Solar Panels.

[Bramleyboy]

I know nothing about solar panels. I am considering them. I am 78. I have a few questions. I should ask. 1. Is it worth it? 2. What questions should I ask? 3. How do I assess the companies? 4. Have any A-bankers any experience? I filled in a few different company queries on the web but only one company from Leeds persistently replied and phones me! Many thanks, Bramley

[Hymie]

Check out the youtube videos on this topic, where people who have had them installed discuss the pros & cons.

One of the problems is that energy suppliers are no longer offering feed-in tariffs whereby they would pay you over 40p per kWh (it’s now zero, or a few pence at best). So to make full use of the generated power you need battery storage so that you can make use of any excess energy generated during the daytime.

Speaking to a colleague recently, he advised that installer companies will take your money to install them – but there are currently parts supply problems, meaning the solar panels won’t be installed for months.

The above relates to photovoltaic solar panels – not direct water heating systems.

[TheChair]

I'm 70 and wouldn't consider PV solar as it's very likely that I will die before the savings I make on electricity bills equal the the capital outlay.

[Vagus]

I agree with the chair.
We looked into it and decided we’d be out of pocket because we’re too old.
One of our sons has recently had them installed and is very pleased with them, they actually ‘sell’ some electricity back to the national grid.

[mushroom25]

we're not as old as you, The Chair, but we were advised similar by a friend who's a council sustainability officer. we wouldn't live long enough to derive any benefit, nor would our offspring get anything out of it, as the capital outlay is well out of proportion to the value that the panels add to the house price.

[barry1010]

If they are so good why is it not a legal requirement for them to be installed on all new build houses and other buildings where possible?
It must be more cost efficient to factor them in to the build than add them later. It would also make the planners think more about the type of roof, the slope and direction.

[fender62]

people i know have them, and the expense outweighs the return, the technology is still evolving think vinyl to cassettes to cd's to streaming
were erm as i was told cassettes if you get my meaning technology wise, as i say..so im told, but i maybe wrong.

[davebro]

Agree with that barry - all the new houses going up around me & none have solar panels (some even still have chimneys for goodness sake!)

More eco-wokery conning people into(mostly) unwise purchases.

[Ryzen]

Solar thermal..where you need a couple of panels to help heat your hot water are a good first step.

[davebro]

A first step to what? You probably won't follow that up with photovoltaics.

Water heating panels will cost a few thou to install & could (at best) halve your hot water costs. A more complex system might contribute 10% to you home heating.

[Ryzen]

Shrewd investment will give long term rewards. However, if you're happy to contribute to Mr Putins gas club fill yer boots dave :-)

[barry1010]

My roof is very high (much higher than a standard two storey house) and nobody will work on it without scaffolding. When I enquired about solar panels I was told it would cost me more than I saved to have them cleaned, apparently dirty panels are much less efficient than clean ones.

[Bramleyboy]

Barry1010 has put his finger on a very important point! I have a very high roof and I suspect the same would apply to me.

[davebro]

yeah but it's nearer the sun so it's bound to get a lot hotter! ;-)

[barry1010]

Why is it always colder the higher you climb up a mountain?

[davebro]

mountains must suck the heat out of the air?

[Peter Pedant]

Pay back time - if they cost £2000 ( wh they dont) and you save £200 a year then the break even point is 10y

and previously - but markets and prices change, you never get to the pay back point

But - and only I seem to realise this - you feel good
and the difference between the current elec bill per year for 10 y

and the capital cost of the panels and your subsequent 10y bill for elec

the difference is how much it has cost you to feel good

--- so in this case - feelings really can be quantified/costed

[Peter Pedant]

mountains must suck the heat out of the air?
yup
foe-neem effect

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foehn_wind

is a type of dry, relatively warm, downslope wind that occurs in the lee (downwind side) of a mountain range. It is a rain shadow wind that results from the subsequent adiabatic.....
yikes better stop there, this is AB !

Applies first and second laws of thermodynamics - no wonder it is called Foehn, There is a change of state of damp air - water goes out and dews and the heat lost heats up the air.
yikes too much detail