Solar Panels: Worth it or not?

cuzzy

Hi, just seeing if any people out there have solar panels on their homes? We are looking to take advantage of this environmentally friendly way of producing energy but we are having trouble deciding which is the best route to go down.

Basically we two options; get the solar panels for free or pay for them.

It seems like paying for them makes more money for us in the long term. I used a site called http://www.solarpanelpricesuk.com that put us in touch with a number of companies. Seems there are a lot out there so just wondered if I missed out on any to be honest. The best deal in terms of money, service and most of all the amount coming back to us was with http://www.solarandgreen.co.uk

In regards to the free solar panels, the best company we spoke to was a local one which was http://www.thegreendealplan.co.uk

Like I said, we are edging towards buying the solar panels. But we wanted to hear what you guys would say...

Andy_WSM

cuzzy wrote: »

Like I said, we are edging towards buying the solar panels. But we wanted to hear what you guys would say...

I purchased my 3.92kWh system in June for £12.5K and had my first payment of £650 from the FIT scheme last month - and as you know, we haven't had a particularly sunny Summer. It still produces enough power even this time of year to keep my electricity bills to minimal.

I am fortunate that I manage to use MOST of the power my system produces as I run heat pumps for hot water & heating, so am benefiting very nicely both in reduced power costs and payments back from the FIT scheme.

HalloweenJack

theres a really big thread or 3 in the `green` forum about solar panels but in a nutsell:

think of buying as an annuity - you invest a lump sum (say £12000) in the solar scheme , and then you earn £1500 a year or so in FiT payments - you also save between £70 and £120 a year off your electric bill (depends on day times useage , sun shine and size of the system etc) in the 25 years life of the panels theres 2 recurring cost - replacement of the invertors (iirc around £1500 every 10 years)

so with those figures - total system cost is approx £15000 - you earn that back in FiT +saved electric + export tariff bill in around 9 years (thats £15000 or so) , so your actually making money after that time.


rent a roof

you save the electric bill - and the company earns the FiT + export tarrif ; in effect your renting you roof for £5 a month.

(savings figures are taken from http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/ - a government supported trust for energy saving measures , they also use real world figures from exisiting schmes rather than the inflated `industry` figures)

Care4Pets

Hi we have taken the plunge and paid a deposit. Hoping to get 8-10 panels on front roof which faces SE. Back roof faces NW but part of it is a flat roof wondering if it's worth putting some on the flat roof? Appreciate any advice. Thanks in advance forum newbie so not sure if this is right place

macman

NW is no use for solar. It needs to be between SE and SW.

cuzzy

Andy_WSM wrote: »

I purchased my 3.92kWh system in June for £12.5K and had my first payment of £650 from the FIT scheme last month - and as you know, we haven't had a particularly sunny Summer. It still produces enough power even this time of year to keep my electricity bills to minimal.

I am fortunate that I manage to use MOST of the power my system produces as I run heat pumps for hot water & heating, so am benefiting very nicely both in reduced power costs and payments back from the FIT scheme.

This is the kind of response I wanted. So you would recommend buying them then?

Pincher

The A frame on the North West flat roof (dormer window, presumably) can face true south, if you really want to do it, but it is likely to need re-inforcement as dormer windows are not meant to be load bearing. The A-frame will act like a sail, and potentially rip out the flat roof.

Cardew

cuzzy wrote: »

This is the kind of response I wanted. So you would recommend buying them then?

If you can afford the £10,000 to £13,000 it costs to buy a system, and wait 10 years or so until you break even and start making a profit; then buying is the way to go IMO.

Also IMO the free 'rent a roof' schemes have far too many potential problems for too meagre a reward to make them viable.

Anyone who pays the £500 or so, that some firms charge, are deluded - again IMO.

P.S.

The best deal in terms of money, service and most of all the amount coming back to us was with http://www.solarandgreen.co.uk

You should be aware that WHICH recently reported that some installers make greatly exagerated claims of potential income.

In essence any system on your roof of a certain size(e.g 4kWp) will produce virtually the same output and thus the same income. You can find this out from many calculators on the web, and not rely on a website that derives its income from the commission it gets for referring customers to firms who are prepared to pay such commission.

Andy_WSM

cuzzy wrote: »

This is the kind of response I wanted. So you would recommend buying them then?

Buying, yes, before March when the FIT tariff is likely to reduce.

Don't like the idea of rent-a-roof personally...

rogerblack

Cardew wrote: »

If you can afford the £10,000 to £13,000 it costs to buy a system, and wait 10 years or so until you break even and start making a profit; then buying is the way to go IMO.

A lot of people seem to omit the possibility that they'll lose all their investment at some time if they have to move.
If you estimate you have a 10% chance of having to move in the time period, that changes the average payback time a little.

Sure - you may not be planning it at this time - but what if you or your partner gets ill, or has children, or loses or gets a better job which means you need to move?

Sarah36_2

I am using a company that actually GUARANTEES the income you will get for the 25 year period. If you do not get the level of income they quote they will make up the difference via a third party insurance scheme.
For general information I used a guide I found on Facebook search on free energy to find it. It cost me a tenner but saved me much more !