COC not done on solar install

uncapped_shady

uncapped_shady

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Hi all, I had a solar system installed at my property. The installation covered the COC of the work done and I paid for it in full. When the installation was complete the service provider said that the COC would be done 2 weeks after the main install was completed. Long story short and a month later the service provider went cold and cannot be reached (not answering my calls, emails and messages), yet they are still advertising these installs on their website as well as their facebook page. I have threatened to take legal action but that does not seem to bother them at all. I have lodged a complaint with CGSO but they came back to say that it falls outside of their jurisdiction. I have also left a bad review on their facebook page but they simply removed it. I also lodged a complaint on hellopeter. Since lodging the complaints, I have had others reaching out to me regarding their bad experiences with the same company. What am I to do in order to save any future victims from falling prey to the same service provider?

I have since cut my losses and forked out more money for another reputable company to come and correct any issues there was with the system and to issue me a COC but I would like to make sure that they do not rip off others in the same manner.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
 
I have an electrician who can inspect and issue a COC. But you don't say where you are. He is in Cape Town

Who was it (name of person) who said a COC would be issued? Was it written on the quotation?

Have you aired your concerns on the Power Forum? At the moment we have no idea of the installer, perhaps you should mention this as well
 
uncapped_shady said:
Hi all, I had a solar system installed at my property. The installation covered the COC of the work done and I paid for it in full. When the installation was complete the service provider said that the COC would be done 2 weeks after the main install was completed. Long story short and a month later the service provider went cold and cannot be reached (not answering my calls, emails and messages), yet they are still advertising these installs on their website as well as their facebook page. I have threatened to take legal action but that does not seem to bother them at all. I have lodged a complaint with CGSO but they came back to say that it falls outside of their jurisdiction. I have also left a bad review on their facebook page but they simply removed it. I also lodged a complaint on hellopeter. Since lodging the complaints, I have had others reaching out to me regarding their bad experiences with the same company. What am I to do in order to save any future victims from falling prey to the same service provider?

I have since cut my losses and forked out more money for another reputable company to come and correct any issues there was with the system and to issue me a COC but I would like to make sure that they do not rip off others in the same manner.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
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Then name and shame so others will know
 
I am from Gauteng. The company is called SolarEx Supply and Installations. Yes the COC was on the quote which I paid for in full.

I have since gotten a reputable company to do my COC for me. Cost me extra cash but I had to get the COC in order for my home insurance to cover me in the event that anything happens.
 
Do yourself a favour and just get an electrician to inspect and do a CoC, even if the dodgy lowlife comes back that certificate won't be worth the paper it's written on, it's your house and your safety and that of your loved ones, small price to pay.
 
I heard about them.

If I was in your shoes I would have just cut my losses and help others not to be scammed.
 
TheChamp said:
Do yourself a favour and just get an electrician to inspect and do a CoC, even if the dodgy lowlife comes back that certificate won't be worth the paper it's written on, it's your house and your safety and that of your loved ones, small price to pay.
Click to expand...
Yip I did do that in the end.
 
BadBoyGP said:
I heard about them.

If I was in your shoes I would have just cut my losses and help others not to be scammed.
Click to expand...
I did end up doing that and that is the reason for my post. I would hate to see others go through the same thing. At the rate that solar systems goes for it is not in everyone’s budget to get one installed. I had to take a loan for my install.
 
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Scary times. The solar market seems to be getting flooded with fly by night operators right now. Thanks for sharing. Its worth doing some research before dropping that kind of money and sticking with someone that actually has a decent enough track record to be on Hello Peter etc.
 
Well at least when you search Google for SolarEx Supply and Installations the Hellopeter complaint comes up with only one star - small satisfaction but it is something.
 
Well it seems to be a thing as I struggled and still haven't got a CoC from SunTank for the solar geyser.
 
I know you reviewed the conpany on Hello Peter but also write a Google Review explaining what happened. They can't delete that review.
 
I believe as of 24 June 2022 a coc is no longer required as per sans10254 but if over 300 litres it must have an engineers report .maybe look it up .it states for all electric geysers not sure about pure solar
 
  • Changes to SANS 10254.
The long process of amending SANS 10254 was completed on 24 June 2022 when the revised standard was gazetted. The only changes to the standard from the 2017 version were the removal of the requirement for a certificate of compliance and the removal of the reference to the professional body for plumbers PIRB. All other installation requirements remain the same.

Although SABS has decided that requirements for CoC’s will be removed from all standards for all industries, the requirement for a CoC on Solar water heater, heat pumps and grey water systems still remain in force until such time as these standards are updated. We strongly encourage all plumbers to adhere to the requirements of these standards.

Maybe this helps .dont know whether a certificate is still needed or not , if the requirements are removed , what do you test for ?what are the requirements ?
 
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  • 2. IOPSA supports the need for a certificate of compliance (CoC).
In the absence of any other adequate mechanism to ensure compliance to the plumbing laws, regulations and standards the CoC has proved to be the most effective tool available. The reality is that the vast majority of municipalities do not have the capacity, skills or funding to enforce compliance. This includes organs of state as well. The plumbing industry has been flooded by unqualified “plumbers”, non-compliant materials and incorrect, dangerous installations. The impacts on homeowners’ health & safety, the environment, water security and damage to municipal infrastructure has been massive. Not to mention the impact on the formal plumbing sector which has declined every year since 2016, slowly being swallowed by the unregulated informal sector. The only CoC which currently has any meaningful impact is the PIRB CoC. If, in future, another CoC or some other mechanism emerges which is able to protect the public and qualified plumbers, IOPSA would consider supporting it too. For now, there is only one and without it (or something similar) our industry is in serious trouble. Irrespective of changes to SANS 10254, we still encourage all members to continue issuing CoC’s as this brings trust and professionalism to the industry and sets you apart from unqualified people operating in the industry.

Of great importance is that plumbers in the replacement market continue to notify clients of pre-existing non-conformances, in writing. This requirement of the Consumer Protection Act is critical in ensuring that owners are properly informed and can make an informed decision, whilst protecting plumbers from possible liability for work they did not do.
 
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