- How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free Without
- Solar Panels Cost
- How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free Today
- Broken Solar Panels For Free
- How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free At Home
- How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free Online
Jan 05, 2021 If you’ve been shopping around for a solar panel system, you’ve probably heard at least one company advertise ‘free solar panels’ – that they will install a solar energy system on your roof for free. But, much as with anything, remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch (or a free solar panel). Free & Discounted Solar Panel Installation. If you’re willing to do the research and are a true do-it-yourselfer (in other words, you enjoy fixing stuff, problem-solving, don’t need a warranty, and you can tolerate uncertainty about how long equipment will last), then there are several ways you can get the absolute best deal on solar panels in order to reduce your impact on the planet.
Can I Get Free Solar Panels in the UK?
Companies offered free solar panels in the past, but this service is not available in the UK any longer. As solar panels are becoming more affordable, the government has drastically reduced the Feed-In Tariff (FIT). This has made the free solar panels scheme unprofitable for many companies.
A few years ago, when the solar Feed in Tariff incentives were higher, this service was very popular. Companies offered to rent your roof space for up to 25 years, taking care of the solar panel installation and maintenance for free. In return, these companies would collect the money from the FIT. In this way, you got free solar panels for your home. While this worked with the higher FIT rewards, today it is no longer profitable for businesses to do.
How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free Without
Today, the solar buyback scheme is an alternative to the 'free solar panel deal'. Essentially, companies offer an upfront lump sum to homeowners who already have solar panels installed. In exchange, the company collects the remaining FIT rewards the homeowner would have received.
However, the solar Feed in Tariff came to an end on 31st March 2019, and is no longer an available scheme in the UK.
If you are interested in investing in solar panels as fast as possible, simply fill in the form above to receive up to 4 quotes from our partner suppliers, free of charge and with no obligations.
Learn More in Our Guide
What Was the 'Free Solar Panel' Deal?
If you had a suitable roof, but couldn’t come up with the cash needed to buy the solar panel system, then the free solar panel deal would have been good for you. You could get solar panels that would generate a decent portion of the electricity that you needed and you would save money on bills every year. With this scheme, you didn't have to think about solar panel installation or maintenance, etc. as the installers offered to take care of everything.
For those that did sign up to get a free solar panel have a contract with the respective company. Once the 25 year period agreed in the contract expires, you as the owner will keep the panels, but will not receive any FIT payments. However, you will still save on bills as the panels will still generate some electricity.
Savings will also be generated by selling surplus energy back to the national grid. Besides this, there are many other advantages of solar energy to benefit from.
Anyways, mothers with small children, retired people and people working from home could make the most out of the “free” deal as they are at home during the day the most and that is the time in which one can make the most out of the generated electricity.
What Type of Roof Was Ideal for Free Solar Panels?
Companies were looking for the 'right' roofs and if yours happened to fail at fitting the desired profile, you were turned down. So, your roof needed to have at least 30 square meters of free usable space. It had to be almost entirely south-facing and without anything casting shade over it, which meant that any nearby trees or different telegraph poles might have been a problem.
Some companies could make compromises if the conditions are decent enough but not quite perfect. For instance, you might have gotten the deal with a £500 charge or with a £5 monthly charge.
What Are the Downsides of Free Solar Panels?
Free solar panels are no longer available in the UK, however, if you have opted for the free solar panels deal it may be good to be aware of some of its downsides.
You might have trouble with selling your home if you wish to at some point. Some people can be thrown off by the big solar panels on the roof, even though they will be the ones using them and the electricity they provide.
If you entered a 20-25 year agreement with a company, you will have to include this in the selling process and ensure that the next homeowners will also agree to the terms — assuming the agreement can even be transferred.
All in all, there downsides are that you don’t own the system, and hence don't receive the FiT payment yourself.
What If I Install Solar Panels Myself?
The cost of solar panels is continuously decreasing and becoming more affordable, and therefore many experts say that buying your own solar panel system is the better option anyway.
If you want to install solar panels on your house, just fill in the form above and request up to 4 quotes from suppliers nearby you. The service is absolutely freeand without obligation.
During a natural disaster or simple power outage, the loss of electricity can last for long periods of time. You might go without hot water, a cold refrigerator/freezer, and simply lighting after the sun goes down. But, if you have solar panels, you can avoid many of the problems. The trick is affording them in the first place.
There are ways you can get solar panels for free, or at least much cheaper than their current retail price. But you’ll need to do a bit of homework.
Some houses cannot support solar panels.
If your house is covered in shade either from buildings, tall shade trees, or something else, you won’t find any use for solar panels until the shade is removed. Also, solar panels work best on south-facing roof tops. If at least a section of your roof doesn’t face south, you might not be a good candidate for solar panels.
Solar Panels Cost
Some regions don’t benefit from solar power over the standard grid.
Based on the weather in your region, your roofs ordinal orientation, and the angle of your roof, you can get a good idea of how much power you can expect to generate from solar panels. Your local power company can help you determine this.
Receive a tax credit.
If you purchase your own solar panel system and have it installed, you can receive a federal investment tax credit worth nearly 30% of the cost of your system. So if you’re paying around $15000 for your solar panel system, you would theoretically be getting $4500 in tax credit.
Use a power purchase agreement.
How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free Today
You can get solar panels for free by going through a power purchase agreement (PPA). Basically all the equipment is purchased by a third party and installed. You, as the homeowner, only pay for the electricity you use that is generated from the solar panels.
It all depends on where you live.
Once you start doing your homework, you’ll find out if solar is a smart addition to your home. If you’re doing it just to save money on electricity, consider what you’re paying currently. If your home is near a hydro-electric dam, it might be cheaper to stick with what you’ve got. Call your power company to find out.
Broken Solar Panels For Free
Don’t leave just yet! You can’t miss these other easy home improvement projects from How to Build It:
The Easy Way to Fix Dented Corners In Your Home
How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free At Home
12 One-Hour Home Improvement Projects
How To Get Solar Panels Installed For Free Online
6 Small Projects That Will Transform Your Home
Resources for the article came from the following blogs and websites:
http://www.hgtv.com/remodel/mechanical-systems/the-true-cost-of-solar-power
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/17419098
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/uk-weather-britain-braced-torrential-8537513
http://albaenergy.com/2017/02/how-to-claim-the-30-solar-tax-credit/
http://blog.clean-footprint.com/solar-energy-articles/12-things-to-know-before-signing-a-solar-power-purchase-agreement
http://www.pennenergy.com/articles/pennenergy/2014/11/ppl-completes-sale-of-11-hydroelectric-power-facilities.html