• Robert Goss, MD Conergy UK: “Solar is meant to be a good investment but if you’re not covered by a comprehensive warranty, it can end up being very expensive indeed.”
Milton Keynes, 27 January 2012 – Conergy today launched the most all-encompassing warranty scheme in British solar, called PremiumPlus, with the aim of addressing the UK’s maturing solar market. While high 43.3p solar feed-in-tariffs are likely to be reinstated following the Court of Appeal decision earlier this week, tariffs from March remains uncertain. In the medium-term, Conergy expects customer service levels to become an increasingly important driver of sales.
Robert Goss, Managing Director of Conergy UK, said: “For some time the focus in Britain has been on how much money people can make, with only passing reference to where the modules come from, or whether they’ll stand the test of time. We’re backing our technology to the hilt with a no quibble warranty, which means we’ll take on the full cost of replacing kit if anything goes wrong.”
Most solar panel warranties stipulate that the owner of the modules must pay for all incidental costs in the event of a claim. In a worst case scenario, the end-customer will not only pay for their modules being shipped to the manufacturer – which can mean as far as China and back – but also for the costs of replacement. This often exceeds the value of the module itself. In addition, warranties are generally not transferable – or only with restrictions.
The new PremiumPlus service warranty, the most comprehensive available in the UK, means that for 12 years, Conergy will:
- accept assessments by independent experts
- guarantee the provision of replacement module(s) of the same type
- meet costs involved in inspection and repair or replacement (including dismantling, transportation and reinstallation) of the modules
- allow the transfer of the warranty to a third party
Goss continued: “A property with a solar installation can be harder to sell if you don’t have a transferable warranty, as the modules can become a liability for the buyer. Solar is meant to be a good investment but if you’re not covered by a comprehensive warranty, it can end up being very expensive indeed.”
PremiusPlus will be available from 1st February to customers or installers who register PowerPlus modules within 30 days of commissioning. The terms of Conergy’s existing product warranty will operate in tandem. These provides a performance guarantee, valid for 25 years, by which power outputs can not fall by more than 0.6% a year, or more than 3.5% in the first year of operation, otherwise they will be replaced.
Conergy’s product range is also set to expand from 1st February with its new Noir Edition range of all-black solar modules and mounting systems, launched last week.
Please contact for imagery, interviews or other requests:
Peter Browning
Browning & Associates
peter@browningpr.com
07760 168 969
About Conergy
Conergy is the only solar company worldwide that delivers the complete solar system, including mounting frames, inverters and modules, for both residential and commercial installations. Headquartered in Hamburg, the company employs more than 1,500 people in 14 countries. Since its foundation in 1998, Conergy has sold, installed and manufactured solar power capacity totalling 1.6 GW – eight times the UK’s total installed base.
