Solarplicity: Your Questions on Moving to EDF

Here, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Solarplicity’s closure, what happened to its customers and their current options.

What happened to Solarplicity?

Solarplicity’s downfall is a cautionary tale for smaller suppliers. Like many small energy companies that go under, Solarplicity ended up with a terminal cash flow crisis combined with increasingly negative customer sentiment. At the time of closure in August 2019, they had around 7,500 domestic energy customers and 500 business energy customers.

The company went bust 2 weeks after selling 43,000 of them to rival company Toto Energy (who also went under shortly after) in July of 2019. In a quote from The Guardian, the company’s chief executive David Elbourne blamed the closure on the "overcrowded, highly regulated market" and the high cost of renewability compliance with energy watchdog Ofgem.

However, the growing reputation of poor Solarplicity customer service must also have been a factor. The Energy Ombudsman’s service received a staggering 3,324 complaints about Solarplicity in 2019, 583 of which came in July 2019.

Who took over Solarplicity?

Ofgem appointed EDF energy to take over the supply of all remaining Solarplicity customers after the supplier went under. Majority-owned by the French government, EDF is one of the nation’s "Big Six" energy suppliers. At the time of writing, it has a Trustpilot score of 4.3 which puts them squarely in "Excellent" territory.

Will I be on a different contract with EDF Energy? Will I pay more?

Unfortunately, your tariff with EDF will likely be markedly different from your plan with Solarplicity. According to Ofgem, former Solarplicity customers are automatically placed on a "deemed contract" with the supplier. This is the same as if you were to move into a new home where EDF is the incumbent supplier. This means Solarplicity tariffs have not been carried across. Instead, customers will be on EDF’s default variable tariff. Which is one of its least competitively-priced.
 

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Solarplicity were responsible for paying my Feed in Tariff payments. Will EDF become responsible for these?

Your Feed in Tariffs will not automatically be carried over by EDF. Your Solarplicity Feed in Tariff is essentially a failed contract. However, under the Continuity of FIT Payments Directive (CoFPD) you may seek new repayment terms with EDF. However, this does not occur automatically.

What other green energy suppliers exist on the market?"

If you’d rather go back to a 100% green supplier like Solarplicity, the good news is that there are many more on the market to choose from. The Switch-Plan eam can find the perfect supplier and energy plan for your household. At the time of writing, there are over a dozen active green energy suppliers to choose from, offering 100% renewable electricity from solar, wind, hydro and biomass. Some also offer carbon-neutral and carbon-offset natural gas. You can check out the green energy suppliers in our comprehensive energy supplier list.

I don’t want a contract with EDF Energy. Can I switch?

If you don’t want a contract with EDF Energy, the good news is that under a deemed contract, you can switch at any time. There is no minimum term, and you won’t have to pay any early exit fees.

Need a hand choosing the perfect energy supplier for your needs and usage? The Switch-Plan team is here to help energy consumers who were once Solarplicity customers.

The experts at Switch-Plan can search the market from top to bottom to find the best energy deal for your unique needs. We’ll even manage your switch from end-to-end. So you can enjoy cheaper, greener energy 100% hassle-free!

Want to know more?

Call us today on 0330 818 6223.

We’re available from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Read more:

• EDF energy reviews
• EDF tariffs 2021

FAQ

What happened to Solarplicity?

Solarplicity’s downfall is a cautionary tale for smaller suppliers. Like many small energy companies that go under, Solarplicity ended up with a terminal cash flow crisis combined with increasingly negative customer sentiment. At the time of closure in August 2019, they had around 7,500 domestic energy customers and 500 business energy customers.

What green energy suppliers exist on the market?

The Switch-Plan eam can find the perfect supplier and energy plan for your household. At the time of writing, there are over a dozen active green energy suppliers to choose from, offering 100% renewable electricity from solar, wind, hydro and biomass.

Who took over Solarplicity?

Ofgem appointed EDF energy to take over the supply of all remaining Solarplicity customers after the supplier went under.