Non VW - Solar panels for home

[Jim San]

Had a quote for 2KW (8 panels) today. Its from Solar King, its not a rent a roof scheme but we get the panels fitted and provided it generates a certain amount each month it pays for itself and is all paid up in 10 yrs.
(2KW is plenty for us as we are such low users anyway - £25 / month) I know we could have more and make it more of an income generator but thats not for us at this time

It's something I have wanted for a long time, I know there are cheaper systems available but these panels are very efficient and estimated to keep producing above 90% for 25-30 yrs.

It makes no real sense to me that having panels the mo seems to be use as much as you can during the day as you are being paid for it!! That aside, i'd happily get some leisure batteries installed and fit the house out with 12v lights.

i'm sure plenty of you have a wealth of experience of home systems, any advice offered would be greatly recieved.

[CovKid]

The one you want to watch is house insurance. If the worst happens and the roof is damaged or even overloaded by them - who pays? You need to check all that carefully or at least find out.

[Jim San]

The one you want to watch is house insurance. If the worst happens and the roof is damaged or even overloaded by them - who pays? You need to check all that carefully or at least find out.

Good point. I asked them what happens if I need house re-roofing etc. they say they will lift them off and re-nstall twice in 10 years (after that i guess you are on your own).

Each panel weights 5kg so very lightweight

Also asked about in case of fire and fire crews not putting hoses on a roof with panels, system has a big red off switch to isolate them

I hadn't considered what the insurance co would say though, will give them a call.

[kit]

I am not sure you can switch the panel itself off someone told me that was one of the problems with installation is that they are live as soon as the light hits them, not sure that sounds true now I have written it

[GrahamL]

Hi,

My panels as part of the installation came with isolation to enable maintenance on the inverter, to allow disconnection with the house / main electrical incomer.
Regards
Graham

[GrahamL]

Hi Jim,
Not wanting to pry and not wishing to know why at this time they are not for you currently......solar panels as long as your house is in the correct orientation just sit on you roof, and generate electricity for your own consumption or export.
There are three elements to the economic viability ( apart from initial cost of installation)
1) the FIT tariff which is a flat rate income
2) A national recognition that 50% of electricity generated is returned to the grid.
3) And the "virtual" saving is the opportunity to consume as much electricity during the day , resulting in lower electricity bills.
I recognise that you are a low consumer but the cost of electricity will only rise over time while the cost of solar installations is reducing due to improved technology.
I have just changed electricity contract with a potential saving on by bills and found that the electricity unit costs had majonaly increased....the saving was on the daily meter charges.
Oh.....nothing to do with the solar industry......just a retired Engineer.
Regards
Graham

[Jim San]

Hi Jim,
Not wanting to pry and not wishing to know why at this time they are not for you currently......solar panels as long as your house is in the correct orientation just sit on you roof, and generate electricity for your own consumption or export.
There are three elements to the economic viability ( apart from initial cost of installation)
1) the FIT tariff which is a flat rate income
2) A national recognition that 50% of electricity generated is returned to the grid.
3) And the "virtual" saving is the opportunity to consume as much electricity during the day , resulting in lower electricity bills.
I recognise that you are a low consumer but the cost of electricity will only rise over time while the cost of solar installations is reducing due to improved technology.
I have just changed electricity contract with a potential saving on by bills and found that the electricity unit costs had majonaly increased....the saving was on the daily meter charges.
Oh.....nothing to do with the solar industry......just a retired Engineer.
Regards
Graham

Thanks Graham,
Solar panels are for us at this time, sorry, what I meant was having the maximum my roof can handle is not for us at this time. Purely down to the outlay i'd have to pay back.
Maybe we should just go for it and max out but i've just had my hours and hourly rate reduced considerably so could be risky should things go not to plan.

We ahve to be quick, the rate changes at the end of June, slashed from 13 to 4 but installations which are already live get the higher rate

[GrahamL]

Hi, Jim
Yes the install cost can be prohibitive.
The only upside of the rate change is that solar panels and installation will be cheaper to encourage expansion of the market. I understand the rate change by the government was partly due to the uptake of solar panels and the consequential emptying of the FIT pot, now the government is relying on more cost effective installs to allow the remaining FIT pot to go further. I'm not in favour of leasing out of your roof space and not benefiting from the tariff which of coarse the installers obtain.

Otherwise..............best of luck
Regards
Graham

[Jim San]

8 Panels scheduled for installation on Friday. Exciting stuff.
I held firm, played hard to get and managed to get a price we are ok with. With a concerted effort we'll pay off the installation far sooner than forecast so fingers crossed.

Rates reduce dramatically at end of June so if anyone is considering panels you may wish to act now and get them active before the rate change