At least you're seemingly aware of pitfalls, and how things may be done to benefit you more fully.
As time's gone on, the cost of solar panels has fallen, so they're less than a couple of years back: obviously this will change, it's not guaranteed.
I'd firstly check out how much solar power I'm likely to generate. There's an Energy Savings Trust calculator here http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generating-energy/Getting-money-back/Solar-Energy-Calculator You put in your postcode, roof size and orientation of your home etc and is easy to use. It calculates the financial aspects, and makes working out whether or not solar is a good idea.
To earn the biggest feed in tariff rate, you need an Energy Performance Certificate rated at D or above. Insulated homes etc all work towards this.
My gut feel is that the current tariffs will remain and equipment and install costs will be stable, or fall slightly, due to economies of scale. But that electricity prices we pay for metered use will definitely go up. As such, I think the ideal way is for each of us home owners to get the full financial payback from our homes and sun power. It's us who takes the risk, and not these people who install stuff - it's not as if we'll have total consumer power, if we're not fully paying for something, and if we have issues selling our homes etc, will these rent a roof people care to help us?
Ikea are going to be rolling out solar power over the next year or so, fully installed for about £5,700. This isn't a tiny sum of money, in today's climate, but I prefer to gain, where I'm standing the risk. It is us, after all, who've paid the huge amount to buy the land, in the first place.
I think anyone's got a cheek, asking me to pay £100 for them to benefit from my land, so that they can earn electricity cash from the govt!
The wayleaves that are paid to landowners up and down the country, by the likes of National Grid etc are not cheap. This seems like a way for other companies to get in, not pay wayleaves, and then earn big, probably by providing substandard equipment, that householders have little control over.
Buyer beware. If that offer suits you exactly, after reviewing other options etc, then take it. My gut feel is that it's not that hot, and you could do better. |
