Hey guys, I've recently talked to a local solar installer here in Bristol where I live. My uncle recommended the guy, saying he did a really good job for him. My wife and I have a 90 sqm house and we were quoted for £13,240. Is that normal? I was hoping for like... half the price. I've been reading about solar panels and it seems that the installer is trying to make me buy something I don't need. What do you think?
Be very careful what you sign up for. Twenty homes in Blantyre are paying higher electricity bills!
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It's just a quote, he obviously didn't want the job.
Get others.
If they are all to high for you. Forget it.
A very long payback time even if you do get paid. Not worth it plus they are bloody ugly things. I don't want them on my roof despite the lies they tell about huge savings.
They are a magnet for pigeons to nest under. A number of people I know wish they had never had them installed.
Off subject slightly,
we were quoted for £13,240
That's approximately what I paid for my 2-bedroom flat about 14 years ago. [£13,500]
Domestic solar panel installations vary considerably in price, but an average for panels that would generate 425kWh of power would be in the region of £6000 to £8000.
You would probably trigger some 'feed in' tariff payments from the government. They are tax-free, by the way, and the government will lock your feed in tariff rate for 20 years from the date of your installation, so you will get some protection from the fact that tariff payments have been falling faster than panel costs - relatively speaking, you'll get less than someone who had panels installed twenty years ago.
Shop around, but remember that panel quality can vary considerably - you get what you pay for. Make sure that whoever installs your panels is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
I have 2 non-grid tie systems one powers a cabin (lights, water, etc) and the other a water heater. The savings in water heating costs are worth it at just about any latitude.
Look into it very carefully re quality and input of power. Then work out how many years to break even on the initial cost by which time they will be out of date. Consider also the appearance of the things and the possible maintenance costs. You could also invest your money elsewhere and use the income to pay for your electricity. To me it is an absolute No No for many reasons.
