Solar - any advice on things to ask/check

lisyloo

Just had a quote for solar panels for about £6K.
The company has MSC, NAPIT, REA and green deal approved.

It's a split system because our roof is in 3 parts and house is L shaped.
It would be a bit messy because we would have 6 panels on our main S/W facing roof, 4 on the side which face S/E and another 2 on the garage/bedroom side (SE) - this has 2 dormer windows and a velux window.
A bit difficult to explain, but lets just say if you were worried about aethetics then it's gonna look messy with panels in different orientations.
The cost for the 12 panels and install is about £6K.

We have been offered a solar iBoost for £230 to switch generated electricity to the immersion heater. We have a hot tub but I'm not sure if that's suitable.
We have also been offered voltage optimizer (£495) and a geo unit to display the electricity being generated (not too bothered about that).

I've got some mates who are giving me some advice but just wondering if anyone has any advice/thoughts to offer.

Personally I think the panels will enhance the saleability of the house even though it will look at bit messy.

Difficult to know where we are going to be in 20 years time, but we're pretty settled where we are and have a lot of family in the area and currently one job. We're 45 and 47 so I guess we would be getting to retirement in about 20 years, but as I say difficult to know what life holds in store, but at least currently no reason to move beyond perhaps careers/jobs.

The reason I'm a little wary is that two companies wouldn't quote.
The first came to look and said it wasn't viable.
The second I spoke to over the phone and he looked at the house via google earth.
Now it could just be that this company are more experience and it's just subjective opinion and it's a messy/difficult install but it is quite worrying when you get conflicting advice.

Obviously we will be researching the options but does anyone have any advice, comments or suggestions of things to check.

captainhindsignt

Hi id suggest getting the generation estimates from the company that have quoted for the install and also the specification of the panels they are planning on using because it could be worth paying more for a higher specification panels which would give you a shorter payback period.

Also for more quotes you should go on the MSc installer website and you can search for nearby installers and get some quotes from there.

I wouldn't be too worried about the two companies that wouldn't quote, a lot of companies just want a simple install.

cypher007

I would ask on the navitron forum, lots of very knowledgeable people on there. though from your description I would be looking at some sort of per panel micro inverter setup.

cypher007

ok after looking up voltage optimisers I would find another company, this one isn't in lincs is it? anyway heres some info on voltage optimisers, as I suspected you don't get something for nothing Im afraid:


http://www.ebuild.co.uk/topic/13011-voltage-optimiser/

lisyloo

Thanks for the comments.
Currently looking at a 12 x 325W setup which is a 3.9KW system.