Solar Panels on R2B

Amyyy_123

Hello 

I am currently going through the R2B process and I have been presented with a few options regarding the solar panels on the roof. I wondered if anyone had any advice on the potential pros and cons and impact when reselling of each. 

1. Have the panels outright (unknown whether this bill will be to me or the housing association yet) and get the FIT tariff till 2034 (around £450 a year) and the electricity it generates. And will need to pay for upkeep costs (inverter likely to go at year 10 costing around £1000).

2. Continue leasing the roof. We will get the free electricity and they will pay for upkeep costs but do not get the FIT. Own them after 2034. 

3. Or have them removed (again unknown whether fee for this will be billed to us or housing association who the contract is with)

Any help will be appreciated as I have no clue!!!

paul991

depends on how much they want to charge you , how good a system you have but all things being equal its best to buy them out right the fit payment will go up each year and so will your savings but any one would need all the details before advising further
and btw the inverter could last a lot longer than 10 years can just be luck

QrizB

I see you've had some good replies to your thread over on the main "Energy" forum:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6353673/solar-panels-on-a-right-to-buy-property

In my opinion it's got to be either 1 or 2. Option 3 has the same costs to buy the lease out as Option 1 does, but without the £450/yr FIT payments (increasing annually by RPI).

If you can afford Option 1 (and the buy-out is less than £5k) , it's the clear winner. If not, then Option 2.

Don't get too hung up on inverter costs; they can last a lot longer than 10 years and cost a lot less than £1000 (here's an example for £425).

gefnew

The system may have a good warranty package with it already, but you will need more info on this from the vendor.