Talk to me about free solar panels.........

Dynamic_Panda

I have read all the bits on here but would appreciate peoples experiences with the free companies............

What to look out for and if there are any specific questions I should ask..........any companies to avoid (it seems to be all the rage to get installed round here at the moment but I have only had one company have a look) are there any pitfalls etc..........

Any advice appreciated.........

DP

PS I am in Bournemouth if that is any help where companies are concerned.............

chanz4

the free ones take the money from the government for several years, you dont.

HalloweenJack

you save between £70 and £120 a year depending oin house size and use of electric during the day - the company installing them get the government fits - currently at about £1500 a year income - due to drop soon

if you move house the new owners would have to take on the contract.

albyota

chanz4 wrote: »

the free ones take the money from the government for several years, you dont.

Nope......the government don't pay out one penny, the energy providers (E-on, EDF, B Gas, Scottish power etc...) pay the FITs by adding a little to Everyones bills.

Possibly.....Soon to be slashed to 21p/kWh instead of 43.3p/kWh

chris1973

I personally wouldn't bother, as in several years time the burden of FIT payments will have probably increased energy by at least £70 a year onto every household bill, so effectively if I had the 'free' panels, they will effectively be paying me nothing, just covering the cost of the subsidy which is paying me!.

Sure i'll still be 'breaking even' in that i'll still be £70 better off than the people without panels whose bills have also increased to £70+ as a result of FIT payments, but its the principle. Energy prices are increasing twice a year by significant amounts without an extra 'challenge' by way of FIT's which will only serve to increase them further!.

Pincher

You have about 6 weeks. Good luck.

penrhyn

Rent-a-Roof ( free panels) is no longer financially viable for the companies that are leeching off the government sponsored scheme.
Maybe they will come up with a 50:50 buy/rent combo or the like.
I future you will have to demonstrate that you have additional energy saving measures in place before being accepted for the FIT subsidy.

More knowledgeable response here:-

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3581917