Solar panel failures: customers at risk of losing deposits

Context

TL;DR

• Photovoltaic companies in Ticino are facing bankruptcies
• Customers risk losing large deposits paid for solar plants
• Swissolar advises checking certifications before hiring
• Bank guarantees can protect deposits for large amounts

Key facts

• What: Bankruptcies of photovoltaic companies
• When: Between 2019 and 2024
• Where: Ticino and Graubünden
• Who: Customers and photovoltaic companies
• Lost deposit: Up to 21,000 francs in one case
• Company name: Gama AG Photovoltaik
• Open orders: 140 orders still open at Gama Photovoltaik
• Quality mark: Professionisti del solare

In brief

• Several photovoltaic companies have gone bankrupt in Ticino
• Customers at risk of losing deposits paid
• Swissolar advises checks before choosing a company

Key facts

• What: Bankruptcies of photovoltaic companies
• When: Between 2019 and 2024
• Where: Ticino and Graubünden
• Who: Customers and companies in the sector
• Amount: Deposits up to 21,000 francs lost

A series of bankruptcies has hit companies active in the photovoltaic sector, leaving many customers with incomplete plants or at risk of losing the substantial deposits paid. A concrete case involves a Swiss citizen who had entrusted Gama AG Photovoltaik with the installation of a solar system. Last autumn, the man had paid a deposit of 21,000 francs, half of the total price. However, less than three months after the payment, the company declared bankruptcy, putting his investment at risk.

The customer suspects that the responsible parties at Gama were already aware of the difficult situation at the time of payment. The last president of the board of directors of Gama rejects the accusations, stating that at the end of October the situation was not hopeless and that it was hoped to reverse the trend with a capital increase. According to the portal Rheintal 24, there are 140 orders still open at Gama Photovoltaik, but the president did not confirm the figure nor indicate the total amount of the deposits paid by the affected customers.

Advice for customers

Swissolar advises to ensure that the company is a member of the industry association and certified with the quality mark Professionisti del solare. Furthermore, it is important to request multiple quotes, compare them and ask for references from the companies. In case of doubts or large sums, a bank guarantee can protect the deposit. Deposits must be transparent and proportional, and the conditions must be clearly defined in the contract.

The situation in the photovoltaic sector

According to David Stickelberger of Swissolar, talking only about 'black sheep' for the bankrupt companies would be too simplistic. The sector is normalizing after an extraordinary growth between 2019 and 2024. Companies that grew too quickly, with aggressive calculations and poorly organized operating structures, are now under pressure.

The issue of deposits

The customer who contacted SRF asks that in the future the photovoltaic sector renounce large deposits or that companies be required to guarantee the customers' money through a bank guarantee. However, Swissolar believes that renouncing deposits is not the right path, as they are common in many sectors, especially when it is necessary to order large quantities of material. A bank guarantee can represent a solution in specific cases, but a generalized obligation would risk weighing excessively on smaller companies and those recently established.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

Failures in the photovoltaic sector can have a significant impact on cross-border workers residing in Ticino and working in Italy. Many of them may have invested in solar installations to reduce energy costs and improve the sustainability of their homes. However, recent failures highlight the risks associated with such investments.

Verifications and guarantees

Before entrusting a photovoltaic company, it is essential to verify its reliability. Swissolar recommends checking if the company is a member of the industry association and certified with the Professionisti del solare quality mark. This mark guarantees that the company has been thoroughly examined and can be excluded from the association in case of poorly executed work.

Comparing quotes and requesting references

It is important to request multiple quotes and compare them before entrusting a company with a photovoltaic installation. Additionally, it is advisable to ask for references from the companies and contact previous clients to verify their satisfaction. In case of doubts or high amounts, a bank guarantee can represent a solution to protect the deposit.

Transparency and contractual conditions

Deposits must be transparent and proportional, and the conditions must be clearly defined in the contract. This can help avoid situations where customers are left with incomplete installations or risk losing their investments.

Future scenarios

With the stabilization of the photovoltaic market, it is likely that the most solid and well-organized companies will emerge, offering more reliable services. However, customers must remain vigilant and conduct the necessary verifications before entrusting a company. Swissolar continues to monitor the situation and provide advice to protect customers.

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Key points

What to do if you've already paid a deposit

If you've already paid a deposit to a photovoltaic company that has declared bankruptcy, it's important to act promptly. Contacting a lawyer specializing in commercial law can be useful to evaluate the available legal options. Additionally, you can turn to Swissolar to get support and advice on how to proceed.

Steps to follow

1. Contact the company: Check if the company still has a legal representative and if it's possible to get information about the status of your order. 2. Consult a lawyer: A specialized lawyer can help evaluate legal options and take any legal actions to recover the paid deposit. 3. Turn to Swissolar: Swissolar can provide support and advice on how to proceed in case of a photovoltaic company's bankruptcy. 4. Verify guarantees: If a bank guarantee was stipulated, contact the bank to verify if it's possible to get a refund.

Preventing future problems

To avoid similar problems in the future, it's crucial to do the necessary checks before trusting a photovoltaic company. Checking the company's certification, requesting multiple quotes, asking for references, and clearly defining the contractual conditions can help reduce risks.

Using comparison tools

To compare quotes and verify the reliability of companies, you can use online comparison tools. These tools can help find the best offers and avoid unreliable companies. Additionally, you can consult the reviews of previous clients to get an idea of the quality of the service offered.

Conclusion

Bankruptcies in the photovoltaic sector can have a significant impact on customers, but it's possible to reduce risks by doing the necessary checks and using comparison tools. In case of problems, it's important to act promptly and consult a specialized lawyer. Swissolar continues to monitor the situation and provide advice to protect customers.

For more information and to compare quotes, visit the comparison calculator.

Source: rsi.ch