Solar panels - yes or no??

macman

dampdaveski wrote: »

Well done macman for spotting the deliberate mistake ahem!!

He has 16 panels on his roof, i think i'll stick to having an opinion on damp related matters!

That'll be a 4kW system then.

Oscargrouch

dreaming wrote: »

Thank you all for your comments so far - I have now looked at the Green & Ethical board as well.
Jonesya - yes I have cavity wall insulation/270mm loft insulation/double glazing/good modern boiler/all low energy lighting. I did all the "cheaper" things in the last couple of years since moving here. PV is the last thing - other than looking at how I use power.

Enjoying myself - hmm, well after working hard most of my life my enjoyment will come from not having to work (if I can manage it). Spending more time with my family and friends is the best thing I could possibly think of. I don't particularly enjoy travelling, and honestly can't think of anything that I could buy which would give me "enjoyment", so want to use my cash to ease the future and try to ensure I am comfortable without having to worry so much about rising costs.

Any negatives from anyone?

Hi Dreaming,

You may get some good tips on prices & value for money on this thread, if you ask.....:)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/57301951#Comment_57301951

dreaming

Oscargrouch wrote: »

Hi Dreaming,

You may get some good tips on prices & value for money on this thread, if you ask.....:)

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/57301951#Comment_57301951

Thanks - have had a bit of a mosey round the solar panel threads but got a bit confused. I see you are in Northants - me too (actually Northampton). Hope it brightens up a bit or I will be looking at hydropower instead I think:)
Starting to get a bit more understanding but whenever I have big work like this done worry about reputation and workmanship of company. I don't know anyone who has had solar panels fitted locally to ask.

Oscargrouch

dreaming wrote: »

Thanks - have had a bit of a mosey round the solar panel threads but got a bit confused. I see you are in Northants - me too (actually Northampton). I don't know anyone who has had solar panels fitted locally to ask.

I will send you a PM in a minute...:)

Furts

Hi Dreaming
I spotted this thread and thought it may be too late to post...but here goes.

I will speak of a 4kW installation from 2011. Prices were much higher for installation but then so were FiT. The installation has issues with over shading. It was expensive because it is two seperate arrays on different roof elevations coupled to an expensive large dual inverter. Neither array faces south. The location is not particularly sunny. In theory, the system should be a disaster.

Yet...it regularly exceeds 3kW on sunny days and it is common in summer to read 4026 W output - this being the maximum it can produce (or it is capped to this). It has exceeded expectations - even those of the company who installed it. And like all such companies, the owners took the projections with a pinch of salt. The projection was 3200kW in the first year. The owners said anywhere approaching 3000kW would be a bonus. It should be noted the generation was over 3600kW.

It cost a lot...but on present form will cover its costs within 5 years. This partly because the house is well insulated - the pv panels heat the house during the day, and in summer heat the hot water.

Compare this to a nearby straight forward 3kW installation, in a better location, facing due south. This owner complained he rarely exceeded 75% of the 3kW. I know he did once achieve 2.9kW. This system was almost as expensive. The owner was dissappointed.

What I am suggesting is pv panels are luck/panel quality/inverter quality/ electric use/house insulation etc. It is hard to give a definitive judgement.

That said the owners of the 4kW system are delighted with their decision. Partly because of this;
After year five the income from the panels will pay the water, sewerage, phone, broadband, gas, electric and about half the council tax. So, in a mortgage free home costs will be low, Furthermore, by normal standards, it is an enormous house to fund and run.

Does this help you?

dreaming

Hi Furts - it is very interesting to hear of different experiences.
I have now got my installation booked for 8th April (4Kw) -just need some better weather.

Furts

Hi dreaming.
What panels and inverter did you decide on? I do not know the differences between them but I would be interested to know. Plus, prices change along with the FIT. Are you able to say what a 4kW array is costing today?

The 4kW I mentioned cost, IIRR, around £11500. Then a colleague had a 4kW last spring at, again IIRR, £7000 or £8000. (I cannot remember which!)

OldFartPlumber

dreaming wrote: »

Thank you all for your comments

Any negatives from anyone?

It depends on the type of roof you have - I`m in a similar position as you . Bungalow S facing etc . but I would never stick any solar panels on our roof - it`s small plain clay tiles - would look bloody awful and make future maintenance nigh on impossible . If you`ve got large concrete tiles then go for it - just check how long you`ve got to leave it on the roof - I personally think having panels might be a bad selling point in the future. Just read - 8th. is D-Day . Good Luck.

System

tbh I would never install solar pv on a house, the only thing that makes it viable is the FIT - I would go for solar thermal panels which, without any promises of money from politicians, are actually worthwhile using

(unless of course i was going off-grid)

I would say in my local area, 99% of people that have installed pv panels are middle-high earners and only installed them to make money, nothing at all do with green credentials - the FIT was designed as a way for people with money to make money without using the banking system

Furts

the_r_sole wrote: »

tbh I would never install solar pv on a house, the only thing that makes it viable is the FIT - I would go for solar thermal panels which, without any promises of money from politicians, are actually worthwhile using

(unless of course i was going off-grid)

I would say in my local area, 99% of people that have installed pv panels are middle-high earners and only installed them to make money, nothing at all do with green credentials - the FIT was designed as a way for people with money to make money without using the banking system

I agree with you to an extent.

My belief is the FIT is rigged to be somewhat anti environmental. When electricity is exported from a home, the owner receives about 3p per unit. This electricity could be used by a neighbour, who could be only a 15-20 metre cable run away. But the neighbour pays 18p for the unit. The mark up/profit is huge - this is not received by the pv panel owner but instead by the electric company.

With regards solar thermal (ST) the answer is to use pv panels to power an immersion heater and electric heating. This is the cost effective/sensible route...provided it can be afforded.

The "free energy" companies were a blight, because the sensible thing was to borrow money (as they were doing) and install your own system to reap the benefits - rather than give the benefits to them.

There was no logic in ST at the time much pv was installed because suppliers and installers were charging extortionate, unjustified sums for ST. They then wondered why few systems were fitted. Doh!