Official MSE Free Solar Panel guide discussion

juliestar

Hi is there any reason why we can't have info on heat pumps and solar panels - don't they go together in a new all electric future? Doesn't having a heat pump make having solar that much more cost effective?

QrizB

juliestar said:

Hi is there any reason why we can't have info on heat pumps and solar panels

No reason. Altough this thread is mostly about the "rent a roof" solar panel companies, who ceased operating some years ago. If you want to discuss his, you'd be better off with a separate thread.

juliestar said:

 don't they go together in a new all electric future?

Not really, they're two separate things that do two separate jobs.

juliestar said:

Doesn't having a heat pump make having solar that much more cost effective?

Another not really. For the warm and sunny six months of the year you'll be generating more electricity than your heat pump can use. For the cold and dull months you'll be generating far less than it needs.
You might as well think of them as two separate items that both happen to connect to the electrical grid.

debitcardmayhem

juliestar said:

Hi is there any reason why we can't have info on heat pumps and solar panels - don't they go together in a new all electric future? Doesn't having a heat pump make having solar that much more cost effective?

Not sure where you are coming from, if you mean on this forum, then start a new thread, if not google/bing/duckduckgo are your search engine friends(other search engines are available)

David97

Thanks for the new guide to solar panels - very helpful.

I think there are also some planning/approval issues.  I understand (from a company rep) that 4Kw systems can be connected to the grid on a 'rubber stamp' basis.  8Kw systems need approval so that the electricity supply in the street can be balanced (potential issue if everyone has big solar systems and they are feeding power back to the grid).  Above 8Kw then you have to follow the rules as an electricity generator - more complex!

I can't vouch for the accuracy of the information, but it would be worth looking into if you want to install more than 8Kw of solar panels.

portman_blue

Hi
Not been through this forum so the answer may already exist.
But - there's a company called Tomato Energy https://www.tomato.energy/tomatopia-solar  that's fitted a couple of houses with solar panels near me in the Telford area. Their website says that installation of the panels and a storage unit is free. They apparently charge £100 a month for electricity for 5 years and and then you are on your own.
Any experience of the company? Is it too good to be true?

QrizB

portman_blue said:
But - there's a company called Tomato Energy https://www.tomato.energy/tomatopia-solar  that's fitted a couple of houses with solar panels near me in the Telford area. Their website says that installation of the panels and a storage unit is free. They apparently charge £100 a month for electricity for 5 years and and then you are on your own.
Any experience of the company? Is it too good to be true?

There's a long thread on Tomato Energy:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6549717/tomato-energy-electric-only-supplier-too-good-to-be-true

Note that they're currently not taking on new customers while they sort their admin out. Opinions vary on the significance of this.