WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE FREE SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS ON OFFER AT THE MOMENT?

[old-equestrian]

WE HAVE RECENTLY ENQUIRED ABOUT THE FREE SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATIONS- NOT TOO SURE WHAT TO DO- IS ANYTHING EVER FREE !!- THERES QUITE A LONG CONTRACT TO READ- THE INSTALLERS TAKE OUT A TENANCY FOR 25 YEARS ON THE ROOF SPACE OF THE PROPERTY, ALLOW YOU TO USE THE SOLAR ENERGY THEN SELL THE REST TO THE NATIONAL GRID PLUS COLLECT THE GOVT SUBSIDY. HAS ANYONE OUT THERE AGREED TO THIS YET AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? (WE ARE ALL OUT TO WORK ALL DAY SO WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO USE THE 'FREE' ENERGY AT WEEKENDS) PLUS USE OIL FOR CENTRAL HEATING!

[AlBags]

We have had this discussion already .. recently.
Basically they (the installer) takes back all your feed-in kickback.
Lucrative .. to say the least. The scheme was mentionaed on watchdog the other week.
If you can afford it .. get your own system installed (if the house is suitable)
Payback will be several years tho .. unless you are an experienced DIY'er or a /builder/plumber/pro.

[old-equestrian]

thankyou albags -not on here very often- so missed this discussion!! can anyone tell me when this was ?? just wanted to know whether it would be worthwhile as there will be no cash outlay for us.

[puzzled54]

Well if there is no cash outlay for you, then go for it. As well as lowering your electricity bills, you will be putting power back into the grid - good for your carbon footprint! If you are out all day, you will still be generating power to keep the house running - fridge, freezer etc. You can also plan to use washing machine/dishwasher during the day so that would be free too.

[ladyalex]

http://www.energysavi.../Free-solar-PV-offers

This looks worth reading before you sign up.

[riptide]

I read somewhere that if you have this done and then decide to move, there may be a problem because the installers have a lease on your house and some mortgage companies are not keen on this and your prospective buyers may then have a problem. Worth checking into anyway before you proceed. If you are going to stay there for 25 years then it will not be a problem.

[anotheoldgit]

Your roof has to face south, but apart from that you must have a certain area of roof space, for example if you live in a semi-detached house which has a vaulted roof (ie sloping on the detached end) you are deemed has not having the required roof area, so they won' fit it, but if you buy it yourself, it can be fitted, no problem.