Free solar panel discussion

Cardew

moneysaverTC wrote: »

Hi guys
I have been watching this topic for a few days now.
I saw the BBC's story on solar panels last Wednesday.
Rather than going for the free option, I am fortunate enough to be able to invest myself and hopefully benefit in the long term from the feed in tariff.
My question is, can anyone recommend an installer? I am based in the Midlands if that helps?
Thanks in advance

There are a lot more threads on this in the 'Green' forum on MSE.

Tesco seem to be as reasonable as anyone.

tylerdurden

Gizmosmum wrote: »

There's very little maintenance involved in solar pv - there's no moving parts - that's what makes them so appealing. If you go for free panels they're yours to keep after 25 years.

I'm just deciding whether to do it now or wait until the cost comes down in the next 18 months.

That is not entirly true. While there are no moving parts to fail, you need to keep them clean as coating of dirt /bird poo will reduce their generating capacity.

moneysaverTC

Hi
Sorry to be a pain, I've had a look on Green forum, thanks for the pointer.
Do you think I am better of going with British Gas or Tesco, rather than a company that has been installing these panels for the last few years?
So far I've found two companies in my area that I'm impressed with, these are: EvoEnergy (evoenergy.co.uk) and Solar Logic (gosolarlogic.co.uk/). Does anyone have any experience of or heard anything about these companies?
An investment of £15,000 is quite a scary thought, so I want to make sure I find the right installer!

Cardew

moneysaverTC wrote: »

Hi
Sorry to be a pain, I've had a look on Green forum, thanks for the pointer.
Do you think I am better of going with British Gas or Tesco, rather than a company that has been installing these panels for the last few years?
So far I've found two companies in my area that I'm impressed with, these are: EvoEnergy (evoenergy.co.uk) and Solar Logic (gosolarlogic.co.uk/). Does anyone have any experience of or heard anything about these companies?
An investment of £15,000 is quite a scary thought, so I want to make sure I find the right installer!

Tesco have their sub-contractors to fit PV systems rather than get some employees from their checkouts.;)

I would always go to a big firm who I am confident will be around for many years, as you always can go to them to seek redress for any problems.

Gizmosmum_2

tylerdurden wrote: »

That is not entirly true. While there are no moving parts to fail, you need to keep them clean as coating of dirt /bird poo will reduce their generating capacity.

Rarely a problem in the North West, usually the rain does the job for us :rotfl: and you lucky people in the south can afford to pay the window cleaner an extra few quid every few months to give them a clean out of your extra feed in tariff.

Gizmosmum_2

Cardew wrote: »

Tesco have their sub-contractors to fit PV systems rather than get some employees from their checkouts.;)

I would always go to a big firm who I am confident will be around for many years, as you always can go to them to seek redress for any problems.

Tesco sub contractors haven't been fitting them that long. The problem is that anyone who has been fitting solar pv for any length of time is now installing on a much larger scale than simple domestic. So in most cases the people who will be installing will only have limited experience. As long as they are an experienced sparky with a good reputation and the relevant MCS accreditation I wouldn't worry too much.


Let me give you an example: today I heard about a firm who shall remain nameless but who is now big in this field. They installed a pv system on a north facing roof because the "surveyor" looked the wrong way when he/she was reading the compass. Big isn't always beautiful and sometimes the quality of the service is better from smaller businesses. Best thing to do is do your research and if you know more about the system than the person surveying, chose another company!!

Good luck!

contribute_good_news

As the world is our home we need to take care of it.Green technology and solar energy is one of the means to protect Earth and benefit from free sources of energy.Great resources for learning more on use of solar energy are:Science Daily on solar energy SolarEnergy.org and show Green Technology at Supreme Master Television.

Definily solar energy on long term basis brings benefit even in financial way!

Mcfi5dhc

Gizmosmum wrote: »

Rarely a problem in the North West, usually the rain does the job for us :rotfl: and you lucky people in the south can afford to pay the window cleaner an extra few quid every few months to give them a clean out of your extra feed in tariff.

100% agreed

Mine have been up 2 years, and are clean (especially I'd imagine after the massive shower we have just had!). They were inspected a couple of months ago.

The silicon in mine is covered with Pilkington self-cleaning glass, which does do the job.

I am in the North West as well - I don't know where Gizmosmum is, but we must have similar weather!

liquidity_2

Mcfi5dhc wrote: »

The silicon in mine is covered with Pilkington self-cleaning glass, which does do the job.

Integral the panels or added separately?

Mcfi5dhc

liquidity wrote: »

Integral the panels or added separately?

Integral - they are Sharp panels. I think most/all Sharp panels have Pilkington self cleaning glass