Free solar panel discussion

beedydad

Cardew wrote: »

The above ignores the fact that many of 'the poor' live in flats or houses with unsuitable roofs(wrong orientation/pitch, shaded etc)

Nothing is perfect! Many houses are in the wrong position - not just the "poor"!

I was thinking how is this scheme able to help a greater number of householders and not be aimed solely at rich/large properties. It is difficult to help all - just as the current/any govt. find it hard to find solutions for welfare benefits etc, without prejudicing some parts.

Flats - solution is to provide or be allowed to place, if possible, larger solar arrays on roofs of any blocks - maybe the owners of social housing can look at that - that means not just Councils but also Housing Associations.

Regards

Cardew

M4ximillion wrote: »

But i think youre missing the point about why some folk are defending these companies. In my case it is purely selfish, and Im not embarrassed saying that.

Nice post.

However as said earlier, there is no need to defend either the companies or yourself for taking advantage of a 'loophole';) and nobody has ever suggested that people should not take part on moral grounds.

These schemes are 'small beer' compared with other 'loopholes' for tax avoidance by the wealthy - Pop stars buying thousands of acres of forestry land in Scotland.

That doesn't stop some of us arguing against the principle of 'rent a roof' schemes. Or indeed stating that paying an FIT of 41.3p/kWh is about the most inefficient way to generate electricity imaginable.

Cardew

beedydad wrote: »

Flats - solution is to provide or be allowed to place, if possible, larger solar arrays on roofs of any blocks - maybe the owners of social housing can look at that - that means not just Councils but also Housing Associations.

Regards

However the large arrays get a lower rate of FIT, and who on a 30 storey block gets the FIT.

In any case they would need to make the roof a lot more secure than at present or the local yobs would be stealing the equipment.

K4blades

M4ximillion wrote: »

Youre obviously a very reasonable person and i think thats a really fair post and i think youre spot on. But i think youre missing the point about why some folk are defending these companies. In my case it is purely selfish, and Im not embarrassed saying that. I defend these companies simply because I want a free system, because i cant afford my own and this is my only chance. To be frank me and my hubby struggle every month to make ends meet. I have two jobs - my own little business where i earn a bit of extra money ironing and a full time job as well. My hubby works ong hours but we still struggle. Its our own fault, we over stretched ourselves with the mortgage but it was a case of the bank letting us at the time. I think a lot of people on this forum have the luxury of not having to worry about money and I AM NOT KNOCKING THEM thats life - I dont resent anyone who earns lots of money, they pay their taxes and are good for the economy, but I think it also means they can take a moral stance much easier and be more objective (think thats the word!). I messed around at school, i didnt get many qualifications, I'll never have a really high paying job and a lot of people round me are in the same boat as we are and always will be. Im trying to save money wehrever I can because every bit helps, believe me and to be very very honest im looking after number one and couldnt give a monkeys whether these companies make money or not and if the governtment reduces the money that these companies claim, again I really couldnt give a damn - as long as they do it after ive got my free system:o

Hey M4xmillion, good luck with what you are doing, you and I have the same sort of background and I'm full of admiration for those who work so hard to make their lives a bit better, when so many take the easy option of living off benefits for the rest of their lives. (Not wanting to start a political argument now!) But it sounds like you need a bit of good luck so I hope you get it.

beedydad

Cardew wrote: »

However the large arrays get a lower rate of FIT, and who on a 30 storey block gets the FIT.

In any case they would need to make the roof a lot more secure than at present or the local yobs would be stealing the equipment.

My point was to find a way and suggest possible alternatives to make solar Pv work.
If a block of flats are council or H.A. owned I am sure they could work out a way to share out any savings - just like they do in places such as Germany where a lot of district power is provided and shared out.

I would not wish to cause or suggest that people living in such accomodation would attract "yobs" or need extra security due to enevitable robbery!!!

Cardew

beedydad wrote: »

I would not wish to cause or suggest that people living in such accomodation would attract "yobs" or need extra security due to enevitable robbery!!!

Neither indeed would I - the very thought!

I did say 'local' yobs, so it would be people living in their 4 bed detached houses nearby that would be the culprits.;)

PC rules!!!

ilovegreen_2

JenR8 wrote: »

I have applied to Homesun (but refused their £500 + £5 per month offer), British Gas and Isis. All stipulate you can buy the system at any time. The only one I've looked at that isn't up for selling their 'free' system later is A Shade Greener, so I've not applied to them.

Did you send homesun a picture of your roof as suggested? I had a similar response from homsun but then I phoned and a fella by the name of Krish at homesun went through everything with me and decided that my property was eligible for thier offers... contact homesun and ask to speak to krish patel, he is one of the senior chaps there i assume. There is no way i could afford to buy a full system.

energysavingexp

British Gas are putting the cost of gas and eleccy up by 7% in december

Elainemary

Does anyone know if this point - from yesterday's Daily Mail - is true?
" A recent German news item reported that fire brigades are refusing to fight fires in houses with solar panels fitted, because they generate dangerous voltages. "
If it is, and the same thing might happen over here - count me out of having them fitted. I'd rather pay for ALL my leccy and keep an ( unburnt ) roof over my head.

Elainemary

energysavingexp wrote: »

use a protractor

Use a WHAT? And how would I use it? Told you I was thick:rotfl: