solar energy

[R1cho]

i'm looking at getting solar panels and a grid tie Inverter however i have no experience with this sort of thing, have any other member gone the solar power route? what are your thoughts on it? wheres the best place to get the panels from etc. ?

 

[briggie]

solarman 216 ( rick ) is ya man in this department :thumb2

 

[jims-terrano]

Had em fitted a few years ago. A little Solar PV system, wish I'd had some spare cash to have more fitted. Cracking on a sunny day whether it's warm or cold as long as there is light it'll generate. I have a friend who has a pair of water panels too and they are worth it too.

There are companies out there who provide you a system FREE!!! and let you use all the FREE electric that you can use however they take the "Feed In" revenue.

Rick's the expert on here though, I've just owned and used them for the last 3 years. Another 4 years and mine are paid for by the savings and revenue.

 

[solarman216]

you cannot do it yourself, to get the feed in tariff you have to be an accredited installer, there are two options 1 you pay the full costs and then get the free electric plus what you do not use you get paid for, or 2 you get a free installation but you only get the electric produced any that is extra claims the feed in tarrif for the co that installed it , Rick

 

[96terrano]

And there was me wondering where Rick's name came from :clap

 

[makeitfit]

You can fit yourself but need an MCS sparky to sign off the job. They wont like it but it's true, so expect to pay one 300 or 400 quid for the cert.
You'll also need to pay for a house energy cert. and need to achieve band D min to get the basic FIT
I've done 3 installs now and the panel prices have tumbled for sure. INVEST in the inverter, that's the golden goose.
Buy well and if you have a south or s/w facing roof , 7 year pay back still available.
Enjoy

 

[Tony]

Had mine fitted last year (a 4kw system, with a SMA sunny boy 4000tl inverter)
My predicted EC JRC was 3856kw the weather was not that good but still managed 40004 kw got back just over £1800 but that only till end of October still got november and 8 days of december to be paid. As we are all electric and have economy 7 our saving of electricity consumed is not great (no sun at night .) but worth having.If you got in at the begining its well worth while(47p kw produced) not as much money now i think.
Tony
The EC JRC relates more to my postcode than UK SAP.