You know, just last month I was called out to assess a system in North Cambridge where the homeowner had paid £18,000 for what should’ve been a £12,000 job. It’s frustrating to see, but honestly, it happens more than you’d think. The poor chap had gone with a national chain without really understanding what his options were.
The thing is, with Cambridge Council pushing hard on their net-zero targets, everyone wants solar panels yesterday. And fair enough – but the rush means people aren’t always making informed decisions about who they’re hiring.
The market’s changed quite a bit since 2020 when the Smart Export Guarantee replaced the old Feed-in Tariff scheme. If you’re looking at getting panels installed anywhere from the city centre out to South Cambridge, you’ve basically got three routes to choose from these days.
There’s your local installers – people like myself who’ve been working in the area for years. Then you’ve got the big national chains with their flashy adverts and call centres. And increasingly, we’re seeing these DIY hybrid options where companies sell you the kit and you either install it yourself or find your own electrician. Each has its place, I suppose, though I’ve seen enough botched DIY jobs near East Cambridge to have my reservations about that last option.
What really matters is understanding what you’re getting into. The national chains might seem convenient, but they often subcontract to whoever’s available – could be someone from Birmingham who doesn’t know the first thing about Cambridge’s planning quirks or the specific requirements different areas have. Meanwhile, a decent local installer will know exactly what Cambridge Council expects and can handle everything from emergency repairs to regular maintenance without the runaround.
Local Solar Resources – Cambridge
For verified local solar professionals in Cambridge, always check credentials and insurance.
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