Solar panels (UK based)

[Richard Schollar]

Anyone in the UK installed solar panels on their roof and care to comment on their experience/what it cost/who installed them and whether you would do it again?

Thanks!

 

[Jon von der Heyden]

There are plenty of 'free' panels in Hampshire. There are panels powering lots of the road signs.

On a more serious note; whilst I have no idea about cost; my Dad installed panels himself, but to avoid complexity in having it power the general electrical circuit in the house he uses it to only power the boiler. Heating boilers cost a heck of a load so it's a real money saver...

 

[RoryA]

My next door neighbour put his own in. Hilarious to watch, and it then rained for about a week, as it's England.

 

[Richard Schollar]

Unless he was a professional MCS-approved installer you'd have to be an idiot to do it yourself (or like chucking money down the drain) because you wouldn't get the FIT payments.

 

[SuperFerret]

In our area, if your house meets some criteria, you can get free solar panels fitted. I haven't (I don't think my tiny roof would be be big enough for a start) but a few of my friends and some work folks have had them fitted and have already seen small benefits. I suppose the big test will come in winter

 

[shg]

What do you folks spend per kWHr for electricity? Or do you buy in MJ?

 

[Richard Schollar]

I have in mind it is about £0.12 per kWh

 

[Smitty]

If I remember right, when I looked at doing it on my house (a rental) two years ago a 5-7 KW system was $28-30,000 US (and that was without any rebates or tax credits). We would have done it, but the landlord was worried who would pay if we upped and left...

 

[Jon von der Heyden]

I have in mind it is about £0.12 per kWh

About the same in South Africa... Bear in mind though that a good salary here is about a third of a good salary in UK...

It's a good thing I don't work here. 8 months holiday in SA vs 4 months work in UK. Life is good!

 

[Richard Schollar]

Yeah don't forget you have to pay finders commission on a good proportion of that work