Tell me about solar panels

[Horse]

Our council is advertising this scheme to get a bulk deal on solar panels:

https://www.westberks.gov.uk/SolarTogetherBerkshire

From the roof size and usage estimates (very rough guess that we used 2400kw in the last year)put into the online form, the initial response is:

Price guideline
Typical market price for an installation of this size: £8,800
Generated electricity in the first year: 3,493 kWh
Number of panels: 10

There are options (that I didn't include) for battery and car charging.

I appreciate that my main usage will be when there's less sunlight, but the panels would be almost exactly South facing.

So, what do I need to know?

Filly will be wanting to know ...

[Mussels]

I signed up for one of these recently, they start by quoting a high price so when the real one comes in it looks great value. They don't send you the quote, you have to follow a link so there's no permanent record. Mine was under 10k for a 6KW system with battery.
It wasn't worth it for me even when energy prices were at the peak, ROI would have been 10 years in the best case.

My roof is 50 years old, when it needs replacing then I'll get the panels put in at the same time.

[Cousin Jack]

Dont forget to factor in that they degrade over time, and may need replacing in 20 years. Which is pretty well the estimated payback time for my house, yours may be shorter ( or longer)

[Mr Moofo]

I will tell you on Monday , once mine have been fitted

[Horse]

My roof is 50 years old, when it needs replacing then I'll get the panels put in at the same time.

You youngsters! Mine is 90 years old!

[Horse]

Dont forget to factor in that they degrade over time, and may need replacing in 20 years. Which is pretty well the estimated payback time for my house, yours may be shorter ( or longer)

There have been horror stories of failures within just a few years - and the installer company no longer exists.

[Horse]

I will tell you on Monday , once mine have been fitted

How did you decide?

[Kneerly Down]

There have been horror stories of failures within just a few years - and the installer company no longer exists.

I've very, very rarely seen panels fail...certainly not from the main makers who provide them for solar farms, where the big insurers will cover them to generate 80% of rated output for 20 years.
The inverter, on the other hand, is much more likely to fail within a 5-10 year period.
Replacing the inverter would be about a grand - somewhat more if it's a hybrid system with battery storage.
Oh, and on the subject of batteries they'll definitely degrade.

[Kneerly Down]

You youngsters! Mine is 90 years old!

Whippersnapper...263 years old here!

[v8-powered]

I signed up to this scheme with our local council, pretty much a front for big installers to get your details.
The prices they came back with were far north of what I'd been quoted by local independents, no sign of any savings and a barrage of calls chasing....

[Mr Moofo]

I will tell you on Monday , once mine have been fitted

How did you decide?

Sorry for the slow answer - just been having panels fitted.
I decided on the basis of the company actually responded to my enquiry - unlike about 3 others. They were also personally recommended by someone - who gave them a really positive endorsement.
The quote was realistic , they listened to my concerns / skepticism - they suggested a 4.5 kw system (10 405 panels facing 5 degrees of south) with no battery ( so sell back to the grid, if I can get the lazy suppliers to install a smart meter to do that) and an Eddi - which uses the excess energy to heat the hot water tank. In theory , we should be able to turn the (gas) hot water off in the summer.
They have been here for 2 days , with a team of five, did everything they needed to - even thought being attacked by hostile wasps from a nest just next to where they were installing.

I am sure a stand alone battery system will follow - but assessing how it works first