T2 MSW Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Does anyone have any practical experience of solar panels, i.e is it worth the messing about? what do you actually get back etc etc Im looking at a Solar panel loan to pay the upfront cost and actual purchase myself rather than the rent-a-roof model as i don't like the tie ins I've seen in some of the contracts. Just looking for anyone elses experiences Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ronttuk Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 my nephew runs a company that does solar panels i could give you his facebook he will answer any questions you have if it helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 feel free to PM it too me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krisgowing Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 We moved into a new build on a new housing area and I believe these were included. We have a FIT (Feed in Tarrif) so all the money we make on the solar panels comes of our bill at the end of the month. Working quite well at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 We moved into a new build on a new housing area and I believe these were included. We have a FIT (Feed in Tarrif) so all the money we make on the solar panels comes of our bill at the end of the month. Working quite well at the moment. If you don't mind what FIT money back do you get? I know they vary dependent where you are in the country Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I think it would work much better if you could store the energy and use it yourself rather than feed it back to the energy companies for the piddly amount they pay you for it. The issue for most families is that peak power is generated while no one is home, in the evening when you have a house full and most things running the panels wont be much use. Maybe you could hook it up with something like a Tesla Powerwall http://www.teslamotors.com/en_GB/powerwall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
listy Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 My parents have solar panels. They make more than they use so they actually make money from them. I know it's not the same everywhere, but they recommend it to everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I think the FIT is going down because it's costing ther govt too much money. I'm not sure if that decrease has already happened, but it'll be an important consideration if figuring out whether to get a fresh install. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Maybe worth going through this https://www.gov.uk/feed-in-tariffs/overview Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Massey Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 I think it's a scam and I reckon it will be the next PPI claims. Also I have no idea how the energy company get electricity back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Interested in this too. Any specific make or type of solar panel that is more efficient than others Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 I think it's a scam and I reckon it will be the next PPI claims. Also I have no idea how the energy company get electricity back. i agree for the rent-your-roof style ones where people start to realise they can't get out of the contracts or they have to take them down for some reason and have to provide compensation for the renters lost income!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevie_b Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Well worth a read: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 You are investing in technology that will be outdated in a few years, make sure the contingency plans are in place to get the hideous things down, and how any contract handles roof repairs. Often the people who fit them have scant regard to damaging your roof structure. How are you going to clean them? How long will subsidies be in place, the government are already jibbing at what they are paying out, and do you REALLY trust the (usually foreign owned) energy companies to do the right thing by you? On a general note we haven't got a suitable climate for the things, and they are just a ludicrous sop to the Greens. Better great minds and technology went to reducing or at least stabilising our population level so no more green field sites fall prey to development, and our energy needs are culled at source. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 You are investing in technology that will be outdated in a few years, Much better than wind power though! Someone a few miles down the road from me has a wind turbine in his garden, and the barely ever on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Ohh I don't know, they should have some in the Commons, there's always a vast amount of hot air blowing about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I think you're confusing "hot air" for methane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 You are investing in technology that will be outdated in a few years, make sure the contingency plans are in place to get the hideous things down, and how any contract handles roof repairs. Often the people who fit them have scant regard to damaging your roof structure. How are you going to clean them? How long will subsidies be in place, the government are already jibbing at what they are paying out, and do you REALLY trust the (usually foreign owned) energy companies to do the right thing by you? On a general note we haven't got a suitable climate for the things, and they are just a ludicrous sop to the Greens. We've got Thermal panels on the house for Hot Water (came with the property) - for 10 months in a year they seem to be doing their job well and saving atleast £250-300 a year in gas consumption - seem to be working well in London climate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 I think you're confusing "hot air" for methane Nah, that's the Lords! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imi Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Well worth a read: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels Good article, as always its the hard working that don't seem to get any support.... The big energy providers are giving wads of freebies to people on benefits, from new boilers to insulation. It's because they have to help certain groups save energy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 You are investing in technology that will be outdated in a few years, make sure the contingency plans are in place to get the hideous things down, and how any contract handles roof repairs. Often the people who fit them have scant regard to damaging your roof structure. How are you going to clean them? How long will subsidies be in place, the government are already jibbing at what they are paying out, and do you REALLY trust the (usually foreign owned) energy companies to do the right thing by you? On a general note we haven't got a suitable climate for the things, and they are just a ludicrous sop to the Greens. Better great minds and technology went to reducing or at least stabilising our population level so no more green field sites fall prey to development, and our energy needs are culled at source. Having done research into them (as I had the same views as yourself) we do have the climate for them. They all run from daylight not sunlight, apparently direct sunlight makes little difference to their power generation. I however agree on the contracted gotya's which i was avoiding by purchasing myself and not renting my roof out. Cleaning should not be an issue as they are self cleaning and require watering (LMAO) once every 6 months - mine will be on garage roof at the back of the property so easy access for cleaning, maintenance etc etc. Im not sure I agree with the figures all the companys put in front of you though, they recon it pays for itself inside 5 years but I just can't see it happening and even more so with the gov cutting FIT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 We've got Thermal panels on the house for Hot Water (came with the property) - for 10 months in a year they seem to be doing their job well and saving atleast £250-300 a year in gas consumption - seem to be working well in London climate. My brother has the same system in the NW and his is perfect all year round except when covered in snow. Good job as his missus has at least 2 showers everyday without fail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Just bypass the meter like most low lifes do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2 MSW Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Just bypass the meter like most low lifes do Ahahaha, fair enough good point. p.s who you calling a low life Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hitbox Junkie Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 Don't do it. You can pick solar panels up cheap 2nd hand anyways and can get a few if them to keep a float charge on a bank of battery's. Same concept as they Do on most sail boats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.