Green & ethical MoneySaving

Archives for April 2016

Solar Powered Cricket
I play for a local cricket club. Somehow we've got some spare cash and thought we would invest in a bowling machine (on the grounds that you can programme it to bowl straight, which none of our actual bowlers can). These operate off a 12 V supply. So I was wondering if it might be possible to also install some solar panels…
Pitch for solar panels query
Hi everyone I'd like to ask opinions here about a pitch we had for solar panels in which I think my wife and I may not have been given correct information. It started on Tuesday (26 April) with a cold call from a company to my wife saying they install solar panels in our area, asking whether we would be interested in a…
PV+ Grid Voltage Monitor
Today I received a call from my Solar panel installers asking if I was intrested in getting a quote for one of the new Solar PV Batteries and also something called PV+. They claim it can increase PV energy production by upto 20% by cutting out voltage outages!…
Recycling work uniform
Just wondered if anyone knew which (if any) charities accepted work uniform as part of their clothing recycling? I have read there can be difficulties with de-branding the clothing, and I also wondered about potential security issues in the unlikely event of them falling in to the wrong hands. Can anyone advise on any…
Renewable Energy Consumer Code
Having had a biomass installation carried out by a Hetas and RECC registered company the last thing I expected was for the installation to be dangerous. Further I really did not expect RECC to fail to assist me in getting the problems put right or to be left 10k out of pocket - but I am. RECC gave me promises, assurances…
Tesla Model 3
Had a look round the forum and can't find a thread. Wonder if any of the MSE community has put down a deposit for a reservation? We have test driven the Model S and its an awesome bit of kit, if the 3 lives up to its promise it really will be a game changer in the automotive industry. With a 4KW PV system at home and only…
Solar iBoost problem
My iBoost says "water Hot" all the time now and i cant get it to divert any power. The water is not hot as i have used the hot water and i have this morning replaced the immersion heater thermostat, none of which makes any difference. Any ideas?.
Solar inverter clipping
For the first time for many months, I am seeing power output clipping. My absolute clipping level results in 770 Wh being produced in 15 minutes or 3,080 Wh being produced in an hour. This falls a long way short of my DC panel specified output of 3,780 Wh. I rather presume that my solar installer, TP Solar (now defunct),…
Selling your Solar Panels - Lightsource
Rather oddly we received a letter from a company called Lightsource Renewable Energy offering to buy our solar panels for a cash sum and they then take the FITs. So just the same as the rent a roof schemes. I'm not sure how many people would be interested in a lump sum rather than keeping the FITs themselves but the bit…
RHI 'checker' visiting next week
Hi, I've been cold called recently about the RHI scheme and decided to allow them to do a 'free' review next week. I've since been doing some digging and i am concerned the telesales person was being, shall we say, economical with the truth. They were mentioning an air source heat pump could be appropriate. I live in a,…
Feed in Tariff
Hello all. I am hopeful someone on here will know what the hell is going on and if there is anything I can do about it. I brought a new a new build house which I moved into on the 30th March. On this house is 6 solar panels which I now own. I contacted British gas shortly after moving in and registered for the feed in…
House price and solar panels
Hi there, Is solar panels increase house value in case of remortgaging? And if is, how much?
Service rankings/awards - 'Renewables & energy saving'
Hi All The thread title say's it all really - "Service rankings/awards - 'Renewables & energy saving'" .... how do we all feel about the level of service or support we currently receive from our energy suppliers involving issues issues related to renewable energy and domestic energy saving ? .... Maybe we could develop the…
Solar Overperformance?
I have experienced both my panels and my inverter apparently over-performing recently. Some of my panels have peaked at around 350w (i.e. 16% better than quoted). Now I know that panels are tested and rated, so that the quoted figure should be the minimum output at 1000 W/m2. I also appreciate that recent bright sun a the…
Solar Panels and Smart Meters
Hi, Not sure if this is in the correct place, but my query is I have solar panels and I would like to know how these new " smart meters " will affect the feed in tariff..I know that it is not compulsory for me to have one of these meters fitted. Presently I am "deemed" as paying 50% back into the electricity main grid,…
Solar Panel Virgin
Hi We have made an offer on a property where Solar panels were fitted five years ago. i understand that the property owner purchased these himself, rather than leasing them, and that he receives the FIT.I know nothing about solar panels at all. From my research I understand that a replacement inverter is required every…
Solar panels when moving house
I wont go into details but we moved house unexpectedly, our old house is up for sale and has our solar panels on which we own. When we sell I presume we have to transfer the FIT payments thing to the new owners. Has anyone gone through this? How do you do it? Alternatively, has anyone moved and taken their solar panels…
Missold solar panels???
We have had a letter from Resolved Claims Ltd offering to pursue a claim that we were missold solar panels, by being told our savings would pay the loan we took out to purchase them. We do feel we were missold as the returns and savings arent as suggested, also the installation wasnt exactly as quoted. If I didnt want to…
Solar Panel
Hi I want to buy around 10 panels new panels for a system in Ghana as the existing panels have been damaged. What are peoples thoughts on these panels? Are they good or could I get better value for money on another product.…
Energy performance certificates
I was watching Channel 4s Building the Dream program, about self builders, and one thing amazed me. The presenter is an architect/designer and he talked a couple out of fitting a GSHP because they had access to mains gas. His logic was that it was cheaper to fit a gas boiler (it was, by about £10k) and as their home was…

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MSE News

Barclaycard's cutting minimum repayments – you could be in debt YEARS longer paying DOUBLE the interest
If you've got debt on a Barclaycard, it's likely the minimum you have to repay each month will be cut from July. If you're unaware, and don't act, you could stay in debt for many years longer and pay possibly £1,000s more in interest.
NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank to close at least 100 branches in 2024/25 – here's the full list, plus alternatives
NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and Ulster Bank, which are all part of the NatWest Group, will shut at least 100 of their bank branches in 2024/25, after RBS announced a further 18 closures.
Co-op Bank customer? You could be moved to Coventry Building Society in future – here's what's happening
The building society has today agreed to a potential takeover of the high street bank – though it's still very early days and the deal needs regulatory approval.
Got a text, email or letter from the Met Police? Don't ignore it – you may need to act to protect yourself from scams
If you got a text message or email from the Metropolitan Police between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday 17 April – or you get a letter in the next few days – don't ignore it.
Save up to £1 on your takeaway coffee – while saving the planet
Many of us regularly reach for a cup of coffee or tea to give us a caffeine boost, but if you’re out and about and can't bring a thermos from home, the cost of this can quickly mount up.
Chase customer? Check if you can get its boosted 5.1% easy-access saver
If you have a Chase current account, you may be able to get a table-topping 5.1% easy-access savings rate to go with it, as the bank has launched a new, temporary bonus offer for some existing customers.
New online state pension boosting tool promised to Martin Lewis hit by delays – here's what you need to know
The tool was first promised to MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis on ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live last summer and was expected to launch before the end of the 2023/24 financial year.
Spotify to hike prices by up to £24 a year – here's what's happening
If you've got a Spotify Individual, Duo or Family account you'll see prices rise by up to £2 a month (equivalent to £24 a year) in a month's time, the music streaming service has announced.
Subway customer? You've got until 14 May to use your loyalty scheme points before shake-up – here's what's happening
If you're a Subway Rewards member, you have until the end of Tuesday 14 May to spend any points you've built up – or lose them entirely.

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