Our solar panels are fixed and working!
By John Welford
@indexer (4852)
Leicester, England
May 20, 2021 4:13am CST
We have had 12 solar panels fixed to our roof, and they already starting to contribute to cutting our electricity bills!
The installation was completed yesterday afternoon and we now need two things to happen - for the scaffolding to be taken down and the sun to come out! Needless to say, yesterday was mostly bright and sunny, but today? Not so much as a glimpse, and the forecast does not promise much either!
However, that does does mean that the panels are completely inactive. As long as there is daylight they will be generating electricity, which means that less needs to be taken from the grid and charged to our account.
It will take a very long time for the whole cost of the installation to be recovered in terms of reduced electricity bills, but that is not the real reason for us undertaking this project. We believe passionately in cutting the world's reliance on fossil fuels, so the more "mini power stations" there are on the nation's roofs, the better.
10 people like this
8 responses
@topffer (42156)
• France
20 May 21
Have you gov help to install solar panels ? A few years ago France was giving big help for that and the national electricity company was offering a high price for solar energy with a 20 years contract. A couple of friends has 6 solar panels, and they get about 900 euros/year from them, but I am in the Southern part of France, are they really efficient in England ? My home is in a protected area and I am not authorized to put solar panels on the roof, not even tiles looking new (I have a new roof done with old-looking tiles
).
).3 people like this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
20 May 21
Yes - I can see that being in a conservation area would be a problem. Fortunately, our house is not regarded as an architectural gem! The UK Government did have a subsidy scheme for solar panels but has withdrawn it. Even so, we were prepared to invest a portion of my late mother's bequest to taking on this project.
2 people like this
@Prabhatsingh (3537)
• India
20 May 21
I love your enthusiasm, in terms of cutting the reliance on fossil fuels and you taking small steps from your side to do it.
If I may, how much do you expect that it's gonna cut down your electricity charges by?
3 people like this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
20 May 21
The estimate from our electricity supplier is that - in a full year - we will generate 3,576 kWh in electricity, which represents a saving in CO2 emissions of 826 kg. We are estimated to be "energy independent" to the tune of 23%. I think that means that we should see a bill reduction of nearly a quarter. We shall see!
3 people like this
@Prabhatsingh (3537)
• India
20 May 21
@indexer
Alright.
that does make a difference.
1 person likes this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
20 May 21
Always wanted to put up solar panels at home. The costs though are mighty hefty for my pockets. I still am keeping it an option and looking at a more affordable way to do it.
3 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (106397)
• Marion, Ohio
20 May 21
We checked into them and would be paying more more month total to have them installed. As our electric company has slowly been putting up solar and wind they are doing what they can to cut emissions. So we didnt do it
3 people like this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
20 May 21
We were happy to pay the up-front costs despite the time it will take to recoup these from savings on our bills and payments for electricity downloaded to the grid. There was an unexpected cost due to the slates on our roof not being of high enough quality to take the drilling needed to fix the panels - we had to have the re-slated before the work could start!
Our attitude is that all savings to CO2 emissions are worthwhile - our meter shows that - 24 hours after the panels were installed - we have so far saved 6kg on a cloudy day!
2 people like this
@erictsuma (9726)
• Mombasa, Kenya
20 May 21
Yes you did the best thing because that is also one way of protecting the environment
3 people like this
@m_audrey6788 (58472)
• Germany
20 May 21
I think that`s a great idea. I`m sure it will help a lot to save electricity 
2 people like this
