ASK Charlie Jackson
On a bright, sunny afternoon, we sat down with Charlie Jackson, the owner of Pinnacle Roofline Ltd, to chat about his latest home improvement adventure: installing a solar and battery storage system. With two decades of experience in the building trade, Charlie’s no stranger to home upgrades. Here’s how his journey with ASK Renewables turned out to be a sunny success.
From Curiosity to Commitment
Charlie had been mulling over the idea of going solar for a while. With energy prices skyrocketing and the environment on everyone’s mind, it seemed like the right time to make the leap. Plus, being in the building industry, Charlie was naturally curious about the latest in solar technology.
“I know a couple of people that have used ASK, one is a lot further into it. They’re about a year down the line.
And it’s working really well, really well for them.,” Charlie recalls. “The reason that I went with ASK was they just did a little bit more in helping me with the system that I wanted….It wasn’t all down to price. Price was good, but it was the service that they gave to me in making sure I had the right kit for the panels”
No Hard Sell, Just Good Advice
The reason Charlie needed good advice was three-fold. Firstly, he had what is a called a Gull Wing roof, with the roof sides sloping down into the centre. The second reason was the roof wasn’t south facing so he needed a special solution to make the panels face the sun at the right angle. The Third problem to overcome was the fact that Charlie’s extension had a membrane that he didn’t want to drill through to attach the panels. They had to sit on top to avoid water ingress in the long term.
“So they came up with the ESDEC system for me, which to be honest, I thought the price was pretty reasonable and it literally sits on the roof and then it’s weighed down, but you can’t see any of it. It’s a real tidy system.”
What really impressed Charlie was ASK’s approach. There was no hard sell—just solid advice and a genuine interest in helping him find the right solution. Tom from ASK visited Charlie’s home, did a detailed Sun Path analysis, and worked out the best setup for his panels.
“it made sense with me. And then it was just a case of the number of panels, again, for the output. And again, that seems to be brilliant. It’s producing a lot of power….So yeah, I’m very happy with that side of things. Very happy.” Charlie says with a grin.
A Few Bumps on the Road
The installation wasn’t without its hiccups, though. The mounting gear arrived damaged, but the team from ASK Renewables handled it like pros. They informed Charlie right away, rescheduled the installation, and came back with everything in perfect condition.
“They didn’t make up stories. I got a ring saying, look, we can’t do it today, but we’ll be back next week. And sure enough, they came back next week. I was actually quite happy with that because it showed that they weren’t going to chuck a load of stuff up on my roof that was damaged….to be honest, that was a really good sign for me.”
Top-Notch Equipment for Top-Notch Performance
Charlie didn’t want to cut corners on this project. He opted for high-quality batteries, inverters, and panels. His engineering background meant he knew the value of investing in top-tier equipment.
“I wanted the best gear to ensure the system would last and perform well. And it’s paid off. Our roof isn’t even south-facing, but we’re getting fantastic energy production.”
Sunny Results and Nerdy Joys
Since the installation, the solar system has exceeded Charlie’s expectations. On sunny days, it’s producing over 24 kilowatts—more than enough for his home. Even on cloudy days, the output is impressive.
“The app they provided is pretty cool. I check it all the time, and it’s amazing to see how much energy we’re generating. Plus, our energy bills have halved, which is a nice bonus.”
Advice from a Pro
Charlie’s advice for anyone considering solar? Do your research and invest in quality.
“It’s tempting to go for the cheapest option, but you get what you pay for. Quality equipment and a reliable company make all the difference. ASK Renewables did everything they promised and more.”
A Bright Future
Charlie’s journey with ASK Renewables is a shining example of how going solar can be smooth and rewarding with the right partner. His story is a reminder that with careful planning, quality equipment, and professional installation, solar power can be a game-changer for your home.
So, if you’re thinking about making the switch to solar, take a leaf out of Charlie’s book: do your research, invest in quality, and choose a company that puts your needs first. Here’s to sunny days and lower energy bills!