Solar Panel Guide Discussion

keith_r59

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

That's old information, the EST now base their average electricity saving advice on a £70/year saving based on 75% of generation being exported on a 2.7kWp system ..... they just need to update the abovementioned webpage to bring it inline with current advice ... (link £70/75%) http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy/Feed-in-Tariff-scheme#howitworks

If the householder is at home all day I believe that working on a £100/year saving is nearer the mark ...

HTH
Z

Is that before the recent round of electricity price increases or after?

digitaltoast

keith_r59 wrote: »

Is that before the recent round of electricity price increases or after?

That would depend on company, tariff, fix, usage pattern, geographical location - so many variables! Assuming they were standard un-fixed usage, that would be about a 2.3% difference.

keith_r59

digitaltoast wrote: »

That would depend on company, tariff, fix, usage pattern, geographical location - so many variables! Assuming they were standard un-fixed usage, that would be about a 2.3% difference.

Exactly! So why are the majority of posters fixated with what the EST specify as an average cost saving, especially when the EST don't disclose how they have calculated it?

Unless you have an export meter it is all speculation anyway.

zeupater

keith_r59 wrote: »

Exactly! So why are the majority of posters fixated with what the EST specify as an average cost saving, especially when the EST don't disclose how they have calculated it?

Unless you have an export meter it is all speculation anyway.

Hi

Simples .... as posted before, my usage was reduced to a consistant 7kWh/day over a number of years of efficiency measures, it is now 3kWh/day. If I apply the further savings since pv, LED TV being the major change, as being ~1kWh/day, that leaves around 1100kWh.y (365x3=1095) consumption saving due to PV. My tier2 tariff after the latest round of increases will be a fraction over 10p/kWh(Inc VAT) before incentives, so an annual saving of around £110 with a 4kWp system in a household which is occupied all day.

I'd say that considering the system is larger than the EST example and the house is occupied all day the average saving is likely to be around or below what we achieve, therefore I would be happier to believe that savings of around £100, based on my experience, or £70 based on whatever calculation the EST currently use, are more achieveable than the old figure based on 50% of total generation, whatever the size of the array.

Regarding the fixation, I believe that it's not really a fixation, it's a valid attempt to correct figures which are banded around by the pv industry to entice custom for commercial gain ..... there was an example yesterday where a 1.47kWh system was claimed as being capable of saving £191/year of electricity :rotfl: .......

HTH
Z

sjpkgp

commanon wrote: »

I contacted a "pay for them" supplier - sadly I cant remember who it was! - but the chap on the phone wanted to book an appointment which would last 90 minutes, and he wanted both my wife and myself present when he came.
Sound familiar? - think double glazing! - think Kirby! etc etc.
When I asked him why it took 90 minutes he said he wanted to explain everything in detail, and it must be to both of us. Also they only did three appointments per day - 11am - 3pm and 7pm.
I wonder why?
I told him to forget it!

Dave

Dave, I have just had a very annoying experience and I think it could be the energyinitiative who are putting cards through doors. I phoned them, got phoned back by a chap, but spent a long time saying I had fully researched into it, weighed up the prices in the past, and decided against, but if there was a government grant of 25% I might reconsider. After a long discussion he said there was an installer in the area and might be able to call on his way home, then nothing. A week later I get a phone call (woman) to say that they were responded to my call about the card and how could they help, I was not very happy to have to repeat my whole conversation, but did so, she was apologetic that the last meeting had not been successful, but she promised she would not let me down - and a meeting was set up for 5pm (today). I was told that both my husband and I needed to present, as we would have to sign grant forms. I said that this was virtually impossible as I was already having to fly back from London early to make the meeting and my husband was working in away - I said we'd sign and send them on. She said that they claimed the grant in advance "to save delays" even if we did not go ahead. Anyway, flew home early today, waited. No surveyor. After 20 mins, phoned them and they said they would phone me back once they had contacted the surveyor. Got call back and the chap who was very aggressive said that there would not be a surveyor coming as they had "been unable to confirm the appointment" - I was astounded at this - I said there was no explanation that there needed to be a confirmation and he said he had been ringing me all day (I checked phone, and they hadn't) I told him this, and said "why didn't you leave a message then" - he said it was company policy not to, and he found that most people were civil enough to answer their phones or call missed numbers back. I told him I was unhappy at another appointment being broken after assurances that it was definitely going ahead, and flying home from London early - he said that he doubted I had done that just for this appointment (I had actually). Anyway, I told him that I wasn't interested in doing business with them, he responded "likewise" and put the phone down. I am absolutely livid. I have probably had a lucky escape as I can't find the energyinitiative on the approved installer list (nor the Kindle Group who they belong to). Once I have calmed down a bit, I would quite like to write a letter of complaint to their CEO, but can't find any details of them. It particularly rankles that I am being called a liar (about not having a single missed call from them since the appointment was set up - this is in my phone history) or the fact that I changed my working day to suit them. Anyway, I will stop ranting (sigh), but please be warned, these guys do not seem to treat their customers well. (PS does anyone know where I can get the info to complain to, I don't particularly want my complaint dealt with by the person I am complaining about - incidentally would not give name) Thanks, Sal x

zeupater

sjpkgp wrote: »

Dave, I have just had a very annoying experience .........

....... Anyway, I will stop ranting (sigh), but please be warned, these guys do not seem to treat their customers well. (PS does anyone know where I can get the info to complain to, I don't particularly want my complaint dealt with by the person I am complaining about - incidentally would not give name) Thanks, Sal x

Hi

Exactly the point raised here earlier today ...

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

First points of contact on complaints would would be MCS, REA, OFGEM & Trading Standards at the moment, one of them should provide advice .... you could also try the EST for advice if having problems.

There is a loophole in this in that there are a number of solar companies who sub-contract their sales to installers and therefore take your money without having the need to operate within 'the rules' which apply to the installers themselves .....

HTH
Z

... this is a fine example of the loophole being utilised.

Z

sjpkgp

Thanks Z, I did do quite a few searches on the energy initiative and couldn't find anything, but as you mention, they may be operating for someone else - scary that they can do this and avoid the regs. I will read back and follow the guidance given - feel a bit happier that other people also feel that complaints should be made (sorry, that isn't really very nice, but you know what I mean). sal x

Gizmosmum_2

sjpkgp wrote: »

Thanks Z, I did do quite a few searches on the energy initiative and couldn't find anything, but as you mention, they may be operating for someone else - scary that they can do this and avoid the regs. I will read back and follow the guidance given - feel a bit happier that other people also feel that complaints should be made (sorry, that isn't really very nice, but you know what I mean). sal x

Why don't you look for a local installer by using the MCS site to find one? http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/mcs-consumer/installer-search.php chose your technology, put your post code in and you'll get the installers who are closest to you. There are several advantages to doing this:

You're more likely to get a survey and quicker response if they are local to you - it's easier for them.

The chances are they have done other work locally, you can look at work they have done for other people and follow up references relatively quickly.

In most cases you'll find that they will do a decent job for you because the last thing they want is you on their doorstep every morning chasing them to put things right.

Personally I prefer smaller local companies, but they may not be as quick as a bigger sales based company. If you want to talk to the installer go for a smaller company and if you want to talk to a salesman go for the big guys.

Smaller companies won't have flash websites (they don't have time) but most will design a system for you rather than give you one of their 3 pre-selected one size fits all systems.

KCP

Hi - I'm waiting to have a survey done by a company called Bookmysurvey, who are doing installations for Tesco for their Home Efficiency department. Tesco's are offering 20% off a fully installed system til 31st Aug. They've given me an estimate of £6000 all in (subject to survey), for a 1.38kw system using 6 x 230w Sharp panels.

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of using this scheme or this installation company - they seem to have all the appropriate letters after their name, and presumably Tesco's wouldn't use cowboys - or am I being naive!!

thanks

Pje39

Louise_Walker wrote: »

Hello,

I just spent a long time writing about some prices we received but I was logged out. Rather frustrating.

Anyway, my husband and I are retired and want solar panels. We have a big roof but not a particularly big budget. We looked at free offers but decided that buying was probably better. We had real problems getting prices, and from the article I guess we're not the only ones. The best ones we have so far are from isis solar. I've listed them below and wondered if anyone had better ones they could share?

Thank you!

3.96kw = £11,950
3.60kw = £11,235
3.24kw = £10,400
2.88kw = £9,365
2.52kw = £8,680
2.16kw = £7,925
1.80kw = £7,255
1.44kw = £6,895

Its no good just quoting the prices without referencing the SAP. This is calculated from your house location, and orientation and type of roof.

The SAP count will provide you an estimated kwh for your FIT payment where you can work out the pay back period.. I can give you the figures for PV Solar UK if you want them, but I'm intertested to compare our system with yours..
Keep in touch..