Solar ... In the news

chris329a

When do you "secure" the tariff exactly? My install is due on 24/25th so wondering if I'll get the current one.

lstar337

Locals could be offered the chance to buy shares in new wind farms, solar farms and hydro power stations, under new government approved guidelines.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-29879140

Martyn1981

chris329a wrote: »

When do you "secure" the tariff exactly? My install is due on 24/25th so wondering if I'll get the current one.

Hiya chris. Assuming it's the same everywhere (but check with your planned FiT provider) it should be when they've recorded (internally) receipt of your application and it's complete and correct.

So get the completed form, plus any and all required attachments (MCS, EPC etc) to them, and ring them and ask if it's complete.

That doesn't mean it's been processed or a contract sent out to you, that may take weeks (or months), just the date on which a complete application has been received, or more correctly, recorded as being recieved.

However, if as they process it, they notice something is wrong, then they'll ask you to correct it, or supply the amended/missing docs, in that case the date doesn't count. Again, it'll be once they have received a complete application.

Does that make sense?

If you get all the paperwork ready beforehand, and fill in as much as possible before the install, then that'll help. If the installer supplies you with the EPC and MCS certificates on the day (or the next), then no reason why you couldn't submit the application immediately.

Mart.

chris329a

Thanks, I know it's only a few % but it all adds up.

The-Joker

Why is solar so cheap now

zeupater

The-Joker wrote: »

Why is solar so cheap now

... Because the development of the market has rapidly taken the technology from being 'specialised' through to a mass production 'consumerised' product .... for example, the last 4 years have seen the number of installations in the UK grow from being measured in the hundreds, which had been installed over the previous couple of decades, to over half-a-million ....

HTH
Z

ed110220

zeupater wrote: »

... Because the development of the market has rapidly taken the technology from being 'specialised' through to a mass production 'consumerised' product .... for example, the last 4 years have seen the number of installations in the UK grow from being measured in the hundreds, which had been installed over the previous couple of decades, to over half-a-million ....

HTH
Z

And on a world scale China is leading the way. Last year China installed 11.3 GW of solar PV. This really is mass production, and similar to the way in which microprocessors used in computers, smartphones etc have fallen in price as the number made has increased.

Ed

Martyn1981

Interesting article, bit long, but worth reading it all. But in super brief, PV with storage may be viable now in Australia, despite the component parts being quite expense there (compared to the US) and costs expected to continue falling fast. In the UK, keep those fingers crossed, but don't hold your breath, it's still a few years away:

UBS: Solar plus storage is already cost effective in Australia

Solar’s differentiation compared to virtually all other forms of generation is that its generation costs are invariant to scale. It’s just as cost-effective whether it’s scaled to run a torch or a city. In addition the fuel source is mostly available at the point of consumption. This means the only real constraint on where solar is situated is having enough space for the panels.

There is no noise, no moving parts to wear out. These attributes are why it so well suited to Australian detached housing, or for that matter, the commercial and government sectors. Virtually the only disadvantage of solar is that the sun only hits the panels for a limited number of hours per day.

That’s where the storage comes in. The battery’s function is to ensure most of the solar power can be used in the house and nothing is sold back to the grid.

Until recently, and even today, storage has neither been consumer friendly (lead acid batteries are heavy and require relatively large amounts of space) and relatively expensive. However Lithium Ion batteries are changing that; their costs are falling sharply, maybe 10% or more per year in $US terms. Li-Ion batteries have other consumer friendly advantages, they are much lighter, take up less space, can be virtually fully discharged at a constant voltage, and hold charge for extended periods of time.

Mart.

Martyn1981

Strange day, but the DM has written a good, accurate and fair article on PV (is this the first sign of the 'end of days'?):

Could solar panels earn you £650 profit a year? This veteran financial journalist has just spent £6,250 installing them: find out if it will be worth it

Mart.

Waywardmike

I was impressed with this article, especially considering where it was published.

Then I read the comments. Wow, I didn't realise how against solar panels the majority of the public (the readers of this article anyway) are and how little they know or understand about them.

Some were saying we should be issued with ASBO's as they are an eyesore and drop the value of the whole street they are situated on.

I'm amazed at just how offended people seem to be by the black rectangles on my roof!!! Some people a clearly just idiots but it saddens me to think there are so many of them...