New build solar energy

As some of you know I have just bought a new place which requires extensive works and extension - The new project. As a part of that work I'm going to look at as many eco friendly aspects as I can and starting with solar energy, with a specific focus on incorporating as a new build rather than retro fitting.

Has anyone build a house or extension with solar panels in, how is it different if at all, how much am I going to get fleeced?!

Having looked about I see that the feed-in tariff has ended but that they're introducing a different regulation in 2020 to replace it (probably at vastly inferior rates)

 

This is the current stage re the new system (no set date for implementation).

A Replacement to the Feed-In Tariff? - TheGreenAge

Solar tiles are much more expensive than panels.

We have had solar panels for almost six years and there has been no noticeable deterioration in efficiency . Due to an anomaly our installation cost had been recouped by last year. This anomaly would not be available under the new scheme.

The forecast drop off in efficiency was 1% p.a. but it is more important to try and get panels that have a good reputation as the replacement cost would far outweigh any drop off. We have a ten year guarantee on the panels and a five year guarantee on the inverter. I reckoned that both would be expected to outlast their guarantees as the manufacturers/retailers would not want to produce something that they would then have to replace free - or almost free.

A note about my personal thoughts on orientation of panels:- it is said that south facing panels are better than east or west facing ones (little point in north facing ones). By experience and some research and some empirical work I have come to the conclusion that east facing is almost as good as south facing.

If you look at the charts of the angle of the rising of the sun throughout the year you will see that during summer months east facing panels will receive sunshine anything up to three hours sooner than south facing. I haven't bothered to do calculations on it but I have a cousin who has only east facing panels and we have south facing ones. For a few years we compared weekly readings and annual generation and there was little difference between the two. We generate about 3800kWh p.a. and he generates 3670kWh.

 

Solar tiles are about 2x expensive apparently but we'll look at them for aesthetics. Without all the funding that they used to give you and the reduction / removal of the feed-in tariff makes payback about 20 years give or take so not exactly attractive but I would assume installation cost to be lower as a new build. We're still interested in it though if we can justify the cost

Hadn't thought of a ground source heat pump, I'll have a look.

 

Also try and make provision for storage batteries for when they become more economical

 

Alreet. Big shed do?

 

Big basement would be better

 

If you're planning to stay in the house for Life, I think it's a good idea. However, the owner of a House in the next road had Solar panels fitted onto the South side of his house some years back and last year decide to "up sticks" and move but, unfortunately, found that the contract he entered into with the Company that fitted the Solar Panels meant the contract would be inherited with the new owner and that put several buyers off......so he's still here and given up selling the House, which is a very nice House in a very nice position but unattractive to buyers due to the Solar Panel contract.

 

Well that's a bit of a kicker for him :( We're not planning on going anywhere after this. Ever. (I hate moving house!!)

 

All the solar panel contracts have a clause that the contract is, in effect, with the house and not the individual. There are normally two types of contract.

One is where the home owner has funded the panels himself. In that case the new purchaser is in a win win situation. They own the panels which are producing free electricity and they are also, currently, in receipt of the Feed In Tariff.

The other is where a contractor, be it a developer or power company, have paid for the panels. In that case the home owner still gets free electricity but the contractor/developer/power company receive the Feed In Tariff. Still a win situation.

So I don't understand why, if it's explained properly, it shouldn't be an added attraction to the prospective purchaser. They don't have to do anything and they receive some or all of the benefit. It should be an easy sales technique for an estate agent.

 

Ever met a clever estate agent? I only ever met ones that thought they were but quickly discovered otherwise!