Looking to get solar panels

ASavvyBuyer

Pile_o_stone said:

If I were buying panels now I'd buy the largest solar array I could afford (and fit on the roof) and not worry about batteries. You'll end up exporting a lot of energy in the summer months but you'll use it all in Winter and the shoulder months (and on rainy or overcast days), and these are the months where your electricity bill is at its highest.

Same here. Wish when we had ours installed we had gone for a larger system. Unfortunately now, because of the way FIT payments changed, we would be worse off if we added more panels. Also, would not take out a loan, as the savings are very unlikely to cover the interest payments, unless you can get a 0% interest loan.

ASavvyBuyer

Raggs_2 said:

EDIT - I realise the panels couldn't solely charge the car, but I meant more using the electricity in the battery along with mains, to charge it, to ensure we use everything we produce.

It would be more economical to pay 5p/kWh to Octopus on their Go tariff and then get paid 5.5p/kWh for all exported generation on the SEG.

Raggs_2

Just had an offer for a 4.8kw system, with a 2.4kwh battery (that can be expanded), complete with installation and anti-bird netting, for £7k.

Most the panels will be on the south facing roof, but not behind the chimney, the rest will be on the west facing. 14 panels total.

Small battery means we can probably use most the electricity, especially if the car is at home, but still top up some, if we see it works for us, we can increase it, if not, obviously not as much invested.

The reason for the loan isn't because we believe the payments will be completely offset, but to keep a lump sum available should we want it for a mortgage (the loan will be in my mums name). However, we're now looking at going for 0% interest credit card, but paying off more each month. Works better all round.

Which companies have you all used? Any recommendations of who to contact?

ASavvyBuyer

Raggs_2 said:

Which companies have you all used? Any recommendations of who to contact?

This is the company we used: https://forevergreen-energy.co.uk/ They are based in Cheltenham, but may cover your area.

We were very happy with the way they worked and the non-pushy salesman/engineer.

Petriix

The battery will never pay for itself. You should aim for around £1 per kWp for the solar array.

EricMears

ASavvyBuyer said:

Unfortunately now, because of the way FIT payments changed, we would be worse off if we added more panels. 

Why do you say that ?  Providing any extra panels are connected via an extra inverter and not going through your existing generation meter your FIT payment scheme should not be affected.

Raggs_2

Have to say I'm questioning a battery now. Especially since vehicle to grid tech seems to be coming closer. Strikes me as more sensible to buy a better charging point, than have a fixed battery. Obviously the car won't always be home, but it's also a big old battery (even though it's about as small as you can get on a car).

ASavvyBuyer

EricMears said:

ASavvyBuyer said:

Unfortunately now, because of the way FIT payments changed, we would be worse off if we added more panels. 

Why do you say that ?  Providing any extra panels are connected via an extra inverter and not going through your existing generation meter your FIT payment scheme should not be affected.

Thanks for that. I understood that they would need to be connected to the existing generation meter, so would therefore proportionally reduce the FIT payments. That's what EDF told me when I asked them.

Will have to look again to see if getting SEG payments make it worthwhile for a second system. However, it may be more economical investing more in the Ripple Wind Turbine scheme.

Pile_o_stone

ASavvyBuyer said:

EricMears said:

ASavvyBuyer said:

Unfortunately now, because of the way FIT payments changed, we would be worse off if we added more panels. 

Why do you say that ?  Providing any extra panels are connected via an extra inverter and not going through your existing generation meter your FIT payment scheme should not be affected.

Thanks for that. I understood that they would need to be connected to the existing generation meter, so would therefore proportionally reduce the FIT payments. That's what EDF told me when I asked them.

Will have to look again to see if getting SEG payments make it worthwhile for a second system. However, it may be more economical investing more in the Ripple Wind Turbine scheme.

We added a further 1.8kw of solar after the government pulled fit payments. It's on its own inverter and doesn't go through a generation meter. We don't receive any payments for export (there is no way to do this), but as we have 2 households using the electricity with the excess diverted into a 300l heat bank, we only export on very sunny days when the whole 300l tank is sitting at 65C. 

I paid for the solar extension using a long (2yr) 0% credit card that was promoted on MSE in the credit card section. 

michaels

Pile_o_stone said:

ASavvyBuyer said:

EricMears said:

ASavvyBuyer said:

Unfortunately now, because of the way FIT payments changed, we would be worse off if we added more panels. 

Why do you say that ?  Providing any extra panels are connected via an extra inverter and not going through your existing generation meter your FIT payment scheme should not be affected.

Thanks for that. I understood that they would need to be connected to the existing generation meter, so would therefore proportionally reduce the FIT payments. That's what EDF told me when I asked them.

Will have to look again to see if getting SEG payments make it worthwhile for a second system. However, it may be more economical investing more in the Ripple Wind Turbine scheme.

We added a further 1.8kw of solar after the government pulled fit payments. It's on its own inverter and doesn't go through a generation meter. We don't receive any payments for export (there is no way to do this), but as we have 2 households using the electricity with the excess diverted into a 300l heat bank, we only export on very sunny days when the whole 300l tank is sitting at 65C. 

I paid for the solar extension using a long (2yr) 0% credit card that was promoted on MSE in the credit card section. 

Why can't you receive export payment for your second system output? I thought it was possible to opt out of the deemed export payments part of your fit and instead sell any export?