Solar Panels

Jon

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HOT DAMN!!
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Hezzy

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It’s the other half’s. I drive a more modest Aygo.
If you’re interested @Jon I can pm you a link for the solar guy we used.
 

Jon

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It’s the other half’s. I drive a more modest Aygo.
If you’re interested @Jon I can pm you a link for the solar guy we used.
Thanks for the offer but don’t think they would be in keeping really with our estate and would generally stick out a mile to prospective buyers lol
 

Hezzy

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No worries. Like someone else has said might be worth considering just the hot water panel if you’ve not got a combi boiler as I have heard you can fit those yourself and they are very much a smaller undertaking size wise.
I think our panels are quite sparkly but understated lol. The guy has put them nearer the apex of the roof so they are not as totally obvious. Worth considering the direction of your roof and where they would be visible from ie would they even be visible from the front of the house.
Still it’s not for everyone right now but my gut feeling is that 10,20 years from now it will be the norm.
 

Woodlands

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It was around 7k for the panels but our roof is not ideally situated.
It’s not just about the return for us I have to admit, although that would be nice! We are expecting the summer months to generate a lot lot more b

What size system was it for £7k ?

We had a 4kW solar PV system installed in late 2015 for £5.5k and it has already earnt us about £1k in FIT and Export payments.
We also had a very efficient air conditioner/heat pump installed in 2016 that multiplies the electric input into heat at an average of 400%, so in the Spring & Autumn we get free heating in the lounge. We also get "free" hot water from May till September by diverting excess electric to the immersion heater.

Would like to get a battery to store excess generation, but not worth it at the moment as the cost v payback is not realistic.
 

Hezzy

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What size system was it for £7k ?

We had a 4kW solar PV system installed in late 2015 for £5.5k and it has already earnt us about £1k in FIT and Export payments.
We also had a very efficient air conditioner/heat pump installed in 2016 that multiplies the electric input into heat at an average of 400%, so in the Spring & Autumn we get free heating in the lounge. We also get "free" hot water from May till September by diverting excess electric to the immersion heater.

Would like to get a battery to store excess generation, but not worth it at the moment as the cost v payback is not realistic.
It’s 8kw I think.
We don’t have an immersion heater so that’s not an option for us sadly.
Have been loving the sunny winter days this past week - the battery has got up to around a third full each day so that takes us up to mid evening on battery even in February.
 

Why Not

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I find this whole conversation quite interesting as although I'm all for renewables no-one here seems to have commented on potential negatives and I'm curious if anyone has considered the following.

If installed incorrectly these things are a complete hazard and have been known to cause fires. Typically poor electrics but yes it happens. Ok so yes chance slim but I would not want an extra fire risk.

Many solar companies setup in the boom with huge incentives so had little experience in what they are doing resulting in issues. Now with the feed in tariff dropping to make pay back more attractive many companies sell cheap imported panels again higher fire risk.

Also installations often go ahead on old properties where load testing is not properly carried out. 70 year old beams are not a strong as they once were so calculations often messed up causing structural issues. If I were to consider panels I'd do it after I replaced my roof if like I am I am living in a 90 year old property.

Insurers know the risk and without trying to tell people the obvious if you do not disclose the panels you are likely to have a claim turned down. If you tell them many insurers want additional premium for the increased exposure. From what I understand the additional premiums could also rise.

I also have clients that fit these systems and even they say the same if you end up with a less reputable company. Ps. I heard a while ago that tesla batteries should start coming down quite considerable in price in the not to distant future. When I speak to my client next I can see if they have heard anything more.

On a separate matter I have had another client with panels with an issue. His different to fire. Anyway new large install of £60k in solar panels (commercial location). 2 years in something hit one panel, replaced by insurers. Solar panel company advised that really they should replace everything to be safe no other issues. You can guess insurers response. Anyway outcome was just damaged panel replaced and wave bye to 15 year guarantee.

On the matter of guarantees make sure insurance backed as if the company goes bump does you guarantee not do the same?

Anyway with potential issues you need to ask yourself why you are buying the problems. If you are comfy with the risks then fine but if you decide to move from what I understand they will not increase the value of your home so from a pure financial perspective you need to ensure you will get your return during your residency.

Sorry to sound all doom and gloom and I am not against the solar movement however I wanted to make a post of other considerations that simple payback. 99% of people I'm sure would turn out to be a sound investment but the 1% could be a costly mistake if not worse.
 

Hezzy

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anyone at the fully charged live show this weekend?
Lots of info!
 

Hezzy

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What's Fully Charged?

Its a youtube thing that Robert Llewellyn (Kryten from Red Dward) does about solar, EVs, energy saving etc etc
They had a live show/conference at Silverstone this weekend, was v interesting, just thought it might be the kind of thing some money - conscious folk might attend.
 

Jon

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Its a youtube thing that Robert Llewellyn (Kryten from Red Dward) does about solar, EVs, energy saving etc etc
They had a live show/conference at Silverstone this weekend, was v interesting, just thought it might be the kind of thing some money - conscious folk might attend.
It’s funny you mention this as this week I’ve bought a back of the house security light that is solar powered and it’s ace!!
I’m god awful at electrics / drilling and this thing literally just screws into the back of the house and kicks in if someone walks 3m
in front of it and I honestly can’t believe how bright it is when it kicks in!!

Probably going to get the same one for the front of the house I think!!
 

Hezzy

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yep i think solar has come a long way from those lights you stick in the garden!
 

Jon

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yep i think solar has come a long way from those lights you stick in the garden!
I agree it has, been looking at other things I can buy on Amazon that are solar powered lol
 

Jon

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Now then

What do we think about this!


Does anyone on here still have one? Are they getting the returns from them that they were promised???
 

homie

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Please tell me we are not now we are going to get a mis-selling of Solar Panels "scandal" Why is it whenever someone makes a bad decision it is someone else's fault for selling it to them. Do your own research. The guy in the article lives in Gateshead. I suspect he was probably given projected figures for a typical installation on the south coast where you'd expect there to be more sunlight. But still, doesn't excuse him for not doing proper research when there is so much money at steak.

Also, why are Barclays getting some of the blame? They just offered the loan.
 

Woodlands

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Now then

What do we think about this!


Does anyone on here still have one? Are they getting the returns from them that they were promised???
From the photos in the article it appears that for the size of the systems, they were very overpriced if they needed loans of £10-15k to pay for them.
As above, the purchasers should have done their own research and got comparative quotes.
It is very unlikely that any systems bought using a loan would have a reasonable payback period, especially if it was overpriced in the first place.
Our system is still working well. An added benefit is that we now have an electric car, that can either charge up from excess solar generated electric or cheap rate electric at night.
And yes, the returns match what were forecast.
 

Jon

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Please tell me we are not now we are going to get a mis-selling of Solar Panels "scandal" Why is it whenever someone makes a bad decision it is someone else's fault for selling it to them. Do your own research. The guy in the article lives in Gateshead. I suspect he was probably given projected figures for a typical installation on the south coast where you'd expect there to be more sunlight. But still, doesn't excuse him for not doing proper research when there is so much money at steak.

Also, why are Barclays getting some of the blame? They just offered the loan.

I do wonder if we are about to get another scandal!

Maybe they felt 'pressured' into getting the solar panels with guarantees from the sales guy about the amount of money it will make/save them. The ombudsman says there are 2000+ complaints so it can't just be him that feels they made a booboo when it came to getting them added to his house

I imagine it's quite an easy sell once you are in the house!
 

PeteG76

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I've owned a PHEV car for over a year now. I'm seriously considering having solar panels fitted to my house along with a home battery. I like the Zappi electric vehicle charger which can direct excess solar to charge an EV or PHEV. Does anyone have any of these?
 
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