what is the latest on solar, green, cash back energy?

jonbey

Hi

I get a lot of calls from companies trying to give me solar panels for free, with free electricity, money off bills etc. etc. I naturally assume that they are all trying to con me and say bye bye.

However, I know that there are some green schemes .... I am just totally confused.

I did speak with an ex-solar panel installer about 2 years ago and he did tell me that the companies were all ripping homeowners off - they install the panels and in return they get the cash for surplus electricity - he said that you are better off getting an electrician to install them for you and taking the cash yourself.

Anyway. All I want to know for sure is, what is the deal really?

Is there a best option? I have a big south facing roof that would be ideal. Also keen to reduce electric bills, that are currently about £100 a month.

Any advice, or links to authority guides that are simple to understand and not trying to scam me?

Smiley_Dan

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generating-energy/Choosing-a-renewable-technology/Solar-panels-PV gives a good overview. It's generally best to own the panels yourself if you have the capital at hand, yes.

jonbey

Maybe a daft question - but is there any limit to the amount of panels you can have? More would mean saving more money, and paying for the cost of the panel faster?

I assume that a large part of the cost is installing the actual electricity generators and the bit that feeds some back to the grid? So double the panels should not mean double the cost?

penrhyn

Yes its 4Kwp, equates to around 16 panels.
You may save £100 / year on your electric bill, the reason to install them is the FIT payment, sadley the ays of 45p/Kw exported are passed, its now around 14p.

Smiley_Dan

4kWp is the limit you are allowed to have without permission. You may apply for permission to the DNO to get larger installations. A few houses in our village have. It depends on the connection into the transformer (and probably some more considerations) whether they grant it.

That said, most people don't need more than 4kWp.

The number of panels depends on the panels you choose, but you pay more for higher efficiency panels.

The savings depend on how much electricity you use, and when and how you use electricity once the panels are installed. See the EST link above for more e.g. demand shifting.

I assume that a large part of the cost is installing the actual electricity generators and the bit that feeds some back to the grid? So double the panels should not mean double the cost?

Correct but it probably won't be an enormous amount off.

Martyn1981

jonbey wrote: »

Maybe a daft question - but is there any limit to the amount of panels you can have? More would mean saving more money, and paying for the cost of the panel faster?

I assume that a large part of the cost is installing the actual electricity generators and the bit that feeds some back to the grid? So double the panels should not mean double the cost?

Hiya jonbey, if you want some advice on PV from PV'ers (not installers) then some of us put together a FAQ a few years back:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3872445

As a rule, most people aim to install 4kWp of panels, as the subsidy drops by 10% after that. TBH, the tariff drop is small enough to almost ignore now, so if you can go bigger, do it ...... however, technically there is no limit, but if your system can export more than 3.68kW (most 4kWp systems would now have a 'capped' inverter) then you would first need permission from your DNO.

Getting permission would depend on your connection, if you are looped with neighbours, and many other factors. My domestic connection was upgraded 2 years, so when I asked for permission, I was allowed up to 5.9kW (inverter max, not panels).

Regarding costs, lately quite a lot of people are reporting prices for a 4kWp system of £6k or even less. Very rough rule, but perhaps £2k + £1k per kWp of panels. So going bigger is a little cheaper, but you may not get permission.

All the best.

Mart.