power ni solar instalation

[binhoker]

my dad has had a visit from power ni who offered to install a 20 tube kingspan solar wter heating system for £3000 the salesman says it can be installed in a day and is garanted for 20 years the of the shelf nature of this deal apeals to him, (if it was my house obiously i would get the flux and solder out)

does this sound like a keen price?
what would the parts come to?
has any one else had any expierience of this sheme, why would power ni want there coustomers to use less electricity?

there has been no mention of any subsidys only a potental rate rebate which sounds vauge how dose that work? would it be avilible for an un acreddited system?

[cye]

binhoker

as far as i know the applications for the rate relief scheme has almost closed and also only appplies to first occupiers of low carbon homes - see www.dfpni.gov.uk/rating-review , but perhaps there is another scheme? for this scheme planning permission must have been applied for by mar 2011, and applications to land and property services (part of dept for finance & personnel) by 31st mar 2012. if you learn any more about this please post details.

regarding feed in tariffs fro solar thermal, this would be the DETI renewable heat incentive for NI see www.detini.gov.uk/economic_appraisal_into_the_northern_ireland_rhi_-_june_2011.pdf

AFAIK, this scheme is not up and running yet, though DETI already has a £25m pot of EU monies to spend on it. page 10 of the report suggests the capital grants and a paid rate of 8.8 pence per kwh , so your dad's installation, if it complied with the RHI scheme, would earn him £100 a year in tariffs. Ring DETI at Netherleigh House, or even Action Renewables and they'll tell you the current position on RHI in NI. Either way it'll need MCS accredited installers and you won't be able to do yourself.

£3000 is a fair commercial rate for a 20 tube thermomax/kingspan hp200 system provided it includes all fitting and a solar tank. the going commercial rate could be 3k-4k.

however, you'll get as good a system and probably better with a 30 tube chinese system (58mm panels) costing about £600 for panels, another £400 for tank, and maybe £200 for other bits and pieces, say £1200 + your own time for installing. if the kingspan stuff ever needs spares they're very dear (proprietary), whereas there are dozens of suppliers of compatible chinese kit. kingspan don't like selling the thermomax stuff to the public but here's a link to a retailer. www.solarsavings.co.uk/category/Full_Solar_Thermal_Kits__Vacuum_Tube___Flatplate_Collectors/Thermomax_HP200_Solar_Packs,b.html

in dublin a hp200 kit with 200l cylinder is €2252 Ex. VAT (green-house.ie)



hope this helps