Free solar power system. Is it a scam?

grahamc2003 wrote: »

I'd estimate that around 90% of the output is produced in the four hours around midday (could anyone come up with an accurate figure?), so that period becomes is the substantive issue.

54% is generated in the four hours around midday.

Calculated using data found here:

http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,12342.15.html

The remaining 46% of the output is spread over a period of 13 hours at much lower outputs, so more likely to be consumed within the house.

grahamc2003 wrote: »

I can't find your source data, but surely something is incorrect since you are saying the panels generate, on average, for 17 hours per day. Is that correct?

No you have misunderstood. I did not say that the panels generate for average of 17 hours per day. 17 hours is the range over which the output is spread.

I.e.

Earliest generation starts between 4 and 5am
Latest generation is between 9 and 10pm

It is available for anyone to download from the link provided earlier, look at post number 20 and you will see the link for the data, its not hard to find.

If you are still having trouble finding the data just PM me and I'll email you a copy.

XRayDave wrote: »

Hi

ASG carried out a structural survey on the roof a couple of weeks before the install - just to check that the roof structure was suitable for the load - measuring the size of the joists etc. As with all work carried out by ASG - this was at no cost to us.

I'd be very surprised (not to say alarmed :eek:) if a company - either "rent-a-roof" kind or a manufacturer/supplier/installer - didn't do a survey of the roof, and if it was for a purchased system, I'd be very surprised if this was an extra cost :shocked:.

Hope this helps,

Happy New Year

XRD

I suppose extra costs just depends on whether the company identifies it seperately or includes it in the price. This particular company identified it as part of the cost.

There seems to be several types of "surveys" out there at the minute. The "I want to sell a system" - 20 min survey with a price at the end of it. The thorough installer survey which includes measuring the roof structure, checking the electrcis and completing a sap assessment which takes about 60 - 90 mins and then a structural survey in addition to the through installer survey, where drawings are created, pressure points calculated and corresponding strengthening carried out to ensure the extra load on the roof will withstand freak wind/snow loads.

It's the latter that this friend had carried out and it turned out that the pressure points where the roof mounting system was going to be installed were too far apart, meaning that if there was a greater than normal wind the trusses with roof fixings on would be carrying too much weight. ould be a load of old tosh for all I know but I do know there are people carrying out "structural" surveys that aren't qualified in the conventional structural surveying sense... maybe it doesn't matter, if your insurance covers the freak wind/snow etc ....

beedydad wrote: »

What I find extrordinary is that whilst you have been seemingly pleased with the generated power and you and others are argueing over how much of this you have actually used - may be 50% +/-

The main issue over "free" or "rent a roof" is that there can be no arguing over the easy money earnt by the company who owns the system. They don't care a jot about what you do, whether you change your way of living, purchase timers to bring on gizmos to ake advantage of the best of times of days - you have to do all that!!

They just sit in their offices enjoying the power generated which then equates to money in the bank for them with no further effort!! (oh maybe a service or 2 inthe future - just to make sure the system functions at max benefit!!)

Anyway based on your figures they have earned to date:-

1780 x 41.3p = £735.14
1780 x 3p x 50% = £ 26.70

A grand total of £761.84 -

Which is probably about 10 x what you have gained - that is if you can accurately calculate the figure.

Finally i would think your move of supplier to change from 13.5 down to under 10p has probably/will have saved you much more than anything you have gained from solar!!

Regards

Another point along those lines - for the roof renter to get his cut (say £80 in his case), all consumers have to pay about £840+ (£80 to the renter, £760 to the owner, plus unspecified amounts for systems development to support the scheme). Add in other such schemes loaded onto bills, and it's clear that the cost per consumer either exceeds, or will soon exceed, the renter benefit (£80) - and at that point, even those getting the 'free' electricity are losing out overall. Their glee is really not due to any gain, but just to a loss less than those not with a 'free' system.

Gizmosmum wrote: »

All true, but ASG etc have taken the risk with the banks. It's them who will be in the sh*t if the government retracts the FiT not the householder. I don't really see any difference between this and any other commercial operation/investment. The greater the risk the greater the return.

Why would the Government retract the FIT? After all it isn't the Government who pay the FIT.

What risk is there?