Solar Panels

flowers2veg

Hi everyone, now I am going to seem like a real dunce here because I know nothing about solar panels but here goes.

Firstly, those that have solar panels has it really made enough savings for you to compensate for the cost of installation.

Secondly I live in a very exposed and windy area is it safe to put the panels on the roof.

Thirdly if the previous two answers are positive can anyone recommend an installer in the East Lincolnshire area.

Many thanks

Andy_WSM

flowers2veg wrote: »

Firstly, those that have solar panels has it really made enough savings for you to compensate for the cost of installation.

Yes, but I had mine installed a few years ago when the FIT rate was so much higher. I have also fitted a diverter unit to make use of the power at home for heating and / or hot water before dumping excess to the grid. Net result is I use nearly all of what I generate.

flowers2veg wrote: »

Secondly I live in a very exposed and windy area is it safe to put the panels on the roof.

Yes. I live near the coast and we get some real howlers here. If anything, well installed solar PV can shield your roof from wind damage.

flowers2veg wrote: »

Thirdly if the previous two answers are positive can anyone recommend an installer in the East Lincolnshire area.

No, sorry wrong side of the country.

legoman62

flowers2veg wrote: »

Hi everyone, now I am going to seem like a real dunce here because I know nothing about solar panels but here goes.

Firstly, those that have solar panels has it really made enough savings for you to compensate for the cost of installation.

Secondly I live in a very exposed and windy area is it safe to put the panels on the roof.

Thirdly if the previous two answers are positive can anyone recommend an installer in the East Lincolnshire area.

Many thanks

Still worth having SP...FIT rates not so good as previous years, but installs are way, way cheaper to compensate for this.:)

I live on the E. Coast......it's really windy here today too, but, provided you choose a reputable installer you should have no problems...mine are still on the roof after well over 3 years:eek:.

I can PM you with a reputable installer if you need one:D

Martyn1981

flowers2veg wrote: »

Hi everyone, now I am going to seem like a real dunce here because I know nothing about solar panels but here goes.

Firstly, those that have solar panels has it really made enough savings for you to compensate for the cost of installation.

Secondly I live in a very exposed and windy area is it safe to put the panels on the roof.

Thirdly if the previous two answers are positive can anyone recommend an installer in the East Lincolnshire area.

Many thanks

Hiya f2v.

Quick response (but please keep asking for more info):

1. If you can fit approx 4kWp of panels (16 panels) on your roof, then very rough numbers, you should earn around £600 to £700pa. Which will be index linked for 20 years.

2. Costs, if you shop around, ask as you have done on here, and keep coming back for opinions, should be less than £6k, hopefully closer to £5k.

3. Panels are fixed very securely to the roof.

4. No installer recommendations, but I can recommend the PV FAQ to help get you started. [Have a play with section 5, which will give you a very good guestimate of generation for your property, from which you'll be able to calculate income.]

All the best.

Mart.

flowers2veg

Thank you everyone for your replies, definitely going to look into this further. Thank you Mart just off to section 5 back in a bit

pw22

Hi flowerstoveg,

The payback that you get depends on a number of factors - what size system you can fit and the price you pay for it, the orientation of your roof, whether you have any shading, how much of the electricity that you generate you can make use of etc. I have an east-west system installed 18 months ago and am on track for a 6yr 7m payback. I think there was a similar thread recently and the general reply was a reasonable priced system should pay for itself in 6-7 years.

As you are living in a windy area, then you need to make sure that the mounting system which the installer uses has been tested and is regulated to MCS standards. All installers should be using mounting equipment which has been certified to this but it is worth checking what system they use when they quote you.

I will send you a PM of the company who installed my system.

Hope this helps,
PW22

flowers2veg

Wow I have a lot to learn, thank goodness for this site and all the helpful replies thanks again