Solar companies - why the MCS Certified bit is so important.

If you're gathering quotes for a solar panel installation on your property, you've probably seen MCS Certified mentioned but what does it mean and should you be worried if your using a company that isn't MCS Certified?

MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme - It means the company can be trusted to properly, and safely, install your solar panel system and that the resulting completed installation will be eligible for any Government 'tariff' incentive payments.

The MCS is internationally recognised quality assurance accreditation - a bit like the Gas Safe scheme for Plumbers and Heating Engineers.

But what if you've already had an installation carried out by an installer who wasn't accredited?

Fear not, all is not lost. There are several installation companies that will out-source the final microgeneration certification to an accredited member so even if your installation has come and gone, all you need to do is get a MCS accredited company to 'sign-off' your installation and you'll be able to use that certificate to apply for the Government Tariffs.

This includes DIY self installed systems.

This article appeared in our weekly homeowner newsletter (dated 18th July 2011). Click here to read the full newsletter.

Energy price hikes see surge in eco-improvements.

The UK could be about to witness an explosion of eco-improvements as Britain's beleaguered home owners start looking for ways to reduce crippling fuel bill rises.

With British Gas's price rises of between 16% and 18% affecting some 9 million homes from July, it's small wonder there's been a massive surge of interest in alternative, renewable energy sources.

Undoubtedly, the most popular method has been solar panels, both photovoltaic (electricity producing) and hot water systems.

Whilst the panels themselves will only save you typically around £80 a year off your current energy bills (not accounting for the proposed and subsequent price rises), the real return on investment comes from the Government Feed-in Tariff payments which can add another £800+ a year to your income/savings, depending on the size of system you have installed.

And the eco-renovation is guaranteed to continue well into 2012 and beyond as the forthcoming Green Deal, which will encourage property owners to make their properties more energy efficient - the savings you make being used to refund the money the installation cost - starts trials this October. The take up of such schemes is vital as the Government struggles to reach emission targets, the bulk of which can only be achieved if the UK's housing stock is bought up to 'spec on energy usage.

Take your first foray into eco-renovations by getting an instant online quote for installing solar panels on your property - visit Solar Panel Quoter now.

This article appeared in our weekly homeowner newsletter (dated 18th July 2011). Click here to read the full newsletter.

photo credit: christian guthier

Planning permission for solar panels.

Generally, (your solar panel installer will be able to advise you further), you won't need planning permission for solar panels on the roof of your property, providing they don't extend beyond the original plane of the roof or exceed the height of the original roof at it's highest point.

But what if you live in a conservation area?

You'll have to apply for planning permission, but providing the panels aren't visible from the main highway or thoroughfare and don't extend beyond the original plane of the roof, you shouldn't have too many problems.

Many councils are committed to increasing the usage of renewables and cutting CO2 targets. So if your original application is turned down, it may be worth appealing against the decision.

The appeal process can be lengthy but ultimately rewarding if your application is upheld.

If your property is a listed building, then you'll also need listed buildings consent, which is usually based on whether the panels are detrimental to the appearance or character of the property.

Solar Panel Quoter can help by not only providing you with an instant online installation quote, but also by recommending local installation companies that will have an in-depth knowledge of the areas particular planning issues, and if necessary, be able to help you with your planning application.

*This article first appeared in our weekly homeowner newsletter dated 23 May 2011. Click here to read the full newsletter.

62% of homeowners are aware of solar feed-in tariffs

With the Government's feed-in tariffs one year old this April, a survey by one solar panel manufacturer has revealed a massive 62% of homeowners are aware of the feed-in tariffs and the financial benefits they can bring.

48% of the survey reckoned they were more likely to install solar panels because of the payments made under the feed-in tariffs.

Those figures will come as a welcome relief to the Department for Energy and Climate Change who have come under fire for recently announcing large reductions to the amounts paid by the tariffs for installations over a certain size.

Homeowners shouldn't have anything to fear as the the cuts were aimed at larger commercial premises and 'brown field' sites where investors were set to make huge returns, at (the Government reckoned) the expense of the homeowners, the feed-in tariffs were originally set up to help and encourage.

Ofgem figures suggest that the average household with a photovoltaic solar panel installation will have saved around £900.

Between April 2010 and this March, there have been 24,744 solar installations registering to participate in the feed-in tariffs, resulting in over £4.5 million being paid back to consumers.

One homeowner, based in Lancashire reckoned her solar panel installation had earned her over £1,200 in electricity sold back to the grid. This was in addition to any savings off her regular energy bills.

There's no doubt that the introduction of the feed-in tariffs has proved a huge boost for the solar panel industry and helped establish renewable energy as a viable source for many homeowners.

Get your own instant solar panel installation quote now from Solar Panel Quoter - click here.

*If we've wetted your appetite for renewable energy articles, be sure to visit our dedicated renewable energy blog - updated daily - click here.

photo credit: oregondot

Renewable tariffs escape the Government spending cuts

Of course installing some form of renewable energy on your home is going to contribute to the reduction in harmful co2 emissions, but whether you're looking to be totally self-sufficient or not, installing solar panels onto your home has a number of tangible benefits.

Solar energy is 'free' so once you've paid for the installation, aside from any maintenance costs, every watt of electricity is free. With most systems presently lasting well beyond their 25 year lifespan (some by as much as 10 years), that leaves plenty of free energy years.

Reducing your running costs - Solar energy can drastically reduce your everyday energy bills, depending on the size of system you have installed, and in some cases, a large installation can generate surplus electricity that you can sell back to the grid.

Making your home self sufficient - where previously, you'd have suffered the same power losses as everyone else when there was a power cut, now you're generating your own - you'll soon be the envy of the neighbours.

Making difficult new builds easier - If you're renovating an old barn or cottage that's not connected to the mains, it's a very expensive job to have the correct power delivery cable hooked up and laid by the appropriate energy companies. By exploring solar energy (or other renewable energies) for your project, you may actually be able to reduce building costs, whilst still having the benefit of being self sufficient.

Making your home more attractive to new buyers - There's no doubt that renewable energy is here to stay, so fitting solar panels on your home, will one day in the future probably contribute to it's selling price or make it easier to sell. It's a bit like double glazing, when the jobs already been done, it's one of those 'big jobs' house buyers can tick off the to-do list.

We've even seen some reports that suggest fitting solar panels helps protect your roof. We haven't seen anything to quantify such a claim, but it's true that adding solar panels does add another 'layer' between the weather and your roof.

Photovoltaic (electricity producing) solar energy works by light, not sunshine, so even on cloudy days, your system will generate some power.

And with the Government not cutting the Feed-in Tariffs and confirming the planned go-ahead of the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, it looks like micro-generators have escaped last weeks cuts, making generating your own electricity and hot water as attractive a proposition as it ever was.

Click here to get your online solar panel installation quote now.

photo credit: clownfish

Free solar panel installation offers - are you getting a good deal?

There's been much hype in the national media recently about companies offering free solar panels and installation. One company in particular is quoted as aiming to offer free solar panels to 2.5 million homes in the UK.

Of course, there is usually a qualifying criteria - for example which part of the UK you live in, the amount of available roof space, the direction that roof points in and whether the roof is shaded by overhanging trees or structures on your own or neighbouring property are all taken into account besides other criteria unique to that particular company.

What do you gain from a free installation?

For a start, the solar panels and their installation is carried out free of charge to yourself. Once the installation is complete, you get to enjoy the daytime energy cost savings for using your own produced energy.

You'll also benefit from a hoped for increase in your property's value should you decide to sell it at some point in the future. The 'deal' stays with the property rather than the owner so everything is just transferred to the new owner.

After 25 years, you'll also own the panels out-right. (25 years being the normal period of such agreements).

The money you would have spent on the installation can either say in your savings or be used to fund another home improvement etc.

What do you loose?

You'll forfeit any subsidies or grants payable to yourself for the installation and any excess energy which is 'sold back' to the national grid will be credited to the company that 'own' the panels rather than you the homeowner. Think of it as letting your roof to a 3rd party for their own financial gain.

If you do sell your property before the end of the agreement, prospective buyers may be put off by the 'taking over' of an agreement they weren't originally involved in. There could be extra legal hurdles to jump through to complete a sale. Some people have reported having to remove panels to attract a buyer.

You may own the panels outright after 25 years (or whatever the agreement period is for) but you'll then be responsible for their maintenance and replacement of failed units if you want to continue enjoying the energy savings they produce.

(It should be noted that although todays panels are usually rated to last for 25 years, many perform for 5 or 10 years afterwards without replacement).

We haven't seen anything that outlines who's financially responsible for the panels i.e house insurance cover in case they're damaged by fire, structural collapse or storm damage etc. We're assuming faulty panels would be replaced by the installer f.o.c? Worth asking if you get the opportunity.

warning to homeowners

Most independent consumer watchdogs are warning homeowners to explore such free panel offers with their "eyes wide open". Remember there's no such thing as a 'free lunch'.

Some have gone further by comparing the cost savings of a free panel scheme compared with taking a 10 year personal loan for your own installation and enjoying all the rebates and tariffs. Unsurprisingly, the figures came out in favour of funding your own installation.

Indeed, some believe we could soon see these 'free-fitting' companies starting to offer extra incentives like cash sums up front or a share of the energy generated profits as more of these companies spring up around us. They'll all be chasing the same housing stock / addresses after all.

However, that option may not be available to everyone, so the free panel schemes do have an important part to play in the mass uptake of renewable energy generation in the UK. if you're approached by a free solar panel 'deal' company, after getting their figures, why not use Solar Panel Quoter to get up to 3 independent quotes in writing from other local solar panel installation companies and draw your own comparisons.

"either way, early uptake is essential"

Either way, early uptake of either a free panel offer or installing your own system is essential if you're to make the most of the rebates and energy tariffs. We've already seen other european countries reducing their tariff levels (which apply to new applicants after the tariff change), claiming financial ruin if they keep them at their inception levels, such is the popularity of such schemes. Remember, the feed-in tariff scheme is fixed at 25 years starting from this April (2010) just gone, and applies to photovoltaic (electricity generating) installations only.

You'll find more information and news stories on renewable energy on our popular daily renewable energy blog - and free installation schemes in our recent blog post: Getting your solar panel installation for free.

The Guardian also ran a very good comparison article last weekend - click here to read their free solar panels article.

Want an independent quote for installing your own solar panel system? Then visit Solar Panel Quoter and get your instant online quote.

Solar Panels - It's pay back time.

It’s no secret that buying solar panels and having them fitted to your roof can require quite a large initial outlay, but most solar panel manufacturers insist that the panels will, over their lifetime, pay for themselves. We decided to do some digging and find out just how true that is – and just how long it will take to get a return on your solar investment.

Generate Your Own Electricity

The first theory of saving money on solar power is quite simple: by using solar panels to generate your own electricity, you decrease your reliance on electricity from the national grid. For every joule the Sun gives you, a few pennies can be knocked off your electricity bill, and over the course of a few years those pennies will add up to significant savings on your electricity bills.

Whilst this is most certainly true in theory, the reality is not quite so convincing – photovoltaic panels do generate electricity and will save money from your bill – but even saving £200-300 on your annual energy costs won’t be enough to pay down the initial fitting costs - which are likely to run to several thousand pounds - for several decades.

It’s worth remembering that rising energy costs and improvements in photovoltaic technologies will undoubtedly lead to better returns in the future, but in the near-term it’s hard to see how they could pay for themselves solely in lower bills, even across the whole lifetime of the panels.

The story, however, doesn’t end there – to counter this underwhelming return on investment, governments and solar panel manufacturers have been finding other ways to make renewable solar-generated energy a financially attractive proposition, the most significant of which is the ‘Feed-in’ Tariff.

Power Selling

A Feed-in tariff is a scheme which allows you to export any surplus electricity you generate into the national grid. For doing this, you get a credit whilst lowering your overall power import. If you’re completely self-sufficient with power to spare, then you effectively ‘sell’ that surplus back to the energy companies.

Feed-in tariffs operate over a fixed period of years, so the sooner you get in at the start, the more money you’ll save. There’s a big anticipation of a major uptake of solar power in the first few months of the 2010 as the April start time approaches.

Increase Your Home’s Value.

There are further benefits, too – homes with solar installations will tend to be valued higher than homes without, and so some of your initial outlay can be recovered from increased sale value. In America, the Appraisal Institute estimated that for every $1000 (approx. £600) that solar electricity knocks from annual energy bills, house value could increase by up to $20,000 (approx. £12,500).

You may not be planning on selling your house right now, but Solar Panels have a rated lifetime of over 25 years, so chances are you'll have a chance to benefit directly from the increased value a solar panel brings when it's time to sell.

Getting A Grant

Here’s another simple way to reduce the time it takes to make back your investment: spend a bit less in the first place! Under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme, government grants are available to help homeowners fund the purchase and installation of solar panels and other ‘micro-generation’ technologies.

In some cases you may be eligible for a grant of up to £2,500 towards the installation of micro-generation systems including photovoltaic solar power. This means a significant proportion of the original cost can be avoided altogether, making it far easier to get a return on your investment.

Adding It All Together

Back to the original question, though – when you add it all together, do Solar Panels pay for themselves?

The answer really depends on factors such as where you live – solar panels fitted on a rooftop in the Orkneys are unlikely to end up paying for themselves, to be honest, whereas the same panels in Newquay stand a very good chance of doing exactly that. Perhaps more surprisingly, though, in most cases you’re more than likely to come good across the life of the panels, after factoring in all of the above savings and grants.

What's more, photovoltaic solar panel technology is always getting better – panels are growing more efficient, batteries more effective and systems cheaper to produce. So even if a solar panel right now isn’t likely to pay for itself in your area, it's probable that within a decade or two we'll have the technology at hand to let sunshine win the day.

Get your online solar panel installation quote for either Hot Water or electricity generating solar panel systems from Solar Panel Quoter - a free service to homeowners.

Solar Panel Quoter is launched

Fitting Solar Panels and using Solar energy could save not only the planet but your pocket too.

Fitting Solar Panels is becoming a viable alternative for many homeowners as the cost of the solar energy units falls and new designs and technologies squeeze even more power out of existing roof spaces.

And now you can get an instant online quote for fitting solar panels to your home (or business) in minutes with our newest 'Quoter website - Solar Panel Quoter.

Just enter your address details, indicate the type of roof you have and its orientation, then select the type of water heating system you have already - whether that's an indirect cylinder with boiler and 2 cisterns, direct cylinder with immersion heater, combination boiler etc and if that's getting a bit technical for you, then you'll find helpful descriptions of all these different systems on the quote page or you can of course select don't know/not sure.

Listed property or conservation area? In the past, such house credentials would have barred you from any kind of home improvement but even councils are keen to promote the lowering of Co2 emmissions and will often grant permission - especially if the work is not visible from the road, so it's worth enquiring further.

Please note in some cases, depending on the options you've selected, you may not get an online price, however, we can still (with your permission) conduct a search of solar panel fitting companies near to you and get them to give you a no-obligation quote valid for 6 months.

All in all, our solar panel quoter website makes it easy for you to enquire about the cost of getting solar panels fitted to your home, and not a moment too soon it seems as the energy companies announce more increases as we start 2008.

Solar Panel Quoter from Price Engines - the newest addition to the 'Quoter family of websites.

Click here to get an Instant Online Solar Panel Quote. For other home improvement quotes like double glazing or fitted kitchens - even roofs, click here and choose from our full range of home improvement instant online quote websites - a completely FREE service to homeowners.