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Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 11:34 am Post subject: solar panels
I'm having a site visit today to contemplate solar panels. I suspect it wont be financially viable for me but I need to explore it any thoughts on what I should be asking?

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 12:07 pm Post subject:
No big issues, prices have come down a LOT recently so you just need to ensure you're getting a sensible quote, obviously someone that comes with a recommendation would be useful. Worth asking how much extra for a battery as those prices are also a lot cheaper now We're having a 54 panel system installed for £13,500 on our latest job.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 2:06 pm Post subject:
yes, I have asked for prices with battery. looking like 11 panels spread over south and west roofs ( rooves? ) I can tell I will need many quotes... which means.. more interactions with people.. urgh... one of the worst parts is considering pay back - this in turn makes me have to consider how long i might stay here and frankly I dont want to plan my life so firmly.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46249
Location: yes

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 2:27 pm Post subject:
i have no idea how good recent panels batteries and switchgear price out medium or long term the expensive bits can be unbolted and moved if needs be with most installed equipment (avoid "contracts" and own the kit)

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 3:29 pm Post subject:

Nicky cigreen wrote:

I can tell I will need many quotes... which means.. more interactions with people.. urgh...

Yep, unfortunately that is painful

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6614
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 5:33 pm Post subject:
I've only sold a house once, but the buyers mentioned the solar panels specifically as part of the appeal that made for a quick sale over asking

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Tue Aug 13, 24 8:08 pm Post subject:

Slim wrote:

I've only sold a house once, but the buyers mentioned the solar panels specifically as part of the appeal that made for a quick sale over asking

hm yeh I did a little research into whether it increased the value of the house, increases or decreases the saleability of a house and such, and the responses are mixed. money saving expert cover this in their useful article

I don't live in an average house, so I'm not sure I could apply normal stats to it regarding selling on.

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28239
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 24 1:16 pm Post subject:

Nicky cigreen wrote:

yes, I have asked for prices with battery.

Batteries still seem iffy, they are dropping in price fast and you get paid for solar exported without a battery.
I got quotes a few months ago, but could not make it make sense.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 24 7:59 pm Post subject:

jema wrote:

Nicky cigreen wrote:

yes, I have asked for prices with battery.

Batteries still seem iffy, they are dropping in price fast and you get paid for solar exported without a battery.
I got quotes a few months ago, but could not make it make sense.

so you are suggesting going for a without battery system - with a view to adding in batteries later?

one of the problems with batteries is tesla... not entirely sure I want to support a company that overtly supports Trump. other batteries are available.. not deemed as good.

tahir

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 45676
Location: Essex

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 24 8:58 pm Post subject:
I don’t think Tesla is any better than other brands. Their cars are built like shit. I don’t even know what brand mine are

Slim

Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 6614
Location: New England (In the US of A)

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 24 11:00 pm Post subject:
Clearly it's different for you, but here where we have net metering, batteries just don't make sense. We use the grid as our battery, but here is a just crediting kwh on to our account for use in the winter

jema
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 28239
Location: escaped from Swindon

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 24 5:57 am Post subject:
Tesla does not make the batteries, there claim which is not unreasonable is better software and installation. But I don't see that justifying the premium on something isn't a great bet anyway.

Mistress Rose

Joined: 21 Jul 2011
Posts: 16006

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 24 7:03 am Post subject:

Our next door neighbours have solar panels with batteries and they are very happy with the system. Battery prices are high, but are coming down in price quite significantly. It does make sense, particularly if you are supplied with overhead electricity, as you have your own backup then. I would suggest getting several quotes and trying to talk to people who already have a similar system in place.

Our neighbours have a Tesla battery, but that was all that was available at the time.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 24 8:57 am Post subject:

Slim wrote:

Clearly it's different for you, but here where we have net metering, batteries just don't make sense. We use the grid as our battery, but here is a just crediting kwh on to our account for use in the winter

that's a good system - here we can sell back to the grid, but the rate is less then the cost of buying electricity.

according the the solar guy - who yes, I do realise is essentially a salesman - some people are going battery way as they are trying to future proof against power shortages. For this... the (sales)man says you need a battery that you can use during a power cut - not all can. The only one they offered that can is the tesla.

I'm a bit done on trying to future proof things. I thought I was future proofing by installing woodburners - I didn't anticipate there would be ( imo wrong) backlash against burning wood.

Nicky cigreen

Joined: 25 Jun 2007
Posts: 9887
Location: Devon, uk

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 24 8:59 am Post subject:

jema wrote:

Tesla does not make the batteries, ...

I'm aware companies make the batteries for tesla - but I assumed tesla were still making money out of it somewhere?

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