Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:29 am  

We had a visit from a guy working for company called A Shade Greener, asking if we would be interested in having solar panels fitted for free. Basically, A Shade Greener fit & maintain the panels for the next 25 years & we get to use the electricity which they generate, any surplus they sell on to the NG. I've googled the company & can't see or find anything bad or dodgy against them or the scheme itself, however I'm always cautious when it comes to people knocking on my door offering me things. Has anyone had any experience of this company or these kind of schemes? This is their site, http://ashadegreener.co.uk/

We had a visit from a guy working for company called A Shade Greener, asking if we would be interested in having solar panels fitted for free. Basically, A Shade Greener fit & maintain the panels for the next 25 years & we get to use the electricity which they generate, any surplus they sell on to the NG. I've googled the company & can't see or find anything bad or dodgy against them or the scheme itself, however I'm always cautious when it comes to people knocking on my door offering me things. Has anyone had any experience of this company or these kind of schemes? This is their site, http://ashadegreener.co.uk/

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:38 am  

I know someone who has had them fitted by this company but haven't heard anything negative - I'll be seeing him on Thursday so I'll ask.

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 11:50 am  

Have a word with your building society, assuming you still have a mortgage, I heard of a couple who had PV panels fitted (PV generate electricity, solar panels heat water) and when their fixed rate mortgage was coming to an end, struggled to find another building society to lend to them. They had to remain with their original lenders, who then charged them a premium

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 12:05 pm  

Thanks JC.

I did wonder about that Cod'ead, thanks. I think I'll check with our home insurers too.

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:50 pm  

I believe the idea is that they fit and own the panels and they get to sell the electricity that you don't use.
The leccy you do use from it is free, so reduces your bill.
But as it is only produced during the day, unless you are at home a lot, you wouldn't make much out of it.

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:12 pm  

Look into funding them yourself. That way you get to sell the electricity back to the national grid in addition to using it. There are some reputable installers around who don't partake in the kind of scheme you're describing. As a ball park a 4kw system will probably cost 7-9K. Even with the reduced feed in tariffs (if the government got their way) they still look like good value. Oh and bear in mind Codead's comments about the mortgage - although its less likely to apply if you're self funding.

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:57 pm  

Little Robin Redhead wrote: We had a visit from a guy working for company called A Shade Greener, asking if we would be interested in having solar panels fitted for free. Basically, A Shade Greener fit & maintain the panels for the next 25 years & we get to use the electricity which they generate, any surplus they sell on to the NG. I've googled the company & can't see or find anything bad or dodgy against them or the scheme itself, however I'm always cautious when it comes to people knocking on my door offering me things. Has anyone had any experience of this company or these kind of schemes? This is their site, http://ashadegreener.co.uk/ Fund the project yourself if you can, that way you get the money from the excess energy that you sell back to the Grid, but you also get the benefit of the Feed in Tariff payment from the Government, which basically gives you cash just for generating solar power regardless of whether you use it or not. Companies like this make their money from the Feed in Tariff, rather than the generated capacity. For about £5k you get a guaranteed payment for 25 years, rather than the company that is borrowing your roof to do the same.

Little Robin Redhead wrote: We had a visit from a guy working for company called A Shade Greener, asking if we would be interested in having solar panels fitted for free. Basically, A Shade Greener fit & maintain the panels for the next 25 years & we get to use the electricity which they generate, any surplus they sell on to the NG. I've googled the company & can't see or find anything bad or dodgy against them or the scheme itself, however I'm always cautious when it comes to people knocking on my door offering me things. Has anyone had any experience of this company or these kind of schemes? This is their site, http://ashadegreener.co.uk/ Fund the project yourself if you can, that way you get the money from the excess energy that you sell back to the Grid, but you also get the benefit of the Feed in Tariff payment from the Government, which basically gives you cash just for generating solar power regardless of whether you use it or not. Companies like this make their money from the Feed in Tariff, rather than the generated capacity. For about £5k you get a guaranteed payment for 25 years, rather than the company that is borrowing your roof to do the same.

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:50 pm  

Buying our own isn't an option at the moment, we are saving for a deposit on a new place & was hoping to rent this one out.
It's just one of those situations when you think, "should I? Or Shouldn't I?"

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:10 pm  

In that case I'd wait till you're in a better position. If you go with this company they'll get the money from selling back to the grid and your tenants will be getting the free electricity they generate.

Re: Solar Panels : Tue Aug 21, 2012 9:37 pm  

I've done a few surveys at A Shade Greener properties & they seem pretty good. The tarriff has just fallen & will probably fall again in the future so I'd be wary about buying them as an investment. But renting out one of your roof pitches in exchange for free electricity with no capital outlay doesn't seem much of a risk imo.