Free solar panel discussion

jimmyg1981

hi, ive been getting quotes for 6.62kw system and the lowest so far as been £19,900 including 5%vat, anyone had anything similar to this size or price, thanks? thats for the sharp nu 245 panels 27 of them and the inverter, labour, scaffold etc.

Cardew

jimmyg1981 wrote: »

hi, ive been getting quotes for 6.62kw system and the lowest so far as been £19,900 including 5%vat, anyone had anything similar to this size or price, thanks?

Welcome to the forum.

Do you appreciate that only systems below 4kWp attract the higher rate of FIT?

If you do, then it appears that price is reasonable - I assume two inverters?

I don't think anyone on MSE has reported considering such a large array.

diable

jeeez at those prices id rather burn fossil fuel...........

John_Pierpoint

Cardew wrote: »

Another long thread here for your perusal!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2072787

Includes input from those who have had such a system installed.

The two major questions most people want answered are:

A. How much will we save from having the system installed.

B. What are the legal implications of signing a 25 year agreement.

None of the ‘rent a roof’ systems have been in place 12 months, and none(I believe) have an export meter fitted, so it is not possible for them to determine how much they will save.

Evidence from those who have had their own PV systems fitted for some while(before the present subsidies) suggest between £50 and £100 pa is a reasonable estimate.

Most of the reservations about the 25 year agreement concern those who may wish to sell in that period.

Other misgivings that have been debated on this and other threads, some of which only involve homeowners who own the panels include:

C. Limitations on future use of the loft space (eg Dorma windows)

D. Log book monitoring (otherwise how would you know of a developing problem),

E. Default on the inflation proof FiT commitment.

F. A technical suggestion that if the generated power is not used locally it cannot feed "backwards" into main grid.(*)

G. Cleaning the panels.

H. Shading by building or vegetation (that must be avoided but might not be under the control of the householder).

I. Possibility of the roof needing maintenance.

J. Storm & tempest (remember '87?)

K. Vandalism.

L. Availability of spare parts for repairs (panels? inverters?)

M. Timing - Is this the optimum time in terms of price/return

N. Is a better technology imminent (multiple inverters as in USA ?)

Then having evaluated that lot, the would be panel owner has to decide on the technology and supplier:
Mono, poly, thin film?
Made in UK, Europe, USA, Japan, China?
It is almost as complicated as buying a car and I am willing to bet that in 15 years time there will be some failed installations. As yet we don't have the equivalent of a "Which?" or J.D.Power survey for PV panels (unless you know better:D).
Were the benefits not so meagre and the contract not so long term, as with the introduction of colour TV, there would be a case for renting rather than buying.
Given the majority of costs seem to relate to the installation rather than the production, it probably makes sense to buy the BMW rather than the Ford.

Just because the decision is complex, that is not a reason to remain on a push bike frozen into inaction.

(*) There are serious problems involving the UK's clapped out generating capacity and inadequate national grid for our low carbon future - but these are outside the scope of the present discussion.

ronlizpatsimon

John, although most of your points are interesting and true; several of them do not apply to this forums subject - FREE PANELS.

grahamc2003

A very good summary John (apart from your incorrect views on the grid and the national capacity, which isn't 'clapped out').

I'd like to add

O. - If the free panels are used without knowledge of their implications, they have the potential to increase energy bills. In fact I'd go further and say 'If the panels are used in the manner which many with them seem to think is the correct way, then there's an element of increasing costs, not decreasing costs'.

John_Pierpoint

I've been told by two people independently,that there are large areas of the (local) grid that are unsuitable for installing heat pumps as they are built on the theory that the average consumer will not be drawing more than (say) 2Kw at any one time. [So if you want one grab it quick, before your neighbours get in on the act]

I am also told that the availability of 3 phase (it makes largish motors run more efficiently) in the UK is somewhat lacking compared to some of our Continental neighbours.

I know that the modernisation of the East End of London - aka "winning the Olympics" - was almost stymied by the shortage of power supplies? (another urban myth?)

If you had a three phase transformer less than 150 yards away by overhead pole, what would you think of as a fair price for installing 3 phase?

Perhaps the (foreign owned?!) electricity suppliers are just trying to profiteer from the switch to a low carbon grid power supply?

John

Just on a point of interest, did you hear the boss of Eurotunnel explaining the firm's continuing loss making activity? (er its setting the tunnel on fire that is causing the problem). He was trying to look to a brighter future resulting from the airlines (and ferries) having to pay for oil. He said in effect "We have a really cheap deal with French electricity - and that is low carbon too" The interviewer was cross questioning him and it was really funny as he performed verbal gymnastics to avoid saying "nuclear".

grahamc2003

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

I know that the modernisation of the East End of London - aka "winning the Olympics" - was almost stymied by the shortage of power supplies? (another urban myth?)

If you had a three phase transformer less than 150 yards away by overhead pole, what would you think of as a fair price for installing 3 phase?

".

I'll take a couple of your points because it's a bit o/t and the moaning minnies will be out.

I'm not sure from what you've said why you think our grid and supply is clapped out. We have the most reliable supply in the World - haven't you notice you rarely get a power cut?

Not a myth about the Olympic village I expect. I wouldn't expect to be able to build a village anywhere and expect a couple of cables just sitting there waiting to be connected, would you? You'll be telling us next that they had to do work on the sewage system too, and perhaps build new roads and transport links. Looks like everything's clapped out according to your views!

Re the cost of getting a 3 phase supply, which is likely to supply a business. I'd expect to pay something like £400 per man day of work (including planning and management), plus materials plus a markup on those materials plus any other associated costs plus markup. I expect it would come to a fair amount, and include legal fees and possibly wayleave negotiation and costs.

Edit - I also pull about 20kW into my home at times, so there's no 2kW limit or anything like that, or even a 2KW average where I live (my usage alone puts the average up to 3.5kW in our lane).

Equaliser123

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

John, although most of your points are interesting and true; several of them do not apply to this forums subject - FREE PANELS.

I think in 2000+ posts, it has moved on to other subjects as well.

John_Pierpoint

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

John, although most of your points are interesting and true; several of them do not apply to this forums subject - FREE PANELS.

You are right, but I do think that people making a 25+ year decision, do need to understand the context in which they are making that commitment.
In the campaign to "de carbon the grid" in which they are taking part, I would recommend buying the panels rather than getting a "rent of a hundred or two per year".

When the poor unemployed realise that they are being taxed to provide a transfer payment to a commercial company set up to farm the subsidies, there could be a back lash against all PV installations.
A bit like "keying" a 4 x 4 that is blocking the road, when Fred cannot get to work in his Transit van.