Free solar panels?

khampson

Hi my father has just paid £12000 for a 4kw system, my question is are free solar systems still available and are they worth it?

I cant afford to buy a system but if it was free and I got free electric in the day it could be worth it for me. what are your thoughts?

Keith

WestonDave

£12k for a 4kWp system is very expensive for current prices unless there is something unusual about the fit (extra scaffolding, black fancy rimmed panels etc). Anything over about £7k would have me looking for another quote.

Not sure if the "rent a roof" schemes are still around - probably some but not as many. Too many rent a roof schemes went in on the old 43p FiT rate, which prompted a cut in the rates which now means its not as profitable so probably less companies interested. If you've got a nigh on perfect south facing roof that will take 16 panels to make a 4kWp system (maxmises return for instalation cost which don't vary much from 10 panels to 16), you might find someone to put them on your roof. However be warned, because you effectively rent your roof for 25 years to the supplier, they put a charge on your property which some mortgage lenders are wary of - this might restrict your ability to get the best remortgage deals in the future.

rogerblack

khampson wrote: »

Hi my father has just paid £12000 for a 4kw system, my question is are free solar systems still available and are they worth it?

He's been ripped off, as was said above, at least if his aim was to make money.
Neglecting inflation or interest costs, payback is over 15 years.

The savings yearly are pretty small, and likely £50-100 tops.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

Another vote for Rip Off. :mad:
Plenty of help and advice in The Green & Ethical MoneySaving Board

rechal

khampson wrote: »

Hi my father has just paid £12000 for a 4kw system, my question is are free solar systems still available and are they worth it?

I cant afford to buy a system but if it was free and I got free electric in the day it could be worth it for me. what are your thoughts?

Keith

Solar panels used to be a no-brainer, but Government subsidy cuts firebombed the gain.

rechal

thanks....

rogerblack

rechal wrote: »

Solar panels used to be a no-brainer, but Government subsidy cuts firebombed the gain.

This really isn't the case.
Yes, the payment per kWh has fallen from about 46p/kWh to 18p/kWh. (I have rolled in the export payment)
However.
At the time when that was the payback, a 4kW installation could set you back £12K.
If you divide down the numbers - the payback is - if not identical - similar.
As concrete numbers.
Here in sunny scotland, I would get about 3530kWh/year from a 4kW system.
This is £635 or so.
Energy savings may add another £50 on - so £680/year or so.
Assuming I can find an installation for £6K - that is not a bad return at all.
Especially as the £635 is linked to inflation.
Show me another investment that will give an inflation linked 10% or so guaranteed return.

(*it's not actually 10%, but far more complex and annoying to work out than this, due to the cost of money and inflation and assumptions of energy prices in the future)