Which?

How to buy solar panels

1) What are solar panels? 2) Solar PV explained 3) Solar water heating explained 4) Solar PV systems 5) Solar water heating systems 6) How to buy solar PV 7) How to buy solar water heating panels 8) Solar PV installation 9) Solar water heating installation 10) Is solar PV a good investment? 11) Solar panel jargon 12) 'Free' solar schemes

Chapter 1: What are solar panels?

Solar panels take advantage of a powerful yet free energy source - the sun. In a single hour the sun transmits more energy to the earth's surface than the world uses in a year. Our guide outlines how you can use solar panels to make use of this free source of energy to generate electricity and hot water for you home.

Types of solar panels

The two main types of active solar panel systems are solar water heating and photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. While they might look similar, and both consist of panels on your roof, solar water heating and solar PV are quite different.

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Solar PV or solar electricity uses the energy from the sun to produce electricity which you can then use in your home and/or export onto the grid. Solar PV is an expensive technology (7,000 for an average system) but financial support is currently available under the feed-in tariff scheme. Find out more about photovoltaic (PV) solar panels here. Solar water heating, also referred to as solar thermal or solar heating, uses energy from the sun to heat up water. It is mostly used to heat up your domestic hot water system. Solar water heating costs between 3,000 and 5,000, so is cheaper than solar PV. Find out more about solar water heating here.

Before you install solar panels

You should ensure that your home is as energy efficient as it can be before considering installing solar panels, particularly if your motivation is to cut your energy bills. Measures include:

installing or improving loft insulation installing or improving solid or cavity wall insulation fitting double glazing installing an efficient Best Buy boiler

The Energy Saving Trust's home energy generation selector tool can help you identify which, if any, renewable technologies are most suitable for installation in your home.

Buying solar panels and salespeople

We recommend that you read our guide on how to buy solar photovoltaic and how to buy solar water heating panels. This is especially important as we have found some evidence that some solar panel salespeople are misselling products. Both our guides include a video of our undercover investigation into the kind of tactics salespeople use.

Installing solar panels

If you do decide to buy panels, then see our information on installing solar PV panels and solar water heating installation.

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Chapter 2: Solar PV explained

Solar PV (photovoltaic) panels generate electricity from the sun's energy that can then be used to power household appliances and lighting. You can install solar PV systems for a building with a roof or wall that faces within 90 degrees of south, as long as no other buildings or large trees overshadow it. Less energy will be generated if the photovoltaic surface is in shadow for parts of the day, but it will still generate some electricity.

Savings from solar PV

A PV solar electricity system is more expensive than a solar water-heating system, costing about 7,000 for a typical 3.5 to 4 kWp system. Domestic solar PV systems qualify for feed-in tariffs which provide guaranteed payments for all the electricity that is generated by the system, meaning that solar PV can become a money-making technology. See our guide on investing in solar for more information.

Types of solar PV panels

The are four basic types of PV panel: monocrystalline, polycrystalline (or multicrystalline), hybrid and amorphous silicon. All are made from silicon, but differ in the way the silicon is cut and treated. PV panels will differ in efficiency (how much of the sun's energy is used by the system per unit area) and in price. Monocrystalline cells tend to be more efficient than polycrystalline cells (13-17% efficiency compared with 11-15% efficiency), but polycrystalline cells can be cheaper. Hybrid cells combine crystalline cells with another cell type, thin film. This makes them even more efficient (17%+), but they cost more. So in deciding which type of solar cells to go for, it's best to look at cost per Watt (/W) of power output. And when comparing quotes, make sure you know what type of solar PV cells you are being quoted for.

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Pros and cons of solar PV

Pros

Only daylight is needed to create energy not sunshine. Can be connected to the national grid and any excess electricity sold back to an electricity company. Can cut an average household electricity bill by about 40%. The feed-in tariff provides additional income (unlike solar thermal).

Cons

A large roof area is needed to generate significant amounts of energy. More expensive to buy and install than solar water systems. High initial outlay typically 7,600 for a 3.5kWp system. Efficiency depends on the number of solar light hours and climate. Initial costs are higher than for conventional electric and gas-heater systems. Unshaded, south-facing location is needed for installation. Solar panels can be heavy, so your roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the solar panel is to be installed on top of existing tiles.

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Chapter 3: Solar water heating explained

Solar water heating can meet about a third of your hot water needs A solar water heating system (also known as solar thermal system) uses panels fitted to your roof to heat water for use around the home. A typical solar hot water system is able to meet around a third of a household's hot water needs a saving of 55 to 80 on your annual water-heating bills, based on a three-bedroom semi-detached house. Householders installing solar water heating systems can get 300 through the government's Renewable Heat Incentive Premium Payment scheme.

Choosing a solar water heating system

When choosing a solar water heating system, you'll need to consider four major factors:

your average hot water use the area of south-facing roof available your existing water heating system your budget.

You'll need roughly one square metre of collector area per person in the household. Each metre of panel area will need between 30 and 60 litres of water tank volume. If you use a less efficient collector (such as flat-plate solar water heating panels), you'll need to cover a larger area than if you use a more efficient collector (such as evacuated tubes). You'll also need to select system components (such as a hot water cylinder, controls and pipe work) and choose the location for your solar panels, considering shade, pipe runs, roof pitch and future access.

Solar water heating installation

There are plenty of solar panel installers out there, so we recommend that you always collect a range of quotes to compare visit Which? Local to find recommended solar panel installers or search for an installer on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) website. We also have a guide on installing solar water heating systems, but beware of solar panel sales tactics. Our solar panel investigations found

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some salesmen using dodgy sales tactics and exaggerating the financial savings that could be made. We strongly recommend that you do your own research first and only use MCS-certified installers and products. Then compare the estimates of costs and savings you are given by salesmen against other sources of advice.

Pros and cons of solar water heating systems

Pros

Solar water heating can provide you with about a third of your hot water needs. Solar water heating can save you between 55 (if you have gas central heating) and 80 (if you have electric central heating) a year on your water heating costs. The corresponding carbon savings are between 230kg and 510kg of CO2 a year. Maintenance costs are very low most solar water heating systems come with a 5-10 year warranty and require little maintenance. It uses the suns heat so there are no further costs once you've had the equipment installed, except, in most cases, a small amount of electricity needed to run the pump. In most systems the pumping cancels out only about 8% of the energy savings, and newer technology can reduce this to 3% or even zero. In England, planning permission for most solar water installations is no longer needed and governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are currently discussing introducing similar initiatives. A 600 grant is available through the Renewable Heat Incentive Premium Payment.

Cons

You'll still need a boiler or immersion heater to make the water hotter, or provide hot water when solar energy isn't available (on overcast days, for example). An unshaded, mainly south-facing location is necessary for positioning the solar panels. Initial costs are higher than for conventional electric and gas-heater systems.

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Solar panels can be heavy, so your roof must be strong enough to take their weight, especially if the panel is to be installed on top of existing tiles. The cost of a typical solar water heating system is around 3,0005,000 a fairly expensive solution until the Renewable Heat Incentive comes into place. In 2010 Which? went undercover to investigate solar water heating companies and posed as householders wanting to buy a system. In our probe, 10 out of 14 companies exaggerated the potential savings. You can watch a solar panel salesman in action in our undercover video

Chapter 4: Solar PV systems

Solar photovoltaic (also known as solar PV) systems convert energy from the sun into electricity. Solar PV systems can be relatively simple, with their main components being solar panels or modules. If you are thinking of installing a solar PV system be sure to read our comprehensive guide on how to buy solar photovoltaics. Solar panels are made of a thin layer of semi-conducting material between a sheet of glass and a polymer resin. When exposed to daylight, the semi-conducting material becomes 'energised' and this produces electricity.

How much electricity solar panels generate

Each solar PV panel typically covers an area of around 1.2 to 1.8 square metres, depending on the manufacturer, and will produce about 180-250 Watts. So to produce 1kW of power, you would need four or five solar panels.

Solar panel modules and maintenance

The more panels you can fit on your roof, the more expensive the system will be to install, but the more electricity you will produce. Panels are pretty much maintenance-free and should last for at least 25 years. If your roof has a fairly shallow pitch or is flat, it may accumulate bird droppings, leaves or dirt, so the solar panels will need occasional cleaning.

The rest of the solar PV system

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The electricity produced by the PV panels is direct current (DC). Before it can be used in the home it has to be converted to safer alternating current (AC), using a box called an inverter, often placed in the loft. It is worth noting that the inverter doesn't have the same lifespan as the panels themselves, and if it fails, then a replacement inverter could cost at least 1,000. For safety, isolator switches are also placed before and after the inverter. A PV generation meter is connected inside your home, in a visible location, so you can see a real-time display of how much electricity the system is generating. The meter also measures the amount of electricity exported to the grid, and provides the basis on which you will get your feed-in tariff payment. Finally, if you want to export excess electricity to the grid, there will be another cable to your consumer unit (fuse box).

Installing solar panels

If the panels are to be installed on your roof, it is likely that the installers will need to erect scaffolding for the installation. Make sure you check with the surveyor that there is space to install scaffolding and that the quote includes the cost of the scaffolding. Once the scaffolding is up, the panels could be installed in less than a day. Roofers will attach the fixing brackets onto the rafters of your roof (hence why a proper surveyor should go into your loft to check the integrity of the roof and the rafters). The solar panels will then be clamped onto the fixing brackets. The pictures on this page show a Which? member's roof undergoing installation of a 3.5kW PV system.

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Chapter 5: Solar water heating systems

Solar water heating works differently to solar PV panels as it provides hot water rather than electricity.

Types of solar water heating systems

There are two main types of solar water heating panels flat plate and evacuated tubes (referring to the way in which water interacts with the panel). Evacuated tubes are more efficient than flat-plate versions, so are often smaller but generate equal amounts of hot water. There are also drainback systems. These drain water from inside the solar panel when the pump is switched off to prevent water freezing or boiling inside the solar panel. If you're thinking of buying a solar water heating system, then be sure to check our comprehensive guide on how to buy solar water heating panels as it includes our undercover video of dodgy sales tactics.

Chapter 6: How to buy solar PV

Solar PV costs and savings
Prices for solar PV systems vary depending on the size and type of the system, as well as the structure of the building where the panelswill be installed. An average PV system between 3.5 and 4 kWp (kilowatt peak) costs about 7,000, with solar tiles working out more expensive than conventional solar panels. The more electricity the system can generate, the higher the savings but the bigger the initial cost. In addition to the savings on your bill, you'll get paid under the feed-in tariff schemes. Our guide to the feed-in tariff has more information on how you can earn cash by making your own energy, and we have a downloadable solar PV buyers' checklist at the bottom of this page.

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Which? investigation into solar PV sales

We've investigated how well firms assess properties during the initial sales visit. In 2011, we posed as a potential customer and invited 12 firms to a house rigged with secret cameras to see whether they were complying with the consumer code they signed up to. Identities have been disguised to protect our researchers.

Solar PV sales tactics

We wanted to see if each surveyor from the 12 companies we filmed would assess the house properly and estimate payback time and profit from the feed-in tariff accurately. We also wanted to see the quality of advice given and if all the important details, such as the need to replace the inverter within the 25-year period, were mentioned. Our key findings include:

Two companies breached code by offering a discount valid for 24 hours only and offering a 'first come, first served' discount in exchange for providing regular meter readings ('monitoring') activities specifically banned in the code. One salesman failed to mention ongoing costs, despite prompting, and another admitted he wasn't a surveyor - the consumer would have to make a decision based on a (likely inaccurate) quote made by a salesperson, before getting a professional evaluation from a surveyor. Five did not go inside the loft to check suitability for installation of solar PV. Five sent a salesperson not a surveyor but still gave a quote, estimate or price. Seven didn't take into account the fact that part of the roof was in shade, so putting solar panels there was questionable. Eight did not ask questions about energy usage or lifestyle. Eight underestimated the time it would take for the system to pay for itself. We found that the methodology companies have to use under building regulations to estimate payback and savings is flawed and can lead to inaccurate predictions. Whilst we are calling for this to be improved, it is worth taking these values with caution. 10 failed to mention that the inverter (which is an essential part of a PV system and turns the current generated into useable AC current) would need replacing earlier, even when prompted about maintenance requirements and ongoing costs.

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Solar PV and feed-in tariffs

Solar electricity has attracted much interest since the government introduced the feed-in tariff, which pays the consumer for every unit of electricity the solar system generates. The payments are guaranteed for 20 years and, in the right conditions, this means that you are very likely to recoup your initial outlay in less than 20 years and make a profit after that. To qualify for the generous scheme, you have to use products and installers certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

Solar PV buyers' checklist

Which? has produced a downloadable solar PV installation checklist which highlights the things you need to consider before having solar PV installed. The checklist includes tips and advice on what you should do, and the questions to ask, before, during and after a visit from a solar PV installer.

Finding a good solar company - things to look out for

Our investigations showed some salesmen using dodgy sales tactics and exaggerating the financial savings that could be made, so we strongly recommend that you do your own research first. Then compare the estimates of costs and savings you are given by salesmen against other sources of advice. There are many solar panel installers out there, so we recommend that you always collect a range of quotes to compare. Visit Which? Local to find recommended solar panel installers, or search for a certified installer on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website.

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Chapter 7: How to buy solar water heating panels

Solar water heating systems qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive

Solar water heating costs and savings

Solar water heating panels typically cost between 3,000 and 5,000, and will potentially save you between 55 and 80 a year on water heating costs, with bigger savings to be made if you have an electric heating system. Solar heating systems qualify for the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme which runs until 31 March 2014. This provides a grant of 600 towards the cost of installing a solar thermal system.

Solar water heating and the RHI

A more generous incentive is expected when the government introduces the Renewable Heat Incentive scheme, which could be similar to the feedin tariff scheme for solar PV and pay consumers for generating 'low carbon' heat. We recommend that you first make sure your home is as energy-efficient as possible, then think about which types of renewable energy technology including solar panels might suit you. You can use the Energy Saving Trust's home energy generation selector tool to see which types of renewable energy might be appropriate for your home.

Which? investigation into solar water heating sales

In 2010 we went undercover to investigate solar water heating companies and posed as householders wanting to buy a system. In our probe, 10 out of 14 companies exaggerated the potential savings. Here's a clip from our undercover video of the Ideal Solar Energy salesman in action. Identities have been disguised to protect our researcher.

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Solar water heating sales tactics

Here are the key points from our investigation:

Everest and Ideal Solar Energy potentially broke the law, using dodgy sales tactics and hugely overstating the potential benefits of installing a solar thermal system. An independent expert calculated such a system would cut about 10% from our householder's annual gas bill, but Ideal Solar Energy quoted savings of 50%, and Everest quoted a 43% cut. Everest also claimed the homeowner would save 35,000 over 20 years a huge exaggeration. Not one of the 14 companies tested identified all the important technical challenges before providing a quote. Key checks they missed included inspecting the roof from the ground, inspecting the existing gas boiler, the cold water tank in the loft and the hot water cylinder, and checking the water quality and whether the washing machine and dishwasher could use solar-heated water. Five gave a quote over the phone without even bothering to visit the property. Just one company, Southern Solar, was helpful and provided sensible advice.

Finding a good solar company - things to look out for

Our investigations showed some salesmen using dodgy sales tactics and exaggerating the financial savings that could be made, so we strongly recommend that you do your own research first. Then compare the estimates of costs and savings you are given by salesmen against other sources of advice. There are many solar panel installers out there, so we recommend that you always collect a range of quotes to compare. Visit Which? Local to find recommended solar panel installers, or search for a certified installer on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme website.

Solar water heating installation

Before you install your solar panels you should see our guide to installing a solar water heating system, which has advice on planning permission and maximising efficiency.

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Chapter 8: Solar PV installation

Before you install solar PV you may want to read our solar PV installation checklist which highlights the things you need to consider. The checklist includes tips and advice on what you should do, and the questions to ask, before, during and after a visit from a solar PV installer.

How do I know whether my home is suitable for solar PV panels?

Solar PV panels are worth considering if you have a mainly south-facing roof with little or no shade, and you aren't thinking of moving house in the near future. Although a south-facing roof would yield the best power output, a southwest or south-east-facing roof should also be fine, but you'd get less power out of the system. How much profit you can expect from solar panels will depend on:

the tilt angle of your roof and its orientation where you live: the south-west gets more sun than the north, which could impact the amount of electricity your system will generate, although not too significantly.

Solar panel orientation

The Met Office website has useful solar radiation maps. The higher the radiation figure, the more electricity your PV system will produce. The table below shows the percentage of the maximum output you will get from a solar PV system with different orientation (south, west, east) and tilt angles. Most roofs in the UK are angled at between 30 degrees and 45 degrees. Installation is not recommended on roofs facing north.

Tilt 10 degrees 20 degrees 30 degrees 45 degrees 60 degrees

South 96% 98% 100% 98% 92%

SE / SW 94% 96% 96% 93% 86%

E/W 89% 87% 85% 80% 72%

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You should also consider both the age and the robustness of your roof solar PV panels are not light. Solar PV systems are most efficient if you use the electricity they produce during the day. Shade could be a big problem with solar panels, so no panels should be installed where there is shade from trees, chimneys, walls or other obstructions.

What size of solar PV system is right for my home?

The right size for your home will mainly depend on the roof space available and how much electricity you use. We recommend that you do not buy too large a system as you cannot meet 100% of your demand with solar PV. Make sure the surveyor understands your electricity use so that the system is sized correctly. As a guide, an average 3.5kWp system would cost about 7,000.

Do I need planning permission for solar PV?

Contact your council to see whether you need to apply for planning permission for your solar panel. You wont need planning permission for most domestic solar panels, as long as they respect certain size criteria, but exceptions apply for listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas and world heritage sites. The EST has more information on planning permission.

Is the cost of solar PV coming down?

Yes it is. The intention of the feed-in tariff has been that as solar PV takes off, their cost will drop. And this is why the rate of the feed-in tariff (FIT) is planned to decrease over time to compensate for the falling cost of solar systems. The Department of Energy and Climate Change has said that there has been a rapid fall in the global module costs of solar PV since the introduction of the FIT in April 2010. Greg Barker, the minister for Energy and Climate Change, also said that 'as solar PV technology has developed, its costs have reduced, and are now believed to be around 30% lower than originally projected'. At the time of our Which? investigation into solar PV in 2011, we found costs averaging 6,000 per kilowatt (/kW), with the lowest quote for 3,900/kW and the highest 9,900/kW. However, it is now believed that the installed price of a 3.5 to 4 kWp system is about 7,000 (including VAT at 5%).

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In Germany, which had a very successful feed-in tariff, it was certainly true that costs went down.

Are there any maintenance or ongoing costs to consider?

Solar PV systems are relatively simple and have no moving parts, so they don't need much maintenance. However, within 25 years youll need to replace the inverter, which costs about 1,000 (some installers say it costs less). Although when installed on an ideal roof slope the panels are selfcleaning, it is a good idea to have the solar panels cleaned occasionally. How often you clean them will depend on the slope of your roof and on how much dirt, such as bird droppings and leaves, they accumulate.

Whats the best way of finding a reputable installation company?

Consult the MCS website to ensure that your installer is MCS-certified, otherwise you can't take part in the feed-in tariff scheme. To find installers recommended by other Which? members, use Which? Local. Request a site visit with a technical survey, not a sales visit, and get at least three quotes. Ask for recommendations and addresses of installations in your local area that you could go and see.

What if the firm gives me a 'hard sell'?

Companies that offer large on-the spot discounts or use other pressureselling techniques deprive you of the chance to compare quotes and take time to think about their offer. You can report such firms to the REAL Assurance Scheme by calling 020 7981 0850, and to Which? on 01992 822800.

How can I ensure the installation process goes well?

Make sure you don't end up with panels overhanging the roof. Where panels are fitted just above the existing roof, it is good practice that at least 10cm should be left between the last panel and the roof edge to allow for access and to minimise the risk of wind blowing the panels off the roof.

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Use our checklist to ensure you get a thorough survey, and ask your installer before they draw up the plans how much space they're leaving between the panel and the roof edge.

Chapter 9: Solar water heating installation

Best location for solar panels

For maximum efficiency, you need to put your solar panels on a southfacing roof at a 30-degree angle to the horizontal (up to 65 degrees will still work in the UK). Keep the panels away from shadows (from trees, buildings, chimneys, etc). Some panels require regular checks of the unit and connections, or a wipe of the panel glass with mild detergent. Bear in mind how difficult this can be when panels are up on your roof.

Planning permission for solar panels

Contact your council to see whether you need to apply for planning permission for your solar panel. You won't need planning permission for most domestic solar panels, as long as they respect certain size criteria, but exceptions apply for listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas and world heritage sites. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has more information on planning permission.

Installing solar panel systems

A solar water heating system involves pipe work, a thermostat and hot water cylinder. You can add solar water heating panels to most existing hot water systems, though you'll usually need to add an additional cylinder for preheated water, or change your existing cylinder for one with a twin coil. It's difficult to use a solar water heating system with a combi boiler because these are designed to take cold mains-pressure water, and solar water heating systems supply low-pressure warm water. Some new combi boilers accept pre-heated water, so check with the manufacturer.

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Maximising solar water heating efficiency

In October 2011, the EST released the results of its field trials of 88 solar hot water systems. It found that proper installation, householders' behaviour and insulation of the pipes and water tank are all key in improving the performance of a solar hot water system, so you can save the most on your heating bills. System performances can be improved if the pumps and timers are set correctly. It also found that in some houses, a lack of insulation on the hot water tank and pipes led to lower performances because of losses. The EST also found that, generally, solar thermal systems worked well and 84% of the people who took part in the trial were either fairly or very happy with their system.

Chapter 10: Is solar PV a good investment?

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are often marketed as a way for you to make money, as well as save on your own electricity bills. This is because you can get paid for the electricity that your solar panels produce. Under the government's feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme, payments are guaranteed for between 20 and 25 years (depending on when you had the panels installed), the price per kilowatt of energy is index-linked, meaning that it will rise with the retail prices index (RPI) measure of inflation annually, and all proceeds you make from the FIT are free from tax.

Investing in solar panels: need to know

Companies market solar PV panels as an investment, but there are some significant differences between the traditional ways of growing your money (like savings and investments) and purchasing and installing a solar PV system. Be wary of claims made in sales pitches Before the proposed cuts to the FIT scheme, Which? investigated the way solar panels are sold to consumers and found that some companies provided projected growth rates of 8% to 10%. We also found that their calculations often didn't present how the indexlinking of the FIT, maintenance costs and panel deterioration might affect

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how much money you make. This is very different from the factors that affect the growth of your money in a cash Isa or stocks and shares Isa. Factors that affect your solar panel investment There are many variables that will affect the returns that you receive from the FIT.

Inflation - this will increase the generation and export tariffs each year. The Bank of England's target rate of inflation is 2%, and this may be a useful figure to use when calculating what future tariffs may be. Electricity price increases - this will impact on your level of savings on your electricity bills. The higher electricity prices go, the greater your savings. The Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) forecasts this at 2.6% a year until 2030. Cost of solar panels - the cost of solar panel installation has fallen swiftly since the launch of the FIT scheme. It is not yet clear whether this trend will continue, but if it does the rates of return you receive from solar panels could be potentially higher as it takes less time to repay your initial outlay. Lost interest - Remember than the money that you make from the FIT can only be considered as 'profits' when you have recouped the amount that you have spent installing the solar panels. Think about how much interest you are missing out on by not putting the cost of panels into a savings account, and make sure that you factor this to your calculations of your overall returns.

Maximising your solar panel investment If you are thinking of investing in solar panels, a good way of maximising your earnings potential is to reinvest any gains you make from the feed-in tariff into a best rate cash Isa. This means that if you were to put the cash you make from producing electricity and bill savings, you could receive interest on your earnings and build up a decent savings nest egg. In addition to this, cash Isa rates will vary on an annual basis, so you may be able to get higher interest rates and possibly earn more than what is currently available Paying for your solar panels The most cost-effective way to pay for the installation of solar PV panels is upfront and in full. However, if you don't have the cash to pay upfront, you may want to consider remortgaging or a loan. If you do decide to

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this, remember that you'll have to pay interest on any money that you borrow, and loan repayments may even exceed the returns you make from the solar PV system. Entering into a 'free solar' or 'rent a roof' scheme is another option, but Which? advises caution here. Will solar panels affect the value of my home? Solar panels and the feed-in tariff scheme haven't been around long enough to know whether or not the installation of solar panels could increase the value of your home. Therefore, don't necessarily consider that solar PV installation will guarantee a comparable increase in the value of your property. Which? will continue to investigate the relationship between solar PV installation and property prices. Also remember that the inverter might need changing over the 25-year period and that, over time, the panels will reduce in efficiency. These factors need to be considered if you invest in solar PV and want to sell your home later on.

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Chapter 11: Solar panel jargon

Buying solar panels can be confusing if you don't know what all the jargon means. Use our guide to help you understand solar PV and solar water heating terms.

Amorphous A type of PV solar cell. Unlike multicrystalline and monocrystalline cells (see below), amorphous panels are not made from interconnected solar cells made from expensive crystalline silicon. Instead, a very thin layer of silicon is sprayed on to a backing material to make solar roof tiles. As the silicon is much thinner than the silicon wafers in a typical crystalline solar cell, material costs are greatly reduced. Active solar Using a collector, e.g. solar panel, to capture the sun's energy and use it to heat water or convert it to electricity. Drain-back system A type of solar water heating system where the water inside the solar panel drains into a small back bottle when the pump switches off. This protects the system against damage caused by boiling and freezing, without the use of antifreeze. Evacuated tubes A type of solar water-heating panel. Evacuated glass tubes collect the sun's energy and heat water running through a container at the top of the tubes. Feed-in tariff (FIT) The Feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme allows you to receive payments in exchange for owning a solar photovoltaic system. It also pays you for excess electricity sold back to the national grid. For a detailed guide to the FIT, check our guide to the feed-in tariff. 'Free solar' or 'rent-a-roof' schemes Schemes where companies pay for the cost of installing and maintaining solar panels on your roof, and then generally take all of your Feed-in tariff income. Householders still benefit from the electricity produced by the panels.
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kWp KiloWatt peak. The unit of measurement for the maximum amount of power your solar system can generate. On an overcast day, your system will produce less. MCS Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Certification scheme for products and installers of microgeneration technologies, including solar PV. To qualify for the Feed-in tariff, you must use MCScertified products and installers. Microgeneration The term 'microgeneration' is used to refer to low-capacity electricity generation equipment, which covers generation of electricity up to 50 kW. Domestic-scale microgeneration embraces a range of technologies including small scale photovoltaic (PV) arrays, micro-hydro generation, small wind generators and domestic scale Combined Heat and Power (CHP) equipment. Monocrystalline silicon cells The most efficient and expensive PV cell. Cut from single crystals of silicon, this system can harness around 15% of the sun's energy that shines on it. Multicrystalline silicon cells PV system made from silicon cut into wafers. It's slightly less efficient than monocrystalline cells, but also slightly cheaper. Passive solar Capturing the sun's energy without a panel or collector, eg through large south-facing windows, and minimising heat loss through insulation. Photovoltaic, PV PV cells are thin layers of semi-conducting material (usually silicon). Electrical charges are generated when the silicon is exposed to light, which can be conducted away as direct current. Multiple cells are connected together (usually behind glass) to form a panel. Pressurised system Water is pumped through the solar panel and heated. This heated water flows through a heat exchanger, warming the water stored in your hot water cylinder. These systems typically use antifreeze.

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REAL Renewable Energy Assurance Limited. Its Consumer Code is the one installers of microgeneration technologies would have signed up to to get MCS certified. The Consumer Code sets out clear standards of consumer service, before, during and after a contract is signed. Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) A financial support scheme that will be pay householders for generating heat, similar to the Feed-in tariff (which pays people for generating electricity). The RHI is due to be introduced in 2013. In the meantime RHI premium payments, which offer cash to people to help towards the cost of installing certainly heat-generating technologies, are available. Solar tiles Solar tiles use the same technology as photovoltaic cells, but are smaller and narrower than PV panels and look like roof tiles. Solar water heating Water is pumped through a solar panel and heated by solar energy. The heated water then flows through a heat exchanger, warming the water in your hot water cylinder.

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Chapter 12: 'Free' solar schemes

With the introduction of the feed-in tariff (FIT), which pays people for generating their own electricity, 'free' solar schemes have been quick to appear. But are they too good to be true?

What's a rent-a-roof scheme?

'Free' solar schemes, also known as rent-a-roof schemes, are run by companies eager to cash in on the feed-in tariff. For example, the following companies currently offer rent-a-roof schemes: Homesun, A Shade Greener, Freesource Energy, Isis Solar and more. These companies offer to lease your roof for 20-25 years and, in exchange, install and maintain solar PV panels on it. This means you do not have to find any cash upfront for the panels and you benefit from the free electricity produced by the system.

What's the catch with 'free' panels?

While you do benefit from the free electricity the system produces for your home, the rent-a-roof company generally takes all of the generation and export tariff payments paid out under the FIT scheme. Free solar panels vs buying your own We calculated that, on the 2011 rate of FIT for a 4kWp system, while you could be saving more than 5,000 over 25 years from the electricity produced by the panels, you could be missing out on as much as 23,000 from the feed-in tariff. But these savings will change if the proposed cuts to FIT are implemented.

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Notes on the illustration: Figures calculated using the Energy Saving Trust's Cashback Calculator and based on the old higher rate of FIT, on a roof with optimal orientation and tilt, and no shade. The illustration does not include price variation, inflation, panel degradation or cost of a new inverter. Actual profits could therefore be lower. This graphic is provided for illustrative purposes only, not as an investment guide.

If you want to know how much you could potentially earn through solar panels and how they compare to other investment options then see our guide to whether solar PV is a good investment.

Taking out a loan instead

If you can afford it, you should consider buying the solar PV system upfront. Even if you had to take out a loan for part or all of the system, you might still be better off in the long run. Predictably, the companies stand to benefit far more from the arrangement than householders. Which? research has found that, on the old rate of FIT, consumers could save thousands of pounds over the next 25 years by buying their own solar PV system instead of signing up to a scheme offering 'free' solar panels. We calculated that, for a 4kWp system, while you could be saving more than 5,000 over 25 years from the electricity produced by the panels, you could be missing as much as 23,000 from the feed-in tariff.

Are rent-a-roof schemes a good option?

They are worth considering if you can't afford the upfront cost of a solar PV system and don't want to take out a loan. Like all solar PV systems, they're best if you're at home during the day (when the sun is shining) or you're happy to change your lifestyle to make the most of the free electricity in the daytime. For example, you could install a timer switch on appliances so they run during the day.

What am I signing up to?

The other issue with rent-a-roof schemes is the small print. You are entering into a lease contract with the company, renting out your roof to someone else for 20-25 years. We analysed a contract from one rent-a-

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roof company and found issues with liabilities and provisions very much in favour of the company:

The contract we saw stipulates that the householder would have to get consent during the term of the lease if they wanted to sell their house or make any alterations or additions to the building near the solar PV system. This clause would apply to a loft conversion. If you need the panels to be removed for a period, to do maintenance work on the roof, you'd have to compensate the company for the missed feed-in tariff payments. If you were to sell your house within the 20-25 years, bear in mind that the contract will stay with the house and you will have to find a buyer who is happy to take on the lease for the remainder of the contract.

Would you buy a house with a roof that was being rented out? It has also been reported that some mortgage suppliers are refusing to provide mortgage for houses with a rent-a-roof solar contract attached to it.

What do I need to watch out for?

We recommend you get independent legal advice on the details of the contract. You should consider who owns the system, what happens if you want to end the contract early, who is liable for damage, who pays for insurance, upkeep and repairs, and what happens if you move house. Also beware that some mortgage providers might refuse to give a mortgage on houses with a rent-a-roof solar contract attached to them. Consumer Focus has published a guide to feed-in tariffs which includes a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask the company if you are considering a rent-a-roof scheme. See pages four and five of its guide to microgeneration. Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL) provides a list of information on its website that consumers should expect to be provided by companies offering a rent-a-roof scheme. It is certainly worth having a look at before signing up to any contract. Why is it unfair on all consumers? FIT is paid for by you all electricity customers pay a small levy on their bill to fund the scheme, and in its first year more than 10m was paid

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out. Rent-a-roof schemes mean that 'free solar' companies pocketed a chunk of that cash. Which? thinks that the profits from rent-a-roof schemes should be shared more fairly between the rent-a-roof company and the householder. We are also concerned that cash intended for householders is going elsewhere. And we're all paying for the feed-in tariff : the Department of Energy and Climate Change has estimated that by 2020 we'll be paying 11 a year towards the scheme through our bills. Weve asked the government to tighten it up to make it fairer.

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