MSE News: Solar subsidies to be slashed under government plans

grumpyoldsteve

grahamc2003 wrote: »

So have you been out to buy a hampster yet?

What about putting all the unemployed people on bikes connected to generators - no subsidy required as they already claim the dole....and then have to use it to subsidise "rich" people having solar panels. Life is just so unfair!

Yes, I think it is fair to say I am a bit tired of reading how it would seem to some reading these posts (and the newspapers) that only the "poor" are subsidising the "rich" to have solar panels, when in fact probably 99% of the bill paying public are all subsidising it. And of the 99%, the ones who aren't "poor" may not have either the funds or a suitable roof to have solar installed even if they did have the funds. Again life is just so unfair!
Hell even owners of solar panels are subsiding themselves through the energy they actually have to buy when the sun is on the other side of the world.

John_Pierpoint

magyar wrote: »

After April 2012 yes, you'll need to be C-rated or better. But I think the theory is you can get loans to insulate your house to this standard which is then (more than) repaid by the FITs.

If one has solid walls, I doubt it.
The choice is:
Internally - but it makes the rooms smaller and makes getting at services running in the walls difficult.
Externally - but that makes the building look completely different and how long does any form of rendering last?

digitaltoast

You and Yours on Radio 4 yesterday had a debate about this.

Interesting how anti-FiT Monbiot came across as clear, concise and well researched, the government spokesmen Greg Barker appeared a bit confused about how solar would help us, and Ed Gill from Good Energy came across as a hopelessly bumbling salesman desperate to keep his gravy train on the rails.

Well worth 7 minutes of your time...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017jbp2#p00lkxd9

grahamc2003

digitaltoast wrote: »

You and Yours on Radio 4 yesterday had a debate about this.

Interesting how anti-FiT Monbiot came across as clear, concise and well researched, the government spokesmen Greg Barker appeared a bit confused about how solar would help us, and Ed Gill from Good Energy came across as a hopelessly bumbling salesman desperate to keep his gravy train on the rails.

Well worth 7 minutes of your time...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b017jbp2#p00lkxd9

Thanks for the link, really interesting, and I agree with your assessment. Strange how the three chosen to talk are all very 'green', and consist of a jouranlist, politician and a salesman. Surely some expertise is missing there on a discussion of the efficacy of solar panels.

I love George's quote, something like 'I don't have to spell out the implications of maximum demand being between 5 and 7 on a winter's evening'. He seems to have grasped the concept for solar, but then seems to sing the praises of wind power which also suffers the same burden! Perhaps someone should spell it out to him.

At least even the politician sees the unfairness of those in fuel poverty paying a subsidy to those who can afford £12k for panels to be placed on their 4 bed detached.

I was mightily impressed that the politician got the units of energy correct, being kilowatt hours. It speaks volumes that these days people are impressed that politicians have even the most elementary bit of technical knowledge.

magyar

grahamc2003 wrote: »

I love George's quote, something like 'I don't have to spell out the implications of maximum demand being between 5 and 7 on a winter's evening'. He seems to have grasped the concept for solar, but then seems to sing the praises of wind power which also suffers the same burden! Perhaps someone should spell it out to him.

It is rather a silly point, though, isn't it. Clearly it's obvious that solar power needs sun and wind power needs wind. The important point is you therefore need backup for times when you have high demand and whether this is an overall cost-effective solution.

I refer you back to post #144. You cannot look at any one technology in isolation and say it is good or bad, you need to look at whether the overall mix is good in the long term.

Equaliser123

stewgreen wrote: »

..still seems like hype to me
.. I'd like to see proof of savings made just just talk of "you will save"
- Maybe someone can tell us of a website where we can see scans of FITs on real electricity bills accompanied by a price breakdown of FULL costs.. the panels, the inspection cost, the installation cost, commissions, cleaning cost etc.

someone in the UK must have some good experience by now ? so there must be a proof website somewhere

I have seen our electricity consumption fall by 35-40% over the 12 months since our installation.

I have also seen the credits to my bank account with the FITs. Our investment of £9.8k has in 9 months produced £1.3k.

There are no cleaning costs and they don't have to be inspected.

magyar

Equaliser123 wrote: »

I have also seen the credits to my bank account with the FITs. Our investment of £9.8k has in 9 months produced £1.3k.

... which I think clearly tells you you're being overcompensated. Don't get me wrong - great investment for you and quite right too! But tell me anywhere else you could put your money in a government underwritten investment and get £1,300 back from a £10k investment after 1 year!

John_Pierpoint

Good timing.
I'm the idiot who thought the deadline would be next April.

Equaliser123

magyar wrote: »

... which I think clearly tells you you're being overcompensated. Don't get me wrong - great investment for you and quite right too! But tell me anywhere else you could put your money in a government underwritten investment and get £1,300 back from a £10k investment after 1 year!

It's not quite comparing apples and apples. I don't see it as a £10k investment but as a £10k purchase which is now making /saving money.

Unlike just about every investment I know, I cannot access my capital.

orrery

I've received word that a friend who recently got a job as a surveyor for a company offering free solar installations has just been laid off. So, real people already on the dole through these changes.