pSinatra Posted 8 May 2014 Posted 8 May 2014 I was doing some gardening for an elderly customer & can't help myself, I try & keep an eye on them......that nobody is taking advantage & ripping them off. A couple of cold-callers came knocking trying to 'sell' solar panels to her. I went over to join in the conversation to see what was occurring. I asked them what they were selling & they said "we're not selling anything". They were basically saying that if their company could install solar panels, the resident would not have to pay for electricity ever again. The resident (with panels installed) would produce more energy than she would ever need & the company would take the surplus. They tried to say that it was a government run scheme......but I wasn't convinced. An old work colleague (who lived on the Saff) had panels fitted for free on his council house & he actually received free electricity plus money for any surplus energy produced. I know the payments for energy have significantly dropped since then. You might be able to substantially reduce your electricity charges & the cost of installing panels paying for itself in the long run?
Legend_in_blue Posted 8 May 2014 Posted 8 May 2014 Can't understand why the smallest of houses have these. Electricity is not the problem in any case, gas is far more expensive. The saving has got to be pretty negligible on these solar powered semi detached houses.
Stadt Posted 8 May 2014 Posted 8 May 2014 A lot of companies offer free installation and what not but then actually own your roof. The current tariffs aren't that great in comparison to what they were but I'm not 100% sure.
Webbo Posted 8 May 2014 Posted 8 May 2014 We had a thread on this a couple of years ago, you might find some answers in here. http://www.foxestalk.co.uk/forums/topic/83575-solar-panels/?hl=%2Bsolar+%2Bpanels
Bayfox Posted 9 May 2014 Posted 9 May 2014 My grandad had them done and has not paid for any electric since and been paid for what he puts back into the grid. But I have heard these unconfirmed reports about them owning your roof. But not sure how true this is.
oxford blue Posted 9 May 2014 Posted 9 May 2014 You will find most of the answers here, including an answer to bayfox query under ''free solar panels' http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/guides/how-to-buy-solar-panels/ I'm far from convinced they are worth the initial outlay
Parafox Posted 10 May 2014 Posted 10 May 2014 we have them and they save us about 50% PA on our bills. They were installed free and we get a percentage of the Feed in Tarriff, (the value of the electricity generated by the panels minus the amount taken by the company). The company gets the majority of the FIT and they make their profits on that. They hold a 25 year lease on our roof which means we would have to pay to have them removed before 25 years, after that we can have them taken off free of charge. The company monitor the amount generated and if the panels become inefficient they will service or replace them free of charge. If you have them, don't go mad and run tumble dryers and dishwashers every day. There should be enough generated power on a reasonably bright day to run computers and TV all day, plus the fridge/freezer and boil several kettles. We have a detached house with a large roof and it's south-facing. Panels can't be installed on any roof that's not due south or south-east/west facing. They will do a survey to assess whether it's efficient to have them as the company bears the cost of the panels and needs a return on their costs.
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