Solar PV

davetheboss

Hi, I purchased my 4 KW system outright in June and am very happy with both the work and the system. I am well ahead with the predicted savings and energy generated, which leaves room for lower production over the winter months. If I was buying a house that had a purchased system I would have no hesitation and would expect them to increase the value. Mine are at the back so have no effect on the look of my roof (to me). I would suggest that a lot of the negative comments are from people who either don,t have them or are unable to have them fitted for whatever reason. When you are sitting with the dishwasher, washing machine and all the other normal appliances turned on and my meter shows that I am still exporting to the grid, happy days. The meter reader called but couldn't get a reading until I turned on the kettle, Immersion Heater and Tumble Dryer as my meter was showing Exporting but he needed the Importing reading. If you have a suitable roof get them fitted, you will not regret it, especially if you are home most of the day. I used TC Renewables, Limavady (I have no connection with them) and very happy to recommend them. I expect payback within 7 years but as the whole system and the Government payments are guaranteed for 20 years you have nothing to lose.

Cotta

Looks like solar panels could be a monumental waste of time:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2803561/Flow-Energy-set-launch-boiler-generates-electricity.html

motorguy

Cotta wrote: »

Looks like solar panels could be a monumental waste of time:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2803561/Flow-Energy-set-launch-boiler-generates-electricity.html

Why?

Surely a product like this would simply compliment solar panels - your heating being more likely to be on during the winter months when solar energy levels are low.

wotnoshoeseh

All,
Thanks for all the replies and the debate about the "free" solar..:rotfl:
I am a firm subscriber to the "..no such thing as a free lunch" and would be buying panels outright.
I have had a couple of people out to review my site and provide quotations. Interestingly one of the quotations did suggest that it would add value to the property, which I am not entirely sold on - it might be an additional selling feature but I'm not sure how much additional sales revenue it might generate. Anyway that's hardly a consideration when I am considering putting solar PV on my roof, it means I am here for the long haul.
There seems to be a lot of divided opinion on the site about these panels.
A couple of people have good reports on here too, so I'll probably "PM" then for a little feedback on their installers etc.

irishjohn

wotnoshoeseh wrote: »

Hi all,
Been reading through a few articles and thinking of getting Solar PV installed.
I have contacted a few suppliers, one of whom has made an appointment to come out to my house to appraise site and give me a quote.

I was hoping that others on this forum could give me some input on things to look out for etc.
I'd also be interested to know what the general consensus is on them - are they worth the outlay, and is it a good "investment".

If anyone has had them for a long time, have they had any issues with them on failures or loss of performance etc.

Thanks,
Damian.

I have now been able to calculate the financial returns of my Solar panels fitted in early 2013 as I have a full set of income and expenditure for a calendar year as of yesterday.

My electricity bills for the last 12 months have totalled £361.02 which is actual cost as I pay the bill in full rather than spread over 12 monthly payments.

I have been paid £652 for a full year of electricity generated by my panels and an additional supplementary payment of £137.96 for the electricity generated by the panels and fed back unused into the grid. I can really only make use of around 30% of the electricity I generate currently.

So with £361.02 paid out, and a total of £790.07 paid to me I have had free electricity and am £429.05 better off. I think it was worth shelling out for the system.