Solar pv price for installation

Gizmosmum_2

keith_r59 wrote: »

The only risk with local installers is that they may go out of business once the solar pv boom is over so there won't be a door to knock on if anything goes wrong within the installation guarantee.

The likes of Tescos, M&S and E.on will be around long after these small firms have disappeared.

Good job Woolies weren't installing solar panels then .... it can happen to anyone and according to the Energy Saving Trust it's plug and play technology so once it's on your roof in theory and I stress "in theory" you shouldn't need a door to knock on.

The key to getting the job right in the first place is not to speak to the sales person who has to hit their quota but to the sparky who is going to deisgn and install the system. This will only happen with a small firm. They are more likely to spend a couple of hours looking at different panel and inverter options than a big company with one panel and one inverter.

zeupater

Gizmosmum wrote: »

Doh - got them the wrong way round :rotfl:don't forget that there's other inverter software too though and any decent installer worth their weight will be providing PVSOL information in addition to the SAP ratings.

Hi

And there's me thinking that there was some sort of commercial interest in pushing Schott and/or Suntech panels .... :D

I tried most decent manufacturer's software when I was looking at a system and at the time found that the SMA gave the most comprehensive information regarding output. I've just re-checked the Fronius package I have and it doesn't predict production, just confirms inverter/panel compatibility .....

Z

Cardew

smcvicar wrote: »

Is anyone familiar with this company:

First Solar Energy Solutions

Quote that was given was for 8 panels (don't have the details to hand) and was £12,500. They said they had an insurance policy in place in case they went under in the 10 years from the installation, but assuming they were still trading etc, all costs would be covered for 25 years..

Other comments were:

Cost would be recovered within 5 years (First year roughly £2,000 back)
Every 5-7 years the parts that needed replaced (convertor) would be replaced no cost to customer.
Product lasts for around 25 years.

Anyone have any thoughts or advice?

Many Thanks
SM

Welcome to the forum.

I am surprised that none of the real experts haven't answered.

However we really need more details to make specific comments i.e. Size of system e.g. 2kWp, where you live? predicted output? Roof orientation

If there really are only going to be eight panels, that would indicate that 'your' system will be under 2kWp and depending where you live that will on average produce about 1,700kWh.

That will give you an annual income of approx £760. You also will save on your electricity bill which on average will save you £70 pa.

I note from their website they post this:

RETURN ON INVESTMENT

The current Feed In Tariff pay you 43.4p for every KWH that you solar system produces.

Current Average energy usage is the UK is 3500Kw per Year.

Example: If your home generated the average 3500Kw x 43.3p = £1515 Paid to YOU

You will also be paid a furthur(sic) 3.1p in addition to your 43.3p for every unit exported back to the national grid
Example: 1000kw exported x 3.1p = £31

Total: £1515 PLUS £31 = £1546 PER ANNUM TAX FREE
+ Savings on your electric = £420 Approx

£49,150 TAX FREE

Frankly that is a disgrace!
For a start they are saying you will use all your generated electricity which will save you £420pa. The average as I stated above is £70pa

They say the current annual energy use in the UK is 3,500kWh; but that has no relevance to a PV system generation.

To get 3,500kWh from your panels you would need a 4kWp system with at least 16 panels - you could get a little more in the South of UK.

So on the face of it, £12,500 for an 8 panel system is just a joke as is an annual income of £2,000 - even with a 4kWp 16 panel system.

A guarantee to replace the inverter for the life of the system depends on the firm being in business for 25 years and once the present frenzy to fit PV is over, many firms will move to pastures new.

For that guarantee to have any validity it would need the manufacturer to give the written 25 year guarantee or an insurance backed warranty with a recognised insurance company. and that should cover fitting.

Also to talk of paypack in 5 years is just fantasy.

From what you have stated, they should be avoided at all costs. However post more details please to see if you have mis-quoted.

keith_r59

Gizmosmum wrote: »

Good job Woolies weren't installing solar panels then .... it can happen to anyone and according to the Energy Saving Trust it's plug and play technology so once it's on your roof in theory and I stress "in theory" you shouldn't need a door to knock on.

The key to getting the job right in the first place is not to speak to the sales person who has to hit their quota but to the sparky who is going to deisgn and install the system. This will only happen with a small firm. They are more likely to spend a couple of hours looking at different panel and inverter options than a big company with one panel and one inverter.

I very much doubt that Tescos will go out of business but then what do I know.

I'll leave it up to the original poster to decide which is best for him/her - just pointing out the different risks associated with using a small local installer against a large national one.