Specialists say that UK rules for solar thermal installers might not be robust enough to get rid of cowboy companies.

Subsequent to an undercover scrutiny in the May edition of Which? magazine, stating that 10 out of 14 solar thermal installers overstated the technology's probable energy savings, specialists are inquiring the UK Government's efforts to regulate the industry before a feed in tariff for renewable heat comes into effect next year.

Earlier this year, consumer regulator Which? questioned 14 companies to cite for the installation of a solar thermal system at a property in south-east England.

The inquiry disclosed that a number of solar heating installers, like Everest and Ideal Solar Energy, employed high-pressure sales schemes and massively exaggerated the likely benefits of installing a solar thermal system.

An independent specialist estimated that the projected system would trim down 10% from the Which? household's yearly gas bill.

While Ideal Solar Energy cited savings of 50%, Everest quoted a 43% slash. Everest also riotously inflated cost savings, asserting that the proprietor would save £35,000 over 20 years.

Experts in the solar industry question the sturdiness of the MCS installer authorization and caution that cowboys will evade from the MCS's regulatory mesh.