Solar panel installation - "local authority scheme"?

Shoxt3r

Hi all,

I've been told by a friend about a scheme apparently being run by their local authority to install solar panels for free. However, after doing some research online, all I could find was the Green Homes Grant which was closed as of March 2021 (see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme).

It seems, however, that free solar panels are still being offered and they are due to have a survey completed on Monday ahead of work starting (start date is still TBC).
This all seems very dodgy - has anyone heard of such a scheme still running or is the company involved trying to con people?

Thanks in advance!

olgadapolga

We've just had some solar panels installed under the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery. There were specific eligibility criteria. Try Google for more information about it for where you live?

TELLIT01

Your friend should contact the local council and confirm that this is a genuine scheme, backed by them, before allowing anybody onto their property to do a survey.  That is especially important if the surveyor needs to come inside.  Sadly there are far more scams like this than genuine schemes.  See their photo ID and photograph them as well.

poundsNpence

My LA was/is running a scheme via E.ON for cavity wall and/or loft insulation and/or solar pv's. Income less than £30k to qualify. I was initially made aware by letter from the LA sometime around Aug/Sep 2021.

It all moves very slowly and so the survey for solar pv's was done just a couple of weeks back. Initially seemed quite a good thing, but:

1) No payment would be made for excess electricity fed into the grid (fair enough I suppose as installation is free)
2) No battery included, so no ability to store power for use outside of daylight hours
3) The required inverter that'd be installed would only have a 2 year warranty and could cost £100's to replace
4) My annual electricity use is very low at c870kWh so any potential savings, even allowing for upcoming price hikes, would be small, especially when set against any potential costs such a having to replace the inverter, or paying to have the panels cleaned

So, as much as I'd like to do my bit for the environment and to lessen the UK's need to import energy, I've decided I'll not be having the panels and will instead concentrate my efforts on reducing my energy use. Not much I can do to lower my electricity use, but I do have quite a bit of scope with my gas use. 

Shoxt3r

TELLIT01 said:

Your friend should contact the local council and confirm that this is a genuine scheme, backed by them, before allowing anybody onto their property to do a survey.  That is especially important if the surveyor needs to come inside.  Sadly there are far more scams like this than genuine schemes.  See their photo ID and photograph them as well.

It seems like it's all a bit odd since this was found on a Facebook post. When the appointment was arranged they only asked for basic details and didn't seem worried that cavity insulation was installed (which surely would mean it no longer complied with the  second term of "have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G. (the local coordinator in your area can check this for you)".

In any case my friend has decided to cancel the appointment due to the rising Covid cases and also as things don't seem to match up.

poundsNpence said:

My LA was/is running a scheme via E.ON for cavity wall and/or loft insulation and/or solar pv's. Income less than £30k to qualify. I was initially made aware by letter from the LA sometime around Aug/Sep 2021.

It all moves very slowly and so the survey for solar pv's was done just a couple of weeks back. Initially seemed quite a good thing, but:

1) No payment would be made for excess electricity fed into the grid (fair enough I suppose as installation is free)
2) No battery included, so no ability to store power for use outside of daylight hours
3) The required inverter that'd be installed would only have a 2 year warranty and could cost £100's to replace
4) My annual electricity use is very low at c870kWh so any potential savings, even allowing for upcoming price hikes, would be small, especially when set against any potential costs such a having to replace the inverter, or paying to have the panels cleaned

So, as much as I'd like to do my bit for the environment and to lessen the UK's need to import energy, I've decided I'll not be having the panels and will instead concentrate my efforts on reducing my energy use. Not much I can do to lower my electricity use, but I do have quite a bit of scope with my gas use. 

Wow that's a really bad deal - I did wonder about the maintenance costs and how that would work - it's very much a case of "you get what you pay for" then!

Thanks all for the responses - very helpful!

FreeBear

poundsNpence said: 4) My annual electricity use is very low at c870kWh so any potential savings, even allowing for upcoming price hikes, would be small, especially when set against any potential costs such a having to replace the inverter, or paying to have the panels cleaned

If you have a hot water tank, the excess electricity could be used to power an immersion heater. Mute point if you have a combi boiler...

Shoxt3r said: It seems like it's all a bit odd since this was found on a Facebook post.

Facebook - nuff said

SirMSE

If not South facing not worth installing solar panels even with the costs shooting up?

Woolsery

SirMSE said:

If not South facing not worth installing solar panels even with the costs shooting up?

I have perfect conditions and pay back would be 6-7 years on current prices. Only the householder can really decide, using the Energy Saving Trust's tool or similar and making sure they input accurate data.

Obviously, no one knows where prices will go in 6 years, but considering the green agenda and the forces which really move markets, it won't be anywhere good from an individual's financial perspective.

ComicGeek

SirMSE said:

If not South facing not worth installing solar panels even with the costs shooting up?

South / south-east / south-west are ideal.

East / west can work well on shallow pitched roofs as long as they can still get the key midday sun. 

East / west can still work on 'normal' pitched roofs, but the payback period extends as they won't generate as much. 

Kiran

There's approximately a 15% reduction for East or West facing panels. South is optimal but the other 2 orientations will work.

ComicGeek

Kiran said:

There's approximately a 15% reduction for East or West facing panels. South is optimal but the other 2 orientations will work.

Possibly 15% reduction if at a really low roof angle of 10 degrees - would be 20-25% reduction for a East/West facing system at a standard roof pitch of 30-45 degrees.

This table is from the MCS guidance: