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Free solar panels
I've just received a circular in my letterbox from a group called Brusol offering to install solar panels on my roof free, gratis and for nothing, I will get to use the electricity generated, they will keep the panels maintained. They say they'll recoup the money by taking, for ten years, the "certificats verts" that Brussel Capital Region would otherwise give me were I to place solar panels on the roof at my own expense. Since I had no intention of making such an investment this seems like an excellent idea (free power!). However, having long ago learnt that "if something looks too good to be true it probably is" I wondered if anyone else had experience either with this group or with solar panels and Brussels Capital region subsidies more generally. In particular I want to avoid being saddled with a lot of expense down the line if there are technical problems with the panels causing damage to my nice new roof.
Might be too good to be true. There might be hidden attachments.
Belgium does not get enough sunshine for solar panels to perform.
Solar panels don't last forever.
The easiest way to know if these are valid would be to contact the regulator who actually issues the certificats verts, which in the case of Brussels is https://www.brugel.brussels/.
Also, assuming you have a mortgage, I would also speak to your bank.
I don't know about Brusol, but I had similar offers years ago when I installed solar panels in Wallonia.
In short, you would get less of a return by using them than if you went through the process alone. They are taking a cut in exchange for making it easy for you.
If Brusol checks out, then it might be a good idea for you if you have no intention of installing the panels yourself. Perhaps compare with other companies that offer the same service.
