Which free solar provider?

K4blades

I agree with the above point about relevance of information.

IMO, the more first hand, real life experinces and feedback, the better, as it allows a better and fairer view to be gathered.
Its unfortunate that some people who have had PVs fitted and started contributing on these threads have been put off by constantly having their comments under-mined, and feel they are being accused of lying or being stupid, especially when that is done by people with no first hand experience, and relying on hearsay of a very small and select number of contributors to the overall database.

skelly01

As I said the post was "which free solar provider?", where is the relevance to most of the posts on here in that question. I also note that other threads become hijacked to massage individuals egos. Personally I find that there is no need for it.The original topic should be adhered to by all. I've asked questions in the past on various threads, for them to go unanswered as they do not fit the argument of the day that is ensuing by some.
Anyway rant over or that makes me as bad as others. So which free solar provider in Scotland? Are there any?

keith_r59

skelly01 wrote: »

As I said the post was "which free solar provider?", where is the relevance to most of the posts on here in that question. I also note that other threads become hijacked to massage individuals egos. Personally I find that there is no need for it.The original topic should be adhered to by all. I've asked questions in the past on various threads, for them to go unanswered as they do not fit the argument of the day that is ensuing by some.
Anyway rant over or that makes me as bad as others. So which free solar provider in Scotland? Are there any?

You could try this company. Don't know if they are any good though.

http://freeelectricity4u.co.uk/free-solar-panels-in-scotland/

skelly01

Many thanks Keith

PeterZ_2

K4blades wrote: »

I'm on the same tariff as you Cardew....we must both be very canny with our pennies.

My point about the immersion was that it is down to every individual to find out what best suits their own situation, rather than blankly accepting what they are told. By testing what works best in your own home, you will find that some things do work and others don't.
For example, in the case we are discussing using immersion instead of gas boiler, the savings would be more if your boiler was oil fired or LPG, or even coal fired. You have to work out what works in your own situation. (Whats more, over time, its is widely expected, as seen with the recent price increases, that the difference between gas and elec will get smaller, so the saving being more).

Which takes me onto the next point.....
one of the best ways to find out what you will save from PVs is to have an EPC / SAP calculation done. These are done by independent and impartial assessors, accredited to act in such a way, and not favour any particular commercial organisation.
I have done thousands of these in the past few years and I can tell you that it is quite typical for an average house to save over £200 from PV electricity, without FITs.
This calculation is done using software developed over many years, tested and approved by BRE and CLG, in other words the figures are relatively reliable.

Cardew keeps banding about the £100 mentioned by Sarah at ASG, (I'm not interested in the particular quote or its context), but I also note that it has been mentioned on here that ASG are stating on their website, based on evidence from their customers, that 50% savings are typical.....but Cardew, you rejected this....so how come you want to quote ASG when it suits you, but not believe them when it doesn't. Their website says they have now done about 3000 installations, so thats a bigger body of evidence than the 2 members of this forum that you repeatedly hold up as shining examples. You also, repeatedly question anyone else who posts on this forum their experiences, suggesting that they are mis-calculating.
As the body of evidence grows, your arguments will look increasingly weaker I'm afraid.

Having said that, you must be disappointed that they have just announced massive reductions in the FITs for large scale installations, meaning there will be a greater focus on the domestic side as opposed to factory roofs. Thats politics!

An excellent post, thank you for adding something sensible to the debate. Like many others I too get rather bored with Cardew banging that same old drum....

MSE_Jenny

Our solar panel guide's now been updated if anyone fancy's a sneak peek ... any feedback appreciated.

Thanks

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels

celerity

MSE_Jenny wrote: »

Our solar panel guide's now been updated if anyone fancy's a sneak peek ... any feedback appreciated.

I would change :
"Ideally you'd also be planning to stay for a number years."

to something like:

"Ideally you'd also be planning to stay for a number years, and if you are buying the panels yourself, you'd really want to stay for at least the duration of the payback period (typically 10-12 years)."

The reason is that if you left any sooner than that you'd effectively have wasted your money (and I've yet to see concrete evidence that the panels will always increase the price of your home on resale, it would very much depend on circumstance I think).

/\dam

Cardew

PeterZ wrote: »

An excellent post, thank you for adding something sensible to the debate. Like many others I too get rather bored with Cardew banging that same old drum....

Yes I can understand why that would be the case;)

However new readers might want to know just how much these 'free' panels are likely to save and possible problems if you elect for such a scheme!!

I would suggest everone reads the updated guide referred in MSE Jenny's post above. post #37

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels#free

Electricity bill savings. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) estimates that a typical family can knock around £70-ish/year off their bills, depending on system size, location and other factors.

EST used to predict higher electricity savings of £120. Yet its recent trials found, while solar panels can produce 50% of a home's electricity, most of this electricity gets pumped back to the grid.

That seems to conflict with this statement(which you commend)

I can tell you that it is quite typical for an average house to save over £200 from PV electricity, without FITs.
This calculation is done using software developed over many years, tested and approved by BRE and CLG, in other words the figures are relatively reliable.

I really wonder why some people are so intent on exaggerating the likely savings from 'rent a roof' PV systems.
'calculation is done using software' indeed! :rotfl:

keith_r59

MSE_Jenny wrote: »

Our solar panel guide's now been updated if anyone fancy's a sneak peek ... any feedback appreciated.

Thanks

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels

I don't understand where you get this £70/year saving on your energy bill figure. When I use the Cashback Calculator on the Energy Saving Trust website the figure returned for a 3.96 kWp system installed in the Midlands with 50% exported comes out as £215 fuel bill savings per year.

celerity

Cardew wrote: »

However new readers might want to know just how much these 'free' panels are likely to save and possible problems if you elect for such a scheme!!

The amount of money saved in bills is debatable, and even if it is exaggerated, only means someone will save a bit less.

However, the suggestion of running a 3kW immersion heater during the day, perhaps on a timer switch, to "maximise savings" is downright terrible advice, as it will end up costing people money.

/\dam