Roof repairs - time to switch to solar panels?

skyking_comms

We live in a 3 bedroomed semi detached house which has a south facing garden, with no obstructions. Unfortunately there is no felt under the roof tiles, so we are planning on getting a roofer in to remove the tiles and install the felt. Any broken tiles will get replaced at the same time.

This made me think whether it's now the time to switch to solar panels, especially with energy prices rising and the prospect of purchasing an electric vehicle next year.

Obviously I don't want to have repairs done only to find that work has to be redone when solar panels get installed.

Reading a number of online guides it seems that solar panels have decreased in price and the recommendation of getting solar batteries to store any excess, especially useful if you have an electric car. I also see my energy provider Scottish Power do a free home visit to quote for solar panels. Are they normally competitive in price or is it preferable to get quotes from local companies? 

Welcome any thoughts.

Thank you 

silverwhistle

Can I suggest you post this in the green and ethical moneysaving forum as more are likely to comment. Have you looked in to replacing the tiles with solar tiles, which would be more expensive but blend in nicely? If I come across any links I'll post them.

Edit: a search on solar shingles may help.

skyking_comms

Thanks for the reply - solar tiles would be perfect, but expect they will be out of my price range. But I can definitely enquire!

Happy for an admin to move this post to a more suitable forum, rather than me having 2 posts 

Verdigris

If you are re-doing a roof it is the perfect time to install in-roof solar panels. You'll have more than enough tiles left over because the PV panels replace most of them.

Petriix

Get quotes from reputable local companies and steer clear of the big boys. There's a great Facebook group with lots of users and installers, I'd ask on there for quotes and recommendations in your area:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/2197329430289466/?tsid=0.09720277571827451&source=result

skyking_comms

With my electric & gas bill going up from £89 a month to a quoted £364.70 a month I'm willing to invest now in solar to help be self sufficient (or as close as possible) in the future..

I've sent a request to join that Facebook group - thanks

The_Green_Hornet

You can find certified Solar PV installers near you on the MCS website.

https://mcscertified.com

Verdigris

The_Green_Hornet said:

You can find certified Solar PV installers near you on the MCS website.

https://mcscertified.com

The search function is very idiosyncratic, though. Try both local town/city as well as you postcode. It doesn't always come up with an installer, just down the road, on postcode, but shows them on a search for a town 15 miles in the "wrong" direction. Bizarre, to say the least.