How do we know if the price for solar is right?

How do we know if the price for solar is right? 

It’s a good question.  It’s about navigating a path through unhelpful noise from aggressively promoted offers, and claims that have little to substantiate them.

Climate has changed the world already, and in more ways than one.

Politicians can’t agree on a one-size-fits-all for change because their focus isn’t always on delivering the ultimate climate goal – it’s on protecting their supporters’ interests along the way.

Ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries in Britain have been unveiled by the government today (Thursday 30 March) - boosting the country’s energy security and independence and reducing household bills for the long term and maintaining a world-leading position in achieving net zero.  Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps set out the plans at the end of last month.

But changing the way we do things – which of course impacts those interests - is what it’s all about.  Change is often uncomfortable and not necessarily even-handed, but if we don’t change how we set a new course for a shared planet, in the end, whatever the runners and riders’ push, for how their individual preferences are protected, will be academic.

So, there are things that all of us as individuals can do to cool things down.  Unlike so many other routes to green, the practical things we’re looking at have only wins on the horizon.

Inertia is no friend.  Because change is going to come.  It’s already legislated for.  And climate change is no respecter of borders.

Making the right changes as an individual is not without its challenges.  And I’m talking about switching to heating that is environment friendly.  How we all identify the right framework against which to evaluate and then make the right decisions about what we need and how much we should spend.

There is a proliferation of information out there.  The minute we start talking about domestic energy or solar panels on social media the algorithms spring into action and we are bombarded with elevated performance claims and ever-decreasing price points for sun-based energy.

The trouble is, if we’ve never bought a heating and hot water system that doesn’t feature a boiler or a cylinder, we don’t have much experience to turn to, to make an informed decision.

When we, as a business, took the decision to create a franchise model, we did it like this.  We partnered only with the most highly regarded engineers in the business, we looked for technical excellence, understanding, depth of knowledge and a reputation for customer service built on honesty and fairness.

If this world is to make the change, then it will make it using people like that.  People who will recommend what is needed, people who are as invested in the right choices as their customers are.

And they’ll do it with a commitment to make it as accessible as possible. 

We don’t sell cheap imported equipment with no provenance.  We don’t because it is foolish to expect an unknown quantity, sold for a fraction of the price to deliver a premium – or even reasonable – result.  Like the promises, the kit doesn’t deliver. 

Also, we fit things properly, so there is a personal consultation, a plan arrived at, taking into account how customers use the space, and fitting is arranged so installers are working safely and with minimum disruption for customers.

Our German-engineered Heat Electric Systems are unparalleled for performance, build quality and reliability.  More, we can help customers start their green energy journey in increments, so function and energy savings are started, and increased as further green additions replace traditional and rapidly becoming obsolete fossil-fuel based heating elements.

Aspiration is a good thing.  We all recognise that not everyone can buy everything all at once – and most of us also realise that systems backed with a 25-year guarantee means we are investing in one that will deliver on the ascending cost-savings as the kit pays back – and pay dividends.

The best solar systems rely not on sunshine, but daylight.  They can be bought incrementally, or with a zero-rated upfront investment.  The important things are control (of cost and energy), comfort and a climate in recovery. 

Buying ‘cheap’ is the most expensive mistake we can make.