Energy Saving Trust Solar Panel calculator excludes annual maintenance

tim_p

Vulnerable is probably the wrong word. Gullible seems more appropriate. 

iwaddo77

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/solar-panel-cleaning-maintenance/

QrizB

iwaddo77 said:

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/solar-panel-cleaning-maintenance/

"£20 to £200" isn't £250, and (as shown by this thread) it's hardly essential for most people.

Are you actually paying someone for this service already, or is your question hypothetical?

If you are paying them, exactly what do they do as part of your "service"?

iwaddo77

Hypothetical. The calculator was already indicating 12-13 years before I’d recovered my outlay, I was looking for any hidden costs. 

Just because people don’t have theirs cleaned does not mean they do not need cleaning to keep them efficient. Probably the same people who do not bother having their boilers serviced because they are still heating the water. 

QrizB

iwaddo77 said:

 Just because people don’t have theirs cleaned does not mean they do not need cleaning to keep them efficient. 

I can't speak for the others, but I've got quarterly generation figures since installation and I've not seen any real reduction in efficiency over the thirteen years.

Some years are better than others, but that's due to the weather. This year might turn out to be my best ever.

mmmmikey

QrizB said:

iwaddo77 said:

 Just because people don’t have theirs cleaned does not mean they do not need cleaning to keep them efficient. 

I can't speak for the others, but I've got quarterly generation figures since installation and I've not seen any real reduction in efficiency over the thirteen years.

Some years are better than others, but that's due to the weather. This year might turn out to be my best ever.

Yes, much the same here. I'm really bemused by that article which comes from.what you would think is a reliable source and isn't obviously trying to sell you something but doesn't seem to have any foundation in reality. There are very few things we seem to agree about on this forum but if you look at the responses to the post that started this thread we seem to be in pretty much unanimous agreement that solar panels are to all intents and purposes maintenance free. Mine don't even get particularly dirty - they have some kind of self cleaning coating and as soon as it rains any dust or pigeon droppings are rinsed straight off.

Netexporter

iwaddo77 said:

Just because people don’t have theirs cleaned does not mean they do not need cleaning to keep them efficient. Probably the same people who do not bother having their boilers serviced because they are still heating the water. 

As has already been pointed out, it is self-cleaning glass. You could potentially damage the coating with cleaning chemicals.

Scot_39

So have any of those with solar panels actually checked the terms of their warranties ?

It seems highly unlikely the Energy savings trust just invented the concept of regular inspection / servicing.  Like its point 

"Every three to five years: Have a full professional service to inspect for small cracks or inverter issues. Check your warranty policy from your installer, as some installers require a full service within a specific period to keep the warranty valid."

You can see why someone looking into it for the first time might be alarmed by such additional work.

https://www.renewableenergyhub.co.uk/main/solar-panels/how-long-do-solar-panels-last-insurance-for-solar-panels

Who advise you to ask suppliers a number of questions re warranty - including if

 

Is the warranty an additional or on-going/recurring cost?

Would say a regular inpsection as hinted at by energy trust be counted as an on-going/recurring cost ?

I could buy a certain brand of car and get a 10 year warranty - extended every year  from original 3 iirc - if I get it serviced by main dealer.

I don't get any extra of the 7 years if I don't - say use my local grage that charges c£100 less for servicing - or don't service it on time / at all.

Keep_pedalling

I have seen quite a lot of older panels with lichen growth on them, which once established is difficult to remove. I had some on my pervious house on one panel. That panel often got pigeon poo on it with provides a nutrient base for the lichens to get going so I really should have got the window cleared to give it an occasional clean with his long pole warm water system. 

iwaddo77

Thank you everyone for your help.

Given the very long payment recovery period I’m very unlikely to proceed, cannot really see the point, but if I do I will be including a provision for maintenance in my modelling.

I am the person who believed, when told, that diesel will always be cheaper than petrol so bought a diesel car.