Government Money For Solar Power

[Chrisgr31]

Seems like I am getting phone calls, letters, mailshots etc daily telling me that if I had solar power the government would pay me upto £750 a year index linked for the next 25 years. Strangely they seem to be short of indicative costs etc.

Surely if solar power saved so much money these organisations would be offering to install it for nothing but I would buy power from them cheaper than from the grid?

So how much does it cost to install solar and realistically what are the savings?

[grumbledoak]

Yet more of our money to shore up the green illusion. Solar water heating has some hope, but not electricity generation, here.

[MiniMan64]

I'm amazed how consistently people and goverments ignore the practical applications of environmental energy sources, yes solar is an interesting alternative but we don't live in a sunny country so it's not the greatest idea. There better options and we should surely invest in those that work in this country?

[mattley]

I read somewhere recently that there is a company doing exactly that.

Last time I checked was about 5 years ago and payback was looking like about 12 years, though of course a summer like we've just had could take a year off that but it was a huge initial investment so it makes sense to essentially rent out your roof.

[Condi]

Chrisgr31 said:

Surely if solar power saved so much money these organisations would be offering to install it for nothing but I would buy power from them cheaper than from the grid?

So how much does it cost to install solar and realistically what are the savings?

You can. There are companies which will install it for nothing, you keep what you need (for free) and anything extra is sent into the grid - although any money generated from the sale is kept by the company which installed it.

We looked at it, but you need to have a south facing roof above a certain area, and we didnt qualify.

The company makes money because they are paid a subsidy for each unit generated, so for whatever you keep they just get the subsidy (14p/unit or 40p/unit? Something with a 4 in it anyway!) and for whatever is sold into the grid they get the subsidy, plus the price for the electric paid by the electric company. Apparently they can make money off the subsidy alone as long as the pannels produce enough power - hence the restrictions on location and orientation.

[MixxyMatosis]

Solar water heating works very well, I've seen it in action, it works regardless of the weather. Electricity generating solar panels are not worth a fart. Also wind genterators are only for the hardcore greenies. £1400 to fit, 14 years to pay themselves off and....14 year lifespan. Total waste of monies.

[thinfourth2]

MixxyMatosis said:

Also wind genterators are only for the hardcore greenies. £1400 to fit, 14 years to pay themselves off and....14 year lifespan. Total waste of monies.

Add a zero to that price for one that will run your house

[BoRED S2upid]

I live in Wales. The sun can't heat me what chance does it have of heating water or generating power? Your lucky if it provides light half the year.

[5potTurbo]

OP: Have a look at this BBC business item

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11149092


The retired headteacher interviewed is one of my uncles. Trust me: he KNOWS a good deal when he finds one!

[Herbs]

The free solar panels are only a good deal if you cannot afford them yourselves. You are better off trying to finance them yourself and enjoy all of the benefits rather than just one which comes with its own drawbacks.