Solar PV

Nat_31

Hi,

I am new here so hope im in the right place!

i have been looking into having solar panels installed on my house (3 bed detached house)

was just wondering what everyone thought about it?

Nat x

penrhyn

If you already have the Prius in the drive its a great way of showing off your eco credentials.
You will also make some money from the feed in tarrifs.

MoneySavingTart

If you have £10-£15k that you won't need in the foreseeable future, and 15-25 sqm or unobscured south facing roof with 25-40 degree pitch and intend to stay in the house for at least 10 years preferably 25 years, then Solar PV is possibly for you.
It is unlikely that much of the electricity you will generate can be used in your household and the tariff for selling back to the grid is minimal, the Feed In Tariff (FIT) should lead to a pay back rate of 8-10% on capital invested.
Get your skates on though as the tariff for new systems is going to be reviewed soon and will go down. Once you have signed up however, it will increase with RPI.
I've done it and expect my first tax free payment at the end of this month

sierrakilo

You would get 43.3 pence for every unit made. On top of that you would get an extra 3.1 pence for very unit exported back to the grid. If a Export meter isn't fitted then the companies assume a 50-50 split so 50% of any solar PV generated would give you 46.4pence each unit ( Kwh)
These figures are up to date from today and they will increase in line with inflation (RPI IIRC )......... install a Solar PV after next april (2012) and the Feed in Tariff goes down.

jackieblack

There are already many threads and much debate about this topic, if you do a search I'm sure you can find answers to all your questions.

We have a 2.22kWp system (paid for) installed on our roof and are very happy with it but it's not right for everyone.

macman

The OP does not make it clear if they are referring to solar PV or solar hot water, so a bit more info would be helpful.

MoneySavingTart

Apart from in the title of the thread?:rotfl:

macman

D'oh! Now who'd have thought of looking there?!

energysavingexp

Hi
I have been trying to get solar pv fitted on my roof for the last 6mts
i first tried getting the free system installed, but i could not agree with the t&cs.
so i went down the buy it my self root.
i applied to tesco for a 4Kw system for £14.5K
they just messed me around would not return my calls / emails
so if this is what they are like what would happen once fitted and something went wrong with the system.
they say they are members of R.E.A.L
and on reading R.E.A.Ls consumer code tesco have not kept to it.

I have now found a firm local to me and are going to fit the same sharp 245w system for £12.5K. £2k less than tesco
fingers crossed:j

jackieblack

From my own experience, and what I've heard from others, your experience with Tesco isn't an unusual one..... :wall:

matthew_richard_harman

I've started looking at this as a good investment, but one thing I've been thinking about. If I install a small system to reduced my capital outlay, then add to this with more panels the following year, or when the next generation panels come onto the market. I belive the current panels are around 15% efficient, but there are already new ones coming onto the market that are 20+%, Will I still be able to claim the current FIT or would the new pannels be subject to the reduced FIT in 2012?