Posted: 6 August, 2012. Written by Ciaran Burns
Solar Energy Savings Limited (SES), a company which marketed and sold solar PV systems to the general public, was wound-up on 26 July 2012 by the High Court in Manchester in the public interest. This was as a result of a petition presented by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
SES was never a member of the REAL Consumer Code, and nor was the company ever certified by MCS, though it did work closely with companies that are. Over the past two years REAL has received a high number of serious complaints and negative feedback about SES. REAL provided details of this anonymised information as evidence in support of the case for SES to be wound up.
The complaints and negative feedback about SES recorded by REAL included reports of high pressure sales tactics, the targeting of older and vulnerable people and the provision of misleading claims relating to pay-back and return on investment.
SES did not object to the making of a winding-up order against it by the Secretary of State on the grounds alleged, which included details of multiple mis-selling practices.
Commenting on the case, Virginia Graham, Chief Executive of REAL, said: “It is quite unacceptable for companies to prey on consumers in this way, inducing them to part with their hard-earned savings on false pretences. These mis-selling practices bring the whole sector into disrepute and will not be tolerated.”
For more information about the case, see here:
http://news-insolvency.bis.gov.uk/Press-Releases/Insolvency-Service-investigation-leads-to-shut-down-of-major-national-solar-panel-company-67df0.aspx