grants for solar energy

oap

Are there grants available for solar energy panels, especially for over 70's, and is it possible to heat more than just hot water, ie going into the system like wind turbines, thanks if anyone knows, regards oap

*MF*

Information here which may help:

http://www.uk-energy-saving.com/government_solar_power_grants.html

I don't have any personal experience on the pro's and con's - hopefully another member has and can comment.

Pippilongstocking

Try the EST - there are 30% grants for renewable installations at home upto project cos of £4k IF you live in Scotland, dunno about other countries as I work in Scotland, let me know if you want any more info.....goodluck!!!!

EST = Energy saving trust

alanjo3

The Government fund the Energy Saving Trust to provide free and impartial advice on all aspects of Renewable Energy, including Solar Hot Water heating advice and also Photovoltaics (electricity generated from solar panels).

You can contact their network of free, impartial advice centres on 0800 512 012 where the local centre should be able to tell you what is available in your area.

The Energy Saving Trust website is : www.energysavingtrust.org.uk and there's a section generate your own energy which has lots of useful information and links to approved grants including the Governments www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

I'd recommend going down this route as there are a lot of organisations out there that are taking advantage of the lack of knowledge in the market place, charging over the odds and fitting systems that aren't suitable.

Hope this helps

oap

Thank you so much that is all excellent information and will have a look into it, wel ive in North Wales, have written by e mail to our MP and Assembly member a fortnight ago had no reply as yet!!!!!

Will have a good look at your links, although we are on a low company pension, and old age pension we are the ones ont he borderline, so get nothing, as we have limited savings but just above the poverty line!!

Will hopefully find something that can benefit a 72 year old and a 77 year old, you never know!! Cheers, oap

penrhyn

If you are considering solar water heating as a way of saving money forget it.
The payback period for most commercially fitted systems is measured in decades.
Grants of up to £300 are available in England only when other criteria are met, such as a minimum standard of roof insulation, low energy bulbs in all fittings etc.
I guess Wales has different rules.

O yes and beware of Solar cowboys.

Cardew

In Money Saving Terms all solar and wind systems for domestic applications are a complete waste of money!!

The savings are measured in £tens each year.

Remember that every £1000 [STRIKE]wasted[/STRIKE] invested in these systems costs you £60+ in lost interest - more if you borrow.

Bongedone

There are no 100% grants available in England and Wales for solar. Scotland has its own grant fund and rules which I don't know the ins and outs of.

The Low Carbon Buildings program controls the fund for domestic renewables: -
http://www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk/home/

They only offer partial grants though and you would need to fund that yourself.

If you require insulation then you sound as if you would be eligible for free. You would be required to insulate to the best levels before you would get an renewable grant anyway. The EST mentioned above is the place to start for that.

oap

Thank you very very much everyone for the input, we really appreciate this, we have excellent insulation in lofts, ( three as we are a dormer bungalow) and cavity wall insulation which we got free from the electricity company about three years ago, and every bulb is low energy, so cannot do much more on that score, plus double glazing and exterior doors. Will plod on then, and read all about it, and then think very carefully, we cannot part with too much capital, albeit not much left now, but need it for oil etc, and electricity, if it goes up like it is doing as our pensions do not keep up with inflation.

Thanks again, regards oap:T

Ken68

My experience OAP, is that the accredited firms doing or providing the insulation just overcharge, and one trader told me it was to cover registration costs from the EST.
So, do DIY now, latest project is exterior window insulation made from 50mm polystyrene. Couldn't do a full energy audit last winter because ran out of cold weather, but in 3 months paid for itself.

Pippilongstocking

Just a thought
if your using oil have you thought about biomass/wood burning stove/boiler?

The payback for them is alot quicker, especially at the moment with oil being the price it is - they reckon (those technical folk) that any oil boiler can be replaced with a biomass one - with wood pellets at £44 a tonne - and wood at similar prices its potentially a large saving - the new stoves are very efficient and those who know reckon upto 95% efficient - average household of 2 b/rooms the guy quoted a tonne lasting about 100 days.

Whilst even if this figure is a bit understated for usage, its a huge saving compared to oil - although I guess it depends how much you use.