Seller can’t provide paper work for solar panels

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I wonder if anyone has any answers to this... we are getting close to exchange on a house with solar panels. The panels were installed by the vendors parents (probate sale) and are apparently owned (I’ve seen paperwork relating to the FiT). The vendors can’t seem to provide any other papers relating to the panels, no installation receipts, documents or guarantees. The vendor can’t even tell me when they were installed, they keep changing their mind about the dates. Originally they said 2011, the energy company paperwork says 2012, but now the vendor says pre-2006. I’m unwilling to exchange without a resolution to this issue - I’ve read horror stories about not being able to get the FiT transferred without proof of ownership. I’m also wondering how they can actually sell something if they can’t prove they own it. The only resolution I can see is to remove the panels (at their expense/by knocking the price down). Any other ideas?

There probably isn't a service history. They don't need servicing... they will carry on giving you free electricity until the inverter fails. The panels might need cleaning but apart from that there is nothing that needs to be done. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Thanks I think that the current plan is:
If it’s 2012 and ownership paperwork is provided be grateful and continue
If it’s 2002 ask for an expert opinion on the condition of the system and take it from there
If no paperwork then refuse to exchange until MCS is provided

Short answer yes....AGES!
Solar panel efficiency is supposed to drop off over time. They are guaranteed at 85% of design output after 25 years.i can no longer find the link, but the first solar panels that NASA used are still operating at OVER 87% after 70 years! They are most likely to outlast us...yes there will be a drop off, but once they are installed, its money for free on the FiT and a huge benefit on the sparks you use too.
The FiT is not the be all and end all...that's a bonus payment from the government. My roof points North, so I can't have them, but I would if I could, FiT or no FiT.

If it's any use , from Jan 20 ,new tariff system for solar ,starts . You have a choice of provider as you are selling storage wattage to them at great rates .

You need to get something to prove ownership. When we bought last year we told our vendors that there would be no exchange until we had official proof that the log burner had been installed correctly. They also purchased an indemnity policy before we exchanged. I appreciate it’s a different example but it’s the same principle. Pull out if not happy.

And a quick look on Google Earth shows that the panels were not there in April 2012, but were by April 2014. So hopefully we can get the correct paperwork and keep moving. On the plus side, I’m a little bit more excited about owning them now thanks to all your hints and tips!

Trevor. Great rates? You think just over 5p a kw of exported energy is a great rate? That is less than 10% of what the early adopters get for everything generated.

We have the solar panels that were free on the government scheme, we don't have a feed in tariff but any energy generated while there is sunlight is used by us and the remainder sent to the grid. We had the fitting paperwork and were able to get lease details from the company (freetricity I think) and have had to pay for a deed of variance to fit with mortgage companies. I appreciate of its probate and not their home then they may not have a clue about who fitted them or when etc. If you're concerned they could be leases maybe it's worth seeing who they neighbours ones are with then contacting the company to see if they lease to that house, all our neighbours ones propped up at the same time as ours mostly with the same company. Could their utility provider give any more info on how any fit stuff works? If your mortgage company and insurance company are happy then that's reassuring. You could ask if the vendors will remove them if you're concerned, if they agree great if not surely there is something that can be done to put your mind at ease.