FATHER and son electrical engineers from Clevedon are warning homeowners to be on their guard against out-of-town, unqualified solar panel installers who are charging over-inflated prices.

North Somerset is now seeing an increase in solar panel installations as residents turn to alternative ways to generate electricity and save on rocketing energy bills.

But John and Alistair Davis, who have 60 years of experience between them, are concerned people could be exploited by out-of-town firms who are not electrical engineering specialists and do not have the correct accreditation to install solar panels.

They fear the firms will take people’s money and not be around if things go wrong.

Alistair Davis, of JAD Engineering in Kenn Road, said: “Fitting solar panels can be lucrative for homeowners wanting to save on energy. But local people should beware of unscrupulous firms which want to exploit people keen to save money, perhaps even hiking up prices.

“I have heard of local people signing up to out-of-the-area firms visiting the area charging over-inflated prices, and I have also heard of local businesses which do not have the accreditation and technical knowledge necessary to fit solar panels.

“Signing up to these people could be a very costly mistake. Residents should carefully check if the firms have REA, MCS and NICEIC. It has taken us months to get the accreditation.”