What are you all up to

I probably won't get my money back either but there are other advantages. I had been thinking about putting panels on the roof for sometime. We are above average users of electricity and when I had a note from out County Council explaining they were part of the "Solar Together" scheme, I jumped at the offer. I felt it took many of the risks of buying away and I had seen a similar neat installation only a few months early. The money was sat in an account earning little interest and I wasn't likely to need it for anything else, so the decision to become greener was easy. I feel pretty confident the return on the investment will be two fold, savings will exceed interest had I left the money in the bank and the value of the property is increased. The FIT was of no great interest, I knew the rates were low. On sunny days I am self sufficient and the excess charges the batteries for use later. Even on the most overcast of days the panels generate three quarters of a Kw.

peedee

Thanks for that Peedee. Interestingly MK is not on the list! If I was tempted I think I would probably go to Octopus Energy who are my current suppliers of gas and electricity as they do have a Solar Panel scheme. They quote a starting price for panels as around £5000 but double that if a battery is installed.

David

 Thank you!

Interestingly MK is not on the list!

Buckinghamshire is!

peedee

Yesterday I spent two hours cleaning out our big larder cupboard, threw just a few back of the shelf out of date almost empty packets away, sorted everything into date use order, disinfected all the shelves, and then stood back pleased with myself. This morning OH went to get his cereal out, rummaging for it he started moaning,’ you seem to have 2 of things, we need to use one thing up before opening another, grumble grumble’. I let him go on for a quite a while about it, then I just reminded him that I had brought all the half empty packets home from the caravan for our winter shut down. He said no more and went off for a shower, I was smugly grinning. (Not sure how we have 4 packets of couscous though, glad he didn’t notice those!)

Peedee

Comes up with "no active scheme" for Buckinghamshire. Also, of course, MK is a Unitary Authority so only geographically in Buckinghamshire.

David

 We have found the same with some items DEBSC.  When we sold the caravan last November we came back with the stuff that was stored in it, we didn’t store food in it but just kitchen things.  We now have a drawer full of extra fish slices, mashers, sharp knives, cookery spoons etc., this along with so much foil and cling film that will keep me going for the rest of this year and next! 

Many thanks to all for the good wishes for my sister and her recent breast operation.  She is ok just rather bruised and sore, as expected I’m sure.  She has to return in 3 weeks for results and see if any further treatment is required.   I have done a self referral for a mammogram myself, as I’m over 70 I am no longer called for routine ones, my sister was 70 this year and they found hers so I thought it wise to get me checked too.  My Mum was a breast cancer survivor so maybe we are in a higher risk group.  

I have always been a big fan of the idea of renewable energy and around 2011, had 2 quotes of 14,000 and 12,0000 for 16 panels, one company was going to use Chinese panels and the other Taiwanese panels, so I decided not to go ahead. 

In 2012, After the FIT payments were reduced a local company were advertising 16 panels (made in Germany) for 6,000 so I had them fitted (the huge reduction shows how much profit solar panels firms must have been making). I receive around 900 a year from the FIT payments and save on electricty as well. 

Obviously, how many Kilowats your panels make, does depend on which way your roof is facing and whether your roof is overlooked by other buildings or high trees.  I believe that Octopus do have the best solar deals of all the energy suppliers.  I don't know if paying such a lot for a battery is cost effective or not.

I don't know if paying such a lot for a battery is cost effective or not.

I look at it this way, you get such a pitance on the FIT its better to use it yourself plus I don't have to nag the other half about only using appliances when the sun shines. Most solar equipment is Chinese and it does not mean it is rubbish.

David (DK) have you or amyone else used Octoplus or have you any thoughts on it? I am in two minds about it for the same reason I state above, we don't want to be messing about decideing on best usage times.

peedee