Free solar panel discussion

liquidity_2

What I've found is that different companies quote wildly different figures for the annual output of a 4 kWp system. The figures went from a high of 4620 kWh/year to a low of 3300 kWh/year. I suspect this has much more to do with marketing than efficiency. The company quoting 4620 claimed to have a particularly clever "2 string" inverter that had the panels connected in two banks. When one bank was shaded the other bank would pick up the slack so that I would always see 100% efficiency from the installation. Amazing.

Cardew

liquidity wrote: »

What I've found is that different companies quote wildly different figures for the annual output of a 4 kWp system. The figures went from a high of 4620 kWh/year to a low of 3300 kWh/year. I suspect this has much more to do with marketing than efficiency. The company quoting 4620 claimed to have a particularly clever "2 string" inverter that had the panels connected in two banks. When one bank was shaded the other bank would pick up the slack so that I would always see 100% efficiency from the installation. Amazing.

Did they think the system was to be installed in your Southern Spain holiday home?

I thought MCS installers would have to take their figures for maximum output from the recognised geographic data - obviously subject to your roof being correct orientation and pitch.

Jon_Tiffany

Pincher wrote: »

Are there really that many MCS certified people out there?
Also, heating engineers are not roofers.

To the lucky people who are getting free solar panels, please report how many people turn up:

1. Scaffolders
2. Roofers
3. Heating engineer

And possibly:

4. Electrician
5. Builders

I am curious how they mount the 24m2 of solar panels. There must be a lot of mounting points requiring flashing.

Also, how do they run the cable. The simplest thing is to run it under the gutter along the top of the wall, and drill though to where the meter is. Are there batteries, how many, is space a problem? Is ventilation (inverter overheating, battery fumes) and electrical fire hazzard an issue?

Finally, do they handle the meter change (for export), or do they expect you to handle it?

Most roof mounting systems use brackets that go under the tiles so no flashing required. No batteries. As for the inverter it will meet all the current UK regulations for electrical safety.

Your meter is the property the electric company, its up to them if they want to change it (an export meter is not necessary), if so it is at their cost. The generation meter will be installed by ASG/whoever.

Jon_Tiffany

liquidity wrote: »

What I've found is that different companies quote wildly different figures for the annual output of a 4 kWp system. The figures went from a high of 4620 kWh/year to a low of 3300 kWh/year. I suspect this has much more to do with marketing than efficiency. The company quoting 4620 claimed to have a particularly clever "2 string" inverter that had the panels connected in two banks. When one bank was shaded the other bank would pick up the slack so that I would always see 100% efficiency from the installation. Amazing.

There's nothing clever about a 2 string setup, pretty standard stuff.

100% efficiency:eek: Now that is something special! I would be quickly showing them the door at this point.

grahamc2003

It looks like the large companies are moving into the Free panels offer. I've just heard that British Gas are entering the market with a very similar offer to those as discussed on here. I don't have the details or even a link, so I hope the info is correct. Does anyone have any further details?

DanteOD

I tried to register yesterday--but my house isn't south facing, but my dad contacted British Gas and they said this was a new offer launched yesterday.

Their offer is similar to the ISIS one, 25 year lease and money off your electricity bills annually. The key attraction for my dad was that British Gas are guaranteed to be around in 25 years time!

One thing, though. When he spoke to them he said the offer was limited to the first 1500 British Gas customers, but they had a 2 year 0% interest free option that looks pretty good if you want to buy it outright and qualify for the feed-in tariff.

I think it's called rent-a-roof. It's under solaroffers on the British Gas website. britishgas.co.uk/solaroffers

Mcfi5dhc

grahamc2003 wrote: »

It looks like the large companies are moving into the Free panels offer. I've just heard that British Gas are entering the market with a very similar offer to those as discussed on here. I don't have the details or even a link, so I hope the info is correct. Does anyone have any further details?

Here you go Graham:

http://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/british_gas_will_also_provide_free_solar_for_uk_homes589/

And here is Dantes link in clickable format:

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/solaroffers

Perry525

Mcfi5dhc wrote: »

Here you go Graham:

http://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/british_gas_will_also_provide_free_solar_for_uk_homes589/

And here is Dantes link in clickable format:

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/solaroffers

I have just followed this link and read BG's terms and conditions. Part of which............

(l) British Gas (or its affiliates) can terminate the Lease on destruction of the Property or the Solar PV Panel, abandonment of the Property, theft or loss of the Solar PV Panel or interruption to flow of light to the Solar PV Panel to the extent that Feed in Tariff Payments are materially reduced for a period of 3 months.

So, what happens when that tree next door shades your/their roof? Is the contract void? Do you get a court order to have the tree removed?

Happy days?

Gizmosmum_2

Heard a little rumour about the legalities of free solar and who owns it/ maintenance/ change of ownership etc being a potential time bomb. Apparently it's hitting the top of the agenda at conferences being held for solicitors ......

liquidity_2

Perry525 wrote: »

... interruption to flow of light to the Solar PV Panel to the extent that Feed in Tariff Payments are materially reduced for a period of 3 months.

So, what happens when that tree next door shades your/their roof? Is the contract void? Do you get a court order to have the tree removed?

Happy days?

I suspect that if there's a tree in place now that shades the roof they may not install at all and the clause you mention is for a a new building (or tree!) that overshadows the panels at some time in the future.