Solar Panels

[feebletoe1492]

Are solar panels worth getting.how much do they cost? And how cheap would my bills be. I live in an ordinary terraced house.

[hc4361]

I looked in to it a while back and came to the conclusion they weren't worth it for me - my roof isn't big enough and faces not quite the right way and apparently the chimney and trees don't help. Also I get a lot of birds roosting on my roof and the mess they make would impede the panels and incur annual cleaning costs.

The payback for unused energy isn't as good as it was. You would need to stay in your house for many years before you start to claw back the initial costs so if you think you might move, don't bother.

If they were that good wouldn't all new houses come with them as standard? Cheaper and more efficient to install during the build, surely. Why doesn't the government make it compulsory for new builds where ever it is possible to install them?

If you have a mortgage you would have to check with them before installing.

[Zacs-Master]

The deal you go into can complicate the sale of your house as well.

[teacake44]

And should it be an older house, it could impede maintenance to the roof /tiles, the cost of disconnecting and removing before work can even start.

[hc4361]

Good point, teacake!

[Tuvok]

The feed in tarrif has stopped for new installs.

You would reduce your electric bills - especially if you are home all day and using electric.

My non solar elctric use is approx. 6kwh - effectively that is night time use.

[hc4361]

Isn't a new tariff coming in to effect next year?

[hc4361]

https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/renewable-energy/electricity/solar-panels/smart-export-guarantee-and-feed-tariffs

[feebletoe1492]

Thanks guys.I have got an older house and it faces west..and a bunch of herring gulls always roost here in the summer...looks like I will give it a miss