Free Solar Panels

[maclarencat]

I have just been reading that you can get free solar panels in England and Wales. Has anyone any experience of this. Does anyone have solar panels and how much does it save them in electricity costs. How complicated is the wiring etc. Any information would be helpful. I understand that with the free panels you get to use any electricity used but the supplying compant gets the money for the excess.

[AlBags]

Unless your roof is covered in panels, there probably won't be any excess. To help heat hot water in the cylinder, you will need a different cylinder with a second HW coil.
Control system pretty easy. Pressure sensors and heat sensor monitoring really, so system pump can run when necessary.

If you are seriously into energy conservation and want to join the kickback club before that privilege is ceased, go for a Stirling Engine boiler. : )

[4getmenot]

Bought my house with solar panels in. Not sure difference in bill yet, but havent had to have water heater on at all for baths, showers etc

[AlBags]

Yep ..
4Get is probably one of the (just) lucky ones .. that has a system that has panels facing in good direction .. thermally efficient "black tube" type and didn't have to pay for them. A good installation can cost £K4-6.
I have done Solar work .. and it's easy .. no different to a small CH circuit.

[deggers316]

your all getting mixed up here the solar panels in question are NOT for heating water i:e: black radiator panels on the roof, they are electrical solar panels designed to produce electricity ,nothing to do with water and yes a friend had them installed and is doing well out of it
contact your local electricity provider

[buildersmate]

Agree with Deggers - we are taling photovoltaic cells here.
Here's a decent source of reference info.
http://www.energysavi...-free-solar-PV-offers
They are not free - the installation is subsidised - a bit like the double glazing bargains, one suspects.
Not time to invest yet is my assessment, Mc.

[Wak]

The following site tells you all about the FREE solar panels for generating Electricity and how it saves you about £120 per year off your bills.
You can also get a grant of £800 per annum if you pay for the installation.
That's the gist of it but you can read the finer details below.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/

[glenbar]

We have solar panels and cant remember the last time I put the hot water on the boiler. Not so good in the winter obviously, but on nice days still dont have to put the water on to heat. Must be a saving but also must take a very long time before the outlay of £4000 is recovered. We have a new build so it made sense to do it at the time

[AlBags]

I'm not mixed up .. I do not fit Solar systems .. and never will. I have worked on and repaired solar water systems.
Solar electrical generation from your roof .. if that's what is being considered .. I would stay away from. Too much effort, expense, as far as I am concerned. Ecogen boilers are way to go for the moment.

http://www.baxi.co.uk...binedheatandpower.htm
http://www.homeheatin...micro-chp-boiler.html

[4getmenot]

No one was getting mixed up, title just said solar panels, thats what I have

[maclarencat]

Sorry I havent thanked everyone for their input but I have had my Mum staying a few days.
I have relooked at the offer and it is definately free installation and maintainance etc. I have rung the company (Isis) but apparently because we live in Wales they are not installing here yet. Their installations are limited to south of Oxford at the moment.