Domestic Solar PV Terms & Conditions

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Introduction

These Installation Terms ("Terms") set out the binding agreement under which Howth Charging Co Ltd T/A WattSolar (the "Contractor") will install a Solar PV system (the “Works”) for an individual residential homeowner or a commercial entity (the "Client"). These Terms apply to Clients who have successfully applied for, or intend to apply for, a grant under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Solar PV or Non-Domestic Microgeneration Grant (NDMG) schemes. [1, 2, 3, 4]

1. Obligations of the Contractor

The Contractor shall:

    • Professional Execution: Install the Works with all due skill, care, and diligence, strictly adhering to relevant Irish laws, health and safety regulations, Safe Electrical electrical regulations, and applicable manufacturer guidelines.
    • Qualified Personnel: Deploy only appropriately qualified, experienced, skilled, and trained personnel who are registered with the ⁠SEAI Solar PV Installer Register.
    • Documentation: Provide the Client with a signed, legible Declaration of Works immediately upon the satisfactory completion of the installation, along with any relevant supporting documentation.
    • Insurance Cover: Maintain comprehensive insurance policies (Public Liability, Employer Liability, and Professional Indemnity) required by the ⁠SEAI Installer Registration Terms to cover any loss or damage linked to the Works.
  • Pre-Existing System Boundary (Electrical vs. Structural Liability): Where the Contractor is hired to add new equipment (e.g., additional panels, batteries, or hot water diverters) to a pre-existing solar installation built by a third party, the following liability boundary applies:
    • ⚡ Electrical Installation Covered: In accordance with ⁠Safe Electric guidelines, as the contractor certifying the modifications, the Contractor accepts electrical liability and insurance coverage for testing, integrating, and ensuring the ongoing safety of the system's overarching electrical installation. Proof of insurances are provided to The Client as part of standard protocol.  
    • 🏠 Structural Roof/Fixings Completely Excluded: The Contractor accepts zero liability or insurance exposure for the structural integrity, weathering, load-bearing capacity, roof fixings, flashing, or water-ingress risks of any pre-existing roof installation completed by a third party. All pre-existing structural elements remain entirely outside the scope of the Contractor’s insurance and warranty.
  • Assignment Restriction: Refrain from assigning or transferring its core liabilities under these Terms to any third party without obtaining prior written consent from the Client.

2. Obligations of the Client

The Client shall:

    • Safe Access: Provide safe, unhindered access to the dwelling or commercial premises to allow the Contractor to perform the Works, alongside supplying the necessary electricity and utilities to complete the installation.
    • Site Preparation: Prepare the designated installation areas, including clearing out attics, roof access points, and utility rooms identified by the Contractor prior to arrival.
    • Payment Terms: Pay the Contractor the full balance of payment upon the completion and commissioning of the Works, unless a structured milestone payment schedule has been agreed upon in writing.
    • SEAI Grant Timeline: Acknowledge that to qualify for and receive SEAI Solar PV or NDMG scheme payments, all works must be finalized, and full payment processed, no later than eight (8) months from the official grant approval date. [1, 2, 3]

3. Contractor Warranties

    • Technical Compliance: The Contractor warrants that the Works, design, and equipment will comply in all respects with technical specifications, building regulations, and the SEAI Domestic Solar PV Code of Practice.
    • Quality Standard: The Contractor warrants that all hardware supplied will be of merchantable quality, carry valid CE marks, and be free from structural or electrical defects.
    • Third-Party Warranties: Pursuant to component installations (e.g., solar panels, inverters, batteries), the Contractor shall assign and pass through to the Client the full benefit of all product warranties provided by the original equipment manufacturers. [1, 2, 3, 4]

4. System Integrity, Alterations, and Warranty Voidance

    • Unauthorized Modifications: The Contractor cannot ensure technical safety if an installation is altered by outside parties. If any third-party installer, electrician, or individual—other than the Contractor—retrospectively alters, repairs, tampers with, or fits new equipment to the Works, all installation and workmanship warranties provided by the Contractor shall instantly become null and void.
    • Scope of Voidance: This warranty voidance applies directly to any faults, structural damage, water ingress, or electrical failures that occur after the date of the unauthorized third-party intervention.
    • Interconnected Systems: If the Contractor integrates new equipment into a Client's pre-existing third-party system, the Contractor provides a warranty only on the new hardware and direct connection points, and accepts no liability for faults arising from the original system's setup.
    • Pre-Existing Electrical Safety Audits: If the Contractor, while testing an existing system under Safe Electric rules, identifies a pre-existing hazard that prevents a safe installation or certification sign-off, the Contractor reserves the right to halt works. The Contractor will issue a Notice of Potential Hazard to the client, and any corrective works required to bring the pre-existing system up to I.S. 10101 compliance standards will be billable to the Client as an additional cost. [1, 2, 3]

5. Defects and Remedies (2-Year Warranty Period)

    • Remedy Window: In the event of a verified breach of the Contractor’s Warranty within two (2) years from the date of completion, the Contractor will remedy the issue at its own cost.
    • Modification Exception: This remedy window is strictly subject to the provisions of Section 4. The Contractor is entirely exempt from remedy obligations if the system has been modified or added to by another party within this two-year window.
    • Resolution Timeline: Following written notification from the Client regarding an eligible defect, the Contractor shall repair or replace the affected components within thirty (30) days.
    • Client Discretion: Remedial actions (whether repair or replacement) will be coordinated at the reasonable discretion of the Client, provided it targets the direct rectification of the defect. [1, 2, 3]

6. Indemnity and Liability

    • Contractor Indemnity: The Contractor shall fully indemnify and keep the Client indemnified against direct losses, liabilities, damages, claims, and verified legal costs suffered or incurred by the Client arising out of a material breach or negligent performance of the Works by the Contractor. [1, 2, 3]
    • Indirect Loss Limitation: Neither party shall be liable to the other for indirect, special, or consequential financial losses (such as loss of profits, grid feed-in tariff losses, or alternative energy savings calculations) stemming from contractual delays, except in cases of personal injury or fraud. [1]

7. Health & Safety Statutory Declarations

    • Client Role: Both parties explicitly acknowledge that the SEAI is not the "client" for the purposes of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013.
    • Regulatory Responsibility: The Client assumes the statutory roles and safety responsibilities assigned to the "client" under the 2013 Regulations. The SEAI provides no representation or verification regarding the safety competence of the Contractor. [1]

8. Right to Cancel (Consumer Contracts Only)

    • Statutory Cooling-Off: For residential consumer clients purchasing services online or away from business premises, you have a statutory right to cancel this contract under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 within 14 days without giving any reason.
    • Urgent Works Waiver: If you explicitly request installation works to begin during this 14-day cooling-off window, you acknowledge that you will be liable for the costs of services delivered up to the point of cancellation. [1, 2]

9. Dispute Resolution and Jurisdiction

    • Amicable Resolution: In the event of a dispute, disagreement, or an unsatisfactory technical inspection report delivered by an SEAI auditor, the parties shall actively endeavour to resolve the matter amicably through direct consultation.
    • Governing Law: These Terms, and all non-contractual matters arising out of them, are governed by Irish Law. Both parties submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish Courts. [1, 2]

10. Force Majeure

Neither party shall be held liable for a failure or delay in performing its contractual obligations if such failure stems from an event beyond its reasonable control. This includes, without limitation: acts of God, war, civil riot, fire, floods, severe weather anomalies, or nationwide industrial strikes.

11. Entire Agreement

These Terms, alongside the specific written system design proposal or quote provided to the Client, constitute the entire agreement between the parties. They supersede any prior arrangements, oral representations, or alternative marketing understandings.

12. Amendments to Terms

The Contractor reserves the right to modify these Terms to reflect updates in Irish consumer law, SEAI guidelines, or operational adjustments.

    • Consumer Protection: Existing clients will be given 30 days' advance written notice of any material revisions affecting active installation orders.
    • Termination Option: If an amendment disadvantages an existing Client, the Client retains the right to terminate the contract without penalty within that 30-day window.

13. Data Protection and Privacy

    • GDPR Compliance: Visitors to WattCharger.com or WattSolar.ie retain full rights under EU GDPR legislation to accept or reject tracking cookies via our cookie consent banner.
    • Data Privacy: Personal data, including financial and credit/debit card details, will be securely processed and retained solely for the execution of authorized payments and SEAI grant administration. Full processing details are accessible in our standalone Privacy Policy.

Customer Complaints Process

At WattSolar, we take customer feedback seriously. If you encounter any technical, operational, or administrative issues, we utilize a structured 5-step process to resolve them:

    • Submission: The Client files a formal complaint via email to rpe@wattcharger.com. Please include your full name, address, an explanation of the issue, and supporting photographs.
    • Acknowledgment: WattSolar will acknowledge receipt via email within 2 working days, initiating an official 10 working day resolution window.
    • Assessment: The management team will categorize the complaint, review the system design notes, and assess the remedial pathway in alignment with company policies and SEAI codes of practice.
    • Resolution: WattSolar will either coordinate a prompt site visit to fix the physical issue or provide a transparent, written explanation if the issue falls outside our scope of warranty coverage (including modifications noted in Section 4).
    • Satisfaction Follow-up: A final follow-up communication will be extended to the Client to answer remaining questions and verify complete customer satisfaction.

Retention of Title

    • All physical machinery, materials, photovoltaic panels, inverters, structures, and batteries delivered to the client's site remain the exclusive property of Howth Charging Co Ltd T/A WattCharger & WattSolar until the balance invoice is paid in full by the Client.