World of Solar Ltd - Chichester

Mike Mavromihales

More than two years have now lapsed since my installation on 25 August 2022 so I awaited before providing feedback upon reflection of the experience and claims of returns. I had a 4.8kW system with a Growatt battery (6kW) and inverter. I was unsure what kit I was getting as it had changed so many times from order to installation due to 'shortages from China'. The price appeared competitive at the time for the size of system through installation prices from other suppliers are now considerably lower, like for like. The originally proposed energy cost saving was of the order of £650 per year and although I cannot verify for certain (due to daytime savings due to generation, storage and outgoing energy to the grid with variable rates offered through Octopus Energy), I think this about right. Regarding the selling and installation experience, this was somewhat stressful. All my concerns were put to rest by a less than honest salesman, Steven Flavell. Initially I was hesitant because my roof was full of moss, there were some damaged tiles and I was concerned about further damage during installation. Whilst trying to close the deal Steven lied about having called the scaffolding firm to confirm early scaffolding construction for me to get the roof cleaned and he also assured me that the roofers would replace damaged tiles as they carry spares on the day - all lies. I ended up arranging my own local scaffolders (as World of Solar didn't know of any firms in my area-installation was in Yorkshire whilst World of Solar are based in Chichester). All the work is contracted out and the roofers were not aware of replacing damaged roof tiles or being paid extra to replace them, as I'd been informed-in fact, they didn't carry any tiles, at all. The electricians were also contracted for the installation and came across as very unprofessional. They were rushing to finish quickly and be off by 2.00pm, having arrived mid-morning. One of the panels rattled in the wind, which was reported but nothing was done. Within a year of installation World of Solar were trying to sell me a long term warrantee on a monthly payment basis which kicks-in after a certain period of time. When questioned about this their response was that the usual warrantee only covers parts and not labour but would not inform me as to how this reduces the payback period. The only person of help at the time of installation, in providing support, was Jade Barnes. There is no after sales support as you cannot contact them.
My advise is to find a local installer with a good reputation even if this implies paying a little extra, and ask for an insurance backed guarantee. I now wish to extend my current system but discouraged in doing so as my only option appears to be to return to World of Solar. Also, they took ages to send through all the documentation including the MCS certificate which implied a delay in returns-you are required to supply this to your energy supplier.

Will Neale

After an initial efficient process leading up to the instillation, I have found that at least two panels have not been fitted properly so that they vibrate on the roof, in addition, the cables under the panels have been left in a mess, this to one side as it should all be fixable, when raising this with World of Solar I have been fobbed off and now ignored.

I don't mind if there are some snagging issues so long as they are fixed but it has become apparent the World of Solar do the job and run and they do not appear to be interested in after-sales client care!

Christopher Ellicott

After many years of wondering if I should put solar panels on my home, I started looking into different companies. The world of solar came out tops for me , from the very beginning you know you are in the hands of a very professional company, the tradesmen are first class, and very respectful of my home , Very pleased with the results, and the savings already on my utility bills. I went for the battery backup also , so this allows me to be more flexible on when I use the energy.
Very highly recommended.

Ian McArthur

Up to and including installation I'd have given WoS 5 stars. However it was immediately clear that the monitoring system I had included in the contract wasn't working properly but they have never returned to fix it. 3 months have now passed and they don't respond to messages, calls or any other means of communication. Finally contacted HIES who undertook to arbitrate. However, WoS have not responded to them within their time limit and HIES have now told me to start a process to recover money or to take legal action. I wish I hadn't contracted this company to do the work and I'll have to find another to put the monitoring right and provide guarantees etc.

Skyline Electrical Ltd

I am writing this review after a customer in WREXHAM contacted me to fix his system, I would like to point out that this company shows many accreditations on it's website, if you search this company on all of the accreditations it says it holds, it does not come up on any search's!

You can not advertise that you are MCS, Napit, Hies Approved, RECC etc and use there logos just because your subcontractors may be!
This is miss selling and against all consumer codes and against trading standards. My customer in Wrexham hasn't had any handover paperwork, DNO legal documentation, no MCS certificate to register for his SEG and this was 6 months ago, the design he was given has completely miss guided his judgement and he will never hit the savings it specified. To top it off, he doesn't even know which MCS contractor is responsible for his work!

I have reported this company to the MCS, Hies, RECC, Napit and trading standards for the miss selling and use of accreditation logos.

My advice as a director of an established company within the renewable industry is to use a local company that's close to your location, verify there accreditation on there governing body's website and research there reviews.

I've searched on companies house and this is there statement of nature of business:

46190 - Agents involved in the sale of a variety of goods
46439 - Wholesale of radio, television goods & electrical household appliances (other than records, tapes, CD's & video tapes and the equipment used for playing them)

why would you let them install solar pv and battery storage on your property just because they have an ok website don't be fooled, find an established company local to yourself.

mark clutterbrook

Don't touch them with a barge pole. Absolute thieves and scammers. The penalty is almost upon everyone associated with world of solar or any other business. Daniel grant really needs to watch his back over the next week or 2 as do everyone else associated with him. Now entered voluntary liquidation but even after liquidation, my debt collectors won't let it lie.

Marlon Wilson

Have emailed and sent formal letter below and no response to address.

Had the Director Greg say he would get back to me but seems like another weasel avoiding the crap they have sold me.

As noted in the letter below they quoted an “under estimate” annual 3019kWh production and two years later I still have not got near that. I have a sibling 10 houses from me who got and install from another company with less panels and they typically double what my daily PV yield is as seen from the photos below.

I am writing to formally address an issue that has been of significant concern regarding the solar panel system installed at my property, which was sold to me by your representative, Sean Malcolm. The purchase decision was heavily influenced by the assurance provided by Mr. Malcolm that the system would produce a minimum annual solar output of 3,019 kWh. Furthermore, he verbally assured me that this figure was a conservative estimate, and that the actual production would likely exceed this minimum. Most importantly, Mr. Malcolm guaranteed that any shortfall from the estimated production would be compensated back to me.

It has been over 12 months since the system was installed, and I regret to inform you that the actual solar production has been substantially below the promised threshold, with only 2,074 kWh generated. This underperformance not only undermines the financial viability of my investment but also contradicts the explicit assurances provided by your representative at the point of sale.

I previously raised my concerns about this issue through letters and emails sent to your technical support person, Connor Doyle, around Monday, 12 June 2023. Despite my attempts to seek clarification and resolution, my concerns were dismissed, and communication was eventually discontinued without any resolution.

Given the circumstances, I request the following actions to be taken as a matter of urgency:

1. A formal investigation into the discrepancy between the promised and actual solar production of my system.
2. Compensation for the shortfall in production as was assured by Mr. Malcolm at the time of purchase.
3. A detailed explanation of the reasons behind the system's underperformance and proposed solutions to rectify the issue.

I had entered into this agreement with World of Solar based on trust and the professional assurances provided by your representatives. The lack of follow-up and disregard for my concerns has been both disappointing and distressing.

Please consider this letter as a formal complaint. I am eager to find a satisfactory resolution to this matter and hope to do so amicably. However, should we fail to resolve this issue, I am prepared to take further legal action to seek compensation for the financial losses incurred due to the underperformance of the solar panel system.

I expect a written response to my letter within 14 days of its receipt, outlining the steps World of Solar intends to take to address this issue.

Arpad Varga

Avoid! Overpriced and low quality install.
I have trusted them but I was letting down big time!
I don't recommend world of solar unless you want stress and loosing money.