We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More » This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Green & ethical MoneySaving

Archives for June 2018

PV smart plug
Hello, I've just seen Solax advertising a smart plug that would work with my PV inverter. It is an appealing idea - that it would only switch on when there is sufficient sunshine to power an appliance, but I'm not sure how practical it is in reality. Can most appliances cope with keep getting switched on and off? I'm…
Which energy tariff for Solar?
Which energy tariff do people find best to use in conjunction with their solar installs? I've been looking at Octopus Agile where out of core hours unit prices can be less than 9p? Sometimes down as low as 5p. https://octopus.energy/agile/#what-does-it-cost My current EDF tariff is 13.76p across the board. I suppose the…
Spikes in production
Got home tonight and checked my production which is fine but Sunnyportal is showing regular spikes in production during the day (midday some over 4kwh). I'd post a screenshot if I knew how to:D Any idea or anyone else have this issue
Project Solar - am I getting ripped off? HELP!!
Hi I'm completely new to the forum world and also to solar power so am struggling with all the info I've been given. I have seen a LOT of threads on here about Project Solar and what a rip off they are so am treading very carefully but (surprise, surprise) the bloke we've been dealing with who surveyed the house etc seemed…
Solar Panel Consideration
Hi, I am currently considering a Solar Panel Installation in my home and was wondering what everyones thoughts are regarding the fact that he FIT's are stopping in April 2019, does this mean that Solar is no longer viable.....?
Solar batteries retrofit thoughts
Hello all I've had a solar system recently fitted and it's really annoying me that I'm generating three times more electricity than I need but still needing to pull power from the grid at night. I've looked in to battery solutions but can't seem to find a lot of information on it, mainly around price and reviews. So I was…
Solar Panels maximum output compared to actual output
Hey all I've had a 3.5kWp solar PV installation up for about 2 weeks now. The maximum output I've seen at any one time is 2.7kW. Bearing in mind the sun is at full strength this week and I'm 99% sure that it can't get any brighter! So my question, is that normal for a solar system to have an actual output which is over 20%…
Ye olde worlde meters
Had PV for almost 3 weeks now, what have people done with meters going backwards? Should my installers have changed (or advised to change) them (only day is going backwards, not E7 one). I suppose it makes no difference what i get paid as I'm on 50% export?
Wi-fi reading?
I am new to solar panels, I submitted my second reading last week. I did have a few problems to start with, in relation to my smart meter for my duel fuel energy supplier, Scottish Power. Scottish Power gave me a reading of the ammount generated by my solar panels, I see you guys on here about readings for a single day.…
Solar Power Shed
Hi All I have been considering using solar to get power in my shed rather than running a mains cable out there. I dont really use power tools so it only needs to cover lighting and charging. I keep going round in circles at the moment. One option being a 12 or 24V battery system with an inverter. The other option is can I…
House Purchase with Solar Panels
Hi, My husband and I are in the middle of purchasing a house with a number of solar panels on the roof. However, the seller hasn't been able to provide any paperwork for the panels and we've been advised by our solicitor that it could cause problems with our lender if no paperwork is able to be produced. The vendors…
Solar installers in Worcs
Hello, I obtained a couple of quotes to install solar panels recently and then trawled through as many threads as I could about recommended extras (like SolarEdge & iBoost) and a target price range of £1k per 1kWp. The reason SE & iBoost appeal is because one of the quotes assessed 18% shading based on the Google image of…
Replacement Inverter Query
Our 3 phase Samil Solarlake 7000 Inverter is dead - Code 079 Relay failure. Warranty is just about useless apparently as Samil has pulled out of the UK market. If you take it from the commissioning date, it lasted one day less than the installers guarantee of one year. Our installer has offered (at our cost - problem for…
Quotes and install questions
Hi all, Three potential locations on the property in Sheffield. * Main Roof (maybe 9 panels, 2.7kWp) SW Facing - PVGIS approx 2500kWh * Dormer Flat Roof (4 panels, 1.2kWp) - SW Facing (flat) - PVGIS approx 940kWh * Rear Extension (3 panels, 900kWp) - E Facing - PVGIS approx 770kWh (gets sun from sunrise, but has shade…
Project Solar quote - is it a good deal?
Hi, I have received the following quote from Project Solar, and was hoping someone could check over my quote and let me know if it is a good deal. The numbers seemed to add up over the years but wanted a second opinion. Core components 13 x Evolution Max Life solar panels Solax Single Tracker inverter Voltage optimiser K2…
iBoost+ Buddy,, Worth it?
Had my PV install last week, have the iBoost+ but fed up with going to airing cupboard and also outside to look at dials. Kid with new toy etc lol Is there a device like the buddy that will measure import export via clamping, there are so many "smart" meters out there in gets a bit confusing
baseline reading?
I've been away for a week and thought I'd check and thought it was a good opportunity to check my baseline usage. So I've worked out I've been using .048 Kwh per hour (8.4Kwh over the 174 hours I've been away). How does this compare with other peoples usage? (3 bed house with a fridge/freezer, router and a TV on standby -…
Recycling marmite and Nutella jars
I clean out mayonnaise etc jars for recycling, do you also need to clean out marmite jars and nutella? Marmite is difficult to ewt completetly clean.

★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

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.

View All

Green & ethical MoneySaving

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free

Green & ethical MoneySaving

Discussion List

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free