Solar PV

MoneySavingTart

I'm not sure but when the installation is registered, the MCS certificate describes the installation fairly accurately. If you then added panels that increased the output, I think your installer would have to re-register the system which would likely mean starting again with the tariff in force at that time.
If you did contemplate DIY then you would be paying full vat on the panels not 5% and if your electricity purchaser noticed and increased power generation, they might raise a query. _ A risky approach to my way of thinking.

Bob

Cardew

matthew_richard_harman wrote: »

I belive the current panels are around 15% efficient, but there are already new ones coming onto the market that are 20+%,

I think we should get 'efficiency' into context.

A, say, 225wp panel will produce 225wp regardless of its efficiency.*

The panel output is measured under laboratory conditions of illumination/temp etc.

Higher efficiency just means that the physical size of the panel will be smaller and thus you can fit more on the roof - albeit FIT is capped at 4kWp for the higher rate.

* there may be marginal improvements for panels not at the optimum orientation.

cathd6

We installed a 4kwp PV system to our 4-bed 50's era house in Nov, plus 2 solar thermal panels. Following observations:

1) Even during the snow, the panels have consistently outperformed the (impressive) forecasts.
2) FIT payments are SLOW. We are yet to receive the first. Make sure you claim from the minute the panels are installed, unlike us. Payments won't be made retrospectively and we missed out on a sunny Nov-Dec. :mad:
3) However we're expecting £300 for Dec-Feb.
4) We have not yet adjusted our direct debits and are owed over £100 for electricity saved so far. Will put our electricity bill down to under £30/month.
5) Haven't done the maths for gas yet as obviously we're just out of the expensive quarter (not been in this house long), but even in winter our hot water has been very frequently entirely solar-provided.
6) We're due to recoup our investment in around 8 years.
7) NB we have ideal roof aspect and pitch with no shading and are based in Devon. However I've seen very good performance around the country.
8) I can wholeheartedly recommend Sungift Solar if you are also in the area.

MoneySavingTart

I too have heard reports that FIT payments can be slow but my payments come from Scottish Power who have been superb.
My system was installed on 1st Feb 11 and we have had two payments already. Readings sent by email on the dates reuested in the contract and payment in the bank 2-3weeks later with written invoice and payment advice.

So it does seem to depend on your supplier.


Incidentally, the company who pays your FIT does not have to be the same as you buy your energy from. I have recently switched away from ScottishPower for supply at the end of a 3 year fixed deal and they have not required me to move my FI contract over to my new supplier. The two processes are totally isolated.

hth

Bob

matthew_richard_harman

I didn't realise there was a 4Kwp cap so guess there's no point worrying about future tech. I guess I had the dream that somewhere down the line I could put some cheap 10kwp pannels in for a fiver:)

I hadn't really thought about the solar water heating. I guess gas will continue to go up in the next few years, it could make a lot of sense.

Thanks for the tip about claiming FIT straight away. Normally I tend to drag my feat a bit....

From a practical sense, is it a fairly straight forward process to get installed? I assume there's all the stuff outside, but some form of DC/AC inverter in the house as well as the gauges to measure the power generation/usage.

MoneySavingTart

There is not a once and for all cap at 4kw but the tariff is a bit lower for systems above 4kw. I *think* the next breakpoint (downwards) after 4kw is 10kw but not sure.
In the last budget, the govt announces some sort of re-think for 50kW and above but I did not pay attention to the details.

4kW is around the max that you can fit on a normal house roof - much more than that needs a barn or similar.

Yes installation is pretty straightforward panels, roof rails to suit your particular roof construction, inverter, meter and a bit of switchgear to meet regulations. Inverters need to be match to the number and power of the panels. Prices vary hugely as does the competance of the installers and the technical knowledge of the sales people. Get several quotes and follow up references. Don't touch any company who won't give you several referees for their recent work.
Quotes for my 2.35kWp system (all I could fit on my roof) varied for £8k to £13.5k

If you are near Portsmouth I can recommend a very good firm - Lamonby's Heating

HTH

Bob

cathd6

MoneySavingTart wrote: »

My system was installed on 1st Feb 11 and we have had two payments already. Readings sent by email on the dates reuested in the contract and payment in the bank 2-3weeks later with written invoice and payment advice.

Thanks very much for this. We're with Good Energy who as a supplier have been first-class, but this does now seem very poor from them. We'll chase!

penrhyn

In what sense are Good Energy a good supplier, not their prices I suspect?
25% more expensive than the cheapest online tarrifs.

matthew_richard_harman

So from a tax regime, does anyone know how the FIT payment is classed? is it subject to income tax?

Can anyone recommend a supplier of Solar Power in the Reading/Wokingham (berkshire) area?

jackieblack

matthew_richard_harman wrote: »

So from a tax regime, does anyone know how the FIT payment is classed? is it subject to income tax?

No, it's not