Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to solarne.co.uk ("the Website", "we", "us", "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our Website.

BY ACCESSING OR USING THIS WEBSITE, YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THESE TERMS. If you do not agree to any part of these Terms, you must immediately leave this Website and not use it. Your continued use of the Website constitutes your acceptance of these Terms in full.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Continued use of the Website after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. Description of Service

Solarne.co.uk is a directory listing service only. We provide a platform where solar and green energy installers in the North East can list their business information, websites, and services.

WE ARE NOT:

• An installer, contractor, or service provider
• An employment agency or recruitment service
• A marketplace or booking platform
• A verification, certification, or accreditation body
• A guarantor of any installer's work or services

WE DO NOT:

• Employ, partner with, or have commercial relationships with listed installers
• Perform installation, repair, or maintenance services
• Broker, facilitate, or manage transactions between users and installers
• Mediate disputes between users and installers

3. Accuracy of Information Disclaimer

IMPORTANT — READ CAREFULLY:

All facts, figures, statistics, estimates, savings calculations, energy output projections, financial projections, cost estimates, return-on-investment calculations, environmental data, and any other information presented on this Website are provided to the best of our knowledge and belief at the time of publication only.

WE MAKE NO GUARANTEES, REPRESENTATIONS, OR WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER AS TO THE:

• Accuracy, completeness, correctness, or reliability of any information on this Website
• Accuracy of any savings estimates, energy calculations, or financial projections
• Accuracy of any installer information, ratings, reviews, or credentials
• Suitability of any information for your particular circumstances
• Timeliness or currency of any published data or statistics

YOU MUST:

• Conduct your own independent research and due diligence on all information found on this Website
• Independently verify all facts, figures, and claims before making any decisions
• Seek professional advice (financial, legal, technical, or otherwise) before acting on any information
• Not rely solely on any information presented on this Website
• Understand that actual results, savings, and outcomes may differ materially from any estimates shown

We accept no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any loss, damage, cost, or expense arising from any decisions made or actions taken based on information found on this Website. Your use of any information on this Website is entirely at your own risk.

4. User Eligibility

By using this Website, you represent that:

• You are at least 18 years of age
• You have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts
• You will comply with all applicable laws and regulations
• All information you provide is accurate and truthful

5. User Responsibilities and Due Diligence

4.1 Your Obligation to Investigate

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT:

You are solely and entirely responsible for conducting thorough due diligence before engaging any installer listed on our Website, including but not limited to:

• Verifying professional licenses, certifications, and qualifications
• Checking insurance coverage (public liability, professional indemnity)
• Confirming compliance with Building Regulations and relevant standards
• Verifying MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certification where applicable
• Checking membership in relevant trade associations
• Reviewing customer references, testimonials, and complaint histories
• Searching Companies House for company status and financial health
• Checking for county court judgments or insolvency proceedings
• Verifying VAT registration if applicable
• Confirming planning permission requirements for your installation
• Obtaining multiple quotes and comparing services
• Reading and understanding all contracts before signing
• Ensuring appropriate warranties and guarantees are in place
• Verifying feed-in tariff or Smart Export Guarantee eligibility
• Confirming DNO (Distribution Network Operator) approval where required

4.2 Independent Decision Making

All decisions to contact, hire, contract with, or purchase services from any listed installer are made entirely at your own risk and discretion. We provide directory information only and play no role in your decision-making process.

4.3 Direct Relationships

Any contract, agreement, or transaction you enter into is directly between you and the installer. We are not a party to any such agreement and have no obligations or liability arising from it.

6. No Verification, Endorsement, or Guarantee

5.1 Listings Are Unverified

CRITICAL DISCLAIMER:

We do NOT verify, validate, investigate, screen, or conduct background checks on:

• Listed installers or their employees
• Credentials, licenses, or certifications claimed
• Quality of work or customer satisfaction
• Financial stability or insurance coverage
• Compliance with laws, regulations, or industry standards
• Accuracy of information provided in listings

5.2 No Endorsement

Inclusion in our directory does NOT constitute:

• An endorsement, recommendation, or approval
• A guarantee of quality, safety, or reliability
• Verification of credentials or qualifications
• A warranty of any kind

We make NO representations about the suitability, competence, honesty, or reliability of any listed installer.

5.3 User-Generated Content

Installer listings contain information provided by the installers themselves. We do not verify this information and are not responsible for its accuracy, completeness, or truthfulness.

7. Prohibited Uses

You agree NOT to use this Website to:

• Violate any applicable laws or regulations
• Infringe intellectual property rights
• Transmit viruses, malware, or harmful code
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems
• Scrape, harvest, or collect data without permission
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Harass, threaten, or abuse others
• Post false, misleading, or defamatory content
• Spam or send unsolicited communications
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without authorization
• Interfere with the proper functioning of the Website
• Create false or fraudulent listings

8. Installer Listing Terms

7.1 Listing Submissions

Installers who submit listings represent and warrant that:

• All information provided is accurate and current
• They hold all necessary licenses and insurance
• They have authority to use any trademarks, logos, or images submitted
• Their listing does not violate any laws or third-party rights
• They will update their listing to maintain accuracy

7.2 Our Rights Regarding Listings

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to:

• Accept, reject, or remove any listing at any time without notice
• Edit listing content for clarity, length, or formatting
• Suspend or terminate access for users who violate these Terms
• Charge fees for listings (if implemented in future)

7.3 No Guarantee of Listing Visibility

We do not guarantee:

• Placement, ranking, or prominence of any listing
• Traffic, leads, or customer inquiries from listings
• Continuous availability of the Website or any listing

9. Intellectual Property Rights

8.1 Our Content

All content on this Website (excluding user-submitted listings), including text, graphics, logos, design, software, and compilation, is owned by or licensed to solarne.co.uk and protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, or create derivative works without our express written permission.

8.2 User-Submitted Content

By submitting content (including listings), you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, publish, and display such content in connection with operating the Website.

You retain ownership of your submitted content but represent that you have all necessary rights to grant this license.

10. Limitation of Liability

9.1 Website Provided "AS IS"

The Website and all content are provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to:

• Warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose
• Non-infringement
• Accuracy, reliability, or completeness of information
• Uninterrupted or error-free service
• Freedom from viruses or harmful components

9.2 No Liability for Installer Actions

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, WE ARE NOT LIABLE FOR:

• Any loss, damage, injury, or harm arising from installer services
• Poor workmanship, defective installations, or safety hazards
• Breach of contract by any installer
• Fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal conduct by installers
• Financial losses from installer services or failed installations
• Property damage caused by installer work
• Personal injury or death resulting from installer negligence
• Disputes between you and any installer
• Installer bankruptcy, insolvency, or business failure
• Installer non-compliance with laws or regulations
• Loss of feed-in tariff eligibility or Smart Export Guarantee
• Failure to obtain planning permission or Building Regulation approval
• Equipment failures or performance issues

9.3 No Liability for Third-Party Content

We are not responsible for:

• Information provided by installers in their listings
• Content on third-party websites linked from our Website
• Reviews, testimonials, or user-generated content
• Errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in any content

9.4 Exclusion of Damages

We shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits or revenue
• Loss of data or information
• Loss of business opportunity
• Damage to reputation
• Cost of substitute services

9.5 Maximum Liability Cap

Our total aggregate liability to you for all claims shall not exceed the amount you paid us (if any) in the 12 months preceding the claim, or £100, whichever is lower.

9.6 Limitations Apply Regardless of Cause

These limitations apply regardless of the legal theory (contract, tort, negligence, strict liability, or otherwise) and even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless solarne.co.uk, its owners, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from or relating to:

• Your use of the Website
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or third-party rights
• Information you submit to the Website
• Your interactions or disputes with any installer
• Any services provided by installers you contact through the Website
• Your breach of any representation or warranty in these Terms

This indemnification obligation survives termination of your use of the Website.

12. Links to Third-Party Websites

Our Website contains links to installer websites and other third-party sites. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party websites.

You access all third-party websites entirely at your own risk.

We do not endorse or make any representations about third-party websites.

13. Disclaimers Regarding Regulatory Compliance

12.1 No Legal or Regulatory Advice

Nothing on this Website constitutes legal, financial, tax, or professional advice. You should consult qualified professionals regarding:

• Building Regulations compliance
• Planning permission requirements
• Electrical safety regulations
• Feed-in tariffs and Smart Export Guarantee
• VAT implications
• Consumer credit regulations
• Any other legal or regulatory matters

12.2 Installer Compliance

We do not verify installer compliance with:

• Building Regulations 2010
• Electrical Safety Standards
• Consumer Rights Act 2015
• MCS standards
• FCA regulations (for financing)
• Health and Safety regulations
• Any other applicable laws or standards

It is your responsibility to ensure installers comply with all applicable regulations.

14. Privacy and Data Protection

Your use of the Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy. By using the Website, you consent to our collection and use of information as described in the Privacy Policy.

15. Termination

14.1 Our Right to Terminate

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Website immediately, without notice, for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Abuse of the Website or other users
• Any reason at our sole discretion

14.2 Effect of Termination

Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Website immediately ceases
• We may delete your account and content
• Sections of these Terms that by their nature should survive (including indemnification, disclaimers, and limitations of liability) will continue to apply

16. Dispute Resolution

15.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating legal proceedings, you agree to contact us to attempt informal resolution of any dispute.

15.2 Jurisdiction

These Terms and any disputes arising from them shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

You agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15.3 Disputes with Installers

We are not responsible for and will not participate in any disputes between you and installers. Such disputes are solely between you and the installer.

17. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

18. No Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and solarne.co.uk regarding use of the Website and supersede all prior agreements.

20. Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

21. Force Majeure

We shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond our reasonable control, including acts of God, natural disasters, war, terrorism, riots, pandemic, government restrictions, or failures of telecommunications or internet infrastructure.

22. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Email: support@solarne.co.uk

23. Consumer Rights Notice

IMPORTANT: Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under UK law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015. However, these statutory rights apply to contracts for services. Since we provide a directory service only and are not party to contracts between you and installers, your consumer rights claims would be against the installer, not us.