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Green & ethical MoneySaving

Archives for November 2011

New Installation today / tomorrow :)
Having the following fitted today / tomorrow: 16 * SUNRISE SR MODULE SR-M660250 = 3.999kwh 16 * Enercys Micro invertors Will keep you posted how I get along :)
Money well spent?!?
Posted by Bill Wright on the digital TV usenet group, here is a photo and google earth image of a house with a 14 panel PV system installed. Let's hope that they didn't pay for this themselves... Matt
Freesolarscheme.com?
Got an advertising postcard through the door yesterday from freesolarscheme.com which claims that it is installing systems free AND the homeowner gets the FIT! Naturally I don't believe a word of it, but their postcard couldn't be clearer. Anyone come across this outfit, and know how they manage to deliver on their…
Get a free Calendar When You Buy an Oxfam Unwrapped Gift
Hello there, Get a free Calendar When You Buy an Oxfam Unwrapped Gift Until 2 Dec 2011. Source: littlemissboob.co.uk/oxfam-free-calendar-when-you-buy-an-oxfam-unwrapped-gift Thanks Jibster
Solar panels in gales...
Just a thought. Blowing a gale here today. Made me think about whether there is much risk in the solar panels (I have Sharp 235w in an alu frame) being damaged by high winds. They aren't rattling and they have only been up for a year so I have no real concerns. But I was wondering if they had a 'tested-to' rating in terms…
How long should it take to process the FIT once they have received them?
How long should FIT forms take to process once received? (Mine were received before the recent government announcement.). I have been told the start date for the FIT payments but I just wondered how long it takes to complete?
£5 Body Shop Voucher when you buy any Oxfam Unwrapped gift
Nice idea for Christmas.... Buy any Oxfam Unwrapped gift online and receive £5 off at The Body Shop. You can use this discount when you spend £20 or more on The Body Shop website or in their High Street shops Valid until 31st December 2011 Source: littlemissboob.co.uk/5-off-at-the-body-shop-oxfam-unwrapped
Raspberry Pi - exciting low cost, low power computer
I've been following this laudable project for some time now, and they are not far from being able to ship units: https://www.raspberrypi.org/ The Raspberry Pi is a *tiny* little circuit board, which sells for $25 / £16 and can run a full Linux server, output 1080p video via HDMI and lots more things that make any…
Home-automation to control fan heater based on solar PV output?
Does anyone know of a product that allows a plug socket to be controlled via the web? I have solar PV, and have realised that on several winter days I have over 2000W of "spare" energy to use. I would like to take advantage of this by turning on a fan heater to warm my office up. However, as has been discussed many times…
Refillable Pens
Hi guys I'm currently staring around my desk which is pretty much a pen graveyard. And I'm a bit fed up It seems incredibly wasteful, I'm a student and studying for exams at the minute so making a lot of notes, currently using BIC Round stic's which are awful pens anyway, but you can see the ink level and I literally…
Organic chocolate gifts 20% off
Just been shopping on Green and Black's online gift shop and have ordered a few chocolate gifts for friends and family this year. It's 20% off the Green & Black's Conversations Collection. ONLY £10.80, if you visit the website it's the first product in the 'full chocolate gift range'. I even got some wine and chocolate…
RHI non-domestics applications 28 nov
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/meeting_energy/renewable_ener/incentive/incentive.aspx at last, the wheel starts to turn
home insulation
Hi, not sure if im posting in the right place as I'm new to this I currently private rent a property that currently DOES NOT have home insulation. Is it up to my landlord to pay for this or me? I am entitled to a discounted/free insulation but im still paying off last years gas bill £2750 and with this cold weather im not…
Has anyone used the Woodmiser product for wood burning stoves?
I haven't had a chance to look into this properly yet, but they claim you can burn less wood if you use their product (presumably with no loss of heat, or otherwise I wouldn't question their claim ;) ) They also make Coalmiser, but I'm guessing it's the same product. I am generally of the opinion that "if it sounds too…
Anyone had/having PV's from Solarsun4life?
Hi, Just wondering if there are any customers of Solarsun4life out there, who could give feedback/share experiences? Many thanks, Barter
Get paid 2p above the FIT generation tariff
Hi All, Long time reader but first time poster on MSE, so please be gentle. I've heard that a company called Utility Warehouse will pay 2p per kwh more than the generation tariff. I've had a look at their website but couldn't find any details of this. I cant see how/why they can pay over the odds, so my thinking is that…
Schüco panels and invertor?
short question - is this a good make? i know there german - but they are the equipment selected for eastbourne`s `solarbourne` project and being installed - the invertor is quite small actually. panels are sovello svt-200-fc1
Has anyone used Good Energy for FITs?
Hi all, New to the forum and read in another post about Good Energy opening their doors on the final weekend for the higher FIT payments and was wondering has anyone use them in the past for their FIT's. Any opinions on them greatly appreciated.
Help deciding on FREE solar panels
I've searched and its been discussed many a time, but I just need some basic advice and questions I should be asking. I had a call from a company called RES, renewable energy solutions, https://www.renewablesolutions.org.uk about installing some free panels to my roof. This will be for the 25 years period. They don't want…
SMA Sunnybeam or Geo Solo monitor
Hi, I have just had a PV system installed. The installer's have given me a choice between a SMA Sunnybeam or a Geo Solar monitor. Has anyone got any views on which is better? The Sunnybeam takes data from the inverter and the Solo takes information from the generation meter (via a clamp) I do not currently have access to…

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MSE News

Ofgem proposes new 'no standing charge' Price Cap – but Martin Lewis warns vulnerable customers need to be opted in or it won't work
Ofgem has today launched detailed proposals for a major shake up to its Energy Price Cap that dictates the price over 80% of homes in England, Scotland and Wales pay for their energy bills.
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland to cut overdraft rates for millions but hike them for others – here's what's happening and full help
If you're a Lloyds, Halifax or Bank of Scotland current account holder, the interest rate you're charged for using your overdraft could change soon as part of a fees shake-up. The Lloyds Banking Group, which owns all three brands, says millions of its customers will pay less after the changes – but a "few" will pay more.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more low-income households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Martin Lewis: At last a chance to fix Council Tax flaws impacting millions – debt collection, difficulty challenging your band, discounts and more
Major flaws in the Council Tax system in England could finally be fixed in future, as the Government has launched a wide-ranging consultation to review hideous debt collection practices, the difficulty of challenging your band, the overly complex and horribly-named Severe Mental Impairment discount and more. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis, who has long campaigned on these issues, shares his response and analysis.
Energy complaints to be dealt with more quickly and Energy Ombudsman to get new powers under Government plans
If you have a complaint about your energy firm, it may be resolved more quickly in future, as the Government has announced a raft of proposals to strengthen consumer protections in the energy market. The planned changes include giving the Energy Ombudsman new powers to force firms to comply with its decisions – but it's still very early days. Here's what we know so far.
Warm Home Discount expansion confirmed with millions more eligible for the £150 top-up this winter – here's what we know
Around 2.7 million more households, including 900,000 families with children, will become eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount this winter, as the Government has confirmed it will remove the existing 'hard to heat' eligibility criteria. The extension has only been confirmed for winter 2025/26, with further changes possible for future years.
Base rate held at 4.25% – here's what it means and when it might be cut next
The Bank of England has held the base rate at 4.25%. Below we explain why, when it might be cut, plus what it means for your mortgage and savings.
Applied for South West Trains 'boundary fares' compensation? Act now to claim it
If you applied for compensation from South West Trains before the deadline in January 2025, you now need to provide your bank details to the claim administrator so it can be paid to you. Here's what you need to know.
Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for millions – Martin Lewis explains how it'll work, what it means and if it's an improvement
All State Pensioners in England and Wales will receive a Winter Fuel Payment this winter, though those who earn over £35,000 will see it clawed back through the tax system. It means nine million pensioners will get the £200 or £300 top-up. Here MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shares his instant response and analysis, and we include answers to your key questions.

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