Thinking of installing solar panel

[bigmike20vt]

Hi
Just wondered if anyone has looked into this / or had it done since the incentives were stopped.

About 4 months ago i signed up to express my interest in solar panels.its quite a good idea, a group of people in the surrounding area got a list of names together then put out a possible contract to tender with the view of getting a large bulk discount.there was no commitment at this point, but i was quite impressed.
The contract has been awarded and i have been offered a 12 panel system for £3,555 i can add more if i like for £175 a panel but they recommend 12 for my house.Also if want on top of that i could have installed a 4.3kw battery for £2800.
Without the battery i would look to save about 330 a year, with the battery £500 a year (i can sell back unused energy to the grid at a very reduced rate or i can store it and use it all myself)that includes all labour, servicing and an extended 25 year warranty.I have to admit I am very tempted. its not like my savings are earning my much right now. My only concern really is if i move house, sure the system would add value but probably not that much.
That is a pretty big saving tho i think.

the company who would do the work are called Greenscape

https://greenscapeenergy.co.uk/

 

[Derek W]

I think you're approaching things the right way. I deal with energy calculations for houses at work and normally PV Panels are the quick fix on new houses to make them a pass over and above the standard regulations. You have to look at your family situation and if you're not planning on moving any time soon then depending on your work situation (are you working from home just now?) you can either see a lot of benefit from energy being generated offsetting what you're currently using or at the very least if you go with the battery option you'll be saving part of what you're normally using during an evening albeit its abigger outlay initially. Going by the figures you've quoted (probably the sales spiel and actual savings would be lower) with the battery you'd be looking at just over 12yrs before you've paid the system off.

Also I don't think the system would add value to the house as such because as with everything its susceptible to wear and tear / maintenance so it's more a perishible item. However, if you put your house up for sale at the same time as an identical house in your street, in my opinion it would be more saleable as the person buying it would have reduced ongoing bills.

I have thought about doing it to my own house as well, but as it's an ex council house there is a threshhold for how much this would sell for so i don't think the outlay would suit what i could recoup in the long run. I do have a dream of designing my own house so would definitely entertain having panels but I'd be looking at having a passiv haus with no bills! Basically I'd weigh up your personal situation and think if you can see it changing any time soon and make a decision on that basis.

 

[Journey]

My only concern really is if i move house, sure the system would add value but probably not that much.

Going forward, homes will be using mainly electricity for, heating, powering a vehicle and everything else for that matter. Having solar PV micro generation and storage will be a big bonus, just like how people look at things like broadband availability when considering houses now, but 20 years ago people would laugh at you for saying that.

 

[bigmike20vt]

Thanks guys. AFAIK I am not planning on moving any time soon, but my contract is up Jan 2022 and i go from contract to contract so nothing is certain.

The battery... I am thinking of sticking this under the stairs next to my existing gas combi boiler if I get one. Can anyone with experience know if this is doable? Obviously will chat with builder if we proceed BUT need to pay £150 deposit to commit to the work pretty soon.

 

[Derek W]

Did the supplier give any sort of breakdown on the brand of panels and batteries that they are supplying for the system? I know that the Tesla Battery has an element of design to it and is relately modest in size (about the same as a small to medium sized radiator) and can be fitted into a cupboard (although their website shows it in a room!) however, I also know its one of the more expensive batteries available. For the life of me I can't remember the website which listed out a few of the main players in terms of brands for battery capacity and cost differences. It might come to me later on and I'll post it up. It may lean towards the brand of battery that's been included in your quote.

EDIT

found it https://nakedsolar.co.uk/storage/

 

[BigBoy]

The battery... I am thinking of sticking this under the stairs next to my existing gas combi boiler if I get one. Can anyone with experience know if this is doable?

Under current regulations I would advise against this, you battery system needs free air movement as it will get hot and an under stair cupboard gets no free air that's why most stay in the loft or purpose built space.

There is no feed in tariff at the moment so unless you have an existing solar install from 2 years ago then any power you put back into the grid is lost and no payment is possible for it.

 

[Psycho Sonny]

Under current regulations I would advise against this, you battery system needs free air movement as it will get hot and an under stair cupboard gets no free air that's why most stay in the loft or purpose built space.

There is no feed in tariff at the moment so unless you have an existing solar install from 2 years ago then any power you put back into the grid is lost and no payment is possible for it.

Wrong.

You get two payments.

One from the government that is gone.

You get another payment from the electric company and you still get that.

The one from the government is a lot higher and better than the electric company.

Also the government pay you for every unit produced whereas the electric company only pay you for what you put back in.

So the payments you get now are terrible but you still do get them.

 

[BigBoy]

What i said is correct as you have to be registered as a generator to get anything from your supplier, also not all suppliers will recognise you as a generator if your production is below a set threshold.