Solar Quote views

collinsca

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82084575#Comment_82084575

Thanks - that's definitely good thinking!

Screwdriva

Just a couple thoughts:

1. As other brighter minds have shared, with such low annual consumption, investing in a battery may be a bit premature. I would ask to delete these from the quote and consider home storage when you electrify your household further. Battery technology is only getting better with time so you will likely acquire a more capable battery when it will actually be able to pay for itself. At 2000 KWh imported per year, it likely never will.
2. Fox isn't exactly the "Toyota" of Solar brands sadly. Don't expect a problem free decade of ownership with great aftersales. Quite the opposite I'm afraid.
3. Same goes for Astroenergy, an obscure brand we rarely see quoted.

My suggestions:

• If you can, insist that the installer to swaps out those panels for Eurener 500W+ bifacial panels instead. Much better reputation with good ethics (no slave labour) and aftersales support. Not to mention ~10% more power generation from the same roof.
• If possible, insist that the installer to swaps out Fox for a quality inverter brand like Fronius instead.

Hope this helps!

collinsca

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82084632#Comment_82084632

Great - thanks for those tips. Will consider these.

collinsca

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82084632#Comment_82084632

Thanks again for these thoughts…

I've looked into the suggested upgrades… and i guess it comes down to budget… yes it looks as though they are better kit… but i'd have to pay for it… as this was done via a "reverse-auction"… the idea is that this is the best price that can be given… i'm not sure how much i can negotiate on kit upgrade without having to pay for it

I will though give this a go!

collinsca

My follow up question is regarding Air Con…

I will speak to the Solar installer re future proofing for Air Con… they don't do Air Con themselves but are looking to start doing this in the future… so i don't know IF they will know what (if anything) can be done to prepare for Air Con…

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Is it worth me speaking with Air Con suppliers to get their thoughts… so i can inform the Solar installer?

Screwdriva

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82084765#Comment_82084765

The challenge here is to convince you that the quoted price is a false economy, assuming you face issues in the not to distance future like others have. I'm sure you will be able to sift through the reviews for the panels and the inverter and realize that paying a bit more for reputed, known brands and the peace of mind they deliver may make more sense over the life of the system, especially as you could (and likely should) save on the cost of batteries in the near term.

Wish you the best of luck with the decisions that will follow!

collinsca

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82084799#Comment_82084799

Thanks - appreciate that view. something to think on.

Newbie_John

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82084774#Comment_82084774

They're very independent. No need to inform either party.

As I said earlier, if you decide to not go for battery - I would suggest considering panels on west roofs if possible - better if you dont work from home - you get more later, better for Flux exports, better for evening air con. South is the best for volume, but better less kWh sold at 29p than more at 12p.

I can imagine installers just doing south blindly as it looks better on paper :)