Ripple Energy Reviews 710

Great idea, poorly managed. As a member of Kirk Hill I looked forward to many years of green generation, and although the financial rewards are not as rosy as Ripple like to make out in their marketing blub (its all in the offer document but you have to dig down to it), I thought it was still worth it for the eco credentials. But their management of the company, cooperative, and community are lacklustre unfortunately.

They will accept no critical feedback, to the point they put members on moderation on their community with no rhyme or reason, purely at the whim of the staff, because its negative. They will also block you on Twitter if you try to give them (frustrated) feedback as they will delete negative feedback on the community. They only wish to present a world where everything is rosy and happy and ignore their many failings.

Sadly it is not all rosy, as we found out this week the Kirk Hill Cooperative has been served a cancellation notice due to the mismanagement of Ripple, failing to file accounts on time for 2 straight years. Meaning the whole investment could be at risk. This just adds to the lack of management oversight, with a CEO seemingly more happy to go romping around Westminster than make sure her projects are being run and delivering properly.

Such a shame as the premise of community owned energy generation is excellent, but it feels at the moment like a great Ponzi scheme for Ripple. I dont take writing reviews like this lightly but Ripple refuse to take criticism and this is the only way to make our voices heard.

EDIT 2024-11-01: the reply from Ripple is a case in point and exemplifies their 'everything is positive message'. No mention of the critical feedback (let alone acting on it), or the fact the FCA have issue a cancellation notice against the coop. No apology what so ever of the mismanagement of the coop and accounts which had lead to the FCA action. Showing once again this company is not learning its lesson, not being transparent or actually listening to its members. I prey the coop survives but on this current heading, I've not been given the confidence that is the case. I hope I'm proven wrong for the sake of my investment.

Having been with Ripple from the very start, knowing Ripple's ethos and how they go about with what was a groundbreaking concept (community funded renewable energy) means that I'm very pleased with how things are going, and how they're handled. Unfortunately, as is often the case, when they've expanded to include larger numbers of the public, many are focused more on monetary returns than the fact your contributing directly to new renewable generation (many of whom don't even read the prospectus before signing up, then complain when things aren't how they thought!).
At the end of the day, if strong financial returns are what you're looking for, Ripple projects are not the answer - they make the very clear and always have done. However if you're looking for a way to directly fund renewable energy in the UK (which buying shares in renewable funds in the stock market does not) with modest long term returns, then Ripple is where to go

Don’t be blinded by the marketing spin of cheaper energy, eco friendly etc etc. This is a financial investment just like any other with the payouts going into your energy provider rather than into your bank.
The projected returns vs real returns are poor, the company fails to meet its most basic obligations and now has an Financial Conduct Authority warning and I have no faith that they will even be around for the 25 years it’ll probably take to see my money returned. Don’t make the same mistake myself and so many others have made

This is the perfect way to invest in the future of the world and cut a but off your bills too. It shouldn't be seen as a way of gettimg you huge financial rewards but instead a way of knowing you're personally headed to being carbon neutral & green!
I actually love the whole concept & want it to succeed.

I’ve bought into two Ripple projects to “hedge” any future increases in cost.
The first is around 6 months late and delays poorly communicated (I found out from a BBC article reposted on Facebook in an owners forum). Second issue is one coop (live, I’m not invested in) has not filed accounts so pending cancellation by FCA. Very serious for members.

Overall not very happy as will take at least two years before i start to see savings on my first investment. If they want to expand before environmental advocates they need to do better

Great concept to help individuals contribute to the low carbon revolution.

Brilliant concept and I'm happy to be onboard

Ripple advertisement and the content on the site is a little misleading, it is indeed environmentally friendly and in a way it reduces the electricity bill, however, the savings are minimal as compared to investment. It was mentioned I'll save 25% if I invest 120%, but that is not true I am saving less than 10%. They say this is cheaper than solar panels on the rooftop, but that is not true at all.

I've been really impressed by the transparency and communication from Ripple, as well as the clarity of their dashboard. They have been very clear, in my opinion, that investing is about making a positive decision for the environment, supporting a green energy transition and protection from future energy price crises, rather than a quick win investment opportunity. I am very proud of my small contribution to the Kirk Hill project, enjoyed the regular updates about construction and really enjoy seeing the live data through the dashboard. I obviously hope that it proves to be financially relatively productive but as they repeatedly state, that should not be the primary reason you invest.

If I only get about £5 a month back, its going to take at least 25 years to pay back.

£5 a month rebate against a £170 month bill doesn't really protect against prices.

I was thinking about joining the latest windfarm addition and I guess because I researched it, I was targeted by a mountain of ads on Facebook etc.

When an ad appears, there are only positive comments and someone asked why lots of angry faces but no negative comments.

I replied and said that's because Ripple immediately delete any negative comments but they can't delete an Angry Emoji so you can see who posted an angry Emoji and message them to find out the reald deal.

I said "I wonder how long this message will stay for".

It was deleted within 60s and I was blocked for informing folks how they might get a balanced judgement.

I won't now be investing and judging by how many times they are extending the offer period it looks like I'm not alone.

I’ve recently invested in Ripples latest wind farm project. I found all the information provided open and upfront. I have had solar panels and batteries installed last year along with a new phase change material water heating system. Having a share in Ripple’s project closes the gap in power during the winter months and solves the net Zero issue for me. I look forward to the day it generates as I can then disconnect my Standby Gas supply doing my bit to save the planet and saving on the standard daily connection. Ripple Energy initiative to own part of a wind farm provides such a good opportunity for us all.

The communication and updates have been very good. The video updates and written explanations have been clear and I'm pleased that I should see the first credit for Kirk Hill very soon.

Not very impressed with Ripple Energy. Signed up as located in rural area where electricity is the only viable heating source and also have an EV.
Invested over £5000 and now unlikely to ever get my money back. If you question or complain Ripple just refer you to their T&Cs.
KWh price will be roughly half of price quoted when I signed up.
Windfarm also late coming on stream, when I asked why it was everyone else's fault apart from Ripples (grid connection, issues with SP).
Wish I had invested in my own solar panels now.

I have just become a proud windfarm owner, 1 of 5600 members of the Kirk Hill wind farm cooperative. It was Sarah and her amazing team from ripple energy who enabled this. All 8 turbines are spinning and creating zero carbon energy. Thank you so much!
I am certain that the initial investment will be returned throughout the lifetime of the project (25+ years) but probably much sooner. Owning part of this gives me peace of mind to mitigate potential future energy price spikes and allows me to move home without losing my investment.
Hopefully ripple energy will continue for decades to come launching more green cooperatives in the UK and abroad!

I bought into this. Very confusing they say in one place you'll can get up to 120% off your electricity bill now on the now website it's saying up to 25% off your bill. Not really worth it because I have solar panels and my bills are low. Frankly speaking it's supposed to be a cooperative but the people they employ will get the bulk of the profits in wages. Steer clear. I wish I never subscribed.

Decided against it as the fees were way to high to justify.... Requested to cancel my account. Be aware though, your deposit is actually non-refundable if you cancel - they say after 14 days from signing. Share offer for any project however is not available for non-members... So smells like a bit of fraud here... Another reason to stay clear of Ripple...

I have shares in Kirk Hill and Derril Water and also invested in Ripple via Seedrs. Total investment £4750
Members have been informed that the price paid per kWh has been reduced to 3.2p from 4.3p due to increased operational costs. The estimate price when I joined in was 6.4p/kwh. Further more all payments will be taxed.
I will NEVER get my money back!!
Avoid!!

Update: thank you for responding Ripple. Indeed my electricity bills will be more stable by £60 a year.

Forget all the delays and cost overruns of setting up Kirk Hill. This is a failure across the board - from the UK gov't for imposing taxes on returns from this investment in green, to Ripple needing to work out how to navigate relatively newer waters and face massive cost overruns and project delays, to all other suppliers involved who seem to be making stuff up as they go.

End result is a 3.2p/kwh, BEFORE taxes, return on your investment. Thank you Ripple, that'll take a huge bite out of my 30p peak rate electricity costs. Even getting a poor rate savings account would yield better results. for those stating yes but it's better to do your bit for the environment, why don't you put your money into something with higher returns, and invest the extra you make in paying for a green tariff, or an EV, or solar, or planting trees, or donating to good causes. Ripple just doesn't make economic / financial sense.

To ripples response "people owned wind farm" - excluding financers and additional stuff you guys are considering now...

My wife and I are two of the initial 900 members that joined Ripple. We have had solar PVs on our house roof for over 12 years and were fortunate enough to register these for the FIT payments at the most lucrative time. When Ripple started, we were very keen to keep being involved with sustainable clean power - as we have been for over 50 years. It's in our blood! And the fact that you get a return on your investment by means of a return being taken from your power bill, was a significant bonus. We are subsequently investing in the follow-on two projects and have reserved a place on the yet-to-be-announced project four. We are more than happy to support Ripple. It's right up our street, doing our bit where others (government?) fail.