HomeSun to install gratis solar panels on UK roofs, hope for reimbursement
By Darren Murph 
posted August 8th 2010 11:59PM
posted August 8th 2010 11:59PM
As the story goes, the UK government is helping to subsidize the installation of solar panels on homes around the country, and HomeSun is hoping to make a name for itself by providing a bit of encouragement for those on the fence. Reportedly, the outfit will be providing and installing 2.5 kWh to 4 kWh systems -- which typically range between £11,000 and £15,000 -- for precisely nothing on abodes with "optimally sited and sized roofs." Post-install, HomeSun will receive government funds over 25 years, and at any point, customers can buy the system off on a straightline depreciation basis and start receiving the feed-in tariff themselves. Better still, those who don't meet the "free" qualifications can still get in on the goodness for a one-time fee of £500 and a £5/month maintenance charge. We'd suggest you apply quick, though -- the company will only be installing 100,000 systems over the next three years.
Sign me up. Oh wait, I'm in Canada. But again wait maybe HM will provide lol! Nice idea though. Like it!
Because the UK has THAT much sun all year round....?
@Almo Imagine how much energy could be produced in Arizona then!
@Almo Very true, nuclear power makes far more sense there. For whatever reason though, solar is considered green, and nuclear is not despite the track record of the french nuclear recycling program.
@Almo
You don't have to live in a place that has clear sunny days year round to get the benifits of solar panels though it does help.
@thinkindependent
For £15,000 I'd expect year long sun at the least, huge magnifying lenses above my house at the most. Fuck me, that's enough to pay electricity, gas AND water bills in a 3 bed house for 15-20 years. Solar batteries don't even last that long and with their current inefficiency, NO WAY is this a smart idea nor cost-effective solution.
@Almo £15000 for the 4kWh(presumable per day) will allow this system to pay for itself in only 70 years... if only these panels didn't decay to nearly uselessness in under 10 years.
Is there any way I can ask that my tax does NOT go towards these daft ideas?
I wish we could do this in the US!
@BigReg Uhm...we do.
http://www.thesolarguide.com/solar-energy-systems/financing-incentives.aspx
@BigReg
Well, Trinity Solar in New Jersey has a similar package.
My family has been looking at this for a while, this makes me think we'll look closer.
The government should never have partnerships or subsidies for specific businesses. If I understand this correctly, this is a really really really bad move.
Government should only be involved in businesses as a universal and impartial police/trust-busting entity.
If they are going to subsidize solar, ANY panel meeting some standard requirements should qualify.
@Ducman69 I don't think you understood it correctly (or I didn't), this could be done by any company, HomeSun have just done it first.
@d0mth0ma5
no thats how its normally works, with stuff like this , any solar panel company could apply for it, HomeSun where just the fastest
@IMarius That's what I thought, anyone else can jump on in the future.
@Ducman69 Um, global crisis? World being destroyed? Nah, let's leave everything the same, it's worked up until now right?
Those points aside, everything is business. You can't change much without going through business. Get used to it.
@drkow19
I am not anti-business. I am in fact very PRO business.
However, I don't like the government interfering with the free market like purchasing GM with other people's money or exclusive no-bid contracts in Iraq with Haliburton.
If I misunderstood and absolutely any business can apply for the exact same subsidy and there is no favoritism and you-scratch-my-back deals going on, I have no problem with this.
@Ducman69
The UK doesn't really operate like the US at all. There will be guidelines and protocols in place. Any number of companies that qualify can benefit from the scheme. Not JUST HomeSun and in fact they aren't the first. We've had loads of flyers and ads about this for at least a year from several companies.
@Almo
Having said that, I'm not keen on govt spending millions on solar panels when A) we barely get any sun and B) they aren't that efficient yet. This is simply one of those 'look at me I drive a prius I am green' ploys.
@Ducman69
"If I understand this correctly, this is a really really really bad move."
Why? You need to explain and back up that claim with more that "this is a really bad idea, guys."
Otherwise, I don't know whether or not to agree with you, or for what reasons.
@Almo truth alot of things have changed in solar panels to be honest it really depends on what type they are ie not the old 1990 types which your right about need tons of sun,but there are uber good ones that only need abit of light,question is this people what type are these ,does anyone know ?
@Arayta You're not supposed to stop reading after the first sentence.
I hope that trickles down to more countries following suit and more investments in solar power R&D
The UK Government is NOT subsidising this. The Feed In Tariffs are paid by the electricity companies. Therefore, if you're buying electricity in the UK, you're subsidising this!!
All the Government did was to pass legislation to enable this to happen.
Odd, I thought it was a good idea, you know only pay £500 down and then £5 a month. The idea of paying for the whole deal is expensive but optional, and hey surely you would get some free electricity?
well isnt that nice:
Thanks very much for getting in touch and completing the form. Unfortunately, we’re not operating in your area at the moment (really sorry about that).
last time I checked the North of England was a good chunk of the "UK"
so I guess this is another scheme aimed at the southern part of england but targeted as the whole of the "UK" just to make the north south divide just that bit more bitter
As I understand it, US programs still require a significant outlay of cash on the part of the homeowner in order to take advantage of Federal and State programs to install photovoltaic solar panels on one's roof. If the government would instead make solar power panels low to no cost for the homeowner, those of us who reside in sunny states would happily cover our roofs in them.
Also, to the poster who made the comment on the batteries not lasting long: You can have your solar system tied to the grid, which effectively allows your meter to run backwards when producing more power than you utilize, and the net amount, after your usage, of produced electricity supplied to the grid is paid to you by the local electric company. I think this would be a good system because you get the reliability of the grid without the costs, and excess electricity production is used to help reduce the load on the national and/or local grid.
If anyone does in fact know of how a homeowner in Florida can get panels purchased and installed at no cost to them, please let me know. I would love to cover my roof with photovoltaics if I didn't have to put out more money than I can afford. The savings on my electric bill would be huge.