Advice on the solar system

[thumbsup]

I have a vaillant aurostor hot water cylinder currantly connected with a system boiler installed last year. Due to lack of funds at the time of installation I was unable to get the solar system for heating the water and intended to get it installed later. I am now in position to get the solar system installed but confused as I have heard that it is not good investment considering the benefit in return. I have been advised to go for solar electricity generation with 'feed-in' tariff scheme.
I would appreciate if some one is able to answer the following questions helping me to make right decision.
1. how much does it cost to get my cylinder connected to a solar system for water heating?
2. how many systems are available and which is the best?
3. how much does it cost to get solar electricity generation system installed under 'feed-in' tariff scheme?
4. is there any grant available for the both systems?
5. is it really worth to get the solar system installed?

 

[oldplumber]

how long are you staying in your property? if you are moving in a few years dont bother but if you intend to stay for the next 20 years go for solar water heating, its relatively simple and works. the photovoltaic cells to generate electricity work but the payback is long term and if governent funding changes (highly likely in this climate) the payback probably wont occur before you have to replace the panels! If however you have a stream and can use hydro eletric energy to generate your power its a no brainer.

costs for installation, you need to get quotes done, no one can tell you on here without seeing your setup.

different grants are available, see your installer they should know whats available and you will also gain knowledge of their expertise from whether they can answer you questions on the subject and weed out the experts from the wannnabees

 

[ecowarm]

I would appreciate if some one is able to answer the following questions helping me to make right decision.
1. how much does it cost to get my cylinder connected to a solar system for water heating? £2000-£3000 - £400 grant from local council if installer MCS accredited
2. how many systems are available and which is the best? 2 basically flat plat or evacuated tubes
3. how much does it cost to get solar electricity generation system installed under 'feed-in' tariff scheme? Lots ££££
4. is there any grant available for the both systems? Solar £300-£400 per year for 20 years if installer MCS Accredited
5. is it really worth to get the solar system installed? Yes up to 70% of your annual hot water provided for FREE

Eco

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

dosent pluto go round snoopy or sumthing?

 

[oldplumber]

i going to get me one of those nice stirling engines next time i replace my boiler, forget photovoltaic cells

 

[ecowarm]

i going to get me one of those nice stirling engines next time i replace my boiler, forget photovoltaic cells

you might have to buy off BG!!!!!

 

[Toddyplumb]

How is that allowed that BG are buying up sole rights to install for first 2 years !! And the price they are talking about !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ecowarm]

I've been to Baxi HQ and apparently the R&D was a joint venture between Baxi, Calor and BG thats why BG selling NG ones and Calor the LPG ones for the first two years.

 

[oldplumber]

yes but after 2 years the rest of us can install and then prices will fall and people will start putting them in. you can always import the tchnology, yanks have been running them for a while now

 

[thumbsup]

Thanks to all the fellow members who have replied to my thread advising me on the issue.

 

[Gray0689]

You could have a set 30 tube system with all equipment for about 1500 plus vat from kingspan solar (thermomax the best in my opinion) and should be no more than £800 if you can't install yourself (very simple to do) but I'll be honest will you they realy not worth it you would be far better putting the money in to insulation in your home that is the only way your ever going to benefit from anything insulation is the way forward as solar will never pay for it self and that's the truth

 

[Toddyplumb]

So for £2300 its fitted .
We have just got £20 of free hot water last week.
£2300 / £20 = 115 weeks but you aint gonna get 115 hot weeks on belt end so say 40 % (conservative ?) so 288 weeks =5 1/2 years paid for

 

[Gray0689]

Your forgetting about any maintenance ie pump break downs glycol change every 5 years there not worth it and I'm afraid that's the bottom line the figures I said was it you byeing them (trade) and fitting yourself it getting a cheap install

 

[Toddyplumb]

The figures were your figures from previous post. The £20 was an actual figure from an install we did.
Even doubling up to 10 years its paid for . And if energy costs go up , which they will.
Costs of tubes and cylinders are coming down as more people supply them.
I personally think that solar hot water will be the norm in the future
People are still very sceptical about payback , and rightly so. The last solar we did the material quotes varied from £3500 - £8500 !!!!! for similar gear ! You have got double glazing firms jumping on now

 

[Gray0689]

Well look at it this way how much would your charge it supply and fit a 30 tube set of thermomax plus all the kit plus twin coil cylinder then divide that bye your figures and let's see how long the payback is plus don't forget about any maintanance over that time period ??????????