Solar Heating

[BJS]

We have a firm going round our estate which is composed of mainly middle to elderly residents offering free installation of solar panel heating where we are the landlords and the firm are the tenants. Is this a good scheme to go for.

[buildersmate]

No, because you have to sign-away your roof for them to use for 25 years.

This may cause issues if you wish to sell your house, because it may put off potential buyers. Secondly no-one knows how this industry is going to develop in the next 25 years and you may be stuck in a scheme that you can't change. Thirdly you typically have to pay a maintenance contract on the panels and you don't know by how much they might escalate the price above the rate of inflation. Fourthly, what happens if they breakdown in the 25 year period? Fifly, any company touring an esate is unlikley to be the best value - it stands to reason. There are probably dozens more reasons why not.

If you want these panels, buy them yourself in a competitive market-place.