'free' solar panels - things to look out for?

signs

25 years ago you could buy a nice house for £20,000

you put £20,000 in the bank now and it will be worthless in 25 years

BISHI

I believe the feed in tariff is not funded by the government but by energy providers themselves. They charge a small amount extra to all households and this is what funds the FIT, this had to be agreed with the government.As only a small number of houses have suitable south facing roofs then this system will continue to be self funding. Also the FIT option will cease in its current form from next year.

keydude

Haven't read the whole thread but here is my view.

The free option:
free daytime electric (estimate ~£300) a year
no maintainace
maybe a sticky point if you decide to sell (buyer might not want them, new mortgage company might not allow a leased roof)
lease for 25 years, break clause is too much.

Buy outright:
No contract
Maintainance cost
reasonble returns, index linked.

To me, it is either buy outright or nothing.
Tied up in a roof lease contract link to yor house for a little gain does not wash well.

John

that's what you sell back to the grid, but hopefully you will have timed the washing machine/ dish washer to come on in that time

HMHB

I'm not being funny mate, but is there that much sun in Aberdeen? The impression I get of it (one visit when it snowed and a few Stuart MacBride novels ) is that it rains a lot up there and not much sun.

FZR400RRSP

Bit of a myth.
Aberdeen weather's nowhere near as bad as the West Coast of Scotland.
Here's some rainfall stats for you (2010)

Aberdeen 790mm
Oxford 660mm
Camborne 901mm
Eastbourne 720mm

And we get longer days than England too.
Sunrise/Sunset Aberdeen today 0513/2116
Sunrise/Sunset London today 0529/2044

HMHB

Interesting Yes I'd totally forgotten about the longer days of sunlight factor. Solar panels aren't about temperatures are they, it's all about sunlight.

My house is South facing but I don't think my roof space is enough so I'd only be able to fit a couple of panels.

FZR400RRSP

My house is South facing, and I believe I need 70 square metres of roof.
I've yet to bother even doing rough measurements though.
I figure if across the road can manage it, I should.
Even though our house is a different shape, I would be able to clump them together better than he has.

imightbewrong

Everywhere on earth has pretty much the same number of daylight hours over a year.

Of course the further south you are the higher the sun is so better for solar panels.

Mr Incredible

Keeping it in the family......