SolcoSolar
3.7|22 reviews
JG
Joao G
1 reviews | Active since Member
08 Feb 2023, 16:55
No regard for safety - shoddy work puts lives at risk
I contracted Solco Solar and it was a huge mistake that could have had dire consequences.
Their first attempt at installation resulted in the inverter smoking and almost catching alight in the cottage where my elderly parents live. The second attempt resulted in a in installation that is not compliant and could cause further risk of fire in future.
There is just no regard for safety and regulations.
Full review below
They were contracted to install solar panels as well as a new inverter and battery in my main house. Secondly to move my existing inverter and battery (6 months old) to my cottage where my elderly parents stay.
Day 1 - They installed solar panels on roof Day 2 - They installed inverter in main house on back up power only with no solar connection Day 3 - They installed inverter in cottage on back up power only with no solar connection Day 4 - We wake up to screams by my mother because the inverter is smoking like crazy and about to catch alight. We cannot figure out where to switch off the connections because nothing was marked on the DB board they set up.
Bernard the owner admits to not understanding the set up that his staff installed. He does however send his staff to pick up inverter for their workshop to have a look at. The electrician tests the voltage and realises he didnt test it the day before and put to much current through the system and inverter is blown.
They take the battery also with them to see if there is any damage.
Day 5 - A sunday so nothing can be done but second day of no back up power at the cottage
Day 6 - Bernard makes a plan to send a second hand inverter as a temporary measure while he is replacing a new one. The box however has a sticker saying "not working" so I tell Bernard who assures me it is working.
At this point you would expect some priority or urgency and even though we agreed 10 am his staff arrived at 4 pm. Wasting my leave day at work.
After spending 3h 30min they realise the inverter is not working and cannot complete set up.
Day 7 - Bernard promises that new inverter will be at my house by 12pm. Which it was. So I took another half day off work. But his workers showed up at 6:30pm. Again wasting my leave.
After 2 hours of set up they realise that the battery is not working. Which means they never tested it at their workshop.
At this point I decided enough is enough and asked them to leave. I then contracted a new electrician.
Day 8 - Bernards team arrive at my house unannounced even after I had asked them to not come anymore.
The new electrician arrives and immediately highlights that the set up is not compliant as it was running the ac and dc wires in the same conduit. This highlights a risk of fire.
It is one thing to have horrible service but when you put the lives of clients at risk with no regard for safety and regulations then you should not be in business.
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Replies (56)SolcoSolar's replyOfficial
11 Feb 2023, 08:57Dear Joao.
My sincere apologies for what has occurred here ,the inverter that caught fire supplied by yourself was of a different model and quality to what we normally work with, and the panels were incorrectly configured by our technician,
We have taken steps to ensure this cannot occur again.
The Distribution board had not been marked as we were still in process with the installation which is normally followed by an inspection and configuration and a further visit from an electrical engineer to issue the final sign of and COC .
The TEMPORARY replacement inverter initially offered had been returned by our suppliers as having been repaired : regretably when fitted we realised it had not been correctly repaired. in the meantime, we were able to purchase a new inverter which we replaced the next day. only to find the battery supplied by the client was completely flat and needed a boost to restart, we came back the next day to do this and were denied entry to the property. at this time Joao has rejected all offers to rectify the situation and as there is still outstanding work to be done cannot conclude the situation. Once again, we apologies for the damage to the inverter supplied by yourself which has been replaced by a new better grade and quality inverter at no charge.
Our senior Engineer is prepared to meet at any time to ensure system is fully compliant and to sign off with a Certificate of Compliance
My sincere apologies for what has occurred here ,the inverter that caught fire supplied by yourself was of a different model and quality to what we normally work with, and the panels were incorrectly configured by our technician,
We have taken steps to ensure this cannot occur again.
The Distribution board had not been marked as we were still in process with the installation which is normally followed by an inspection and configuration and a further visit from an electrical engineer to issue the final sign of and COC .
The TEMPORARY replacement inverter initially offered had been returned by our suppliers as having been repaired : regretably when fitted we realised it had not been correctly repaired. in the meantime, we were able to purchase a new inverter which we replaced the next day. only to find the battery supplied by the client was completely flat and needed a boost to restart, we came back the next day to do this and were denied entry to the property. at this time Joao has rejected all offers to rectify the situation and as there is still outstanding work to be done cannot conclude the situation. Once again, we apologies for the damage to the inverter supplied by yourself which has been replaced by a new better grade and quality inverter at no charge.
Our senior Engineer is prepared to meet at any time to ensure system is fully compliant and to sign off with a Certificate of Compliance
Best regards,
SolcoSolar's reply11 Feb 2023, 08:57
Official
Dear Joao.
My sincere apologies for what has occurred here ,the inverter that caught fire supplied by yourself was of a different model and quality to what we normally work with, and the panels were incorrectly configured by our technician,
We have taken steps to ensure this cannot occur again.
The Distribution board had not been marked as we were still in process with the installation which is normally followed by an inspection and configuration and a further visit from an electrical engineer to issue the final sign of and COC .
The TEMPORARY replacement inverter initially offered had been returned by our suppliers as having been repaired : regretably when fitted we realised it had not been correctly repaired. in the meantime, we were able to purchase a new inverter which we replaced the next day. only to find the battery supplied by the client was completely flat and needed a boost to restart, we came back the next day to do this and were denied entry to the property. at this time Joao has rejected all offers to rectify the situation and as there is still outstanding work to be done cannot conclude the situation. Once again, we apologies for the damage to the inverter supplied by yourself which has been replaced by a new better grade and quality inverter at no charge.
Our senior Engineer is prepared to meet at any time to ensure system is fully compliant and to sign off with a Certificate of Compliance
My sincere apologies for what has occurred here ,the inverter that caught fire supplied by yourself was of a different model and quality to what we normally work with, and the panels were incorrectly configured by our technician,
We have taken steps to ensure this cannot occur again.
The Distribution board had not been marked as we were still in process with the installation which is normally followed by an inspection and configuration and a further visit from an electrical engineer to issue the final sign of and COC .
The TEMPORARY replacement inverter initially offered had been returned by our suppliers as having been repaired : regretably when fitted we realised it had not been correctly repaired. in the meantime, we were able to purchase a new inverter which we replaced the next day. only to find the battery supplied by the client was completely flat and needed a boost to restart, we came back the next day to do this and were denied entry to the property. at this time Joao has rejected all offers to rectify the situation and as there is still outstanding work to be done cannot conclude the situation. Once again, we apologies for the damage to the inverter supplied by yourself which has been replaced by a new better grade and quality inverter at no charge.
Our senior Engineer is prepared to meet at any time to ensure system is fully compliant and to sign off with a Certificate of Compliance
Best regards,