Has anyone had solar panels fitted?

The Dark Horse

I'd be interested to hear from people who have had solar panels fitted. Has it been worth the money, are you saving much on your utility bills? Would you recommend them?

I'm of the opinion that whatever it costs would be better spent on my mortgage, but I don't know much about them so any stories appreciated.

IronGiant

there's a couple of threads on it here:

Renewable Energy and Energy Saving Forum | AVForums.com - UK Online

My "free" panels have been in since 23rd June and have generated 972 kW, so that's made £400 from the feed in tariff.  Pity I don't get that

But I have had ~ £125 worth of free electricity available for me to use, and have used as much of it as I could.

MartinMiller

i recently got quotes for solar panels, the predicted return was £51,000 over the 25 years for an initial outlay of £11,000

Good idea if youve still young enough

martin

rickinyorkshire

Near our street there must have been about 20 houses that have had Solar Panels fitted in the last 6 months.

IronGiant

I think there are 3 or 4 "free" installation schemes running, one of them based around here and one in Yorkshire, so it may well be the free ones.   Interesting how many of my neighbours are interested in just how much the panels are generating because they are thinking of investing their own money to get the feed in tariff.

Philly112

We've decided to get some quotes in a couple of weeks when we return from holiday.
We have the money earning very little in the bank so wouldn't need to take out a loan.


Phil

IronGiant

Don't take too long as the tariffs drop at the end of March, and I suspect there will be a last minute stampede...

Goliz

best time to buy pricewise will be during this winter...global demand for PV vs. current production capacities mean the price will continue to fall for the next few months. If you add to that the fact that demand tends to fall during the darker months (people just aren't thinking about solar power so much), December/January will be a great time to purchase before the FiT's start to be decreased.

IronGiant

I would try and have all your paperwork in place before then if possible. If you need to inform your Building Society that can be a two month turn around.

chrisba

Someone in work with me is having them fitted in their new house. They had 2 options, either get free installation of the panels and then free electricity (providing they produce enough), or pay for the panels and installation then get a cash return on any "extra" electricity every quarter.

For me (i'm 26) it would seem worthwhile raising the funds for the panels and then reaping the rewards later on in life. For someone of an older age it would obviously make more sense to get the free installation and free electricity for life!