Removing solar panels

JC_Derby

propinquitas wrote: »

We did get the solicitor to check several times and she confirmed they are not on a rent a roof scheme (we would not have bought the house if they were so she knew how vital that query was). Thanks for the suggestions/queries, I'm learning. But they're still on borrowed time....

But your solicitor should have confirmed what sort of scheme they are on....they have still not Imho (Of course) completely fulfilled there duty on this point

JC_Derby

You can also speak to your DNO and the supplier of the property when you took over to see whether you are eligible for fit payments....The DNo may not necessarily know that information but they may be able to see when your array was installed and who by and have copies of the MCS docs (they should have if the installer sent the documents correctly).The supplier at exchange may know if the previous owners were being paid FIT, and you may need to speak to them....even if yu are removing them, why miss out on money that is due?

propinquitas

Good information both, thank you.

House_Martin

propinquitas wrote: »

We did get the solicitor to check several times and she confirmed they are not on a rent a roof scheme (we would not have bought the house if they were so she knew how vital that query was). Thanks for the suggestions/queries, I'm learning. But they're still on borrowed time....

Rent a roofers are doing very well and they would nt change it if they had a choice Many have an old analogue meter which will actually run backwards on sunny days deducting units used on the previous nights usage at the same time as crediting the FIT meter.
so long as the reading never shows a negative on the last reading the suppliers will not twigg and you end up with a virtual zero electric bill.
The panels sell well on Ebay. As a meter reader I have seen quite a few houses where they increase the panels from the 4 kwh limit without telling the supplier

EachPenny

House_Martin wrote: »

so long as the reading never shows a negative on the last reading the suppliers will not twigg and you end up with a virtual zero electric bill.
The panels sell well on Ebay. As a meter reader I have seen quite a few houses where they increase the panels from the 4 kwh limit without telling the supplier

I'm tempted to buy them just to give you something else to accuse me of fiddling HM I'm sure my meter is one of the ones which goes in reverse

Seriously though, is it difficult to get second-hand ones installed? I realise you don't get the FIT, but to offset some daytime consumption it seems to make sense if the second-hand market makes them available at the right price.

Martyn1981

propinquitas wrote: »

Thanks all for your replies, it is a photovoltaic system made by Landis & Gyr. They are solar pv panels. They were apparently on an FIT with the previous owners but we have had nothing from them.
We checked several times with our solicitors whether they were owned outright or rented and we were assured they were owned and not under a lease of any kind.
AJBell, I probably don't understand all of the benefits but looking at this roof, nothing could induce me to keep them. They were installed 2013. There are 16 panels.
I love the idea of solar power but the aesthetics of my roof are more important to me.

Only a guess, but if you have 16 panels, then it's probably a 4kWp system generating around 3,000-4,000kWh pa, and earning FiTs + export of around £600-£800 pa till 2033. Plus leccy savings of around £120pa.

Martyn1981

House_Martin wrote: »

As a meter reader I have seen quite a few houses where they increase the panels from the 4 kwh limit without telling the supplier

Hiya, there is no kWh limit, my 5.58kWp generate between zero and 34kWh per day, with no complaints.

silverwhistle

EachPenny wrote: »

I'm tempted to buy them just to give you something else to accuse me of fiddling HM I'm sure my meter is one of the ones which goes in reverse

Don't tell me you haven't got a TV licence?! He _will_ get frothy at the mouth. [ibid. MSE TV licence threads].

teddysmum

If they are rented, some companies will remove and replace once ,free of charge,during the contract period, while others may charge every time.


Ugliness is one of the reasons we refused the persistent offers of 'free panels', even though ours would be at the back and thank goodness that no one directly opposite has chosen to have them (on their front roof) as we'd have full view of them.

EachPenny

silverwhistle wrote: »

Don't tell me you haven't got a TV licence?! He _will_ get frothy at the mouth. [ibid. MSE TV licence threads].

It is off-topic so I won't dwell on the subject, but yes, ad nauseam, the latest installment was here:-

House_Martin wrote: »

You are not allowed to watch scheduled BBC content online or catch up without buying a TV licence Eachpenny.

I think there should be a crackdown on people who are illegally obtaining their energy, no question about that, but it is the means used which needs to be questioned.

Technophiles could argue the crime of speeding should be dealt with by fitting smart monitors to everyone's car so anyone breaking a speed limit could look forward to emailed penalty points and a fine before they get home. How many smart meter fans would be supportive of that approach as well?

Why is the 'solution' to energy theft to impose an unsuitable technology on people who don't wish to have it?

Persuading the elderly and vunerable to have smart meters by effectively 'tricking' them into thinking an appointment has been made and must be kept is about as low as it is possible to get. A Government which condones, perhaps even encourages, such behaviour has frankly lost all moral authority.