Free solar panel discussion

Underscore

I can't post links i don't think. energysavinggroup. not guaranteed - i just have the form filled in - could well change when they come to install it - not that i am going to have them handle it now anyway!

beedydad

I visited the Energy solutions Exhibition at London Olympia last week.

Had some good discussions including issues over FIT and potential for RHI from next year.

One senior person whom had talks with the Govt at the party conference season, was pretty sure that speaking with senior Govt officials was that even FIT's and renewable propositions would be under review with the deadline of the 20th cutbacks!

Intimated that people should not be suprised that changes are made ahead of April 2012 and nothing is cast in stone!!

Regards

Underscore

Thanks very much for that feedback.

So getting a system installed ASAP would be advisable then on that basis?

zeupater

Underscore wrote: »

Thanks very much for that feedback.

So getting a system installed ASAP would be advisable then on that basis?

'Possibly' ......... but I'd expect a salesman would say 'definately' ...... but then, I'd also expect a 10% price reduction soon/early next year if you're thinking of buying.

On the inverter front, industry insiders say they should last around 10-12(ish) years on average ..... cost of replacement inverters depends on what you ask the (same) salesman .....

Why's the price more than the competition? ... results in 'well we use better quality kit, there's the panels, they're about £x each, the inverter alone costs us £2200, I can show you the price list if you want, then there's VAT and fitting' ....
.......
What's the cost of replacing the inverter when it fails? ... results in 'It's hard to say about future prices, but on current costs about £1400-£1500 fitted' .....

(And they wonder why there's a lot of mistrust at the moment !!)

If you can lay your hands on the cash without having to resort to finance I reckon that would be the better option .... If prices for houses with solar pv are deflated it'll probably be the ones with a 'rent-a-roof' system which will suffer most, so if you're looking at moving within 10 years and have a roof which can take a 5.6kWp system, chances are that £15k represents a very small percentage reduction against the asking price which a potential buyer will negotiate on against a 'rent-a-roof' incumbered property, or simply walk away ......

HTH

Underscore

Thanks for that. It seems then that the rent a roof option is not my best, and that waiting might be preferable to stumping up.

Cheers

zeupater

Underscore wrote: »

Thanks for that. It seems then that the rent a roof option is not my best, and that waiting might be preferable to stumping up.

Cheers

Probably better to look around, get your surveys done and then either sit on the quotation for the anticipated reduction, or be proactive and negotiate a price reduction now ....... there's plenty of margin for the installers to play with, whatever they tell you :D

Good Luck .... let us know how it goes .....

Underscore

Thank you - will do

sir_bhp

not wishing to winge , but for the sake of £120 saving why would I want the bother of solar panels ?? I could start unplugging my TV's and DVD's at the socket use half or less a kettle of water and soon save more than this . I have full insulation , cant have CWI my boiler is a relatively new condensation one. Plus my house is not dead north to south facing as they seem to require.

I am playing devils advocate a bit because I rather fancy the free solar panels but the saving seems so little compared to things like the new double glazing etc . I just need a bit of convincing please.:o

Doc_N

sir_bhp wrote: »

I am playing devils advocate a bit because I rather fancy the free solar panels but the saving seems so little compared to things like the new double glazing etc . I just need a bit of convincing please.:o

See above - you'll find all the answers there.

furndire

Underscore wrote: »

The more hunting I am doing, the more I think I should cancel this and pay for it myself. Been told I can expect £1400 a year in FiTs for buying a 15k tesco system. And that's without daylight electricity benefits. Even if I won't be here in 10 years time, I think one locked into the highest FiT scheme (if I am correct there?) would be a major selling point and possibly save haggling over 5000/10000 etc.

That was the conclusion I came to a few months ago - (we were accepted by ASG) - bit the bullet, and had a 3.96 system fitted 28th June. I just got a cheque in bank for a few pence under £500 for first 3 months. So I am very pleased, plus I have saved some on electric used, as we are at home all day, and can manage washer dishwasher etc when the sun shines. So at the moment I am highly delighted. I am away at the moment, but my daughter who is at home says that the system is producing from 1 to 20 kw per day - our roof was a steeper pitch that the optimum, but because of this we are hoping we may gain on the lower angle of the winter sun.