Solar power

[Oli]

What do you know about this?

I have a flat roof area of my property that is 30sq meters and perfect for solar panels. I understand that government grants are available?

Anyone had it fitted?  Any feedback? Which company did you use/recommend?

Cheers in advance.

[Tfsi_Mike]

They are everywhere over here in Germany.  Way forward.

[Weston]

Where do you live? Not enough light intensity in UK to make them cost-effective at current prices so it depends on how "green" you are as to whether you want them.

[Oli]

They are everywhere over here in Germany.  Way forward.

Just come back from Germany, it has prompted my search!

[Oli]

Where do you live? Not enough light intensity in UK to make them cost-effective at current prices so it depends on how "green" you are as to whether you want them.

Just outside Bognor Regis. 200yds from the beach!

[andrewparker]

They are everywhere over here in Germany.  Way forward.

Just because they've everywhere in Germany doesn't mean they work.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/georgemonbiot/2010/mar/11/solar-power-germany-feed-in-tariff

[Weston]

I think there's maybe some government subsidised schemes, probably worth a look   my suggestion would still be to not bother, or move a lot further towards the equator 

[Janner_Sy]

Ive recently did a dissertation for my degree on renewable energy solutions and will be doing a similar thing myself, although ill not be going the solar panel route.  Solar panels are a good energy efficient method of offsetting your electrical bill, but the payback time for the initial cost is not very good, even when selling electric back to the DNO.

However if you were to look into solar heated water systems then you will get your payback much sooner.  Especially when you consider gas is more expensive the electric, so the saving is larger. 

I will add though, that there are alot of companies who 'specialise' in this, but they are bodgers putting in cheap systems without expansion vessels etc.  The main issues with them are when you are not using your hot water (ie on holiday) and the glycol within the evaporated tubes gets so hot it ruptures the pipes.  A good system will negate this issue but obviously cost more.

Alot of people in the 'know' think Air Source Heat Pumps are where the future is heading.  Currently renewable energy grants do not cover them, but in the future its widely believed they will come under the scheme.  The units can also be specified to heat your water as well.

[SeaV]

What do you know about this?

I have a flat roof area of my property that is 30sq meters and perfect for solar panels. I understand that government grants are available?

Anyone had it fitted?  Any feedback? Which company did you use/recommend?

Cheers in advance.

EON where doing a deal earlier this year where you could have them installed for £99. All they did was offset your electricity bill, but I didnt take up the offer because I was concerned about the contractual conditions for 25 years. I couldnt work out what implications would be if I wanted to sell the house so didnt go for it. 

There are a number of companies installing systems for around £8-10k, claiming 10 years to reclaim the outlay.

[Nodz]

Had a deal round this way where you just had to pay for the scaffolding and the EB would install the panels for free. Not sure what the terms and conditions were.

As said above make sure you get a reputable firm

[garrardrj]

We are seriously thinking of solar panels to create electricity and to feed back into the national grid. You get free electricity during daylight hours and then the amount you don't use you get paid for. The payback seems to be very dependent on the quality of the installation and to choose which one is virtually impossible, Its like which double glazing firm to use years ago.......we all now know not to use certain companies. This will come with solar panels aswell but the government subsidies will have run out by then.... As normal decisions that are important and financially beneficial are always a pain ! Any help in making our decision would be greatly appreciated aswell

[hugh jass]

 Make sure the govt grant is payable to you and not the company that does the install   Some of the cheaper (dishonest) companies are known for a bit of trickery and will fool you into signing away your govt grant. Ask the right questions and get everything in writing (Very boring bit)

[garrardrj]

Without wanting to start another topic on the same subject i have continued this one.....

We are seriously thinking of the installation before the 02/03/2012 cut off. About to receive the quote in next day or so. Need to decide quite quickly to get the higher 43p feed tariff.

To anyone who has had the panels installed and received a payment from their supplier on the feed in tariff. Did it meet what you had expected ? Would you reccomend the installation ? We are getting a 4kw system for under £10k . Likely to receive quote soon.

Any comments welcome

[GTIjames]

The previous labour government as per usural were a little bit over generous with the subsidies on solar panels, it created a boom in the solar panel industry part funded by us the tax payer,  with private companies making an absolute mint during this time. This was because over time production costs reduced significantly while the subsidies stayed the same so the private companies pocketed the extra cash.

After labour destroyed our economy with there out of control overspending and were subsequently kicked out the current government realised this scheme was costing us a bloody fortune so are now trying to cut the subsidies.

Currently with the courts was the last I heard but if it goes through then they will not be quite as attractive as they were before.

They do work though but you need to invest in a quality and correct type of panel for your use - is what I have been told.

[Teutonic_Tamer]

The previous labour government as per usural were a little bit over generous with the subsidies on solar panels, it created a boom in the solar panel industry part funded by us the tax payer,  with private companies making an absolute mint during this time. This was because over time production costs reduced significantly while the subsidies stayed the same so the private companies pocketed the extra cash.

After labour destroyed our economy with there out of control overspending and were subsequently kicked out the current government realised this scheme was costing us a bloody fortune so are now trying to cut the subsidies.

Currently with the courts was the last I heard but if it goes through then they will not be quite as attractive as they were before.

They do work though but you need to invest in a quality and correct type of panel for your use - is what I have been told.

Nice post - couldn't agree more!