Both A Shade Greener and Emerald Solar offer solar panels with no high upfront cost. But the models work very differently, and understanding those differences could save you significant time, money and complications down the line. This guide gives you a factual, objective comparison of how each model works. It also addresses the question that appears most frequently in searches: has A Shade Greener actually gone bust?
1. Has A Shade Greener Gone Bust? The Facts
This is the most searched question about A Shade Greener, and it deserves a direct answer.
A Shade Greener Limited (Companies House number 06922318) is currently listed as Active as of March 2026. However, the full picture is more complicated.
A Shade Greener has operated through a network of related entities over the years. Some of these, such as A Shade Greener (F1) Ltd, are listed in insolvency proceedings. When earlier entities were dissolved, their assets, including roof leases, were transferred to successor companies. This has left some homeowners uncertain about which company actually holds their contract.
In March 2026, the company's ownership structure changed again: founder Stewart James Davies ceased to be a person with significant control, with control passing to a new entity called ASG Rooftop Assets 1 Limited.
2. What Is A Shade Greener? How the Model Works
A Shade Greener operates what is commonly described as a 'rent-a-roof' or roof lease model. The arrangement works like this:
- ASG installs solar panels on your roof at no cost to you.
- In return, you lease your roof space to ASG for 25 years.
- ASG owns the panels throughout this period. During the years when the government's Feed-in Tariff (FIT) was active (2010–2019), ASG collected those payments as their primary revenue stream.
- You benefit from the electricity the panels generate during daytime hours, reducing your bills without paying for the system.
- At the end of the 25-year lease, the panels either stay on your roof under a new arrangement or are removed.
Key distinction
Under this model, you are not a customer in the usual sense. You are the landlord of your roof space, and A Shade Greener is the tenant. You do not own the panels, and your ability to modify, remove or sell the house with the panels is governed by the lease terms.
3. What Is Emerald Solar? How the Model Works
Emerald Solar operates an ownership model. Under The Solar Plan:
- Emerald Solar designs and installs a custom solar panel and battery system on your home.
- You either purchase the system outright (immediate full ownership) or use The Solar Plan, a finance agreement with Hometree Finance, an FCA-authorised lender.
- Under The Solar Plan, monthly payments are designed to be offset by energy bill savings, making the switch cost-neutral for many customers from the first month.
- You own the benefit of everything the system generates: electricity savings, Smart Export Guarantee income and battery storage.
- MCS-certified installation · EPVS-validated savings estimate · 2-year insurance-backed workmanship guarantee · up to 25-year maintenance, repair and replacement cover.
Key distinction
Emerald Solar installs and maintains the system, but the value flows entirely to you. There is no ongoing commercial relationship where a third party benefits from your roof.
4. Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | A Shade Greener | Emerald Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Who owns the panels? | A Shade Greener (25-yr lease) | You (cash) or you via Solar Plan |
| Upfront cost | £0, ASG covers installation | £0 via Solar Plan or cash purchase option |
| Who gets export income? | ASG received FIT; SEG belongs to homeowner only in some leases | You, all SEG export income is yours |
| Can you add battery storage? | Requires ASG permission | Included as part of the system |
| Roof repairs / panel removal | Must be coordinated with ASG. Delays reported. | Managed as part of Emerald Solar's aftercare |
| Selling your home | Lease transfers; Deed of Variation often required | Finance settled or transferred; no roof lease |
| Post-warranty cover | Via ASG Maintenance Ltd (separate entity) | Up to 25 years included via The Solar Plan |
| MCS certified? | Yes (verify at time of installation) | Yes |
| Savings validation | No independent validation offered | EPVS independent validation included |
| Consumer control | Limited, lease restricts modifications | Full, you own the benefit of the system |
Sources: Companies House · MoneySavingExpert consumer forums · Trustpilot · Emerald Solar product page.
5. Common ASG Customer Concerns: What the Evidence Shows
A Shade Greener has installed panels on over 70,000 UK homes, and many customers benefit from reduced electricity bills without issues. However, certain recurring themes appear across public consumer forums, Trustpilot and MoneySavingExpert. These are documented patterns, not representative of every customer's experience.
Roof repairs and panel removal
A frequently reported issue involves homeowners needing to repair their roof and finding it difficult to coordinate panel removal. Reviews describe delays of weeks or months, including in cases where roofs were actively leaking. ASG's lease contract states panels can be removed free of charge up to twice in the 25 years, but some customers report being asked for deposits of £1,000 or more, a requirement legal commentators have described as potentially inconsistent with the original lease terms.
Selling a home with ASG panels
Selling a property with ASG panels frequently requires a Deed of Variation to the roof lease. This is needed to satisfy mortgage lenders. Multiple homeowners report delays in obtaining this documentation, and as of 2025, ASG charges £180+VAT for certain lease documents. Documented cases on consumer forums describe buyers withdrawing from purchases because of delays in this process.
Corporate structure complexity
Customers have reported confusion about which ASG entity their contract is with. Lease documents reference entities such as ASG F7 Ltd, ASG F13 LLP and ASG Maintenance Ltd, not always the parent company. This complexity creates practical difficulties when homeowners need to identify the right contact for a specific issue.
6. I Already Have ASG Panels on My Roof: What Should I Know?
If you currently have ASG panels, either from an original installation or from buying a home with them already fitted, here is what we recommend:
- Locate your original lease agreement and keep it safe. ASG currently charges for duplicate copies.
- Check which specific entity your lease is with, as it may be an ASG sub-entity rather than A Shade Greener Limited itself.
- If you are planning to sell, begin the Deed of Variation process as early as possible. Allow at least six to eight weeks.
- If you need roof repairs requiring panel removal, make your request in writing and keep records of all communications.
- If you are asked to pay charges that are not specified in your original lease agreement, seek advice from Citizens Advice or a solicitor before paying.
Note: homeowners with existing ASG panels cannot switch the existing installation to Emerald Solar. Emerald Solar installs new systems only.
7. Questions to Ask Any Solar Provider Before You Sign
Regardless of which provider you choose, these are the questions to get answered in writing before committing:
- Who will own the panels after installation: you, or the company?
- Who receives the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) income?
- What is the process and cost for temporary panel removal if you need to repair your roof?
- What documentation is required when you sell your home, and who provides it, and at what cost?
- Can you add battery storage in the future, and do you need permission?
- Is the installation MCS-certified?
- Are savings estimates independently validated by EPVS?
- Is the finance provider FCA-authorised?
- What is covered after the standard 2-year workmanship guarantee expires?
8. FAQs: A Shade Greener vs Emerald Solar
Has A Shade Greener gone bust?
A Shade Greener Limited is currently listed as Active at Companies House as of March 2026. However, the company operates through multiple related entities, some of which have been dissolved or are in insolvency proceedings. In March 2026, the company's ownership structure changed. The founder ceased to hold significant control, with control passing to ASG Rooftop Assets 1 Limited.
What is the difference between A Shade Greener and Emerald Solar?
The core difference is ownership and who benefits from the system. A Shade Greener installs panels under a 25-year roof lease. They own the panels and received FIT payments; you receive free daytime electricity. Emerald Solar's Solar Plan is a finance agreement where you own the full benefit: bill savings, SEG export income and battery storage. MCS-certified installation, EPVS-validated savings and up to 25-year maintenance via Hometree Finance are all included.
Is A Shade Greener a good company?
A Shade Greener has installed panels on over 70,000 homes, and many customers benefit from reduced electricity bills. However, public forums and Trustpilot document recurring complaints around: difficulty arranging panel removal for roof repairs, delays and charges when selling a property, and complexity in identifying which corporate entity holds the original contract. Experiences vary significantly.
What happens to my ASG lease if the company goes bust?
A roof lease is a registered land title. If an ASG entity were to become insolvent, the lease would likely transfer to a liquidator or acquirer, not simply disappear. The panels would remain on your roof, and the lease obligations would continue under whoever acquires the assets. Homeowners should retain all lease documentation and, if concerned, consult a solicitor.
9. Ready to Explore a Modern Solar Plan?
If you are researching solar for a new installation, the ownership model you choose makes a real difference, not just to your energy bills, but to your freedom to repair your roof, sell your home and modify your system in the future. Emerald Solar's Solar Plan is designed to give you full control: MCS-certified installation, EPVS-validated savings, £0 upfront and up to 25 years of maintenance and replacement cover through Hometree Finance, with no ongoing roof lease complicating your life as a homeowner.
