solar panels

[Minkey]

It seems my landlord had decided to fit solar panels to the bungalow I rent. Could someone please give me the heads up on how these systems work, what the hardware involved is, how long it takes to fit and what happens with regards to my electricity company. I need to have an idea of what to ask the fitting company when they turn up to do the survey. Thanks in advance

 

[Jaws]

It takes about a day to fit the whole lot.
You will have an extra meter that records what is being generated and a switch to isolate it all
In the loft they will fit an inverter .
As you landlord is having them fitted I doubt you personally will see much ( if any ) benefit .. but nor will it affect you in any way

 

[andyBeaker]

It seems my landlord had decided to fit solar panels to the bungalow I rent. Could someone please give me the heads up on how these systems work, what the hardware involved is, how long it takes to fit and what happens with regards to my electricity company. I need to have an idea of what to ask the fitting company when they turn up to do the survey. Thanks in advance

Painless.

To be honest I am not sure why he is bothering as the returns are paltry now.

 

[Oldandbald]

And they are causing problems with roof trusses spreading under the additional weight. Seen numerous problems with surveyors asking for additional bracing on the roof timbers before signing off as suitable for a mortgage.

And don't get me started on who owns the roof on some of the old lease deals.

 

[ianrobbo1]

As Andrew says, pointless now you don't see much in returns, they last up to and over 25 years, and it'll probably take that long to see any meaningful returns, that and they become less efficient as the panels get older, which is why I've not gone that route, why pay through the nose to have someone else get any benefit as I'll be pushing up daisies long before the time comes that they pay for themselves.

 

[Stevebrooke]

I have them and swear by them. I was lucky enough to get the high feed-in-tariff rate about 7 years ago but I think it's only a few pence per KWh now. Assuming they are being wired into your house's electricity supply then you should benefit from a reduced electricity bill as you get to use the electricity they generate. Make sure you use your appliances during daylight hours for the maximum benefit. I reckon I'm saving about 400 quid a year, and that's with only two of us in the house.

You will probably need to tell your electricity supplier about them regardless of what your landlord does because, depending on the meter you have fitted, they can cause it to run backwards - mine did and I only found out about it when my next meter reading was lower than my last. If there is a smart meter fitted it will be incompatible with the solar installation and at the moment there isn't an alternative. I was told about 2 years ago that the technology was on it's way and I'm still waiting.

I wouldn't worry about the "who owns the roof" issue. As you rent it's probably the landlord's problem. I own mine outright now after using the feed-in-tariff to pay them, but up to the point of me owning them the contract stated the installer paid a "peppercorn rent" (in practice, nothing) to use my roof so they could receive the feed-in until the panels were paid for.

So long as your roof is sound all you will notice is a bit of creaking in really strong winds and a slightly reduced electricity bill.

 

[Pow-Lo]

I have them and swear by them. I was lucky enough to get the high feed-in-tariff rate about 7 years ago but I think it's only a few pence per KWh now. Assuming they are being wired into your house's electricity supply then you should benefit from a reduced electricity bill as you get to use the electricity they generate. Make sure you use your appliances during daylight hours for the maximum benefit. I reckon I'm saving about 400 quid a year, and that's with only two of us in the house.

You will probably need to tell your electricity supplier about them regardless of what your landlord does because, depending on the meter you have fitted, they can cause it to run backwards - mine did and I only found out about it when my next meter reading was lower than my last. If there is a smart meter fitted it will be incompatible with the solar installation and at the moment there isn't an alternative. I was told about 2 years ago that the technology was on it's way and I'm still waiting.

I wouldn't worry about the "who owns the roof" issue. As you rent it's probably the landlord's problem. I own mine outright now after using the feed-in-tariff to pay them, but up to the point of me owning them the contract stated the installer paid a "peppercorn rent" (in practice, nothing) to use my roof so they could receive the feed-in until the panels were paid for.

So long as your roof is sound all you will notice is a bit of creaking in really strong winds and a slightly reduced electricity bill.

If you’re saving £400 a year, how much electricity are you using? We only pay £65 a month for gas and electricity.

As for smart meters, don’t have one nor will we. They supposedly kick out enough harmful waves to damage one’s health.

 

[Stevebrooke]

If you’re saving £400 a year, how much electricity are you using? We only pay £65 a month for gas and electricity.

As for smart meters, don’t have one nor will we. They supposedly kick out enough harmful waves to damage one’s health.

I got this figure from what we used to pay before we got the panels installed. Some of it may be gas but that was about how much our bill reduced.

I've just renewed with Eon and a condition of the new deal is that they can contact me to install smart meters ASAP. If and when the time comes I will refuse and move supplier. My main concern is the rush to fit them and the possibility of errors being made during installation, as was covered on Watchdog recently.

As smart meters are not compulsory I can see all the major suppliers following Eon's lead and making them a condition of the cheapest deal or you have to go on standard tariff.

 

[andyBeaker]

I have them and swear by them. I was lucky enough to get the high feed-in-tariff rate about 7 years ago but I think it's only a few pence per KWh now. Assuming they are being wired into your house's electricity supply then you should benefit from a reduced electricity bill as you get to use the electricity they generate. Make sure you use your appliances during daylight hours for the maximum benefit. I reckon I'm saving about 400 quid a year, and that's with only two of us in the house.

You will probably need to tell your electricity supplier about them regardless of what your landlord does because, depending on the meter you have fitted, they can cause it to run backwards - mine did and I only found out about it when my next meter reading was lower than my last. If there is a smart meter fitted it will be incompatible with the solar installation and at the moment there isn't an alternative. I was told about 2 years ago that the technology was on it's way and I'm still waiting.

I wouldn't worry about the "who owns the roof" issue. As you rent it's probably the landlord's problem. I own mine outright now after using the feed-in-tariff to pay them, but up to the point of me owning them the contract stated the installer paid a "peppercorn rent" (in practice, nothing) to use my roof so they could receive the feed-in until the panels were paid for.

So long as your roof is sound all you will notice is a bit of creaking in really strong winds and a slightly reduced electricity bill.

The feed in tariff on my rentals comes directly to me as landlord rather than benefitting the tenant. The panels were installed when the properties were built.

It took forever and a day to get them registered - it was only the sheer determination and bloody mindedness of mrs Beaker that eventually got them registered.

Hardly life changing income though!!

 

[ianrobbo1]

The feed in tariff on my rentals comes directly to me as landlord rather than benefitting the tenant. The panels were installed when the properties were built.

It took forever and a day to get them registered - it was only the sheer determination and bloody mindedness of mrs Beaker that eventually got them registered.

Hardly life changing income though!!

I see it's starting to come out who wears the trousers in the Andrew house!!

 

[andyBeaker]

I see it's starting to come out who wears the trousers in the Andrew house!!

No doubt about it whatsoever

In fairness i had given up in frustration at getting the flipping things registered. She took it on and took no prisoners, lots of casualties in the electricity industry along the way.....