P V Panels. Any experience with the process?
- Thread starter Toe-side
- Start date
Hi toe side what advice/info are you looking for? I think you are correct systems are a lot cheaper than they were but I also read last week the panels themselves had now begun to rise again because of a duty/tax being put on Chinese panels by the EU I think which then means EU made panels also rose in price!
Not sure how much difference that's making to total system costs. At home we put up a 3.8Kw system, so domestic size on one of our shed rooves as we have a farm.
We managed to get in, just, into the original tariff which was good and a bit lucky. What rate and thrrefore payback time is it meant to be? I like the fact we are making a bit of electric,which 99% of the time we use as a dairy farm we use a lot of electric and something is always on!
On anything but a bright day it really doesn't produce a huge amount though. Our first year figures were behind predicted but we didn't see much sun last year so should average out about what they tell you but don't rely on it. The FiT bit is simple every quarter we tell our electric provider what we've produced and then a little cheque comes in the post.
I think small scale domestic systems are much nicer than these huge fields/solar parks that are beginning to pop up. And I don't really like the tarrif system as feel it should be able to work without and everyone has to pay for it but we have took advantage I suppose. To help families or individuals is ok but these huge international companies, maybe not.
Lots of the house one though the benefit of the electric produced cant be made use of properly if you are at work all day but I suppose will run the fridge and freezer!
If you give more information on what you are thinking, what reasons etc i could hopefully give a better and more concise answer !
Not sure how much difference that's making to total system costs. At home we put up a 3.8Kw system, so domestic size on one of our shed rooves as we have a farm.
We managed to get in, just, into the original tariff which was good and a bit lucky. What rate and thrrefore payback time is it meant to be? I like the fact we are making a bit of electric,which 99% of the time we use as a dairy farm we use a lot of electric and something is always on!
On anything but a bright day it really doesn't produce a huge amount though. Our first year figures were behind predicted but we didn't see much sun last year so should average out about what they tell you but don't rely on it. The FiT bit is simple every quarter we tell our electric provider what we've produced and then a little cheque comes in the post.
I think small scale domestic systems are much nicer than these huge fields/solar parks that are beginning to pop up. And I don't really like the tarrif system as feel it should be able to work without and everyone has to pay for it but we have took advantage I suppose. To help families or individuals is ok but these huge international companies, maybe not.
Lots of the house one though the benefit of the electric produced cant be made use of properly if you are at work all day but I suppose will run the fridge and freezer!
If you give more information on what you are thinking, what reasons etc i could hopefully give a better and more concise answer !
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Anonymous
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Who is paying for the money that you get back?
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Anonymous
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kevinmarkwhite said:
Have a guess
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Anonymous
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Kryton said:kevinmarkwhite said:
Have a guess
The Government....therefore....the Taxpayer...therefore....ME!
So if someone decides to invest in solar panels, at a cost of several thousand pounds, they get the opportunity to generate some free electricity in return for their investment. So far so good.
but as well as that, the taxpayer also pays them for doing so.
So...whats in it for the taxpayer?
Thanks Liam 
Looking for a < 4 Kw domestic system before the tariff changes again in July.
The internet is 'awash' with companies flogging systems so the margins are still there for them. Subsequently there is very little truly independent advice (Many claim to be... but are not)
I understand the tariff arrangements (I think!) and am prepared to get better quality panels in an attempt to have a longer lasting system. The going rate is about 6k fitted on 'tinterweb' pay back 8 years ish.
I was worried about how much it produces on a dull day and how I can maximise the use of electric during the day. I work shifts so I am in the house during the day on a fairly regular basis.
Yes Kevinmarkwhite, Kryton the taxpayer (me and you) are paying an absolute fortune to support this process along with wind generation but both the present and past governments have done an excellent job keeping it quiet. A huge amount of money is flowing out of this country to offshore companies under the 'green' banner :thumbsdown: .
I thought it was time I jumped on the band wagon.
Looking for a < 4 Kw domestic system before the tariff changes again in July. The internet is 'awash' with companies flogging systems so the margins are still there for them. Subsequently there is very little truly independent advice (Many claim to be... but are not)
I understand the tariff arrangements (I think!) and am prepared to get better quality panels in an attempt to have a longer lasting system. The going rate is about 6k fitted on 'tinterweb' pay back 8 years ish.
I was worried about how much it produces on a dull day and how I can maximise the use of electric during the day. I work shifts so I am in the house during the day on a fairly regular basis.
Yes Kevinmarkwhite, Kryton the taxpayer (me and you) are paying an absolute fortune to support this process along with wind generation but both the present and past governments have done an excellent job keeping it quiet. A huge amount of money is flowing out of this country to offshore companies under the 'green' banner :thumbsdown: .
I thought it was time I jumped on the band wagon.
It's not exactly the tax payer as the government has basically told the energy companies they have to pay for it, which ultimately comes back to the end user, you and I ( who are more than likely taxpayers!) does that make sense?
It's a bit odd though as when it came to applying to who we were going to be asking for our tariff from it doesn't have to be who you buy from they all have to take you on, only one but any one!
I think it's been said it will add £100 annually to every household electric bill so you may as well try and benefit from it.
We have REC Panels which were meant to be one of the best at the time but its been a very fast developing industry and once put up had no reason to keep up with it. I think we paid about £8k so has come down a bit our expected payback was about the same so seems to have stayed in line but in theory less back from it overall now. What is the FiT now?
One thing they all seem to forget to mention when quoting payback returns etc is that £6k you are spending will be gone forever so there 8% return is a bit untrue really comparing to the measley interest rates from banks as at least you can always access it when you need it from a bank a/c you aren't going to be any better off for 9 years and even at 10 years that 6k will only be 7.5 if I have my sums right? What are interest rates going to be then? And inflation, will £7.5k in 2023 buy you much? Unlikely much more than 6 will now! I don't know! Are you confident you will still be at your house in 10 years??
No one knows how much maintenance or repairs will be needed or cost we have already had our inverter replaced under warranty.
Swings and roundabouts but if you have money not doing anything and you want to do it it could be spent on worse things... Electric prices are unlikely to drop in the future... They aren't going to make you rich but they may reduce your leccy bills a bit and earn you some pocket money for up to 20 years.
It's a bit odd though as when it came to applying to who we were going to be asking for our tariff from it doesn't have to be who you buy from they all have to take you on, only one but any one!
I think it's been said it will add £100 annually to every household electric bill so you may as well try and benefit from it.
We have REC Panels which were meant to be one of the best at the time but its been a very fast developing industry and once put up had no reason to keep up with it. I think we paid about £8k so has come down a bit our expected payback was about the same so seems to have stayed in line but in theory less back from it overall now. What is the FiT now?
One thing they all seem to forget to mention when quoting payback returns etc is that £6k you are spending will be gone forever so there 8% return is a bit untrue really comparing to the measley interest rates from banks as at least you can always access it when you need it from a bank a/c you aren't going to be any better off for 9 years and even at 10 years that 6k will only be 7.5 if I have my sums right? What are interest rates going to be then? And inflation, will £7.5k in 2023 buy you much? Unlikely much more than 6 will now! I don't know! Are you confident you will still be at your house in 10 years??
No one knows how much maintenance or repairs will be needed or cost we have already had our inverter replaced under warranty.
Swings and roundabouts but if you have money not doing anything and you want to do it it could be spent on worse things... Electric prices are unlikely to drop in the future... They aren't going to make you rich but they may reduce your leccy bills a bit and earn you some pocket money for up to 20 years.
Thanks Liam
Some good points/information made.
Worrying that you have an inverter failure so soon. (but only slightly)
The FIT would be 15.44 pKw/hr if I get in to the present window.
Its the drop in the 'upfront' capital cost and the pitiful interest rates in the bank that are making me think I will go ahead and keep my fingers x'd that i get a good lifetime out of the equipment. Maximising my use of the solar electric will be high on my list.
I fitted a solar water heating with a new boiler and tank last year (the boiler and tank died
) and even though the pay back is pretty long the satisfaction of getting 100 litres of hot water heated by the sun has a certain sense of satisfaction
Some good points/information made.
Worrying that you have an inverter failure so soon. (but only slightly)
The FIT would be 15.44 pKw/hr if I get in to the present window.
Its the drop in the 'upfront' capital cost and the pitiful interest rates in the bank that are making me think I will go ahead and keep my fingers x'd that i get a good lifetime out of the equipment. Maximising my use of the solar electric will be high on my list.
I fitted a solar water heating with a new boiler and tank last year (the boiler and tank died
) and even though the pay back is pretty long the satisfaction of getting 100 litres of hot water heated by the sun has a certain sense of satisfaction There is definitely satisfaction for me when the suns shining and I'm doing something with the power. Makes sunny days even better.
The inverter is a bit of a concern but everything we have has a 5 year warranty which is plenty of time for problems to show its then a question of longevity but other than the inverter there isn't anything with complicated electronics or moving parts. There were and probably still are a lot of installers who were in it for a quick buck and there share of the job. but there are really passionate and good ones doing it for the right reasons as well who are more likely to be around in 5 years if you need or want them they probably aren't any more expensive either.
The inverter is a bit of a concern but everything we have has a 5 year warranty which is plenty of time for problems to show its then a question of longevity but other than the inverter there isn't anything with complicated electronics or moving parts. There were and probably still are a lot of installers who were in it for a quick buck and there share of the job. but there are really passionate and good ones doing it for the right reasons as well who are more likely to be around in 5 years if you need or want them they probably aren't any more expensive either.
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Anonymous
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So the "cash back" comes from the energy companies, who in turn might increase bills to cover it?
Thats better than coming direct from taxes, but still a piss-take for those that dont have it.
So you are likely to get 15pence per kw/hr of electricity generated? My leccy unit charge is about 13pence per kw/hr, so they are paying you more than they are charging?
So how does it work? Any power you generate, you use, thus reducing your electricity bills. Does the surpluss go into the grid?
Lady at work has done this as an investment. Not sure of the figures, but I think she was talking about £6 or £8k for the install and reckons it would pay back about 6 or 9%. Does this make sense?
I'm not knocking it by the way, even though it might sound like it.
Thats better than coming direct from taxes, but still a piss-take for those that dont have it.
So you are likely to get 15pence per kw/hr of electricity generated? My leccy unit charge is about 13pence per kw/hr, so they are paying you more than they are charging?
So how does it work? Any power you generate, you use, thus reducing your electricity bills. Does the surpluss go into the grid?
Lady at work has done this as an investment. Not sure of the figures, but I think she was talking about £6 or £8k for the install and reckons it would pay back about 6 or 9%. Does this make sense?
I'm not knocking it by the way, even though it might sound like it.
mad4slalom
Senior member
i think id rather have a 6 grand 6 week holiday to oz, we are in cornwall and whilst not against wind or solar power, I am turning against it due to the powers that be siting most of it in central cornwall, i now have 3large solar farms within a mile of us and plans for another , plusanother five at least within 5 miles, plus twenty five plus turbines visible from home, why arent there any on the roseland peninsula ? if the are essential and no problems then they should surely be evenly distributed across the county. twenty years down the line i can see it being like california with thousands of derelict turbines not viable to maintain or repair, the people who had all the taxpayers subsidies long retired to somewhere with no turbines or pv farms. as usual no proper forward thinking just blinkered runaway train green at all costs mentality,and yes i am waiting for the NIMBY comments 
rant over , just had a nice blast in the m to emit a bit more co2 
rant over , just had a nice blast in the m to emit a bit more co2
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Anonymous
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I live in Devon and we have loads of wind farms. Recently noticed a field full of solar panels. However, surely the siting is down to landowners, so if a land owner, ie farmer, wants to turn his land over to solar cos he can get more money than actual farming, then theres no reason why it cant be all over the country?
Yes Yes and Yes
You get 15.4 p for every thing generated. My neighbours produced 3.7 MW /hr last year 3.700 kw/hr with a 3.9 Kw array S.E. facing, Borders.
About 6 p for 50% of of what you send back to the grid .........you get paid
And if you can use what you produce you save importing it at 13p ish that your buying it at. You still get paid for what you generate btw.
If you stump up about 6k, that's the deal. Pay back (at present) roughly 8 years not counting a real saving on what you import, if the equipment lasts!
I am very sceptical and the original capital cost was about 13K (2 years ago) but I think at 6k its has become more affordable (for me).
This is just a personal view. Got some one local coming Monday for a quote. :|
You get 15.4 p for every thing generated. My neighbours produced 3.7 MW /hr last year 3.700 kw/hr with a 3.9 Kw array S.E. facing, Borders.
About 6 p for 50% of of what you send back to the grid .........you get paid
And if you can use what you produce you save importing it at 13p ish that your buying it at. You still get paid for what you generate btw.
If you stump up about 6k, that's the deal. Pay back (at present) roughly 8 years not counting a real saving on what you import, if the equipment lasts!
I am very sceptical and the original capital cost was about 13K (2 years ago) but I think at 6k its has become more affordable (for me).
This is just a personal view. Got some one local coming Monday for a quote. :|
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Anonymous
Guest
"...if you can use what you produce you save importing it at 13p ish that your buying it at. You still get paid for what you generate btw."
This is the killer quote! Makes it a no-brainer really!
This is the killer quote! Makes it a no-brainer really!
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Anonymous
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Toe-side said:
Move next to an open field and let the pikeys hook up to your mains!!!!
mad4slalom
Senior member
codswallop, in theory you are right , in practice not so, the spacial planners have disignated areas where they can and cant put them. do you think there would be a pv development next to prince andrews house for example , and no i'm not anti royal, although some of the younger ones take the piss.you cant blame the land owners, they have to diversify but its the companies who exploit the planning process by approaching ten small farmers to have 1 turbine each on their farms all within a 1000meters of each other so only the imediate nieghbours get a planning notice so they all go through with little objection because they know if they put an application in for a ten turbine farm there would be much more opposition and publicity. the planners know this and rubber stamp 90% of them because they are told to by central government, you may think planning descisions are made locally..... you may also believe in santa claus and the tooth fairy ! 
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Anonymous
Guest
mad4slalom said:codswallop, in theory you are right , in practice not so, the spacial planners have disignated areas where they can and cant put them. do you think there would be a pv development next to prince andrews house for example , and no i'm not anti royal, although some of the younger ones take the piss.you cant blame the land owners, they have to diversify but its the companies who exploit the planning process by approaching ten small farmers to have 1 turbine each on their farms all within a 1000meters of each other so only the imediate nieghbours get a planning notice so they all go through with little objection because they know if they put an application in for a ten turbine farm there would be much more opposition and publicity. the planners know this and rubber stamp 90% of them because they are told to by central government, you may think planning descisions are made locally..... you may also believe in santa claus and the tooth fairy !
Whoa.....calm down calm down!!!! I may be wrong, but I take that post to be quite heated, and angry...and almost argumentative.
What I posted in reply to your post about Cornwall was just my opinion...it was not stated as fact....indeed, I don't know how it works, so my comments may well be wrong.
And what this you want to tell me about santa claus?
mad4slalom
Senior member
Do NOT start me on the Pikeys !!! and the fact that they all seem to have new range rovers but never pay any income tax
and the fact that they all seem to have new range rovers but never pay any income tax 
exist!!!!