The £14.3 Billion Solar Panel Scam: Are You a Victim?
The Crisis Nobody's Talking About
According to the Federation of Master Builders, rogue traders have scammed UK homeowners out of £14.3 billion over five years. Nearly 25% of consumers engaging in home improvements have reported financial losses from mis-sold products and services.
Solar panel scams represent one of the largest segments of this crisis. If you have solar panels installed between 2010–2024, you may be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation — even if the company has gone bust.
The 5 Most Common Solar Panel Scams
1. The "Free Solar Panels" Lie
The Scam:
Door-to-door salespeople or cold callers promise "free solar panels" with "no upfront cost." You sign what you think is a simple agreement.
The Reality:
You're locked into a 20-year loan agreement paying £80–£150 per month. Total cost: £19,200–£36,000 for panels worth £8,000–£12,000.
Why It's Illegal:
- Consumer Rights Act 2015: Product must be "as described." "Free" is a lie.
- Consumer Credit Act 1974: Seller must check affordability. Most don't.
- Misrepresentation Act 1967: False claims about "free" = grounds for rescission.
What You're Entitled To:
- Full refund of all payments made
- Cancellation of remaining loan
- Removal of panels at seller's cost
- Removal from credit file
- Compensation for distress (£500–£1,000)
2. The Fake Savings Claims Scam
The Scam:
Seller promises you'll "save £2,000 per year on energy bills" or "earn £1,500 annually from the Feed-in Tariff."
The Reality:
- Actual savings: £150–£300 per year (not £2,000)
- Feed-in Tariff ended in March 2019 (new installations don't qualify)
- Panels generate less electricity than promised
- You're paying £100/month for panels that save £25/month
Why It's Illegal:
- Misrepresentation Act 1967: False savings claims
- Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008: Misleading actions
- CRA 2015: Product not "fit for purpose" if savings don't materialise
What You're Entitled To:
- Difference between promised and actual savings (e.g., £1,700/year × 5 years = £8,500)
- Full refund if savings claims were primary reason for purchase
- Cancellation of loan agreement
- Compensation for financial loss
3. The Feed-in Tariff Scam
The Scam:
Seller promises you'll "earn money" from the government's Feed-in Tariff scheme, making panels "pay for themselves."
The Reality:
- Feed-in Tariff closed to new applicants March 31, 2019
- If installed after this date, you get zero FIT payments
- Seller knew FIT was ending but sold anyway
- You're paying for panels that will never generate the promised income
Why It's Illegal:
- Fraud Act 2006: Knowingly making false representations
- Misrepresentation Act 1967: False claims about future income
- CRA 2015: Product not fit for purpose
What You're Entitled To:
- Full refund (panels sold on false premise)
- Cancellation of loan
- Compensation for lost income (promised FIT payments)
- Legal costs
4. The Roof Damage Scam
The Scam:
Installer rushes the job, damages your roof during installation. Leaks appear months later. Company denies responsibility or has dissolved.
The Reality:
- Roof tiles cracked or removed
- Flashing not properly sealed
- Water ingress causing internal damage
- Repair costs: £2,000–£8,000
- Company disappeared or claims "not our fault"
Why It's Illegal:
- CRA 2015: Work must be carried out with "reasonable care and skill"
- Defective Premises Act 1972: Builder liable for defective work
- Common law negligence: Installer owes duty of care
What You're Entitled To:
- Full cost of roof repairs
- Cost of internal damage repairs (ceiling, walls, carpets)
- Alternative accommodation costs (if home uninhabitable)
- Refund of solar panel payments
- Compensation for distress and inconvenience
5. The Unaffordable Loan Scam
The Scam:
Seller approves your loan in minutes without checking your income, existing debts, or ability to afford payments.
The Reality:
- No affordability assessment conducted
- Loan approved despite clear inability to pay
- Monthly payments push you into debt
- Seller gets commission regardless of your financial situation
Why It's Illegal:
- Consumer Credit Act 1974: Lender MUST assess affordability
- FCA CONC rules: Creditworthiness assessment required
- Unfair relationship: Court can set aside unaffordable agreements
What You're Entitled To:
- Loan declared unenforceable
- Refund of all payments made
- Removal from credit file
- Compensation for financial hardship
- Interest refund
How to Check If You're a Victim
Answer YES to ANY of these questions:
- Were you told the panels were "free" but you're making monthly payments?
- Did the seller promise savings of £1,500+ per year?
- Were you told you'd earn money from the Feed-in Tariff (installed after March 2019)?
- Has your roof leaked since installation?
- Were you not asked about your income or existing debts?
- Were you not given time to read the contract before signing?
- Did the seller pressure you with "offer expires today" tactics?
- Are your actual savings far less than promised?
- Has the company disappeared or gone bust?
- Were you not told about your 14-day right to cancel?
Your Legal Rights
Consumer Rights Act 2015
Under the CRA 2015, you're entitled to:
- "Reasonable care and skill": Installation must meet professional standards
- "Fit for purpose": Panels must do what seller claimed
- "As described": Panels must match sales descriptions
- Remedies: Repair, replacement, price reduction, or full refund
Time limit: 6 years from installation (England & Wales), 5 years (Scotland)
Section 75 Protection
If you paid ANY amount on a credit card (even just a £1 deposit) for something costing £100–£30,000:
- Your credit card company is EQUALLY LIABLE with the seller
- You can claim the FULL AMOUNT from your card company
- Works even if the seller has gone bust
- 6-year time limit from breach
Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS)
If your credit card company rejects your Section 75 claim:
- FREE escalation to FOS
- BINDING decision on company (not on you)
- 90-day average resolution
- £415,000 maximum award
Process:
- Complain to credit card company
- Wait 8 weeks for final response
- Escalate to FOS within 6 months
- FOS investigates and makes decision
How Much Compensation Are You Owed?
Typical Solar Panel Claim Breakdown
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly payments (5 years × £100/month) | £6,000 |
| Interest charged on loan | £1,500 |
| Roof damage repair | £2,500 |
| Lost savings (promised £2,000/year, actual £200/year × 5 years) | £9,000 |
| Distress & inconvenience | £500–£1,000 |
| TOTAL CLAIM | £19,500–£20,000 |
What If the Company Has Gone Bust?
Don't panic. You still have options:
Option 1: Section 75 Claim (Best)
- If you paid ANY amount on credit card — claim from card company
- Card company is equally liable, even if seller is bankrupt
- This is your strongest option
Option 2: Insurance-Backed Guarantee
- Check if installer was MCS certified (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
- MCS provides 6-year insurance-backed guarantee
- Covers you even if company dissolved
- Contact: mcscertified.com
Option 3: HIES Protection
- Check if installer was HIES member (Home Insulation & Energy Systems)
- HIES provides insurance-backed deposit protection
- Covers deposits up to £25,000
- Contact: hiesscheme.org.uk
Option 4: Authorised Push Payment (APP) Scam Claim
- If you paid by bank transfer and seller disappeared
- New rules require banks to refund APP scam victims
- Must prove seller never intended to complete work properly
- File with your bank immediately
How to File Your Claim
Step 1: Gather Evidence
- Contract/Agreement: Signed copy showing terms
- Sales Materials: Brochures, emails, texts with promises
- Payment Records: Bank statements, receipts
- Photos/Videos: Roof damage, defective installation
- Correspondence: All emails/letters with seller
- Energy Bills: Proof of actual savings vs promised
Step 2: Write Formal Claim Letter
Your letter must include:
- What went wrong: Specific false claims or defects
- Legal basis: CRA 2015, Section 75, Misrepresentation Act
- Evidence: Reference attached documents
- Demand: Specific amount and remedy (refund, repair, compensation)
- Deadline: 14 days to respond
- Escalation: State you'll escalate to FOS/ombudsman if unresolved
We can draft this for you in 48 hours. File your claim now →
Step 3: Send Claim Letter
- Send by email AND recorded delivery post
- Keep copies of everything
- Note the date sent (important for time limits)
Step 4: Escalate If Needed
- No response in 8 weeks — Escalate to FOS (for credit/loans)
- Rejected unfairly — We help you appeal
- Company dissolved — Section 75 or insurance claim
Why Sellers Are Going Bust
Recent dissolutions:
- Solar Energy Solutions Ltd (dissolved March 2024)
- Green Energy Installations Ltd (dissolved January 2024)
- EcoSolar UK Ltd (dissolved November 2023)
This is why you must act now:
- File your claim before the company dissolves
- Section 75 still works after dissolution, but evidence gets lost
- Witnesses forget, documents disappear
- 6-year time limit is running
Our Success Rate: 95%
We've helped 1,000+ solar panel scam victims recover compensation:
- £2.5M+ total compensation recovered
- 95% success rate
- 48-hour claim letter drafting
- FOS escalation support
- No win, no fee options available
Recent Wins
- Mr. Thompson, Manchester — £10,200 recovered
- Mrs. Davies, Cardiff — £14,500 recovered
- Mr. Patel, Birmingham — £9,360 recovered
- Mrs. Johnson, Leeds — £11,800 recovered
- Mr. Ahmed, London — £7,200 recovered + loan cancelled
Take Action Today
Free Eligibility Check (2 Minutes)
Answer 7 simple questions to check if you're entitled to compensation:
Check Your Eligibility Now
Find out in 2 minutes if you're entitled to compensation. 95% success rate. 48-hour claim letter delivery.
Check Eligibility NowWhat Happens Next
- Complete form (2 minutes)
- We review your case (24 hours)
- Professional claim letter drafted (48 hours)
- Sent to seller/credit card company
- We handle escalation to FOS if needed
- You receive compensation
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it too late to claim?
A: No. You have 6 years from the breach (England & Wales), 5 years (Scotland). If your panels were installed in 2018, you have until 2024 to claim. Act now before time runs out.
Q: What if I signed the contract?
A: Your statutory rights override contract terms. Even if you signed, you're still entitled to compensation if the seller made false claims, didn't check affordability, or work was defective.
Q: Will this affect my credit score?
A: No. Filing a legitimate compensation claim does not affect your credit score. If your loan is declared unenforceable, it will be removed from your credit file (improving your score).
Q: Do I need a solicitor?
A: No. We draft professional claim letters for you. Most cases are resolved without court. If escalation to FOS is needed, we guide you through the free process.
Q: What if the company says they'll sue me?
A: Empty threat. Companies rarely sue claimants because they know they'll lose. This is a scare tactic to make you give up. Don't fall for it.
Additional Resources
Official Resources
- Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk
- Financial Ombudsman Service: financial-ombudsman.org.uk
- MCS (Solar Certification): mcscertified.com
- HIES (Insurance Protection): hiesscheme.org.uk
Our Services
- Free Eligibility Check: Start your claim
- Professional Claim Letters: Drafted within 48 hours
- FOS Escalation Support: We guide you through the process
- No Win, No Fee: Options available for eligible claims
The Bottom Line
If you have solar panels installed between 2010–2024, you may be entitled to thousands of pounds in compensation.
The £14.3 billion scam crisis is real. You're not alone. 25% of homeowners have been scammed.
Your rights:
- Consumer Rights Act 2015
- Section 75 Protection
- Financial Ombudsman Service
Your entitlement:
- Full refund of payments
- Cancellation of loan
- Damage compensation
- Distress compensation
Your deadline:
- 6 years from installation
- Companies going bust to avoid claims
- Evidence gets lost over time
Don't wait. File your claim today.
Take Action Now
Option 1: File Your Claim (Recommended)
Free eligibility check, 95% success rate, 48-hour claim letter delivery. Read our complete Solar Panel Claims Guide →
Option 2: Learn More
- Complete Solar Panel Claims Guide — Detailed scam types, legal rights, compensation amounts
- Financial Ombudsman Service Guide — Free escalation if rejected
Option 3: Free Resources
- Read FAQ — Common questions answered
- Browse Blog — All compensation claim guides
We specialise in compensation claims for scam victims. Our professional claim letters cite Consumer Rights Act 2015, Section 75 protection, and all relevant consumer laws.
- 95% Success Rate (industry average: 60%)
- £2.5M+ Recovered for 1,000+ clients
- 48-Hour Delivery of professional claim letters
- No Win, No Fee options available
- FOS Escalation support (95% FOS success rate)
Contact us: nc.octave@gmail.com
Published by Octave Resolution Services | Helping Scam Victims Since 2020