Our first solar quote....

A question about : Our first solar quote....

Hello there,

With Christmas 1 week away, both of us being flat out at work and baby turning 1 tomorrow, Hubbie and I thought now would be a good time to look at getting solar panels installed!

The first quote we have got is:
Ј6500
4kWp
16 x 250W Phono solar Onyx Mono all black using a Power-One Auroa PVI-3.6TL inverter.

Expected panel performance = 3460 kWh
They reckon an annual saving of Ј277 (based on 16p/unit price and saving 50% on electricity)

We are in Cheshire (south Manchester), 30degree SE roof, no shading.

Any thoughts on this? We are getting another quote on Friday from a different company.

Also, a side question- is it worth going all out to have them installed before the end of the year to avoid the FIT price decrease? (one company said they could do this).

Thanks, and

Best answers:

• Hiya Relbs.
  Just a quick comment.
  Off the top of my head I suspect the generation figure is reasonable, but why not check it out for yourself, use the link and walkthrough in section 5 of the PV FAQs.
  Leccy savings are too high, expect/hope for about half of that depending on your circumstances, more likely in the Ј80 to Ј160 range.
  Price looks like a nice start, but worth shopping and haggling, also you may get some installer suggestions from folk on here, fingers crossed.
  Should you install this year, two arguments:
  1. The FiT rate drops 3.5% on the 1st of Jan, and the annual inflationary uplift only kicks in, in the year following the install. So an install registered this year will get it in April, but one registered in January (or later) would have to wait till April 2016.
  2. Only the FiT drops, (doesn't affect leccy savings or export rate (or the inflationary uplift for the export rate)) so total income probably drops about 2 to 2.5%. So you can match/beat that by getting a lower price of around Ј150 or so. Taking your time may mean a better deal. Remember you'll need to get the FiT application (complete and correct) to your provider, and recorded as received before the end of December. This may be tricky depending when the install takes place, and any holidays.
  My thoughts, shame to lose the higher FiT, but you'll probably make up for it in a lower price if you take your time, and don't rush. Plus, do you need the hassle of the install and the FiT registration across late December?
  Also ..... there tends to be a small rush for installs before a FiT rate drop, and then a small lull afterwards. So the companies may be a bit quiet in January.
  Mart.
• Ours was Ј5700 6 months ago with black LG panels, monitor and immersion diverter included. I would say that anything over 6k is too much these days, especially since it doesnt have the extras.