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What companies can fix issues?
I'm aware of PredSupport - some ex-Givenergy engineers are offering paid fixes -
help@predsupport.com
Which other companies are there and what are their contact details?
Reviews/experiences with them are welcome.
Companies offering paid support for Givenergy
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https://specialbatteryservices.com/ also do support for Giv kit. I've not used either of them. My first point of contact is always with my installer.
For battery repairs Paul L seems to recommend these on facebook (so they are presumably somewhat genuine)
https://eco-recycle.co.uk/givenergy-battery-support-repair/
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For anyone considering buying more GE kit, here's why you shouldn't - 16kWh LFP battery + 6kW inverter = £2180 plus shipping (they give a 2% discount for purchases over £1000).
I'm no longer that concerned about the battery or inverter dying given LFP prices are plummeting....
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Vestas The documentation is pretty dire when it comes to management with anything other than the built in touch-screen. The INVT Solarman App seems to have no documentation at all from its manufacturer. AFAICT it works with a WiFi to RS485 bridge. That, apparently, is supported by HA, though.
Curious about doing installation and getting a G99 approval for a thousand quid (do you get your money back if the approval fails. 😉 )
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Got a pop up today which might be of use in the future:
Solar Panel Quotes UK
switchable.co.uk/battery-inverter-services
Looks like the answer to a maiden's prayer
Edited: After I typed this I checked out the website, thought it worth a punt and asked for a call. Literally within minutes I had a call and have an appointment tomorrow morning for a free survey. The one who called me was award of the Givenergy situation. They had worked for or with Givenergy for about 20 years. Will see what comes tomorrow.
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hoggy Yes I will, though if genuine they will probably be 'competent' if not actually qualified on type. The guy who did my original installation, it was his first!
My brother in law bought a system from a box shifter. Looked good so I went the them too. I got Givenergy. We were both novices at the time. The first clue was the guy I was dealing with left. The next was getting the paperwork right. I got lucky and managed to tell the woman at the other end what to write so I could get paid for the generation. Within days of my installation they went belly up. I only found out when the receiver wrote as there was a possibility that I had paid 50% but not had the installation. I almost finished up with the scaffolding abandoned here too.
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Bottom line, we have been offered either a 5 year or 10 year contract, transferrable if we sell our house, for either £3200 or £4200 payable up front. The contract is insurance backed and restores the warranty. One feature is 24 hour remote monitoring.
He also discussed automatic power isolators if the there is a fault and possibly the need to change the consumer unit.
I asked about one-off repairs and he said they don't do that and did not think there would be many who do.
Looking at the costs, the Octopus Heat Pump guarantee extension to 5 years is £9/month from year 2. Contrast that with a new invertor and battery to replace the Givenergy system £3200 or £4200 would go a long way to cover the costs.
The company is Think Green Partners (.co.uk) - Global Green Partners Ltd, Solutions House, 56-58 Peregrine Road, Hainault, Essex IG6 3SZ. Looking at Companies House, it looks very much like a one man band company.
What is the experience of forum members calling in 3rd party support?
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Roy124 Bottom line, we have been offered either a 5 year or 10 year contract, transferrable if we sell our house, for either £3200 or £4200 payable up front. The contract is insurance backed and restores the warranty. One feature is 24 hour remote monitoring
You are being scammed walk away...
A brand new battery system would cost you far less...
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M_J not sure I would say it is as much as a scam but ripped off more like. As you say, a new system would probably be adjacent to their quote but we could pay from the £3200 in the bank.
In terms of circumstance, we might move home within a couple of years and given my age a 10 year contract is pushing it. I had hoped that they could provide an on-call service if required.
As another comparator, I installed a home alarm system but without an maintenance support. I needed some assistance a couple of months back. A local company attended and did the work with payment on completion.
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Roy124 and 30%+ would have gone to "switchable" as commission (probably).
Apart from the remote stuff offered from ex-GE staff & installers I think very few reputable companies will support GE kit they didn't install until administration/liabilities are clear.
tl;dr don't buy insurance on equipment with previous voided warranties etc.
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Vestas Agree about the commission, a couple of things came out. He said that they could claim £1600 from MCS for the failed installers/providers. Don't know how true that was, but he also gave me a Customer Declaration Form where I would effectively either lie or show I was incompetent such as having a power of attorney in place, was blind, was otherwise mentally impaired.
The last question, and one that was inescapable we being less than 82 years of age, ie 81 or younger. I failed!
I wait for their follow up plea 🇦
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