Homeowners with solar panels are being targeted by conmen.

Salesmen are encouraging homeowners to replace their existing solar panels with new ones claiming that fire crews will not attend a fire involving older panels.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service is warning residents to be vigilant as these claims are completely false.

The conmen are also offering free health checks on Solar PV installations in conjunction with The Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) which again is false.

Kent Fire and Rescue has confirmed that the MCS do not carry out any health checks and do not partner with any installation companies.

More and more people in Kent are opting for solar panels as a more environmentally-friendly energy source.

While accidents involving solar panels are low, Kent Fire and Rescue has assured homeowners that they will always attend a house fire at a property with solar panels.

Phil Bailey, station manager, said: “Our crews will always turn out to a fire and we have procedures in place to deal with every type of incident including fires involving solar panels.

"No one should feel pressurised into replacing their system unnecessarily."

Anyone with concerns can contact the solar panel trade body on 0207 090 1082 or Kent Trading Standards through Citizens Advice on 03454 04 05 06.