Free solar panel discussion

zeupater · 28 June 2011 at 1:09PM

Cardew wrote: »

A good example of exaggerating estimated output - and quoting an outrageous price - is in this post in the 'Green' section of MSE: ..........

Hi

At £18300 for a 2.1kWp system (£8.71/Wp) I'd be surprised if both the ASA and Trading Standards wouldn't have something to say about the company name ...

Z

Nang · 28 June 2011 at 1:47PM

suecoo66 wrote: »

Does anyone know what the figures on the meter mean if you have a solar panel system ? I've had one for a few weeks and unfortunately wasnt here, my husband was so don't know what they mean?
Seems to never drop below 14 and when looked at earlier read 285.7.
The numbers rise during the day which makes sense as the system would be building up power and yes I know it doesn't hold a charge. Any advise I'd be grateful.
I have noticed this thread seems to have turned into a battle ground which is sad as most of us come on this site to get and give advice. It's off putting when all you read is people !!!!!ing at each other and trying to score points.

Hi suecoo66

If you look at the gallery part of my website you can see a monitor on here, with Power output, E-Today etc.

http://www.uksolarcasestudy.co.uk/gallery

Does the device you are referring to look like this?

MSE_Jenny · 28 June 2011 at 2:05PM

This guide's now been updated if anyone fancy's a sneak peek ...

Thanks

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels

zeupater · 28 June 2011 at 2:36PM

MSE_Jenny wrote: »

This guide's now been updated if anyone fancy's a sneak peek ...

Thanks

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels

Thanks Jenny

Looks like £70 is the new £120 then ....:D... wonder how quickly this reduction will be challenged by those who reckon that the savings of around £100, which seems to be the accepted likely figure muted by most posters on MSE threads who actually have had systems for a while, is not typical, but £200, or even £400 is more realistic ??

I really appreciate the analysis of the 'rent-a-roof' buy-out costs .... it brings a few things into perspective ...

Z

grahamc2003 · 28 June 2011 at 2:57PM

zeupater wrote: »

Thanks Jenny

Looks like £70 is the new £120 then ....:D... wonder how quickly this reduction will be challenged by those who reckon that the savings of around £100, which seems to be the accepted likely figure muted by most posters on MSE threads who actually have had systems for a while, is not typical, but £200, or even £400 is more realistic ??

I really appreciate the analysis of the 'rent-a-roof' buy-out costs .... it brings a few things into perspective ...

Z

Yes, the £70 from the EST is interesting isn't it!

As to the buyout costs, it looks like Eon is going to pick up a lot of free panel business! (at least until they change their buyout terms, as I think they almost certainly will). The others, as I suspected, seem to charge the value of the fits foregone in the latter years.

Not sure those prices reflect the perception of the buyout costs from those who have posted the buyout costs on here. I guess the costs are in the small print of the contract.

All in all, I think the article is a really good assessment of the free panels, and the possible pros and cons.

lanstrom · 28 June 2011 at 3:50PM

Since after having the panels installed there will be no direct sunlight hitting the roof tiles, would you think there may be a problem with moss build up under the tiles over the years (as it will be moist and damp .. ahem!) ?

Cardew · 28 June 2011 at 4:04PM

MSE_Jenny wrote: »

This guide's now been updated if anyone fancy's a sneak peek ...

Thanks

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels

Nice article Jenny.

On the section on home wind turbines, I didn't think the article stressed how difficult it is to generate any worthwhile amounts of electricity with small turbines and the problem of noise.

There was an extensive trial with manufacturers participating, that could be referenced?

Bringing the thread back to small scale turbines – about which the OP was enquiring - the Warwick wind trials make interesting reading, and should put off anyone thinking of installing these devices.

http://www.warwickwindtrials.org.uk/...al+Report+.pdf

The best performing turbine in the trial generated an average of 2.382 kWh per day when in operation, equivalent to 869 kWh in a full year. – So about a quarter the output of a 4kWp solar array.

The poorest site generated an average of 41Wh per day(note Watts not kilowatts) when in operation or 15 kWh per year, which is less than the energy it consumed to run the turbine’s electronics. Energy consumption averages 80Wh per day per turbine (29kWh per year) which is significant on some sites.

Many actually consumed more electricity to run their electronics than they generated! So you are in effect running a fan

Even the very best turbine on top of a tower block would have generated 869kWh a year(see above) - except it couldn't be operated because of the noise.

MSE_Jenny · 28 June 2011 at 5:40PM

Thanks for all your feedback. We now have a new solar panels guide discussion thread as this one's got uber-long.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?p=44840700#post44840700

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