Warnings over unethical FREE solar PV offers

Lots of people are turning to renewable energy like solar and as a result companies that offer FREE solar PV installations are rising as well. PTS, a plumbing and heating merchant, warns over increasing unethical tactics being used by some companies offer free solar panel installations.

Some techniques involve installing solar panels on peoples home for free in exchange of feed-in-tariff that they will receive from Government. While some reputable companies that do it, offer free maintenance throughout their contract and use MCS approved installers, some unethical companies don’t offer such customer protection and targeting old, vulnerable customers leaving them unanswered questions about maintenance, resale value of home and increased insurance cost.

In some cases, they offer poor quality solar panels that are not good enough to generate enough electricity to power the house and exporting to national grid.

This unethical practices will harm people’s confidence in solar energy and should be stopped. Home owners are advised to check the company’s reputation before installing solar panels and to make sure they use MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) approved installers and well known solar panel manufacturer brands. This is a one time investment for 25 years and don’t get carried away but some cheap sales tactics. Invest wisely and they will pay back.

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Solar PV installation : Is it worth it?

We all moan about the energy prices going up or interest rate going completely different way. But we have options to tackle both in more intelligent way. We can generate our own energy using solar power and our money stays with us (in our roof) which delivers significantly more return than putting them in the pig. But the best thing about it is that we are using natural energy and thus reducing the carbon footprint. Installing solar panel also increase the resell value of your house.

Solar energy came into the scene long ago but there were never better time than now to switch to it. Before there were debates whether solar panel installation worth it or not as some suggested it may take as long as 100 years to get the capital back of installing solar PV cells. But now as government approached to natural energy the payback time could be as little as 7 years.

Instalececo, local solar PV installer based in Bedfordshire, has a built in calculator where you can check how much you could save/make each year based on your current consumption rate and the payback time. You will earn every KWH of electricity you produce and you will be saving on your bills as you will be using your own energy. The money you will earn and save this way is tax free. Here are some numbers using the calculator which will give an idea about the solar PV installation.

Based on a 2.35KW PV installed :

Your earning per year £1155.74

  • Energy generated each year 2017KW
  • Energy you will use each year 2017KW
  • Feed in tariff earning 2017 KW X 43.3p = £873.36
  • Save on bills 2017 KW X 14p = £282.38
  • Total savings per year is £1155.74

Typical cost of installing 2.35 kw solar panel is £9550

Payback time is 8.26 years

This income is guaranteed for 25 years. So in 25 years your total earning will be £28893.
* Figures based on roof facing south with 30 degrees and no shadow.

As mentioned above, the government will pay on your generated energy for 25 years. By that time you have made much more than you would make putting them in bank and best of all,  you have done your bit for the environment.

So, solar PV installation is worth it. Because unlike financial institutions, the Sun won’t go bust or need bailout and will be there making you money as long as you are here.