ARE YOU BEING SCAMMED? “Upgrades, FITs and the £4,000 Grant” Myth

As solar energy has grown in popularity, so too have the number of companies offering “upgrades,” “free safety checks,” or “government-backed grants” to existing solar owners. Unfortunately, many of these offers are misleading and in some cases, they can cause more harm than good.

At Sunlit Solar, we regularly speak to customers who’ve received letters or calls claiming they’re “eligible for a £4,000 grant” to upgrade their existing solar panels or “add new, more powerful ones without affecting their Feed-in Tariff (FIT).” Some are even told they must have a safety inspection to keep their system compliant.

Here’s the truth.

The £4,000 Grant Myth

There are no current government grants offering £4,000 to upgrade existing solar panels.
The Green Homes Grant, often referenced in these letters, ended in 2021 and has not been replaced.

Some companies use similar-sounding names to appear legitimate, but they are not connected to Ofgem or the UK Government. They may use this approach to gain access to your property, collect your personal details, or pressure-sell products you don’t need.

FITs and System Upgrades

Your Feed-in Tariff (FIT) payments are linked to the original configuration of your system. Replacing panels, changing inverters or adding extra capacity without Ofgem approval could invalidate your FIT agreement.

Legitimate upgrades can be made, for example, adding a battery or extending a system, but they should only be done after consulting a qualified MCS-accredited installer who understands your setup and the impact on your existing tariff.

Contact Sunlit Solar if you would like to find out more about system upgrades.

CONTACT US

The “Free Safety Check” Sales Tactic

We’ve seen an increasing number of calls where homeowners are told their system “needs an inspection” or “may no longer comply with safety standards.” These visits often end in high-pressure sales pitches for unnecessary replacements or extra equipment.

If your system was installed by a reputable company, and it’s working safely and efficiently, you do not need a paid inspection from a third-party sales team. A genuine safety issue would be identified during regular servicing or through your inverter’s performance data, not by a cold call.

The “Your Installer Has Gone Bust” Scam

Another common tactic we’ve seen recently involves phone calls claiming that your original solar installer has gone out of business, followed by an offer to “take over your system’s maintenance” or “perform a required safety check.”

These callers often claim to represent “the company that’s now handling your warranty” or say they’ve been “assigned your system details”, but they have no legitimate link to your installer. In some cases, they’ll use fear tactics, suggesting your system is unsafe or that your warranty is invalid unless you book a paid inspection immediately.

We’ve even had this happen to our own team. Mike, the founder of Sunlit Solar, was told over the phone that Sunlit Solar had gone bust!

Sadly, we’ve also heard from customers who were worried enough by these calls to check if we were still trading. We absolutely are, and it’s proof of just how convincing these scams can sound.

If you ever receive one of these calls:
✅ Hang up and contact your installer directly using their official contact details.
✅ Never give out personal or system information to a cold caller.
✅ A genuine installer will never outsource customer data or hand over your warranty details.

Our advice

At Sunlit Solar, we believe in empowering customers through honest advice. If you’re unsure about an offer, or if you’re considering an upgrade, we can help you check whether it’s genuine and whether it makes sense for your system.

We’ll review your setup, performance data and potential return on investment, with no pressure, no pushy sales and no unnecessary upgrades.

Need clarity?

If you’ve received one of these letters or calls, or you’re curious about adding storage or expanding your solar setup, get in touch. We offer free, no-obligation consultations for Somerset homeowners, helping you separate fact from fiction and make the most of your solar system.

Phone: 01458 834 936

Email: info@sunlit-solar.co.uk