Problem installation ending up in court
I contracted with Solarinspain to install a solar system in early 2022, for which the installation included some 20 panels and a battery system, at a cost of some 20,000 Euros.
Prior to installation, I found Fidelma and Vincent most helpful and speedy with responses, although this sadly changed after the 80% deposit was paid in advance of the installation.
During and after installation the solar fuse they installed kept tripping.
Solarinspain were aware from the App, as I was, that it showed a major fault on many occasions.
Vincent said the system was working well and he wouldn’t accept that there was any fault, nor would he or anyone attend to investigate the problem, regardless that I had a 2 year installation guarantee.
It seemed to me that Solarinspain were no longer interested almost immediately after installation.
I advised Vincent that I wasn’t happy because either I or my villa management had to continually attend the villa to switch off the system and reconnect it because the solar fuse kept tripping, which were Vincent’s instructions to do.
I therefore informed Vincent that I needed to withhold the 20% balance due until we found out what the problem was with the system. Vincent just demanded the 20% balance due and dismissed the problem altogether by saying I simply did not want to pay the balance, which wasn’t the case at all.
In order to overcome the impasse, I suggested to Vincent that I get an independent electrician to check the system, whereby Vincent demanded to see their solar certificate and qualify them beforehand, making it difficult for me to get another electrician, just in case of accusations by them of interference on the system.
Continued diplomatic attempts to get Solarinspain to accept that there was indeed a problem with their installation and attend was then met with silence.
It became clear that they were not bothered about whether the system worked correctly because they could just threaten clients with legal action.
I then gave Solarinspain details of a local mediator which the Town Hall kindly gave me to handle the problem and resent the suggestion of an independent electrician several times, but this got no response either, nor did repeated suggestions that I pay the balance due to a solicitor to be held on an escrow account until we find out what the problem was with the installation.
No matter how politely and diplomatically one approached Vincent & Fidelma, in order to overcome the problem, it was met with either irritation or silence.
The installation warranty was, in effect, worthless.
I therefore contacted my Spanish solicitor for advice, who in turn advised me of a local electrician and solar installer he knew well and could be trusted, in order to get the solar installation checked.
The electrician duly attended and found the DC cable was not installed properly and loose, thus causing the solar fuse to have completely burnt out. This in itself, I understood, could have caused a fire to the house and was the reason why the system kept tripping.
In the meantime, Solarinspain sued for the 20% of the balance due.
My solicitor also appointed an independent expert to check the complete installation. The expert duly attended in my absence and found several other irregularities, which were submitted as part of the report for the court hearing.
The expert found the framework installed was unable to withstand high winds and needed greater support and that there was insufficient earthing of the panels, apart from other issues.
As the Defendant, I was fortunately able to have the certified solar electrician and solar expert attend court as witnesses, as well as the manager of the property.
The case against me collapsed in court and I was awarded compensation by the court.
This was a wholly unnecessary case for Solarinspain to bring against me. It could easily have been resolved by Solarinspain simply attending and finding the cause of the fault, although then I wouldn’t have known about the other critical issues raised by the expert.
A very bad experience with Solarinspain.
May 20, 2023
Unprompted review