Put your solar panel questions to the Energy Saving Trust

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

James_moneysavingexpert wrote: »

When are the changes to the feed in tariff likely to happen and what might it change to? Thought the Govt were trying to encourage green initiatives?

The UK Government has a comprehensive review underway and we expect a consultation to come out very shortly, with changes coming in April 2012. However, we know that the Government has said that it would make changes sooner if there's greater urgency to do so and there may be reason given the rapid increase in deployment and drop in solar PV costs.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

raider wrote: »

Why are FIT applications taking so long to be approved? My own was 3.5 months, but have read stories of 6 months and more.

Why are actual FIT payments taking so long? My first took 41 days. My second, which I’m still waiting on has so far been 50 days.

If your not happy with the energy company dealing with your Solar generation FIT, how do you go about changing?

The EST cut it's estimate of how much energy from solar panels is used on the home from 50% to 25%, thus 75% exported. Will the deemed export tariff (50%) now be changed to reflect this? If not, why not?

Yes, we are also aware of some customers waiting a long time. We believe its simply down to the number of solar PV installations being put in. This summer saw a massive hike in the numbers installed with around 5,000-10,000 being installed a month. Put simply, I think the energy suppliers may have struggled a bit processing the applications.

Why are FIT payments taking so long? We're aware that energy suppliers vary heavily in terms of how long it takes to may a payment. However, if I recall from Ofgem's guidance they have to pay no less frequently than quarterly. So it it takes longer than 90 days or so then there is cause for complaint. also remember you can shop around for FIT supplier so may be worth finding out who pays the most frequent and simply switch. We hope to publish tables of these soon.

Export rates - these are deemed at 50% as you know. We believe the amount actually exported may be higher though we are working with industry to investigate this more as there's still lots of speculation. What we can say is that the Government will be reviewing this and that the deeming may be removed once Smart meters are introduced (which was mentioned in the last Government's response on FITs).

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

wittykate wrote: »

Are solar panels worthwhile for a roof that faces west/east? We are not due west; slightly west, south west.

Difference is around 20% i.e. 20% drop from optimum (south facing). You can work out yourself your annual generation, savings and income by using our calc which I mentioned earlier - www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/solarenergycalculator

macman

Anywhere facing between south west and south east is OK. if your roof is aligned west to east, then it faces south or north. Which is it?
Compass alignment is not the only factor, you must take shading into account at all times of day, whether from other buildings, parapet walls, trees etc.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

jimjames wrote: »

It was more the fact that I understood that everyone had to use SAP calcs to be comparable. Trying to quote a higher output in order to get faster payback seems rather dubious especially when combined with the 15% compounded growth in energy prices. I'm sure it would give a higher output but if a company is trying to get round the rules at the quoting stage what else will they try on later once you order.

Just to confirm something with regards to the figures installers provide. All MCS certified installers MUST provide a SAP calculation for solar PV which gives annual kWh figure. however, they can also use other software available which they can use on the quote so there is flexibility but there is also scope of misleading customers. If in doubt use the SAP calc.

PDT

In my home area estate agents don't have experience of properties fitted with photovoltaics. Can anyone tell me - broadly speaking - what value a 3kw to 4kw photovoltaic system yielding FiTS income of about £1,000/year will add to a detached property currently valued at about £250k in the North East (NE38 post code) area?

Thank you.

wyreman

James_moneysavingexpert wrote: »

When are the changes to the feed in tariff likely to happen and what might it change to? Thought the Govt were trying to encourage green initiatives?

Ofgem have announced a 10% year on year reduction for all the FIT tariffs for new entrants during that FIT year, thats your starting point which is then fixed to increase by the RPI until the end of the 25 year period.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

PDT wrote: »

In my home area estate agents don't have experience of properties fitted with photovoltaics. Can anyone tell me - broadly speaking - what value a 3kw to 4kw photovoltaic system yielding FiTS income of about £1,000/year will add to a detached property currently valued at about £250k in the North East (NE38 post code) area?

Thank you.

That's the million dollar question. We did a survey a couple of years back where we asked consumers if they would be willing to pay more for a property with energy saving measures installed. Believe most said yes though we don't know how much. We also asked a group of Chartered Surveyors recently but the were unsure.

I would frame the question differnelty. Instead of asking how much it would add, ask yourself how much would you be willing to pay extra? The maximum would have to be the discounted (to today's value) all future FIT payments so a bit like valuing a company. Say it was worth £25k then that's the max you'd expect. Unfortuantely its all in the eye of the beholder. One thing we would recommend is that you state clearly on home report the system and how much it earns. You may have to educate any potential buyers of the system and you should be clear about the income it gives to the property.

Hope this helps

PS - there was also a survey done in California and it did show that installing solar PV added value though I can't remember the link. Possibly worth google search. May provide insights into buyer behaviour.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

Thanks for all the questions. Just remember to check out our solar calculator that we mentioend and you can also find out more info on solar PV by visiting our web site:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy

Or speak to one of our advisers for free impartial advice:

0800 512 012

bobandpam

we had quotes from three companies, two ok the third said it was not worth doing due to trees in our garden.. who do we believe