Solar Panels

emerald21

Hi Im thinking of having solar panels put on the roof. Has anyone had it done ? Has anyone got any views on whether its a good thing or not, any downfalls etc Thanks:)

Leif

There was a thread about this not so long ago. The government have now reduced the subsidy so it takes twice as long to pay off the cost. I would never allow a company to put cells on my roof, as the benefits are small, but I would consider buying some.

Discodave

Leif wrote: »

There was a thread about this not so long ago. The government have now reduced the subsidy so it takes twice as long to pay off the cost. I would never allow a company to put cells on my roof, as the benefits are small, but I would consider buying some.

you can still get the full rate of 43.3 upto and including 3 March 2012. Any installs after that attract a 21p per KW rate

Leif

Discodave wrote: »

you can still get the full rate of 43.3 upto and including 3 March 2012. Any installs after that attract a 21p per KW rate

Are you sure? I thought the government ended the scheme earlier, in December, because too many were taking it up. Then it went to court, because companies were disgruntled with the government, but I don't think the government changed their mind.

Discodave

Leif wrote: »

Are you sure? I thought the government ended the scheme earlier, in December, because too many were taking it up. Then it went to court, because companies were disgruntled with the government, but I don't think the government changed their mind.

thats what I got told by my installer, 25 year @ higher rate of 43.3p for installed upto March 3, then 21p therefore after, may reduce again in July iirc

Leif

Discodave wrote: »

thats what I got told by my installer, 25 year @ higher rate of 43.3p for installed upto March 3, then 21p therefore after, may reduce again in July iirc

When did he tell you that? What you say was the original plan. Here is a recent story:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/consumertips/household-bills/9016121/Solar-panels-100000-rushed-to-beat-subsidy-cut.html

tony6403

The Govt. is submitting an appeal to the Supreme Court to try to enforce its intention of reducing the FIT payment with effect from 12th Dec 2011. If that appeal succeeds then any installations after the Dec 2011 deadline will not get the 43p.
See - Government asks Supreme Court for permission to appeal FiTs rulings

ps I take it that you are interested in solar pv and not solar thermal panels.

Hobbo2006

@ tony6403

I had an installation done on the 21st Feb 2012. I ordered it understanding that it would be a gamble, whether I'd get the 43p rate, but thought the upside was too big to miss out on.

Anyway I got a letter back from SSE on the 23rd Feb 2012 which includes my FiT contract and this confirms the 43.3p per kWh rate for the eligibility period which is 25 years. I phoned to check and they confirmed that this rate is now guaranteed as the install was completed before 2nd March.

This is contrary to what I beleived so therefore I am keeping all documentation close to hand. I don't mind providing a copy if there any legal minded people out there that can check the T's & C's for any get out clauses.

Other that this I'm very happy so far. Generated 50kWH's up till end of Feb. System is 4kW with Power one 3.6 inverter 5 panels facing East, 11 panels facing west at 25 degree slope. SAP calculation for Feb Total is 114.

Should generate around 2800 kWh

Total Cost £8,995
Year 1 FiT payment for 2800 = £1,212.40
Year 1 Export Payment £43.40
Estimated Cost saving on electricity £235.20 (based on 70% usage as young family at home all day)

Total year 1 = £1,491
ROI = 16.5%

PS I think this is an underestimate of what we'll generate and also how much we will use of what we have generated.

tony6403

Hobbo , hope that it all goes well for you but the Govt. are trying to overturn the Appeal Court ruling.
Part of Greg Barker's statement below :-

"If we had chosen not to [appeal to the Supreme Court], there would have been much greater costs to consumers both due to installations between 12 December 2011 and 3 March 2012 receiving higher tariffs (of 43.3p/kWh for installations up to 4 kW of installed capacity) for 25 years, and because of a likely increase in installation rate due to continued availability of the higher tariffs."

I don't know the date for the Supreme Court hearing.

Discodave

any news on the next court date for the Govt?

roger196

There has been discussion ( will try to recall where) on who is liable for repairs to your roof if a high wind lifts off the panels. Who is responsible for maintaince and replacement of failed components. Who has right of access for repairs and on what notice. 25 years is a very long time...what happens if the installer goes bust? What happens to the contract if you sell your house? Can it be transferred to the new owner. Are the payments indexed linked in any way...look at how the price of petrol or houses has changed over 25 years to see how the impact of inflation will change the value of the deal.
Personally I would not buy any house with solar panels installed for these reasons.