First4Solar Bewertungen 372

Don't bother with this company at all. Paid deposit in December 22 given install date of 21st April after having to chase and chase. Same situation as everyone else, company is full of false promises. I confirmed start of week all was still on track but come the day before still no scaffolding or request to pay next installment I knew it wasn't going to happen. Do not deal with this company at all, find yourself one with an MD that has some integrity! I have emailed 5 people to cancel our contract & not 1 of them has had the courtesy to reply.
David the MD you should be ashamed of yourself.
Don't be fooled by the Saturday call from the MD like we were - we had exactly the same, its all just lies.

If you paid deposit last week, last month or last year then claim section 75 on credit card now. Looking at the 100's of people doing this now they will be liquidated in weeks.

Had the same issues as everyone else and lied to regarding DNO application which was made 6 months after deposit was paid and 2 weeks before the first install date which would be impossible.

I selected First4Solar, partly based on the majority of favourable reviews here in 2022. However, this year everything seems to have gone wrong and I am now experiencing what recent negative reviews have been posting.

• Contacted First4Solar, spoke to Daniel Hawkins (Director, publicly available information) and Robert, very helpful, very polite and very informative. Accepted their advice and agreed the panels, batteries, inverter and price. Indicated an installation date of middle of March 2023 but TBC.
• Paid deposit 27th November 2022 (Tanrec Ltd – Holding company of First4Solar, Directors Daniel and David Hawkins, Directors & publicly available information)
• Survey was booked for 8th December 2022 and everything was OK to proceed.
• 23rd December, survey report received and being processed. Things were proceeding quickly and efficiently
• Installation design received on 3rd January 2023
• 5th January 2023 Email from operations@first4solar saying "progressed from Design to Installation Stage.. Scheduling team would be in touch..."
• Emailed First4Solar on 04-Feb-23 as I had not heard from them since 05-Jan-23 regarding installation date. auto email said 48 hours to respond.
• No response after five days so resent email on 09-Feb-23
• Email from Keely on 09-Feb-23 promising that "Operations team" would update me!
• Email from Kelly 09-Feb-23 confirming installation date for 14-Apr-23
• Emailed Kelly for installation update (arrival time etc.) as I had heard nothing since 09-Feb-23 on Saturday 01-Apr-23
• Voicemail from Kelly on Monday 03-Apr-23 (saved) confirmed 14-Apr-23 installation then mentioning possible delay but no details
• Called Kelly on Monday 03-Apr-23 and was told I would be informed whether the installation would go ahead just 48 hours before. That would be Wednesday 12-Apr-23 (09:00?) and ended saying delay was unlikely anyway
• No contact from Kelly or installers by 13:30 on Wednesday 12th April. Emailed Kelly (copied Daniel & Robert) and got auto-response saying she’s on leave.
• Emailed Daniel & Robert directly and asked them to chase-up
• No response by Thursday 13th April 10:15, called general number, selected “Install” option, asked to speak to Keely but she’s not at her desk. Left brief message and said I’d call back in 10 minutes…
• Called again @ 10:30, Keely tried to transfer me to the Installation team manager, Jake but he’s in a meeting until 11:00… he will call back soon after.
• By 14:00 Jake had not called back, I called and eventually spoke to Jake (I believe it was Daniel that initially answered the phone, but not sure), who could tell me nothing apart from “there was no installation booked under your name for Friday 14th April”. Jake said he would investigate and get back to me no later than 17:00 that day.
• By 17:05 Jake had not called.
• At 17:10 on 13th April I called and asked to speak to Daniel Hawkins (Director of First4Solar, publicly available information), took some time but eventually Daniel joined the call. After my explanation Daniel was most apologetic, David Hawkins (CEO, publicly available information) joined the call and both promised to sort-it-out. I agreed to “start again” and said I would wait until week commencing 17th April, as early in the week as possible, for a new installation date, giving them that time in order to allow a rock-solid, no-delay installation date, which they both promised to do. David gave me his personal mobile number to call/text (# deleted) if there were any issues.
• As at 16:00 on Friday 21st April and in spite of leaving multiple voice messages with Daniel Hawkins, David Hawkins, Keely and Kelly, sending multiple emails and even using First4Solar’s new “ticketing system”, I have not had any contact from First4Solar.
• I have now left voice mails stating my intention to take further action. In addition I have sent an official cancellation request by email and requesting return of my £2,843.91 deposit, also stating my intention to take further action if I have not had any response by 27th April.

I will update this review along with potentially posting on multiple chat forums, Mumsnet, LinkedIn, Moneysavingsexpert, FaceBook, Twitter, ReTalk, Rumble and YouTube if there’s any resistance to a refund or continued problems.

I initially included David Hawkins mobile number, which he gave to me and did not request that I keep it "secret". First4Solar likely flagged this review because I included it... I also deleted family names where they are not publicly available, in case that's what First4Solar complained about. Shows where their priorities lie, any excuse to hide a customer's justifiable criticism.

The solution to all of these reported issues is simple: Tell customers the truth!

Russell
SA38

10/05/2023,
I’ve managed to get my deposit back through the credit card company

If anyone interested, few days ago I came across Facebook group “last4solar” they are getting people together who has bad experience with first4solar

Hello everyone,
Unfortunately I’ve to join all of you who have had a bad experience.
Paid my deposit in July 2022, they promised 16-20 weeks lead time from deposit to installation.. Didn’t happened. After few phone calls in November 2022 I was promised that system will be installed on 30/31 of March 2023- got cancelled few days before. Jassica contacted me with new installation 16 of May which one I rejected and requested to refund my deposit on 29/04/23. Few weeks later, still no refund received, calls and emails getting ignored
Now, my credit card issuer will deal with them under section 7

Scaffolding been up for over 3 weeks install is half done, roof now has 70 broken tiles ! No one answering calls or replying to emails utterly disappointed with this company and will be starting legal proceedings and reporting to trading standards.

Absolute Scam. Ordered a battery storage system in June 2021 and nothing has happened till now. Requested a refund a month back and got confirmation it will be refunded in 14 days. Again a scam (I can understand not having availability of product or installers will cause delay, but not sure why there is a delay to return the money)
Have been trying to call for past week and just goes to the messaging service lady who just takes down numbers and tells she will pass the message.

Absolute scam and no one should fall for it!!

Update
21/04/2023 : Called and went to messaging service.
24/04/2023 : Called and went to messaging service.
26/04/2023 : Called and went to messaging service.

The start of this process all seemed good despite the clear lack of knowledge from the ‘salesman’ I spoke to on the phone. Survey done, designed report completed etc and the surveyor even commented this was a ‘dream job’, local to them and an easy install, so should be able to fit me in sooner than the 24 week quote. Was given an 11th April date, which was at the full 24 weeks. I phoned the week before and was told this wouldn’t happen as they were short staffed over Easter. No update, no new date, time to call it a day and see if there is any chance I can get my money back and find a company that respects their customers.

Put a deposit down on 12th July 2022. Told 16-20 weeks. Took the deposit fast the survey, design and apply for DNO in a few weeks. Should have been fitted by end of November 2022. Excuses for delay range from COVID in China to adverse weather. Told the system would be installed 27th March 2023. Then pushed to 30th March 2023. And again installation push again to 20th April 2023. Guess what? No show and no communication from F4S! The company has never contacted me to inform me of any problems or delays. It’s alway be me having to contact them. Messages left and never reply too. Constantly ringing to get updates with no prevail. If you ring now the calls are redirected to a 3rd party company as a ‘message service’ and then this is forward to the F4S, but no reply. Sent email and letter by post request a full refund of deposit today. If I don’t have a refund in the next 14 day or a reply I’ll be raising a dispute with my credit card company. Starting to think this is a scam??

I have nothing much more to add than the many people on here have already said. There is a theme - deception, lack of communication and not showing up to complete work.

I have had 5 missed installation dates and there has been a total lack of communication - unless telling you several hours after they should have arrived counts.

The MD gave his mobile number, to address the fact that nobody returns my calls. Now he just ignores me too. Emails and calls do not seem to work.

I have heard every promise and every excuse in the book, from cut off thumbs, flooded warehouses and personal issues to we will definitely fit the solar panels tomorrow. I was promised, by email, prior to my fifth installation date, that I could have a refund in full if they did not complete the installation. Well, they never even started...

I have learned from others' reviews that refunds are promised, but not paid. I have now issued Court proceedings to get back the money I paid 5 months ago, as they have declined to talk to me. From what I have read here, I am not the first. I simply cannot deal with this company any further and see this as the only way to bring matters to a close. Enough is enough - I just wanted solar panel and all i got was 5 months of aggravation and so far, a lost deposit.

On occasions I had to resort to calling every hour to speak to somebody, before they eventually took my call. I have never received a call back as promised.

When the scaffolding was put up they damaged my conservatory roof.

If you want solar panels, there are plenty of firms out there who can fit within weeks. First 4 Solar are not one of them. This has been a time consuming and stressful experience.

Listen to all of the recent reviews on here. If you want solar panels there are plenty of places to go to and this is not one of them.

First4Solar are refusing to refund me, they are not responding to my emails, I have supplied all evidence to my bank, they are also reviewing all online reviews , and they will make sure no other individual suffers again. Luckily for me. I am protected- Card payment
Also Check company house records-- First4Solar not Active, All legal actions should be directed at TANREC Ltd T/a First 4 Solar
------ ---------------------------------------------

Keely Kirkaldy -keely.kirkaldyfirstt4solar.co.uk>
Wed, Apr 19, 11:48 AM (2 days ago)
to me

Hi Sam,

Thank you for your Solaemail, your refund will be processed tomorrow via the accounts department. I have sent them the information regarding your deposit and stage payment. As we discussed this will be onto your credit card.
If you need to contact them directly it is accountstanrec.co.uk

If I can help assist you further please let me know.

Kindest Regards

Keely

Pretty much the same as everyone else. Paid a deposit, then nothing.

After lots of chasing, they eventually gave an installation date of today, but they do not show up, with no contact to say that they wouldn't be.

They keep sending out emails saying they're "improving their customer service" - well, there's absolutely no evidence of that.

Now, if you try to ring them, you just get a 'messaging service' which sends them a message, which they won't reply to. I feel sorry for the messaging service...

Edit: It's a bit telling that they're asking for more information - it's almost as if they have so many unfulfilled installation appointments that they don't know who they were for. They should contact everyone whose appointment they couldn't meet (beforehand preferably), not wait for them to post a negative review and then give them their details.

FWIW, I did send through an email - no response - what a surprise.

Ladies and gentlemen we have been scammed!

I have left previous factual reviews of the utterly disgraceful service you will receive.

I am leaving this review as First 4 Solar have turned their phones off and are not responding to any correspondence. (They very rarely will put anything in writing even when asked repeatedly)

I like most have been waiting for any kind action for months. I had 3 failed install dates where I had to call them to find out they weren’t coming on the day.

I was promised a full refund after the 3rd attempt. They wanted keep a chunk of my deposit for work undertaken using an iffy contractual point.

One of the items they were trying to charge me for was the DNO they had to put in place. I checked with UK Power Metworks and First 4 Solar had not applied for one!

Long story short if First 4 Solar actually come back to life avoid them as you will just be throwing your money away!

I am now going down the route of the small claims court to see if I get anything from that but I am not hopeful.

To all the people in the same boat as me, good luck. To First 4 Solar if you don’t like this review call me to discuss.

Neil Jackson

First4 Solar has been a nightmare to work with. We ordered batteries and Solar on August 22nd.
Zero communication, you have to chase them constantly to get any update or answer. After an 8-month wait for the batteries to be ready to install, the van broke down on install day. Fine, these things happen, however, it took me five days of calling to find out when the installation would happen. Nothing but “We’ll call you back”. That’s been five weeks. Cancelled the order, and we are still waiting 20 working days later for our refund. Again you have to call them constantly to understand why the money hasn’t arrived.
Save yourself the stress, anger and worry and avoid these guys. Don't believe a word they say, they cannot deliver. I wish I had checked Trustpilot first.

Looks like I am the latest to join the list of people complaining about the poor service. I only found out about the messaging service today; I thought I was speaking to the company. I have called and emailed numerous times and am very angry now. JUST RING ME AND EXPLAIN!

Organised chaos (and a fair bit of BS)

Here’s the good, the bad and the worse about our experience

Good
• Staff polite and seem to want to help
• We have working solar panels
• Delays from original installation date was a matter of days.

Bad
• We put down a deposit in June.
• Installation postponed twice – once without notice, once just hours after confirming it would go ahead.
• During the months since putting down the deposit we had to chase them almost every step of the way (design, installation date) – no information or apologies on delays.
• Company’s own deadlines missed.
• Three extra parts of the system still not working (one not installed, two missing)
• Clumsy finishing of internal wiring.
• Quantities of rubbish (including large pallet) left behind.
• No information on MCS cert or DNO letter.
• Monthly newsletter, which was “aimed at enhancing the customer journey”, lasted exactly…one month

Worse
• Roof membrane badly damaged during installation, roof tiles broken, incompetently fitted bird mesh
• Took a month to get scaffolding for repairs up.
• Scaffolding for repairs up for six weeks with nothing happening, then taken down due to dispute with scaffolding company.
• Emails answered about 10% of the time.
• Calls to company usefully answered about 25% of the time.
• Now they use a “messaging service” whereby phones are answered by another company and currently ZERO messages left here have been answered.
• Originally proudly proclaimed they did not use contractors – now they do.

So, four months after the installation took place we still have a roof in need to repair, parts of the system missing, scaffolding on the back of the house and a series of broken promises about action being taken.
UPDATE:
Word is that for all practical purposes this company has ceased to exist. If that's true, if you haven't got panels, you are not getting them. If you have paid money, hopefully you have done it on a credit cards because you will be protected by Section 75.

Update 24/04/2023

After posting the trustpilot review on 19/04/2023 and following up with an email to First4Solar the following took place

20/04/2023 - I sent an email to First4Solar informing them that as they had failed to install my system, and were ignoring my calls and emails requesting a refund I raised a disputed transaction with my credit card company. This was upheld, and my card company have refunded £19,478.67 and they will follow up with the merchant. I was then called by Jake who said he was very sorry for all the confusion and the kit would be sent to my house 21/04/2023 and the install would be completed 24/04/2023.

21/04/2023 - We were not at home, but received a call from a First4Solar employee who was on our driveway and who had been instructed to drive down to our house and collect the solar panels that were sitting in our garage. I explained I would happily open the garage once First4Solar refunded by deposit of £4897.90. No refund was provided.

24/04/2023 - No Install took place

In summary I would encourage you all to raise a disputed transaction with your credit card company for failed delivery of service as it is very clear that Tanrec trading as First4Solar have no intention of installing solar systems or refunding your money.
———————————-

Do not order from First4Solar. They will take your money and won’t honour their contract with you. Here’s my story (so far). They have £24,376.57 of my money and they have not installed solar panels, batteries, or inverter.

1. 22/09/2022 - Paid a deposit to First4Solar with an install time of ~20 weeks - No install took place
2. 01/03/2023 - I was invited to pay an additional £19,478.67 staged payment towards my install and if I did that, then all the equipment would be shipped to site and the install would take place W/C 06/03/2023. No install took place
3. 07/03/2023 - Called Jessica for an update and was told she would investigate and call me back. I received no update
4. 08/03/2023 - Sent an email to Jessica asking for an update. I received no update
5. 09/03/2023 - Sent an email to Jake asking for an update. I received no update
6. 10/03/2023 - Sent an email to Jessica and Jake asking for an update. I received no update
7. 13/03/2023 - Left a voicemail for Jessica asking for an update. I received no update.
8. 15/03/2023 - Requested a full refund. At this point I was contacted by the Director of Tanrec, David Hawkins to say he would arrange for my install the following week. The install did not take place the following week.
9. 23/03/2023 - Re-Requested a refund or confirmed install date. At this point I was told by David that he would get an install date and get back to me.
10. 28/03/2023 - Chased David again as I still didn’t have the promised install date
11. 06/04/2023 - Sent an email to David, Keely, Dan and Jake re-requesting a full refund
12. 06/04/2023 - I was contacted by David again to say the roofer would be onsite tomorrow
13. 07/04/2023 - One roofer turned up but was unable to do anything as the required part were not on site. Was told he would be back 11/04/2023
14. 11/04/2023 - One roofer turned up and said it was a two man job, so he wouldn’t be able to install any panels. He chased the company for another labourer but was told none were available
15. 13/04/2023 - Roofer left site as the required parts to install the panels weren’t on site and he also needed an additional roofer to assist. I’ve been left with some roof mount on my roof, and nothing else
16. 18/04/2023 - Called first4solar and spoke to Keely and requested to cancel my contract and return £24,376.57 made off of my deposit and staged payment. She told be she would get back to me before the end of the day. I received no update
17. 19/04/2023 - Called first4solar and again requested to cancel my contract, but was told I needed to send an email to accounts. Email requesting the cancellation and refund was sent at 11:24 copying David, Keely, Jessica, Dan, and Jake. I received no update
18. 19/04/2023 - Called first4solar @ 16:30. I was told they are a messaging service and that nobody is available to speak to me.
19. 19/04/2023 - Called first4solar @ 16:55. I was told they are a messaging service and that nobody is available to speak to me.

Now in the great Abyss.

Promised an update today and nothing, made multiple calls and left messages. My mobile phone call log is predominantly First4Solar and Tanrec now. I feel they are ignoring me as they are in a difficult situation.

Now I feel my next call will be to trading standards to understand the next steps.

Update: 20/04/2023 - Left 4 messages this morning, and sent an email - nothing, I am now speaking to trading standards today and my credit card company

Update 07/05/2023 - Now have an installed system, thanks to the team at Fortuna!

Terrible company, this is the second review I've placed now, I was asked to take the first one down and was promised an installation. No show, again. I have seen some previous reviews saying they paid a deposit in July 22 - I paid mine in Feb 22.

They do not respond, do not call, do not answer their phone and I'm now on my 6th failed installation today - when someone simply didnt turn up. They say always support local businesses, not this one - spend your money somewhere else.

UPDATE - I have requested a return of my deposit which they have had for over a year, and I am being ignored by all the numbers / people I have had sporadic contact with in the past. David, who was the owner and now retired originally gave me his mobile number promised to call me two days in a row has ingnored all of my calls and texts.

*Whatever you do, do not engage with this company.*

By the way - I have noticed some responses from Keely on some of the other reviews asking to contact her by email - I have sent her several emails without a single reply since January so dont bother.

I will not go so far as to add any derogatory language here but I do not know how they sleep at night.

Like many others we have been badly let down by this company. We ordered in July 2022 and are still waiting installation. We have had 3 dates booked in and no shows. They have never informed us that the installations would not be taking place. They don't respond to our queries. We spoke eventually to Daniel ( owners son) who gave us personal guarantees of an April 17th date. Needless to say this hasn't happened.

In common with most of the reviews. They took the deposit then cancelled install time after time. Finally I asked to cancel the order and a refund. Still waiting.