Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

Mcfi5dhc

martint123 wrote: »

Though a government can renegue on a deal if it feels like it.
http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews.aspx?xmlpath=RSSFeed/HeadlineNews/ElectricPower/8823245.xml

I half agree, half disagree

Half agree - I was expecting the Tory pledge to reward early adopters of renewable energy equal FITs to new adopters to be mentioned in the budget, but this was absent

But equally, the government won't be paying any FITs over the next 25 years - it forces the energy comnpanies to pay them, so there is no point for them to slash them. Other than the grants (which they have slashed already), there is nothing left to cut.

Edit - posted at the same time as Sarah, but same message

Pedagog

I applied to this company a while back, we are in West Yorkshire just overr the border with South Yorkshire and have a large south facing roof, but have not heard anything back from them. Is there any reason Sarah why I have not heard from your company.

SarahLucyD

Pedagog - we try to respond within 7-10 working days from the date of application. We are fitting within 1hrs drive of Jct 36 of the M1 in the counties listed. I must say, however, that we do have a huge backlog at the moment due to the sheer weight of applications that came in after the Working Lunch broadcast and we are expecting another huge wave next week as we are to be featured on Look North.

Why don't you send your details to [EMAIL="enquiries@ashadegreener.co.uk"]enquiries@ashadegreener.co.uk[/EMAIL]
and I will personally check your application for you.

Sarah - ASG

Pedagog

SarahLucyD wrote: »

Pedagog - we try to respond within 7-10 working days from the date of application. We are fitting within 1hrs drive of Jct 36 of the M1 in the counties listed. I must say, however, that we do have a huge backlog at the moment due to the sheer weight of applications that came in after the Working Lunch broadcast and we are expecting another huge wave next week as we are to be featured on Look North.

Why don't you send your details to [EMAIL="enquiries@ashadegreener.co.uk"]enquiries@ashadegreener.co.uk[/EMAIL]
and I will personally check your application for you.

Sarah - ASG

Thank You Sarah,

Oh I am definatly within an hours drive of Tankersley, I will email you.

caramacgirl

I applied on my Mums behalf and she had a phonecall about a week later to arrange an appointment.

On Wednesday a surveyor called and took measurements of the roof and checked the loft. He answered all our questions and explained that a structural engineer would have to look at his results and then we would be told if my Mums house was suitable.

So fingers crossed and thanks to OP. :beer:

Cardew

geordie_joe wrote: »

I think it's a bit more complicated than that. I checked a few suppliers and the ones that have electricity at 7p per unit have a large annual standing charge, £80 - £150.

Paying 12 or 13p per unit usually has a much smaller, or no standing charge.

So yes, xraydave could get electricity at 7p per unit, so that is how much you should use to calculate the savings. But you have to add in the fact that you can't get it at that price without paying £80 - £150 per year standing charge.

Every company(except EBICO) has a 'standing charge'.(Ebico's electricity prices are extremely high) As I explained in my post that can either be a 'Daily Standing Charge' of X pence per day, or on the Tier1/Tier2(sometimes called primary/ secondary) system. You pay a higher rate for a number of Tier1 or Primary units each year - normally 900 or 500.

In virtually every case the additional charge for the Tier1 units is about the same as the Daily standing charge and as you say could be £80 to £150 a year.

As the vast majority of people 'use up' their Tier1 units each year, they are paying that 'standing charge' regardless of any free electricity. So using the Tier2 unit price is the only basis on which to calculate savings - and that can be obtained at around 7p/kWh.

Cardew

SarahLucyD wrote: »

Cardew - I know you consider the annual savings paltry but you are looking at it from your personal angle and perhaps your personal circumstances mean that such savings don't mean much to you, I won't say 'lucky you' because it is likely nothing to do with luck, more down to very hard work. However, for some people, especially in these northern parts, a saving is a very welcome saving and as electricity prices escalate the savings will be more. I know you will most definitely correct me if I am wrong but I'm sure I heard on Radio 4 a month or so ago that Ofgem said that electricity prices may increase by as much as 60% over the next ten years. I know of families in these parts who don't even have £10 spare at the end of the week, so any saving would be very welcome to them as it would add to their disposable income. Further, you will not be surprised to hear that the largest percent of our installations are actually on pensioners' properties (bungalows have large roof areas). We have also installed onto many homes of young families where the mother is at home all day. These households benefit enormously from solar PV, and the savings are extremely welcome - I know because I get emails from them. You have also pointed out on numerous occasions that 25 years is a huge committment. But what are they committing to? Free electricity! Mortgage companies consider that it enhances their security, otherwise they wouldn't agree to it.

Sarah D - A Shade Greener

Sarah,

I have not stated or implied that the savings are 'paltry'. What I stated was

If you look at electricity prices for Yorkshire(I used a Leeds post code) nearly all the major suppliers have electricity for around 7p/kWh on their internet tariffs Even BG standard rates are 9p/kWh before discounts.

So if the panels produce 3,000kWh pa and you use 40% to 50% in the house your savings are likely to be £85 to £135 a year(£7 to £11 a month).

Would you challenge those figures/assumptions?

I also stated in an earlier post that electricity prices will inevitable increase in the years ahead. The 60% increase of which you speak was Ofgem's worse case scenario(by 2016!) but most of their report gives forecasts of 14% to 25% above inflation by 2020.

There is a certain irony that some of this forecast increase can be attributed to the 'Green Levy'(FITs etc) which is payable to firms like A Shade Greener to give you a profit. That is NOT a criticism - merely an observation!!!

As said repeatedly, I have no criticism of your company at all and you have been remarkably up-front with the information you have given.

My contribution to this aspect of the debate is to counter the exagerated claims(not by your firm) of potential savings.

Also to point out that a 25 year agreement with yourself will prevent someone installing their own Solar PV system and pocketing the major financial subsidies - FITs - should solar panels and installation costs for domestic customers reduce to more reasonable levels; and we are not held to ransom by an MCS cartel.

SarahLucyD

Cardew - a very fair and balanced post, as usual. I particularly agree with your comments too about the MCS cartel. It is keeping the price of panels ridiculously high and will continue to do so.

Regards - Sarah ASG

Fliss_M

A question for Sarah (I have emailed the company but with a 7-10 day lead time I thought this may be quicker) What is the minimum roof size? We have a terrace new build and the house to the right (west) has a slight elevation on us (about a foot taller their roof is but that is a vague estimate) Also there are rules about new builds with 5 years etc, would that effect installation? Were in North Notts so think we fall into your remit, thanks

SarahLucyD

FlissM - email response time here is actually around 24hrs, application responses now around 28 days. Email me and I'll respond within same day.

Sarah - ASG