Solar Panel Advice

greenfalco

Hello,

I am buying a new build property (detached 4 bed, not built yet), due to move in back end of this year (2022). Luckily it is with a small builder who is happy for me to request any changes/additions throughout the build. 

It will be fitted with an air source heat pump as standard (underfloor heating for the whole ground floor and radiators upstairs). With the recent hikes in energy prices (especially electric), I am slightly concerned about the feasibility of an air source heat pump.

I have always liked the idea of solar panels which seem like a good addition to an air source heat pump and considering this will be a long-term home (15 years min.) I would like to explore the option.

I am concerned with the amount of brokers offering solar panel installations who are effectively just acting as 'middle men' (which I'm assuming increases costs). Can anyone give any advice? Should I contact installers directly, or are the brokers a safe bet? Is there a feed-in-tariff still or is battery storage a more cost effective option?

Many thanks
GF!

Verdigris

Look for an MCS certified installer on their website.

https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/

Remember, solar doesn't produce much electricity in the main heating season, so consider storage batteries to take advantage of TOU tariffs which give cheap overnight electricty that you can use during the day. As it is a new house you will have a smart meter to take advantage of those tariff. If you're going to get an electric vehicle, Octopus Go is very competitive for charging the car and the home batteries.(not available unless you have an EV) Your heat pump installing should be very efficient if it has been specified to run at 35 degrees, which is likely with underfloor heating, but do grill the installers over this and make sure you get full instructions on how to optimise performance. The running cost, if correctly set up, will be on a par with gas, on the basis of the April price cap.

Good luck. I shall be doing similar to an existing house in the near future, so let us know how you get on.

Spies

If the roof isn't done yet so for an inroof solar panel system - look a lot smarter.

QrizB

greenfalco said:

I have always liked the idea of solar panels which seem like a good addition to an air source heat pump and considering this will be a long-term home (15 years min.) I would like to explore the option.

ASHP and solar PV are both good ideas for a house that's off the gas grid but don't expect the former to run from the latter. You need most heat in the winter when it's cold and dark, and get most generation in the summer when it's warm and sunny.

I am concerned with the amount of brokers offering solar panel installations who are effectively just acting as 'middle men' (which I'm assuming increases costs). Can anyone give any advice? Should I contact installers directly, or are the brokers a safe bet?

Personally, I'd contact the installers directly. One exception would be if you decide to go via your own electricity supplier's scheme (if they have one) where they will send you one of their installers.

Is there a feed-in-tariff still or is battery storage a more cost effective option?

The FIT scheme closed three(?) yearsd ago. The closest thing you'll get today is SEG, the Supplier Export Guarantee. Note the rate for this is set by the supplier and varies considerably; some are relatively generous over 5p/kWh, others stingy and under 1p/kWh.

greenfalco

Verdigris said:

Look for an MCS certified installer on their website.

https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/

Remember, solar doesn't produce much electricity in the main heating season, so consider storage batteries to take advantage of TOU tariffs which give cheap overnight electricty that you can use during the day. As it is a new house you will have a smart meter to take advantage of those tariff. If you're going to get an electric vehicle, Octopus Go is very competitive for charging the car and the home batteries.(not available unless you have an EV) Your heat pump installing should be very efficient if it has been specified to run at 35 degrees, which is likely with underfloor heating, but do grill the installers over this and make sure you get full instructions on how to optimise performance. The running cost, if correctly set up, will be on a par with gas, on the basis of the April price cap.

Good luck. I shall be doing similar to an existing house in the near future, so let us know how you get on.

Spies said:

If the roof isn't done yet so for an inroof solar panel system - look a lot smarter.

QrizB said:

greenfalco said:

I have always liked the idea of solar panels which seem like a good addition to an air source heat pump and considering this will be a long-term home (15 years min.) I would like to explore the option.

ASHP and solar PV are both good ideas for a house that's off the gas grid but don't expect the former to run from the latter. You need most heat in the winter when it's cold and dark, and get most generation in the summer when it's warm and sunny.

I am concerned with the amount of brokers offering solar panel installations who are effectively just acting as 'middle men' (which I'm assuming increases costs). Can anyone give any advice? Should I contact installers directly, or are the brokers a safe bet?

Personally, I'd contact the installers directly. One exception would be if you decide to go via your own electricity supplier's scheme (if they have one) where they will send you one of their installers.

Is there a feed-in-tariff still or is battery storage a more cost effective option?

The FIT scheme closed three(?) yearsd ago. The closest thing you'll get today is SEG, the Supplier Export Guarantee. Note the rate for this is set by the supplier and varies considerably; some are relatively generous over 5p/kWh, others stingy and under 1p/kWh.

Thank you all. I am currently on the Octopus Go tariff which has been very impressive, so hope to stay with them, but will shop around too. I will explore the options above, the inroof panels look very good 😀… house is due to be complete by December, so some time yet, but will update on the heat pump efficiencies as and when 👍🏻