ᐅ Solar panels unavailable – Additional charges or cancellation possible?
Created on: 17 Jul 2020 12:49
K
kati1337
Hello!
We are currently in the middle of building our house, and our photovoltaic system is scheduled to be installed soon. Today, the company responsible for this, hired by our construction firm, called me.
We had already included the photovoltaic system in the original contract offer with our building contract. In hindsight, it was much too expensive. At the time, we didn’t know better / we naïvely didn’t compare prices because we wanted everything “from one source,” as we’re not experts and were hesitant to assign trades separately. We have a contract price of €9,280 gross for 4.2 kWp (kilowatt peak). (I know, stop laughing.)
The company said on the phone that the offer is from late 2019 and that the modules in that capacity are no longer available. He offered to use modules with higher output. We would then pay an additional €600 for 4.55 kWp instead of 4.2 kWp. The alternative would be to remove one module so that the kWp matches the original offer again. However, that would look bad because we have a manor-style gable, and then one side would have 7 modules and the other side 6.
I said that I think this is too much extra money to invest and that I find the system very expensive anyway. From our point of view, this is frustrating. Our contract included a drawing showing that we would get 14 modules with x kWp for price y. I don’t really understand why the unavailability of these 14 modules should be my problem now, and why I should either pay extra or accept worse aesthetics.
We did some calculations together, and he said we could split the difference, which would cost €300 extra, but then we would get modules matching the roof color and a bit more output than before. I told him on the phone that we could do that, but have not signed anything yet.
What would you do?
Part of me would like to say that we should just cancel the expensive photovoltaic system since they can’t deliver what we agreed in the contract. But I don’t know the legal situation / if that is even possible. Some preparatory work has already been done, and cables have been run to the attic.
We are currently in the middle of building our house, and our photovoltaic system is scheduled to be installed soon. Today, the company responsible for this, hired by our construction firm, called me.
We had already included the photovoltaic system in the original contract offer with our building contract. In hindsight, it was much too expensive. At the time, we didn’t know better / we naïvely didn’t compare prices because we wanted everything “from one source,” as we’re not experts and were hesitant to assign trades separately. We have a contract price of €9,280 gross for 4.2 kWp (kilowatt peak). (I know, stop laughing.)
The company said on the phone that the offer is from late 2019 and that the modules in that capacity are no longer available. He offered to use modules with higher output. We would then pay an additional €600 for 4.55 kWp instead of 4.2 kWp. The alternative would be to remove one module so that the kWp matches the original offer again. However, that would look bad because we have a manor-style gable, and then one side would have 7 modules and the other side 6.
I said that I think this is too much extra money to invest and that I find the system very expensive anyway. From our point of view, this is frustrating. Our contract included a drawing showing that we would get 14 modules with x kWp for price y. I don’t really understand why the unavailability of these 14 modules should be my problem now, and why I should either pay extra or accept worse aesthetics.
We did some calculations together, and he said we could split the difference, which would cost €300 extra, but then we would get modules matching the roof color and a bit more output than before. I told him on the phone that we could do that, but have not signed anything yet.
What would you do?
Part of me would like to say that we should just cancel the expensive photovoltaic system since they can’t deliver what we agreed in the contract. But I don’t know the legal situation / if that is even possible. Some preparatory work has already been done, and cables have been run to the attic.
K
knalltüte17 Jul 2020 15:22Wow, over $2,000 per kWp is outrageous (for new construction)! And on top of that, not even taking advantage of using leftover materials (he currently has 300 heat pump modules available) and trying to charge you extra for current modules is really harsh!
Unfortunately, I can’t help contractually. But if possible, can you cancel the contract since it’s not feasible? Then hire someone yourself. For systems up to about 9.9 kWp (if it fits on the roof), the price should be around €1,000 to a maximum of €1,200 per kWp.
Current modules should be at least 330 Wp (better 355 Wp) with module sizes of about 1.70 x 1.0 m (5.6 x 3.3 ft), and 425-435 Wp with sizes of 2.09 x 1.03 m (6.9 x 3.4 ft).
Unfortunately, I can’t help contractually. But if possible, can you cancel the contract since it’s not feasible? Then hire someone yourself. For systems up to about 9.9 kWp (if it fits on the roof), the price should be around €1,000 to a maximum of €1,200 per kWp.
Current modules should be at least 330 Wp (better 355 Wp) with module sizes of about 1.70 x 1.0 m (5.6 x 3.3 ft), and 425-435 Wp with sizes of 2.09 x 1.03 m (6.9 x 3.4 ft).
The 2,000 per kWp are gross, I probably should have mentioned that. Net, we’re around 1,770 per kWp.
If we use the extra kWp for 300€, it at least slightly improves our price balance. Without the change, our net cost is 1,857.
He now wants to install (new):
Jinko Half-Cell Solar Module 325Wp Full Black Cheetah HC 60M-B
Is that any good? It doesn’t really tell me much.
If we use the extra kWp for 300€, it at least slightly improves our price balance. Without the change, our net cost is 1,857.
He now wants to install (new):
Jinko Half-Cell Solar Module 325Wp Full Black Cheetah HC 60M-B
Is that any good? It doesn’t really tell me much.
kati1337 schrieb:
The offer in the contract was not very detailed. It only specified the system capacity (4.2 kWp), then the manufacturer of the inverter, the manufacturer of the panels, and the number and dimensions of the panels. If you signed within the period the offer was valid (for example, "this offer is valid for four weeks") and the solar company has not yet started any work: If they offered it to you this way, they must install it as specified or provide an equivalent alternative at the same price. A seller cannot create an offer for item A, then install item B, and charge more. If the items are not available, that is their problem since they offered you those items—you did not explicitly request a specific panel. Therefore, they should install equivalent panels at the same price, or alternatively, which I would try in your case to save money, you can cancel the photovoltaic contract and look for another provider.
Ben-man schrieb:
If you signed the contract within the period the offer was valid (e.g., "this offer is valid for four weeks") and the solar company has not started any work yet: If they made you that offer, they must install the equipment as promised or provide an equivalent alternative at the same price. A seller cannot create an offer for item A and then install item B while charging more. If the products are not available, that is their problem because they offered you those items; you did not explicitly request a specific panel. Therefore, they should install equivalent panels at the same price or, which I would try in your case to save money, you cancel the photovoltaic contract and look for another provider. The problem here is that I signed with the main contractor. Our photovoltaic system was ordered through the main contractor with the specified parameters. The main contractor subcontracted the installation. The subcontractor called me directly and basically said, "You either get one less module, which looks bad, or you pay more and get better modules."
I mean, 300€ (about $320) is not a huge amount.
But in principle, it's annoying, and I don’t know how or when the main contractor engaged the subcontractor; that probably isn’t my concern anyway.
I cannot assess the legal situation regarding withdrawal and charges for services already rendered (planning services).
However, I would recommend a friendly phone call with the construction company to ask if they would cover the remaining 50% alongside the solar installer, if you want to keep everything managed through a single provider.
However, I would recommend a friendly phone call with the construction company to ask if they would cover the remaining 50% alongside the solar installer, if you want to keep everything managed through a single provider.
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