Should I remove my solar panels ?

Martyn1981

jimjames wrote: »

However I noticed OP said they were fitted in 2008. Surely that would be before the FIT scheme was introduced so they'd get no FIT payments?

I've got something in the back of my brain nagging away, from years and years ago. I think folk with PV were able to move onto the FiT scheme when it was launched, even if they'd received a small grant towards the installation costs.

Obviously, there wouldn't have been many pre-FiT PV installs in existence.

Mart.

EricMears

Oscargrouch wrote: »

Altruism or selflessness is the principle or practice of concern for the welfare of others. It is a traditional virtue in many cultures and a core aspect of various religious traditions and secular worldviews, though the concept of "others" toward whom concern should be directed can vary among cultures and religions. 'Me, look after No.1 as no one else will.....

There's nothing wrong with a bit of 'enlightened self-interest'; indeed, basic economic theory would suggest that if everyone pursues the course of action most profitable to themselves, the overall outcome would be optimal.

As for altruism being a core aspect of religions, tell me that again when RCs & Prots, Hindus & Sikhs, Jews & Muslims etc. etc have learnt how to co-exist.

EricMears

But getting back to the original question, it's unlikely that anyone here will be an expert on the housing market in the OP's locality. Only a local estate agent (and possibly not the one who hasn't managed to sell the house yet !) could have any idea of how people to whom the house particulars have been offered reacted. There may be some who have turned down the chance to view because the panels really look 'ugly' but even they might have changed their minds if the agent had pointed out the advantages of the income stream. Far more likely that anyone rejecting a particular property thinks they can get better value for money in a different street.

Cardew

Continuing with the original question!


Look at the photo's in this article(forgive the source)


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2209909/Solar-panels-ruin-picturesque-street.html


Regardless of how well the panels were fitted, most people looking to buy such a house would surely get it at a large discount and then remove the panels??

EricMears

Cardew wrote: »

Look at the photo's in this article(forgive the source)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2209909/Solar-panels-ruin-picturesque-street.html

You're forgiven; I'm sure we all realise how hard it would have been to find a recent article on the same subject.

Cardew

Martyn1981 wrote: »

I've got something in the back of my brain nagging away, from years and years ago. I think folk with PV were able to move onto the FiT scheme when it was launched, even if they'd received a small grant towards the installation costs.

Obviously, there wouldn't have been many pre-FiT PV installs in existence.

Mart.

I believe the date was mid 2009. This was the proposal.


A lady running a petition opposing the proposal, in respect of the cut-off date, posted this on MSE.

iirc there was no change to the dates but the initial FIT was increased.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm afraid you won't get 36.5p per unit from the feed-in tariff. Tucked at the bottom of the rates table is the dismal news that existing generators - ie those who installed solar panels or micro wind before the consultation was announced on 15 July 09 - will get just 9p per kWh generated, plus there will be a flat rate of an additional 5p for each kWh exported whoever your supplier. This will extend payback time for some people - depending on which energy supplier they currently use.

This is made even worse by the news that people who install between 15/7/09 and April 2010 will get the full rates (up to 36.5p for solar; 30.5p for wind) AND a grant.

EricMears

Does seem a tad unfair. Possibly the potential purchasers are being put off by not getting the hoped for FIT payments so are diverting to houses with newer installations ?

Cardew

EricMears wrote: »

Does seem a tad unfair. Possibly the potential purchasers are being put off by not getting the hoped for FIT payments so are diverting to houses with newer installations ?

I purchased and had 10 pv solar panels installed by Npower in 2008 with the FITs scheme.

Or the OP just made a mistake with the year? I don't think NPower were installing systems in 2008 and the FITs scheme wasn't running.

jimjames

Cardew wrote: »

Or the OP just made a mistake with the year? I don't think NPower were installing systems in 2008 and the FITs scheme wasn't running.

Maybe. If that is the case then it may be other details aren't correct too that are putting buyers off. Until they come back we'll never know!

SavingFish

A neat rectangular array of panels with black frames and rails mounted on an otherwise featureless roof can, in my opinion, improve a properties appearance. (Aside: I'm probably never likely to buy a listed building or a house in a conservation area, that simply not being my taste.)

An array of cheap panels at varying angles staggered around a gable end with visible cables joining different elevations can look pretty poor.

Most arrays fall between these two extremes and I can take them or leave them as far as aesthetics are concerned.

If I had a choice between two identical properties, but one of them had a reasonably tastefully fitted solar array...
- If I got the FITs, I'd pay more for the solar.
- If I only got the energy (but still owned the panels) I'd go for the solar. Any change in valuation would be negligible.
- If the panels weren't working for some reason, I would either require that to be rectified first, or I would take the cost of the repair work into account when making an offer.
- If the panels were part of a rent-a-roof scheme, sorry, I would be too worried about potential legal headaches in the future, no sale.

I am not pretending to be able to predict how these things will pan out in future years or what direction consumer sentiment may take in the future. This would simply be my view as a prospective buyer. Other buyers will have different viewpoints.

Without more information I don't think you can know what effect removing them might have on the eventual realised sale price.

When selling a house, I would hope that the estate agent gave clear details re: the legal/financial situation to any prospective buyers.

I would also hope that if viewers weren't making offers, or buyers on the agents list weren't booking viewings, that the estate agent would ask them why.

(There's no way of knowing who skipped past your advert online or why though.)