Free solar panels

[stoop]

Guy has just been and we seem to qualify for the free panel system as our house is within 70% of due south. We'll find out for sure in the next few days.

The system will cover just about all of the front of the house (18 panels) and we will get a 3.78kw inverter. They will remove the panels free of charge twice in the 25 yr period for repairs - up to a maximum of three months each time. All costs, repairs and insurance for the equipment is covered by A Shade Greener.

We can expect to save about 45% off our electricity bill which will be good but not life changing - but just imagine how much electric is going to cost in say 10 years time. We will also be reducing our carbon footprint.

Looks like we might have a decision to make  

[stoop]

quote:Originally posted by redding43

We looked at these deals and think generally they are good as it saves the upfront costs. What put us off though is the 25yrs they have to stay on your roof as solar technology is improving rapidly so in a few years you will not be able to replace this with a more efficient system that will without doubt save you further money. If these were a 10yr deal we would have jumped at it but 25yrs is just too long

.. but as the company makes their money through the amount of electricity your system produces who's to say if technology moves on so much that, in say ten years, they won't replace them for you? If it's in their interests they might just do that. If not then you are still producing free electric in daylight hours.

I've been thinking more about this and if we go for it I will make sure our water is heated through the day by having a timer fitted to our immersion heater. This will reduce our gas output as we heat it with the boiler now.

Between us we are also home at least 5 days a week. This week for example I am at home Mon, Weds, Thurs, Sat and Sunday and Maggie is at home when I am at work on Friday. Russ is at home every day but he's normally only here for the summer - heck that makes it even more attractive as he's in his bedroom with the fan, computer, sound system all on most of the day. Must rememeber to change the locks next winter  

I can also watch Doctors for free

[bewva]

What happens if you are using more than the 3.7KW at one time, eg immersion on, kettle on, washing machine on etc all at the same time?
Do you just draw off the grid for the excess and pay for it?

[stoop]

Yep  

But they give you two monitors. One tells you what you are producing for free and the other tells you what you are using.

[stoop]

http://www.ashadegreener.co.uk/

It's worth looking at the site and the videos they have put on. Even BBC Look North seem impressed.

[nichola]

Solar panel generated electricity could be a good business opportunity for someone over here in Turkey - just a thought  

[stoop]

Nicola,

It certainly would be IF the government made the same rules as they have in the UK. A Shade Greener will be getting about 41p per unit of electricity that our panels produce and that is the only reason they are doing it for free.

We have a date now - 9th August - so hopefully we will start using the free electricity from the 10th onwards. I'll take some before, during and after pictures for those that might be interested.

[desmartinson]

whats the point stoop, surely you dont get enough sun in england to make it profitable.

[Rimms]

Stoop, a friend of mine has just had a 4kw PV system fitted, it cost him £10,000 and he will get back around £170 per month in generation tariff as well as enjoying the free electric that brings. His generation tariff is guaranteed by the govenment for 25 years and is index linked to RPI. In short his £10,000 investment will return him aroung £70,000 over the 25 year period. Don't give that up to a 3rd party !!!

[stoop]

Rimms,

That sounds very good if he can achieve those figures. My worry with purchasing the system ourselves is that you are then responsible for all the maintenance and insurance etc. I also understand that the average system will take 8 - 10 years to get your money back. I can't tie up £10k for that length of time unfortunately.

Your words :

"Make sure your roof is in perfect condition, if you have a problem with your roof leaking or needing any sort of maintenance over the next 25 years, then you have a big problem where you are responsible for removal and reinstallation of the panels to get at your roof.

Also check that the installing company are responsible for the inverter on the system (box of tricks that chnges DC to AC) this is an expensive item and may need renewing a couple of times over the 25 year period."

Our system allows 2 free removals and replacement of the units over the 25 year period for a max of 3 months at a time. Does your friends?

Our system does not expect us to pay for the 'expensive' inverter which as you rightly stated could need replacing a couple of times over the 25 year period.

Our system is also monitored from the outset and any units that are not working correctly are replaced immediately - throughout the whole period.

Don't get me wrong - if I had 10-15K sat about I would consider paying for the units myself BUT I honestly think the ownership of them and all that might go wrong would put us off.