Should I withdraw my investment?

Hexane

Woolsery said:

There are other ways to use some of the money. For example, with the recent hikes in energy costs and being retired, it's looking more attractive to stick solar panels on the roof. Payback was 7 years, but now maybe only 5 for me, but YMMV depending on individual circumstances like aspect etc.

One of the best investments we've ever made. I can literally sit here reading about gas prices going completely insane, and simultaneously behind me I can hear a faint hissing noise that's the immersion heater heating our hot water with energy from the solar panels completely for free.

youth_leader

I will definitely investigate solar panels, a lot of bungalows here already have them and they were on my improvements list. Unfortunately I've had to shelve that idea as I will have to see if I have enough equity left, I am waiting for a quote to have all of the floors here replaced.  They are all water damaged due to water under the building.  I've already had a quote of £9K plus VAT for timber, hoping to get a concrete quote when someone is free.

Woolsery

I can't post links yet, but The Solar Energy Trust has a calculator you can use to get an idea of the likely benefits from panels.

youth_leader

Thank you Woolsery.  One thing that worries me is pigeons nesting, how have you avoided that?  

P1Fanatic

youth_leader said:

Thank you Woolsery.  One thing that worries me is pigeons nesting, how have you avoided that?  

https://www.dkgpestcontrol.co.uk/solar-panel-proofing

youth_leader

Thank you P1Fanatic.  I used to get the tube at Earl's Court and saw a pigeon struggling to its death in the nets there once, so horrible for the poor bird, Iike the idea of solid grills. 

sevenhills

youth_leader said:

Thank you Woolsery.  One thing that worries me is pigeons nesting, how have you avoided that?  

I have had my panels for 6+ years, no problems with pigeons, although having my aerial on the chimney means that birds poo on the panels.

With a bungalow, panels stop you from expanding upwards.

Woolsery

youth_leader said:

Thank you Woolsery.  One thing that worries me is pigeons nesting, how have you avoided that?  

I haven't had the chance to yet. I prepped the roof by stripping and re-battening it when we refurbished, but like most renovators, we found the money ran out shortly before we finished! Now the drawdown pension fund is tanking and might not recover for years, I'm considering the panels as an alternative for some of it.