Tony Harrington

iTrader: (8)

Been thinking about these for some time as it appears to be a sensible decision to make.

I have now arranged for some comparable quotes via 'The Eco Experts: UK Solar panel comparison website.'

Can anyone who is in the business (sales/fitting/producing) give me some key pointers for advice before we begin talks.

hedgecutter

iTrader: (5)

I think early Jan is the cut off point for any feed in tarif, so it is possible that you may see an adjustment in the cost of panels and installation in the next few months; I know there`s been a rush to get work done this autumn, but am not in the business, so someone will may well correct me

Tony Harrington

iTrader: (8)

Just checked this out and it is true plus I've just discovered that the government are slashing payments by Feb

salsa-king

we just had our system fitted a week last thursday.

4kw system (16 panels) - Max system you can have on a domestic house
with 240v to 220v optimister
Inverter - with built in WiFi
all fitted... (on our slate roof.. tiles cut properly and correct fixings used)
including scaffold
& an EPC done too

we paid £6800.



Three ways to save.
1. electric produced during the day
2. the unused power goes back to the 'grid' (think it's about 4.5p Kw)
3. Feed in Tarrif (what you get paid for having solar, tax free, into your bank account) at the mo it's 12.47p Kw & you get that for 20yrs!!

working on these figures we 'save' about £700 a year.



we had it done now as the cuts will come on the Feed in Tarrif. about 5yrs ago they were paying 45p kw

It was said it will drop 1st Jan 2016, but I think it's still under revue.




Happy with the company we used.
Eco Power Yorkshire Ltd (based in Doncaster) they do travel the country.
http://www.ecopoweryorkshireltd.co.uk/

There was no pressure sell, and no pushing of any payment plans. The price was less than I thought and is within the price range quoted on websited for a 4kw system fitted.


I mentioned it to my best (very good) friend TedEd (on SN) and he rang and got an appointment two days later and had his fitted a week last Tuesday.


BTW... you have to submit your forms to your power company to apply for the Feed in Tarrif (FiT), Eco Power Yorkshire help fill out the forms.. and with our provider (Scottish Power) once the forms have been received (we did it via email) that's the date your FiT will start from... but at the moment they are running 6-8weeks on back log of applications due to everyone applying before the FiT price drop.


more info for you
https://www.gov.uk/feed-in-tariffs/overview

rob84

iTrader: (5)

so what your saying for 9 and a bit years your saving nothing ? as you've already outlaid the £6800 ?

and at what point do these panels need replaced ??

salsa-king

it's long term Rob.

slowly slowly save di money

taylor85

iTrader: (5)

It's old hat now solar is , I don't think you ever see a return , unless you buy really good panels . Plus if your warranty is only say 5 years you Gotta replace the panels within 10

salsa-king

we'll see.

electric isn't getting cheaper.

averyp2

iTrader: (25)

Merry Christmas.

Some local network operators will allow more than 4kw, but it is discretionary. You would need to ask in advance. 4kw is peak production for connection back to grid, that does not mean you cannot add additional panels to serve standalone equipment that is off grid i.e shed or garage maybe. But you will not get benefit of feed in tariff.

Offgem have lots of info regarding tariffs etc but they are being reduced - government didn't realise how many would take it up, especially large solar farms

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/feed-tariff-fit-scheme

Panels are usually 15/20yr economic lifespan, they may go on longer but the efficiencies will reduce.

Still an ok investment though if you have the initial capital

Paul

salsa-king

or take out a post office 0% on purchases for 23months credit card ...
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/credit-card/matched


our fitted brackets on a slate roof...





fitted, nice black colour blends in with the roof..


we has scaffold at the back too, so they could get on the other roof. they didn't need it though.


Merrt Christmas.

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

Really dont see the point in these, all the houses round me have them, street looks terrible with them stuck to the roofs, many have had to have them repaired due to high winds and going to take over 10 years to see any gain from them by that time they probably need replaced.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Only takes one issue to destroy your pay back time. And seeing as any leak in the roof, any works etc will need the. Installer back, you are on a hiding to nothing the first time you have an issue. Plus maintenance costs, equipment failures etc!

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

Also that you are wasting energy by transforming it etc back to 230v, run itto. Battery packs and sod the feed in, store it up and use it for yourself, most equipment these days is low voltage so I'd run my lights, phone chargers, laptops, tvs etc all direct off the battery packs

jayallen

iTrader: (31)

There is obviously money in the companies behind solar. I installed a lift in a new build house in the summer, the guy owns a solar business. I went back a couple of weeks ago to fit a keypad and he had these in his garage.

wrx300scooby

Precisely why I bought my own panels, why let someone else profit from them. Despite what others have said on this thread, they really are a worthwhile investment but clearly that will diminish as the FIT gets lower.

johned

Fitting solar panels to save money and maybe reap the reward in 10 years time seems odd to me as i drive a petrol loving subaru.

wrx300scooby

So do I, what's your point

baz999

We used a company called a shade greener. You don't pay for the panels or install, they basically rent the airspace above your roof. They provide maintenance for free. They keep the money from the amount energy you don't use. So we make savings straight away.

salsa-king

you dont get the feed in tarrif money either then?

salsa-king

you dont get the feed in tarrif money either then?

wrx300scooby

Correct, also if they try to sell their property there will be problems, it's like trying to sell your house with a lodger in with the deal. Buying your own panels is the only way to go IMHO

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Yeah but he has no capital outlay, no service costs and saves money from the off, so in effect he is making money straight away.

wrx300scooby

He makes no money whatsoever, he can only benefit by being at home whilst energy is being generated by the panels and use the said power. I get a regular income(money)plus free power during the day.

johned

Use of energy and pollution.

wrx300scooby

Don't drive yer Scoob then

baz999

Selling the property will be easy as the new owner would not have to pay for anything. Mortgage companies are happy with them as well, so no problems for the new owners

wrx300scooby

That's what a shade greener have told you, in reality they are wrong, sorry.

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

This ^

You have been sold a lemon, it is a big con, and god forbid you need any work doing to the roof etc, as you cant ue anyone else to remove the panels, and what ever company you have used have you over a barrel and can and will charge you what ever the hell they like....

Plus potentially fees for lost income from the panels etc

JGlanzaV

iTrader: (3)

The money has gone from solar, I was working for the largest company in the UK on the industrial electrical side of things, and we had thousands of guys running round doing solar installs.

One the goverment cut the feed in tariff the first time, the very next day all but 24 staff were made redundant.

wrx300scooby

Just to add, my B in law had them fitted by the same company, they filled his head so full of crap. He's the type who knows best on any given subject, he rues the day he had them fitted.