowt to do with surveying.
I told him I was just after numbers as a source of thought and wasn't going to buy this year. Showed me pretty pictures of panels and inverters mounted in the attic space (interestingly, the photo showed no way of isolating the panels from the inverter, only an AC isolator) . Said they'd run cables down the inside of the wall cavity to the meter. Looked at Google Earth, picked the house, and started off trying for 20 panels; 10 front, 10 back even though the house faces SW and the rear gets only a few hours of direct light. He cut it back to 10, said they'd be rated 4kW, generate 3505kWh pa and cost £6642 + £342 for the insurance backed 10 year guarantee. Not pushy, just a pleasant chat.
What he didn't do is: measure angle of the roof, check the condition of the roof, look at the meter, walk around the outside space.
All that happened standing by the front door, total time less than 10 minutes, figures handwritten on a blank sheet of A4. He knew he wasn't going to get a sale so clearly didn't need to put in the effort.
Worth noting that the price is broadly inline with @SpecialK's figure. Does that mean he cut past the "I'll check with my manager" routine, or was he genuinely going to give me the best price straight off? Would another supplier be within a few £100s?
