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[I_want_an_Omega]

As per the title really. Was just looking to get some feedback/comments from an owner/prospective owner.

Thanks

[jonnycool]

As per the title really. Was just looking to get some feedback/comments from an owner/prospective owner.

Thanks

I've just applied for more info, doesn't look like there's anything to lose on a free installation and £400-ish off your leccy bill each year 

[I_want_an_Omega]

So that's the "renting your roof out" option then I guess.

Or is there another way to get a "free" installation?

[davethediver]

Are they really free? I for one (call me cynical) don't believe it for a minute as these deal usually involve me parting with my hard earned cash and the saving 'back' my outlay, No problem with that but depends on the outlay :-/ :-/

[Omegatoy]

lol my mate,s place here has 4 large solar panels mounted on a wall, charging 10 large car batteries wired up to produce 24v, this is then fed through an inverter and it powers his house all day and night!! even the kettle when the batteries are fully charged, but that does drain the batts, so usually use a gas kettle, it even powers the washing machine albeit on max 40degree wash but to stop the heater draining the batteries again we have fed it thugh a gas boiler(bottled gas 13kg is cheap here)

Me other mates place has 4 even larger solar panels(ex BP test panels from 1984) which produce 80amps!! these are connected to a battery room which has enough huge 2volt batteries(ex submarine and forklift truck) to produce 220v , this set up powers 3 yes 3 complete villa,s throughout the day, easily, the batteries power all three till around 3/4am if they could be bothered to turn heavy usage units off the batts would last all night, but they use ironing presses , tv,s everything off them!! only time they use mains electic is in the winter when its overcast!!

[jonnycool]

Have a look at this - http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/free-solar-panels
According to the company who install it, no money will ever change hands between them and the householder. I'm a bit cynical as well, and my original quote of £400 a year was a bit optimistic, but I've asked them to send me more info... watch this space.

[the alarming man]

read the small print you only get free solar energy whilst it is light and it cannot be stored so if you are out at work all day seems a bit pointless

[jonnycool]

read the small print you only get free solar energy whilst it is light and it cannot be stored so if you are out at work all day seems a bit pointless

Yes, it won't fit everybody's lifestyle, but it'll save some money for me - win win situation IMO

[davethediver]

On the face of it doesn't seem bad and MSE links are usually not scams, pity I don't have a roof 

[blackviper90210]

My dad looked into this and is having it installed in the near future.
It cost him £500 and that will give him about £25K worth of solar panels covering half his roof.
The rest is subsidised by the EU and other "green" parties trying to promote solar energy.
It doesn't cost anything other than the £500 and it's covered on all maintenance etc for £25 years.

It doesn't even need to be sunny, just normal daylight does the job.

[Jimbob]

Ive just looked into this...

it works by you pay a nominal fee of £1-300 depending on house.

You guarantee the panels can stay on your roof for 25 years (logged through land registry)

The installers get paid for every unit they generate, and a little more for every unit you generate and dont use, ie feed back to the grid, from the government.

You get the free electric.

So if YOU pay the 1000's to install, you get free electric, and also get paid for every unit you generate (and more again if you generate more than you use that minute)

if THEY pay the 1000's to install, you get the free electric they generate, they get all the subsidys.

Does sound win - win to me.....except they are ugly as break, your roof has loads to support, and we dont get that much sun.

I was tempted....but not that tempted.

[I_want_an_Omega]

I've also read that it's virtually impossible to then sell your house as you have a sitting tennant on your roof with a 20+ year lease 

[jonnycool]

The one I linked to, you pay nothing, ever, and all it needs to work is daylight, it doesn't have to be sunny. So what if it looks a bit ugly? It'll be at the back-facing side of my house. Plus if I was buying a house with some free electricity, that would definitely be a plus point to me.