Free solar panel discussion

zeupater

Cardew wrote: »

It will be interesting to see if panels need washing to remove the grime and bird droppings.

Some people on the internet say it is essential, whilst I understand ASG believe(hope?) that the rain will suffice. It would be a huge task for them to clean thousands of systems - health and safety and all that!!!

I live in the country far away from any industry and the velux windows have got absolutely filthy over these last weeks without any rain.

Hi

Decent panels have the same kind of surface that is used on self-cleaning windows and conservatory roofs.

I don't know how much difference the coating makes, or how long it will last, but I can say that today's rain has cleared off the 'presents' which our local ducks have recently bestowed on our panels, so I guess that a little dust went too !!

HTH
Z

Zenoka

We were told not clean our panels but we havn't had any rain in a month now and the panels are covered in dust from the Sahara.

Looks like we might get some rain in the day or two, lets hope so because our poor garden is starting to suffer. We are on a water meter and it already costs us a fortune so I really don't want to get the hosepipe out. Any money I save by washing the panels would probably be lost by the cost of the extra water bill

furndire

I would how long it will be before we have a Mr Muscle type ad & a new cleaner especially for cleaning solar panels.
We will soon know how much the panels are affected by dirt, as the "free" panel installers will be monitoring closely how much money they are losing in FiTs.
Or, another job creation scheme, cleaning solar panels - There must be an opening for someone there before too long.

Equaliser123

Ours were covered in a fine dust. Quick blast with the hosepipe and theylook a lot cleaner.

JBroo252

I have tried to get accepted for the free sola panel scheme with "A Shade Greener" but the company's response was that you have to live within a 1hr drive of the area they were working in, (they email you a post code so you can check it out). I am 2hrs away so a no go. I will keep trying as other companys may be working nearer. Hope this helps people who are thinking of trying to sign up.

Cheers :beer:

furndire

If you decide to go for free panels, check if you have a Siemens S2AS-100 or S2AS-200 meter. If you have one of these meters, please read my thread
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3191844

What is happening takes a while to get your head round it - its taken me 9 mths to work it out, and I have a generation meter but couldn't see what was happening.

& be aware this can happen.

I am not saying don't go for free panels, in fact I think they can be a good thing - just check that the meter is not adding on the KWs you are producing & so bumping your bill up.

miket1964

The companies offering free systems will make a huge profit over the 25 year term, a system costs between 12 and 15K to install, but over 25 years, the current estimate is that it would generate an income of around 55K, (4kw system) so a huge incentive for them, thats the catch. They are using your roof space to make money.
At the current rates it would take about 8 years to pay the investment in the system.
Food for thought

zeupater

miket1964 wrote: »

The companies offering free systems will make a huge profit over the 25 year term, a system costs between 12 and 15K to install, but over 25 years, the current estimate is that it would generate an income of around 55K, (4kw system) so a huge incentive for them, thats the catch. They are using your roof space to make money.
At the current rates it would take about 8 years to pay the investment in the system.
Food for thought

Hi miket1954

The system would cost you or I "between 12 and 15K to install", but that includes the profit for the installer we would use ....... the 'rent-a-roof' companies costs are far less than this and therefore have even greater returns ........

HTH
Z

John_Pierpoint

Think how much the credit cards must be making charging about 20%.
[Oh if it was not for those wretched people, who won't play the game and go bust]

RRatchet

Hi,

Just wondering if any one know if the pv panels have to be installed on a domestic roof. Our house roof is unsuitable; what little space is taken up by solar hot water panels; which work very well. However we have acres (well almost) of garden space and extensive steading roofs that are very suitable.

Thanks