Solar Power - always a scam??

nearlynew

Cardew wrote: »

If your electricity supply is disrupted how will the solar Hot water(pump, electronics) operate?

In any case I doubt if my power has been disrupted by more than a couple of hours a year on average.

You don't pretend you buy a new car or kitchen to save money. However the sole financial reason for installing solar IS to save money, so it is hardly a reasonable analogy.

To start with, a solar powered pump could be used to pump water.

Secondly, you have assumed that everyone's motivation is to save money. I am saying that this is not necassarily the case.

nearlynew

Mojisola wrote: »

I understood that the systems automatically shut off if the grid goes down for safety reasons.

Not if you have an off-grid system.

Cardew

nearlynew wrote: »

To start with, a solar powered pump could be used to pump water.

Secondly, you have assumed that everyone's motivation is to save money. I am saying that this is not necassarily the case.

This is a money saving website and I am simply pointing out that solar power and particularly solar hot water does not save money.

If you feel that solar energy helps the environment, then that of course is your choice.

If you want to spend £thousands on the off chance that you will be without power for long periods - again your choice. Although you can buy good portable generators very cheaply and they work at night!!!

However the systems are sold to the vast majority on claims that they save money - and they don't!

BFG_2

Cardew wrote: »

However the systems are sold to the vast majority on claims that they save money - and they don't!

Correct.

The green issues are totally separate - self same people who have gone solar also think it's green to sell their diesel 4x4 and buy a Prius [and it's not greener at all]

From a MONEYSAVING POV ...the solar systems don't add up.



If you've got £5k to waste on solar just coz it's a bit greener, the best thing would be to give the £5k to a charity - that way it would do more good.

nearlynew

Cardew wrote: »

If you feel that solar energy helps the environment, then that of course is your choice.

I did not mention the environment once in my last 3 posts

Cardew

nearlynew wrote: »

I did not mention the environment once in my last 3 posts

So let us be quite clear why you advocate getting solar if it is not for financial savings or environmental issues.

Are you seriously suggesting that it makes sense to have a solar HW system and a solar electric system for those times when you are without power?

As they don't work at night, I suppose you will then have a bank of batteries to store the power generated?

How many thousands of pounds would such systems cost? and how long each year are you without power on average?

Wouldn't it make sense to buy a portable generator - you can buy one that is capable of an output of over 2kW for £140; and as said earlier they work at night.

BFG_2

Why go solar...possible reasons [and my take]

1. To save money - wrong, the figures don't add up

2. In case of power cuts - don't work at night, and cost

3. To be 'green-er' - not sensible, much better ways available

4. In case the world economy and infrastructure collapses and we are reduced to a doomsaday scenario and world devastation - err, we might have other stuff to worry about other than a trickle of electricity

5. Solely for politicians - PR [always amazes me how GB and DC get solar put in and no sensible journo asks them 'How can you be so effing moronic as to waste your money on systems that are not economically sensible?']

6. To ease your moral conscience - and to thereby allow you to still drive the big Porsche Cayenne Turbo without feeling guilty

7. To be different [and more importantly to be seen tio be different and caring] - err, there are possibly more sensible thing to do?

Feel free to add [and when we get a good one the firms can all start using it for ads!!!!!]

nearlynew

Cardew wrote: »

So let us be quite clear why you advocate getting solar if it is not for financial savings or environmental issues.

Are you seriously suggesting that it makes sense to have a solar HW system and a solar electric system for those times when you are without power?

As they don't work at night, I suppose you will then have a bank of batteries to store the power generated?

How many thousands of pounds would such systems cost? and how long each year are you without power on average?

Wouldn't it make sense to buy a portable generator - you can buy one that is capable of an output of over 2kW for £140; and as said earlier they work at night.

Firstly, I have not advocated anything.

Secondly, you have only considered power cuts. What about disruptions to gas or oil supplies (or whatever you use to heat water.

You might think of yourself as the resident expert around here, but it might help if you read posts properly before you dish out your "expert advice"

Cardew

nearlynew wrote: »

Firstly, I have not advocated anything.

Secondly, you have only considered power cuts. What about disruptions to gas or oil supplies (or whatever you use to heat water.

You might think of yourself as the resident expert around here, but it might help if you read posts properly before you dish out your "expert advice"

Getting a little tetchy are we not?

To repeat myself. This is a money saving website and the thread is about solar from a money saving aspect. Indeed your first post made the analogy of payback time for car or new kitchen.

If you feel that security of supply to heat water etc justifies spending £thousands on solar, so be it, I suggest it is not an 'insurance policy' many people will take up.

BFG_2

Ok people, put your handbags down, and step away from the keyboards....lol