PV installation advice in Essex

Martyn1981

cheeseng wrote: »

Is there anything I'm missing or any thoughts on the offers?

thanks again in advance!
Dave

Hiya, just to repeat something I said earlier, please don't rush if you aren't ready. The FiT reductions each quarter are now tiny. The current level is 3.9p/kWh and the rate from 1st Jan is 3.83p/kWh, a reduction of about £3pa on a 4,000kWh pa generation.

However .... an install in 2017 will mean an inflationary uplift in April 2018 as that's the year after the install, whereas an install on or after 1st Jan 2018 would have to wait till April 2019. So that might be worth it for you?

If you are ready to install in 2017 great, but if not, don't panic, nor be rushed.

tunnel

I'd check what the warranty is on the Solax inverter before committing to anything. Many of us older system owners have SMA's or Solaredge(not needed for yours as they're mainly for shaded rooves) which normally come with a good length of warranty.

cheeseng

I am trying to get the biggest system on the roof possible shrooms, it's just that my roof seems to be letting me down size wise! So it would seem that I would either need to go below the recommended space around the panels for roof access or get higher efficiency panels which, as Martyn commented, seems to be disproportionately more expensive comapared to the benefit in kwh.

TBH I'm trying not to rush - or more accurately with how busy I am atm, I can't rush! I want to get at least one more quote in before deciding any way.

Thanks for the advice on not worrying about panel brands - is there any reason for recommending mono over poly? is their output not the best thing to compare?

The warranty for the inverter is 5 years IIRC - is 5 years about average? obviously the longer the better but do I need to insist on longer?

thanks everyone,
Dave

Heedtheadvice

In terms of the whole of life costs the inverter is potentially onenof the most significant that should be considered over and above the initial outlay.

Prices have fallen over the years and they might continue to do so, who knows! But you might find out the cost of replacement of your particular inverter, say current cost plus £100 when out of warranty. With a system life of 25years that could be 3 replacements you need to pay for it failure out of warranty. A 10 year warranty might mean just one replacement. That likely will be a more costly inverter so you can then work out the possible relatives costs (in today's money!) between the two.

Risk of more frequent failure ought to be covered by warranty (if the company still then exists!!) but the other factor is the risk that the assumed life above is pessimistic with wasted initial extra outlay!
I went for the latter as an aim but ended up with a seven year manufacturer's warranty for my Kako inverter.

cheeseng

That's cool, I'll be getting another quote soon so I'll keep a look out for the inverter warranty with them ��

cheeseng

Hi again,

I just was looking at the Ts and Cs of one of my quotes and saw this line:

"Unless otherwise stated, we believe that the structure is suitable for the installation of Solar PV. The responsibility to obtain an independent structural survey or opinion is yours"

is this a standard clause as it seems to me like something the company should be able to advise on and take responsibility for!

cheers,
Dave

andyg9053

I used Ampsandsun. A small company 2 years ago. Honest man and would definitely reccomend him. Based in Ongar.