Solar Windows that create electricity

[manbearpig]

I may be wrong or have misunderstood you, but I think they claim the generation revenue too, the feed in tarrif would probably be too small to pay back the investment on its own - especially if you use all the electricity generated. All the home owner would get is the saving on electricity bills. However, It's an interesting business model and helps those that cant afford the initial outlay but they can still get some benefit.

I don't know why councils do not use this system to generate revenue.

[ron]

Ther's little point having panels on a north facing roof as others have said. Obviously in the N. hemisphere a south facing aspect is best but you still can have them on east & west facing roofs - and if you have both you will need 2 inverters which will put the cost up a bit. Alternatively, they can be put in a 'standalone' situation say in your garden etc.

Accredited MCS companies will go thro' an approved Govt. calculation to demonstrate what you can expect to generate in your specific case.

In addition to MBP's link, here is one that got me into the subject :-

Feed-in Tariff scheme

and on the left hand side of this page are sub links to different aspects, including solar panels.

With respect to installers, BE VERY CAREFUL! We ultimately had 4 quotations but the first was a real rip-off. There is an industry code-of-practice, (I think that's in the Energy Saving Trust link) & our first broke virtually all the rules AND wanted 25% deposit of his outrageous quote, i.e. nearly £5,000, before he would leave. Needless to say we sent him packing - I should have reported him but unfortunately didn't. There is/was a recent Which report on Solar Panel selling techniques.

Probably best if you explore local installers but they should be accredited MCS. Ours were and were Chartered Surveyors.

With respect to Ron's earlier post, I'm afraid you don't usually get anything for free in life. In his link case, the panels and installation would cost you nothing but that company would 'own' the system and claim the Feed-in-tariff.

Who were the companies that you got sensible quotes from? There seem to be some big names getting involved now, did you look at any of those?

The link does have some info about paid for panels but was really about the "free" ones since people that go to Money Saving Expert usually are a suspicious lot! (with good reason!) I couldn't afford to buy them outright but the electricity savings may still be worth it.

[Clippo]

re:

I may be wrong or have misunderstood you, but I think they claim the generation revenue too, the feed in tarrif would probably be too small to pay back the investment on its own - especially if you use all the electricity generated. All the home owner would get is the saving on electricity bills. However, It's an interesting business model and helps those that cant afford the initial outlay but they can still get some benefit.

Yes! I completely agree and I'm sorry I didn't explain that better - I was rushed. As I understand, If a company says it will install panels for free, they will claim generated energy at 43.3 p/kwh and feed-into-grid energy at 3.1 p/kwh. So 'you' will only get savings on what you use and therefore do not use from the grid.
I believe tho' that if the deal you have is one of these, the installation company is responsible for maintenance etc. etc. and I don't think there's much case law yet about if you sell your house i.e. what happens then.

Incidentally, I believe quite a few of the major newspapers recently did articles about the rip-offs and variations of contract but I don't have time to find links at the moment.

With respect to :-

Who were the companies that you got sensible quotes from? There seem to be some big names getting involved now, did you look at any of those?

I've put my paperwork away at the moment but the first quote was from a major company - can't remember their name now (and CRUCIALLY they left NO paperwork!). I think I know who but I'm not going to say in case I'm wrong and get done for libel or something.

The other three quotes were local companies - one basically a one-man band (who had links with a good roofing company) but who was recommended by friends and did a good job for them. Another was one we picked from local newspaper adverts and they were also good. But the one we chose again from a local advert was Pennington Choices of Runcorn, Cheshire. - Pennington Choices - Housing Consultants but who also have a southern operation from Bexley Kent.

If you are really serious, send me a PM - because if I generate any Solar PV business for them, I'll get £250

Finally also, the good old technique of recommendation is important here. If you see a house with panels nearby, have the courage to go and ask who did it. Many people are intensely interested in this and they will gladly tell you all about it. Also, during a quotation, ask the company if they can give you the name(s) of nearby installations. Of course they will give you ones they think will be favourable but OTH, if they don't, then get suspicious.

added in edit :- whilst trying to find links indicated above, I just found this from todays Guardian :-

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environmen...rs?INTCMP=SRCH

VERY RELEVANT - BE QUICK AS THEY SAY

[TannyD]

Are they any good at keeping noise, cold and draughts out?

[longjohn]

Are they any good at keeping noise, cold and draughts out?

If you get a draught under the front door get the old lady to lay in front of it. I don't k now what I would do without her.........

[longjohn]

I see that they have reduced the tariff so if you havent got it already its not worth having.

[manbearpig]

Yes, but I can also see a lot of existing systems' guarantees becoming void as the companies fail. From what I have read, many are already planning to ditch jobs.

[lorraine]

Do you think that working on saving energy is become nearly as expensive as energy itself, which really makes no sense at all.
I remember listening on a small radio in the 60's it was fantastic and within a few years we all had them at little cost, we didn't have a telephone or colour TV which came later.
What seems to be happening now, we don't seem to have the movement, how long have solar panels been about, how long have the governments been banging on about saving energy, here is a system that could actually benefit everyone and help energy, yet the costs involve are out of reach of the normal family.
Are we therefore slowing down progress in areas that do not need land to be taken up, and will create many jobs and help the enviroment, there is always something else that comes along, but we seem to miss the boat when the timing is right.