Solar Power Sales Tactics

feesh

Al_Mac wrote:

Mrs Mac read that most people would be better off improving current insulation and turning down the heating a little.

Hear hear, there's absolutely no point whatsoever in looking at domestic renewables until your house is absolutely as energy efficient as it can be.

I went on a course about this a few years ago, the biggest chunk was saved through insulating the roof and then the walls. These knocked a sizeable chunk off CO2 emissions, then further gains could be had from double/triple glazing, and then draft excluding, but further steps after this only made very small dents in a house's CO2 emissions/energy efficiency. So go for the 'big'win' stuff first.

Volcano

Why is that when you're in a green industry, it suddenly becomes offensive to people if you make money? (I'm in the wind industry and we get the same allegations thrown against us).

You can't argue with how much money these companies are making. All companies, whatever they sell, are there to make as much money as possible - the market dictates how much they make in the end though.

Actually my point isn't whether or how much money the companies make, it is that their desire for profit affects the calculations in how quickly these methods repay the initial investment. Thus they get 'creative' on how much power is saved/produced by these systems so the pay back time appears quicker.

I'm just concerned that when consumers are left disappointed by the results, it is 'green energy' that suffers from the negative publicity.

chris73

I watched the RT program last night, as I have a keen interest in alternative fuels (at least when I can find them which is the REAL challenge).

I was disappointed to find out the real cost savings, are at best £150 a year from your gas bill for a £4000 outlay.

What it boils (pardon the pun) down to, is that in the UK Solar Energy is not likely to ever replace conventional fossil fuel use, neither is it likely to ever be a cost effective part alternative, so lets put on a new record.

To Quote the closing words of the Rogue Traders program.

"The only real saving of solar energy is only likely to be to your conscience!"

I'm just concerned that when consumers are left disappointed by the results, it is 'green energy' that suffers from the negative publicity

Sorry, but you are wrong.

Speaking as a consumer currently researching the (VERY LIMITED) options, I am left disappointed with Green Fuels because of

(a) Its lack of AVAILABILTY
(b) Its lack of VIABILITY
(c) No interest from the Government at addressing either of the above.

feesh

Solar panels and solar hot water will come down in price. We are still in a market where it is only a handful of small companies making the kits. (Along with those flipping cowboys featured on RT last night).

You could always make your own kit and save loads of wonga!!!(https://www.lili.org.uk)

The government do have some mechanisms in place to promote different fuels - the Energy Savings Trust and the Carbon Trust (soon to be merged I think?) are doing a grand job but they're not very well funded. Its always worth calling your local Energy Savings Trust EEAC (Energy Efficiency Advice Centre) as they have loads of info on local grants and they love hearing from enthusiastic people! https://www.est.org.uk

I used to work for a local authority and I know there is a lot of funding which goes unclaimed, that's one of the reasons why ClearSkies funding was effectively cut last year.

In the Thames Valley, there is a renewable energy agency called TV Energy (https://www.tvenergy.org) who bend over backwards to help householders switch to alternative fuels. There are similar energy agencies all over the UK - find the list at http://www.managenergy.net/emap/uk.htm

Don't try and do this on your own - take the help, its a minefield out there as last night's programme proved. Also it is better to have these agencies help you claim your own government grant directly, rather than just rely on the solar hot water companies to do it for you and 'take it off your bill' as you might not be getting a real discount.

Good luck Chris, don't give up yet!

Volcano

Speaking as a consumer currently researching the (VERY LIMITED) options, I am left disappointed with Green Fuels because of

(a) Its lack of AVAILABILTY
(b) Its lack of VIABILITY
(c) No interest from the Government at addressing either of the above.

That is exactly what I am talking about.

chris73

Just out of interest in regard to the DIY aspect.

In the days of new regulations regarding local area authority / building notifications, wouldn't installing such a system yourself require notification and an inspection similar to the way in which changes in the Electrical wiring has to.

Assuming the systems connects to an existing Hot Water system, if this was gas fired, would it require installation by a Corgi registered engineer?.

Cardew

feesh wrote:

Solar panels and solar hot water will come down in price. We are still in a market where it is only a handful of small companies making the kits. (Along with those flipping cowboys featured on RT last night).

You could always make your own kit and save loads of wonga!!!(https://www.lili.org.uk)

The government do have some mechanisms in place to promote different fuels - the Energy Savings Trust and the Carbon Trust (soon to be merged I think?) are doing a grand job but they're not very well funded. Its always worth calling your local Energy Savings Trust EEAC (Energy Efficiency Advice Centre) as they have loads of info on local grants and they love hearing from enthusiastic people! https://www.est.org.uk

I used to work for a local authority and I know there is a lot of funding which goes unclaimed, that's one of the reasons why ClearSkies funding was effectively cut last year.

In the Thames Valley, there is a renewable energy agency called TV Energy (https://www.tvenergy.org) who bend over backwards to help householders switch to alternative fuels. There are similar energy agencies all over the UK - find the list at http://www.managenergy.net/emap/uk.htm

Don't try and do this on your own - take the help, its a minefield out there as last night's programme proved. Also it is better to have these agencies help you claim your own government grant directly, rather than just rely on the solar hot water companies to do it for you and 'take it off your bill' as you might not be getting a real discount.

Good luck Chris, don't give up yet!

The Energy Saving Trust(EST) is government supported and a very good source of information. However it is concerned with far more than Alternative Energy.

The EST is forever quoted by firms in the the Alternative Energy industry, with its logo on their adverts etc, as it implies that they are approved by the EST - which they are not. The EST also makes no claims about the financial viability of Alternative energy either.

Also whilst I accept that solar panel DIY is possible, it is a daunting task for most of us and certainly is not a job I would like to tackle. Fixing large solar panels to a roof can be a dangerous task and can cause considerable damage unless you know what you are doing.

The grants that were available from the Government did not have a significant effect on the economics of alternative energy, and only served to reduce the loss.

In my opinion all adverts for alternative energy should carry a warning similar to that imposed on the tobacco industry;) :

Warning: Alternative Energy can seriously damage your Financial Health

feesh

Useful article for anyone interested: http://money.independent.co.uk/property/homes/article1363239.ece

speedyjoe

Cardew wrote:

Fixing large solar panels to a roof can be a dangerous task and can cause considerable damage unless you know what you are doing.

QUOTE]

So can many other things, driving a car for example can be lethal. I highly recommend that if you are a muppet you don't do anything ever.

tim_n

One of my friends has 16 radiators he pulled from an old school building being demolished. He painted them black, pumped some water through them and laid them on his garage roof. It goes into a hot water tank and pumped into the bath or shower when needed. Granted you rarely want hot baths in the summer but a hot shower in the evening is quite nice.

Total cost? About £10 for the paint as he ripped out most the copper piping too. But to be honest you won't get that now copper is sooooo expensive.