solar panels

[hammerman]

My bruv in law is having solar panels fitted free. Ive also had some info through the door and seen the same on line. Now im an incredibly cynical person when it comes to free stuff and if something seems too good to be true, it usually is !!!

But could i be mistaken ? Are these companies offering to provide, install and maintain the panels gratis ???

So what's the catch ? ive heard that any exces electricity goes to the company or whoever so i wouldn't be making money but surely all this hype about providing you with free electricity must be wrong.

[rockyracoon]

Look here, it may help.

http://www.solar-help...els-for-your-home.htm

[BRIGHT SPARK]

If your house is mortgaged you must let the lender know as you are sub letting your roof to the rent a roof boys.If you want to sell the property then you must realise that the roof is let to the installation company for 25 years.A common 4kw system of 16 panels will more than cover most homes ......however in a few years a 4kw system will be the same size as a satellite dish and all the people lured by the incentives will be paying to have the old panels taken down.The government has "promised" to fulfill their obligations for 25 years...however we were supposed to retire at 65?

[enfable]

I've bought my solar panels and am pleased with the results. However, if you are having them on the rent-a-roof scheme you need to consider the following. You will only get free daytime electricity, you can set timers for washing machine / dishwasher etc. I have been told by a friend who was looking in to one of the rent--a-roof schemes and he discovered in the small print that the panels would need to be cleaned every 5 years; this would normaly entail scaffolding everytime. Not sure if he would have be liable for the cost or whether this would be covered by the company getting the FITs tariff. You need to read the small print from the company you are looking at using. BRIGHT SPARK is right the contract is with the house not you and this may prevent lenders from lending to purchases on your house.