Solar Panel Guide Discussion

KevinG

aliballi wrote: »

On the flyer she was given, it also says cut your electricity bills up to 50%.

A lot of companies seem to be making that outrageous claim. Oh the wonders of "up to".

Polesdenite

I came on this forum to try to find some unbiased opinions about fitting Solar PV panels, a lot of people seem to be trying to show how clever they are but do any of them have panels? Is there enyone on this site that actually has them fitted, if so may I ask , if they work, do they generate the return claimed ? are they a good idea ? Even the Guardian blog, which is basically against the idea, says we would be crazy not to take it up , provided we can afford the outlay. So help me out here , don't drown me in jargon or political ideology just a straight answer please.

Cardew

KevinG wrote: »

A lot of companies seem to be making that outrageous claim. Oh the wonders of "up to".

As you say inclusion of the phrase 'up to' renders any claim useless.

Also 50% of what consumption?

It was pretty certain that 'double glazing' salesmen's techniques would be employed!

Next ploy will be "we will give you a reduction if we can send people to look at your panels"

aliballi

KevinG wrote: »

A lot of companies seem to be making that outrageous claim. Oh the wonders of "up to".

Absolutely although legally speaking you would expect their to have to be a possibility, when such claims are made.

Cardew

aliballi wrote: »

Absolutely although legally speaking you would expect their to have to be a possibility, when such claims are made.

I have a cottage that I use as an annex.(with gas CH)

I doubt if I use 500kWh electricity a year. It is perfectly possible that a PV system could provide 50% of that level of consumption.

Doc_N

Polesdenite wrote: »

I came on this forum to try to find some unbiased opinions about fitting Solar PV panels, a lot of people seem to be trying to show how clever they are but do any of them have panels? Is there enyone on this site that actually has them fitted, if so may I ask , if they work, do they generate the return claimed ? are they a good idea ? Even the Guardian blog, which is basically against the idea, says we would be crazy not to take it up , provided we can afford the outlay. So help me out here , don't drown me in jargon or political ideology just a straight answer please.

Yes, I do have them, and they've been there for around a year now. They work just fine, and the total output is around 10% ahead of what was projected at the outset.

The payback period will be between 8 and 10 years, as an educated guess, and at that point the original 'investment' will have been returned, together with the interest lost on that investment.

Tesco (Mark Group) did the installation for around £14,000 for a 4kWp system, and I've been delighted with it, and the way the installation was carried out. It also came with a rock-solid guarantee. The same people also do installations for e.on and for M&S, but at rather higher prices for a near-identical system.

My only regret is that prices are lower now, but that's life. Tesco, for example, will discount their prices by 20% at the moment, and I would guess that £11,000 - £12,000 is nearer the mark for a competitive 4 kWp system now.

HarryNash

Not everyone is eligible to get free solar panels on their house so an alternative would be to.......

Searched the internet to find a cheaper way of installing solar panels.I came up with a couple.

Make your own solar panel from scratch solder the cells put them in a frame sounds simple.I made a few mistakes here and there but it was pretty cheap.

Buy used panels from somewhere like eBay you could have the price.
Look about and find a good deal on systems.

John_Pierpoint

Yes but the investment return is on the FiT - a DIY job will not qualify.

Polesdenite

I would like to say thanks for the information given, it is a help, its always agonizing trying to work out if its a viable plan and helps when you speak to a satisfied customer.
I have noted several posts regarding Salesmen's techniques and would say that I have watched the Which report and they are taking quite a firm line with them, the offer of a reduction if you sign up on the spot, is in blatant contradiction of the rules. I have spoken with 3 companies so far and must say that they have all stuck to the rules.

Elainemary

Thanks to Cardew and thenudeone for not jumping too hard!
I did say I was quoting, so it's not MY figures that are wrong, but the source of the quote - partially Which? and partially EST as cited in the papers. I have no idea of the size of the system being used as an example, so can't argue with what you quote.:beer: