Free solar panel discussion

jackieinedlesborough

I'm not too sure that this is the right thread to post my query, but I can't find a better one!

We've had solar water heating for the past 4 years and that has worked very well. I was very pleased with the supplier - they were very professional and efficient, and were a pleasure to deal with.

We're now looking to also have Solar PV installed and have received the following quotes from the provider of our current water heating system. I'd be interested in getting your opinions on whether or not you think these are fair. I have been trying to get quotes from other companies, but that seems to have been a bit like pulling hen's teeth......so I still don't have any others for comparision yet.

Our supplier quoted for 2 different installations:

Installation No 1 - £15435 incl VAT @ 5% (£14,200 pre-vat)

A 2.52kWp PV system, with expected annual output of 2,016kWh annually, comprising:

• 12 Sungrid SG-210M6 PV modules - (18 m2 footprint)
• Roof Fixing Kit
• Power invertors (Sunnyboy) & isolators
• Display meter
• Cable & electrical connections
• Labour, access and delivery
• Manufacturer's guarantee on the PV modules (10 year product warranty; 12 year performance warranty)
• 24 month guarantee on all parts & labour
• Ofgem approved generation meter

Installation No 2 - £17167.50 incl VAT @ 5% (£16,350 pre-vat)

A 2.94kWp PV system, with expected annual output of 2,352kWh annually, comprising:

• 14 Sungrid SG-210M6 PV modules - (21 m2 footprint)
• Roof Fixing Kit
• Power invertors (Sunnyboy) & isolators
• Display meter
• Cable & electrical connections
• Labour, access and delivery
• Manufacturer's guarantee on the PV modules (10 year product warranty; 12 year performance warranty)
• 24 month guarantee on all parts & labour
• Ofgem approved generation meter

Neither quote includes a remote monitor to display what is being generated/used at any given point in time, but I have asked for this to be included. I will push to get this FoC, but would be interested in getting your opinions on what a realistic cost for this add-on would be should I have to pay.

Thanks in advance for any feedback

Jenmaljal

I have applied to Homesun for free solar panels. I have a bungalow that faces due south and has masses of roof space with no trees or building shading the roof. However Homesun require 30 sq metres of roof space facing due south - having worked this out I reckon this must be the size of a factory, manor house, school or in any case a very large building, not your normal house owner. So no free solar panels!

energysavingexp

Jenmaljal wrote: »

I have applied to Homesun for free solar panels. I have a bungalow that faces due south and has masses of roof space with no trees or building shading the roof. However Homesun require 30 sq metres of roof space facing due south - having worked this out I reckon this must be the size of a factory, manor house, school or in any case a very large building, not your normal house owner. So no free solar panels!

no for 30 sq mtr

your roof needs to be about 20ft high by 15ft long aprox

mine is 20 ft high by 45 ft long

energysavingexp

jackieinedlesborough wrote: »

I'm not too sure that this is the right thread to post my query, but I can't find a better one!

We've had solar water heating for the past 4 years and that has worked very well. I was very pleased with the supplier - they were very professional and efficient, and were a pleasure to deal with.

We're now looking to also have Solar PV installed and have received the following quotes from the provider of our current water heating system. I'd be interested in getting your opinions on whether or not you think these are fair. I have been trying to get quotes from other companies, but that seems to have been a bit like pulling hen's teeth......so I still don't have any others for comparision yet.

Our supplier quoted for 2 different installations:



Installation No 1 - £15435 incl VAT @ 5% (£14,200 pre-vat)


A 2.52kWp PV system, with expected annual output of 2,016kWh annually, comprising:

• 12 Sungrid SG-210M6 PV modules - (18 m2 footprint)
• Roof Fixing Kit
• Power invertors (Sunnyboy) & isolators
• Display meter
• Cable & electrical connections
• Labour, access and delivery
• Manufacturer's guarantee on the PV modules (10 year product warranty; 12 year performance warranty)
• 24 month guarantee on all parts & labour
• Ofgem approved generation meter

Installation No 2 - £17167.50 incl VAT @ 5% (£16,350 pre-vat)


A 2.94kWp PV system, with expected annual output of 2,352kWh annually, comprising:

• 14 Sungrid SG-210M6 PV modules - (21 m2 footprint)
• Roof Fixing Kit
• Power invertors (Sunnyboy) & isolators
• Display meter
• Cable & electrical connections
• Labour, access and delivery
• Manufacturer's guarantee on the PV modules (10 year product warranty; 12 year performance warranty)
• 24 month guarantee on all parts & labour
• Ofgem approved generation meter

Neither quote includes a remote monitor to display what is being generated/used at any given point in time, but I have asked for this to be included. I will push to get this FoC, but would be interested in getting your opinions on what a realistic cost for this add-on would be should I have to pay.

Thanks in advance for any feedback

sounds expensive to me.
myenergystation quoted me £18000- £19000 for a 4.5kw system fitted 24 panels.
if i was you a would get a few more quotes.
i am glad your hot water panels are working well

Cardew

jackieinedlesborough wrote: »

I'm not too sure that this is the right thread to post my query, but I can't find a better one!

We've had solar water heating for the past 4 years and that has worked very well. I was very pleased with the supplier - they were very professional and efficient, and were a pleasure to deal with.

We're now looking to also have Solar PV installed and have received the following quotes from the provider of our current water heating system. I'd be interested in getting your opinions on whether or not you think these are fair. I have been trying to get quotes from other companies, but that seems to have been a bit like pulling hen's teeth......so I still don't have any others for comparision yet.

Our supplier quoted for 2 different installations:

Installation No 1 - £15435 incl VAT @ 5% (£14,200 pre-vat)


A 2.52kWp PV system, with expected annual output of 2,016kWh annually, comprising:

• 12 Sungrid SG-210M6 PV modules - (18 m2 footprint)
• Roof Fixing Kit
• Power invertors (Sunnyboy) & isolators
• Display meter
• Cable & electrical connections
• Labour, access and delivery
• Manufacturer's guarantee on the PV modules (10 year product warranty; 12 year performance warranty)
• 24 month guarantee on all parts & labour
• Ofgem approved generation meter

Installation No 2 - £17167.50 incl VAT @ 5% (£16,350 pre-vat)


A 2.94kWp PV system, with expected annual output of 2,352kWh annually, comprising:

• 14 Sungrid SG-210M6 PV modules - (21 m2 footprint)
• Roof Fixing Kit
• Power invertors (Sunnyboy) & isolators
• Display meter
• Cable & electrical connections
• Labour, access and delivery
• Manufacturer's guarantee on the PV modules (10 year product warranty; 12 year performance warranty)
• 24 month guarantee on all parts & labour
• Ofgem approved generation meter

Neither quote includes a remote monitor to display what is being generated/used at any given point in time, but I have asked for this to be included. I will push to get this FoC, but would be interested in getting your opinions on what a realistic cost for this add-on would be should I have to pay.

Thanks in advance for any feedback

Those quotes seem very expensive. In the 'green' forum are lots of installation costs from people.

Your size as low as £11000 I believe. a 4kWp for £15,000

Also insurance backed 5 or 10 year warranty for system

Try Tesco for a standard quote

Cardew

jackieblack wrote: »

Hi

So, just checking that my basic understanding is not totally based on mis-information.........
Am I right in thinking that if electricity usage for any period is greater than the amount being generated by the panels during the same period we'll just be paying for the difference?
eg, panels generating 2kw, usage 3kw, we'll be paying for the 1kw over? (sorry if that is a stupid question )

Yes essentially that is the situation.

I wouldn't get too hung up about maximising use of the generated electricity in your house. The real money is from the FITs and the other is a bonus.

As said before, the general principle is to try to use appliances around noon where possible - but on a dull overcast day you will have very low generated output even at noon. You will never be able to 'match' your usage to generated output.

P.S.
Will your washing machine not work with a timer on the socket?

jackieblack

Cardew wrote: »

Try Tesco for a standard quote

Don't take the prices on Tesco's website as accurate though, when I eventually got my written quote from them there were quite alot of extras added on - can't remember all the details now as it was a little while ago, but I seem to remember scaffolding costs was one of several things which altogether added several hundred pounds to the website price.

jackieblack

Cardew wrote: »

Yes essentially that is the situation.

I wouldn't get too hung up about maximising use of the generated electricity in your house. The real money is from the FITs and the other is a bonus.

Thanks, yes I realise that (it all being very new to me, maybe I'm just getting a bit over excited ), but 'every little helps' (to coin a phrase ) and there doesn't seem to be much point in using appliances in the evening when, with a little bit of organisation on my part, I could be making use of any available 'free' electricity during the day.

Cardew wrote: »

Will your washing machine not work with a timer on the socket?

It's a good idea, but my washing machine has to be plugged in by running an extension lead from the back porch (where the machine is), through an open kitchen window to a socket in my kitchen (this was a temporary arrangement, ten years ago! ) so I only have it on while I'm at home anyway.

Doc_N

Cardew wrote: »

Those quotes seem very expensive. In the 'green' forum are lots of installation costs from people.

Your size as low as £11000 I believe. a 4kWp for £15,000

Also insurance backed 5 or 10 year warranty for system

Try Tesco for a standard quote

Certainly get a quote from Tesco. They were by far the cheapest for my 3.96kWp system, and they did an excellent job fitting it.

barneygumble

It's worth noting that ASG have started fitting a smaller system for smaller roofs which produces the same power.