Free Electricity...

[Viking Don]

I'm guessing most of you know about this amazing incentive HM Government are doing for private homeowners who happen to have a south facing roof, but for those that don't....

Go look up 'free solar panels' - you'll find that there are companies out there just waiting for your call so they can come and install solar panels on your roof - there's no catch - you get to use ALL of the electricity they generate for absolutely nothing. If you've got around 24 square metres of a south (south west to south east) facing roof then you'll be able to generate around 3 to 4 kW during daylight hours which is enough to run most households. The offer is guaranteed for the next 25 years, though they'll almost certainly last a lot longer than that, but after 25 years they're yours to keep!

If you're lucky enough to have around 12 grand spare then you could buy the system yourself and as well as get the free electricity you'll also get 43.5 pence for every kilowatt hour your system generates, which for 24 sq metres would earn you around £1300 per year guaranteed (and indexed linked so it goes up every year) for the next 25 years, all tax free! At the moment you pay around a third of that for your electricity, so they are paying well over the odds in an effort to reduce carbon emissions.

You'll get your money back within 7 or 8 years, the remaining 18 years will just give you a tax free income, plus the free electricity. You'll make around 60 grand (i.e. what you get paid plus what you save in bills). You won't get a better return for your money from any bank!

If you haven't checked it out, or think it's too good to be true, then do check it out. Google A Shade Greener (they're the nearest suppliers) - you have until the end of March next year to get on board to get the highest price for the power you generate, after that it goes down!

If you don't do it, then you are basically going to be paying for everyone else that does, as that's how it's funded, through your electricity bills! Clever eh!

For the greens out there, I'm told you'll also be saving around 80,000 miles worth of CO2 emissions from an average family car, over the 25 years (so no more guilt over driving to the recycling centre). It's win win for everyone.

[Nudga]

It is a hell of a scheme Don, and one which i've been telling anyone who will listen. This is the way forward, it just needs the government to push it further and to pump more money into it to bring the price of renewables down.
For anyone thinking about solar panels, go for the Photovoltaic which does the electricity side. Don't bother with the solar thermal as that just pre-heats your water cylinder so the boiler doesn't have to work as hard so doesn't offer as much savings as the photovoltaic, unless you have a massive f**k off roof which you can fit both on.

And while we're at it, vote for The Green Party next time around. They have some wonderful ideas on how to bring EVERYONES carbon footprint down, saving and making you money and creating 100,000s of jobs. This current government are not doing anywhere near enough to get the renewable market moving.

[Donnywolf]

I too have been telling anyone who would listen ,,, but as yet have not taken the plunge because I want the 16000 option and \"bag\" the money for myself rather than let the Companies involved get at it

If you give them the \"money\" generated you only get the savings from the electricity you consume during generating hours - usable daylight - so if you were a working couple you would just save from an Fridges Freezers that are on or by scheduling Cooking Washing etc for that time

I notice now some of the Companies who are in the market are starting to charge a \"one off fee\" of just £99 to have the Panels fitted as well so I would say as Viking Don does its a great scheme and could be a great use of a spare 16 grand.

Not for the first time lately Pippa Middleton was the last) I have said if ONLY I were 20 years younger

[Bald Rover]

the company is called a shade greener and I was knocked back first time but my home has now beem accepted! its a great scheme that provides free electric whilever theres daylight for 25 years so anyone that can should!

[andy didcott]

ayup carl, whats the catch, are there any costs at all.

[Donnywolf]

ayup carl, whats the catch, are there any costs at all.

Here are 3 sites that I saved when considering doing it but there are \"scores\". I found the top one very useful

http://www.solarguide.co.uk/solar-pv-calculator#bestresult




http://www.ploughcroftsolar.co.uk/survey.html?gclid=CJOA8dun-KgCFQod4QodwEPLSA

http://www.freesolarpanelsuk.co.uk/how-do-i-know-if-my-house-is-suitable-for-photovoltaic-solar-panels.php

[GM-MarkB]

Interesting little story here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-13777116

[I-was-there1976]

i applied through Shade Greaner last year but they said my roof wasnt big enough but they could have given me a quote for made to measure panels. I declined. Im awaiting on a call from another firm to see if they can or cant do the standard panels and free package. If you can afford to buy its the better option but ill be happy to get the free stuff and cheaper bills.

[Viking Don]

Interesting little story here...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-13777116

Not just for homeowners then! More amazing is the £90 PER YEAR rent the residents who own the leasehold of the properties in Rotherham pay the landlords. People actually PAY to live in Rotherham?

And Andy, you along with almost every other sensible person asks what the catch is. I blame that prat from don't get dicked get dom. Believe me, there's NO CATCH! There's no such thing as a free lunch; if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. For once in a lifetime there's an offer that contradicts these wise sayings, and this is it.

[Dagenham Rover]

Have a look at this

http://solar.buttsco.co.uk/

[Barmby Rover]

I enquired into this, unless you have a four bedroom property, outside of a conservation area, facing directly south, then you don't qualify for the free panels, but they will put you intouch with companies willing to sell you them for about £9K plus fitting fees. Very kind of them! So the already rich get subsidised electricity, and the rest of us.....

[Viking Don]

Have a look at this

http://solar.buttsco.co.uk/

Actually, DON'T HAVE A LOOK AT THIS!

it f**ked my browser up

Barmy - don't get mad get even. Banks are well clued up about this offer and will loan you the money so stop trying to say it's only for the rich. I'm skint but have managed to get finance with a bit of research, almost anyone can, so stop moaning and google. You'll find out eventually that you're just another idiot who assumes that this is too good to be true.

You also seem to failed to realise that once 'these companies' have sold and installed the systems you will be earning over a grand a year, indexed linked, for 25 years. I don't think I can explain it any clearer so for anyone reading this that has a basic understanding of english and maths, then I say just go for it if you can, ignore foolish comments from the ill-advised and just trust government legislation.

BTW the \"unless you have a four bedroom property, outside of a conservation area, facing directly south, \" is absolute rubbish when considering solar panels. People think their roof has to face due south for it to be viable, it doesn't. South-East to South-West are prime roofs and will reap rewards. Most of us don't live in f**king conservation areas, and f**k anyone that does, the planet is more important than you Kitsons.

[Donnywolf]

AGREED VikingDon

.... and if people are interested look as you say on Google 3 or the links I found and which I posted above.



One asks you to enter your postcode and tells you a) where your House faces and b) if you can have \"free\" Panels so you can see as Viking Don points out it does NOT have to be due South

Also a comment above about the rich get them for nothing etc.... well I can almost guarantee that the rich WILL PAY to have an installation that THEY, and NOT so THEY not the provider owns the Electricity generated and of course reap the rewards

In short anyone who can BUT their own system should do so - for reasons I posted in Post 2 and which are easily accessed in my post with the 3 links

[Dagenham Rover]

Have a look at this

http://solar.buttsco.co.uk/

Actually, DON'T HAVE A LOOK AT THIS!

it f**ked my browser up

Works fine on mine, no malware or owt, mind you it was IE that I opened it in

[Barmby Rover]

Have a look at this

http://solar.buttsco.co.uk/

Actually, DON'T HAVE A LOOK AT THIS!

it f**ked my browser up

Barmy - don't get mad get even. Banks are well clued up about this offer and will loan you the money so stop trying to say it's only for the rich. I'm skint but have managed to get finance with a bit of research, almost anyone can, so stop moaning and google. You'll find out eventually that you're just another idiot who assumes that this is too good to be true.

You also seem to failed to realise that once 'these companies' have sold and installed the systems you will be earning over a grand a year, indexed linked, for 25 years. I don't think I can explain it any clearer so for anyone reading this that has a basic understanding of english and maths, then I say just go for it if you can, ignore foolish comments from the ill-advised and just trust government legislation.

BTW the \"unless you have a four bedroom property, outside of a conservation area, facing directly south, \" is absolute rubbish when considering solar panels. People think their roof has to face due south for it to be viable, it doesn't. South-East to South-West are prime roofs and will reap rewards. Most of us don't live in f**king conservation areas, and f**k anyone that does, the planet is more important than you Kitsons.

No great political diatribe there Don, it was just the facts as it was quoted to me on the phone call I had with the agency offering the scheme. My house didn't fit it, all that was offered was a \"survey\" to tell me how much it would cost me. I am not interested in another form of double glazing salesmen calling round to my house and offering more endebtedness as an amazing deal.

[Thinwhiteduke]

i applied through Shade Greaner last year but they said my roof wasnt big enough but they could have given me a quote for made to measure panels. I declined. Im awaiting on a call from another firm to see if they can or cant do the standard panels and free package. If you can afford to buy its the better option but ill be happy to get the free stuff and cheaper bills.

Heres what I got back from Ashadegreener:

Thank you for your application to see if your roof is suitable for our free solar panel system.  Our surveyors have now looked at your roof on Google Earth and unfortunately none of our arrays would fit as the dimensions of your roof are not compatible with any of our layouts. We only do standard layouts made up of 16 or 18 panels, we do not do customised systems. We’re very sorry.

This does not mean that your roof is unsuitable for Solar PV, it just means that it is not suitable for any of our standard arrays. If you think you may be interested in purchasing a customised system for your roof and take advantage of the FIT Scheme yourself, why not visit www.nationwidesolar.co.uk which is a local PV supplier or www.microgenerationcertification.org, which can provide you with a list of other local Solar PV suppliers. We confirm that under no circumstances would we pass your information on to any other company or third party.

If you're still interested in other forms of renewable energy for your property you can contact The Energy Saving Trust, which is a Government backed, free, impartial and expert advice service with local advisors who can;- answer your questions on which technology may be suitable for your home, - tell you how to access grants, and,- put you in touch with local installers.

 You can call them free on 0800 512012 to find out more.

 If you are interested in reading more about ‘green’ issues and other ways to save money visit www.greenerenergyexpert.co.uk or www.saveandgenerate.com

Am I suprised that I am not eligible for their free installation - No

Am I suprised that they suggest I try one of their recommended installers that will cost me money (how come they fit but not the free ones!?!?) - No

[DonnyRTID]

Theres a few on my street having it done and the company doing it have a board up advertising free solar panels.

[Nudga]

if you're going to pay for it yourself, make sure the company is MCS accredited. This means that the company, the installers and the product have passed the microgeneration scheme and everything is all above board and you don't have to worry about cowboys.

[Viking Don]

i applied through Shade Greaner last year but they said my roof wasnt big enough but they could have given me a quote for made to measure panels. I declined. Im awaiting on a call from another firm to see if they can or cant do the standard panels and free package. If you can afford to buy its the better option but ill be happy to get the free stuff and cheaper bills.

Heres what I got back from Ashadegreener:

Thank you for your application to see if your roof is suitable for our free solar panel system.  Our surveyors have now looked at your roof on Google Earth and unfortunately none of our arrays would fit as the dimensions of your roof are not compatible with any of our layouts. We only do standard layouts made up of 16 or 18 panels, we do not do customised systems. We’re very sorry.

This does not mean that your roof is unsuitable for Solar PV, it just means that it is not suitable for any of our standard arrays. If you think you may be interested in purchasing a customised system for your roof and take advantage of the FIT Scheme yourself, why not visit www.nationwidesolar.co.uk which is a local PV supplier or www.microgenerationcertification.org, which can provide you with a list of other local Solar PV suppliers. We confirm that under no circumstances would we pass your information on to any other company or third party.

If you're still interested in other forms of renewable energy for your property you can contact The Energy Saving Trust, which is a Government backed, free, impartial and expert advice service with local advisors who can;- answer your questions on which technology may be suitable for your home, - tell you how to access grants, and,- put you in touch with local installers.

 You can call them free on 0800 512012 to find out more.

 If you are interested in reading more about ‘green’ issues and other ways to save money visit www.greenerenergyexpert.co.uk or www.saveandgenerate.com

Am I suprised that I am not eligible for their free installation - No

Am I suprised that they suggest I try one of their recommended installers that will cost me money (how come they fit but not the free ones!?!?) - No

TWD, basically the companies installing the free systems can pick and choose so they get the most suitable properties to maximise their profits. I know A Shade Greener only install the free ones in a certain configuration to keep it simple and the costs at a bare minimum. They have limited resources so just want to get the best returns for their investment - only natural, you'd do the same yourself. They are inundated with enquiries so pick the best.

Barmby, double glazing will not earn you a tax-free income but will give you a big bill. The solar panels will pay for themselves within 7 to 8 years on average, after that you'll get a tax-free income of over a grand a year for the remainder of the 25 year period. The sales teams don't go knocking on doors, these things sell themselves, they've got the easiest job of all salespeople.

[Nudga]

Don, the next thing you need is a heat pump to give you free heating and hot water. Your solar panels will run it for nowt. Give us a tinkle if tha wants because as of early next year, I will be an installer partner of ICS De Longhi Climaveneta.

www.apolloheatsource.co.uk

[scarbrook]

Nudga,Glad to see you've got into line of work you were after,Have you any experiance in the installation of rainwater harvesting sytems? May have some contracts coming up next year.

[Viking Don]

I fitted my own water butt a few months ago if that's any good! Took the whole of April and May before it got filled, but it's doing it's job now!

I suspect you mean the ones where you have a separate system for toilet flushing/washing machines etc.? Another great idea that should become compulsary for newbuilds. Any jobs going, I can sell 'em!

[Nudga]

Nudga,Glad to see you've got into line of work you were after,Have you any experiance in the installation of rainwater harvesting sytems? May have some contracts coming up next year.

Ayup mate, I haven't got any experience in rainwater harvesting, although i'd like to get into it at a later date. Keep me informed though mate if you don't mind. I'm trying to get my gas course work finished with Richard kirby (Direct Plumbing) but it's slow going at the minute what with trying to fit it around my shift pattern.