flat panel solar panelled water heating

Kip

I recently spoke with a consultant from Activ8. Has anyone had any dealings with them? From reading up here they seem to be up to ten times the price of what's available (10k for flat ones (4m sq for family of four, not new-build) - they say the piped kinds are hugely problematic).<snip> At this price could it possibly be worth the investment? Has anyone done the actual maths on how much they're saving and when you might be making your money back? One woman on boards said she's only saving 60quid a year!
Don't get me wrong, I'm very keen to do my bit for the planet, hence my meeting with them, but I need some serious reassurance before I go paying such an enormous bill.
Thanks for your help!

johnjoe 123

its a rip off the tubes are more effective in this country. 30 tubes, a 300lit. cylinder, pumping station and exp vessell e2300 in heiton bucklys 2days for a plumber and labourer to fit if you have a shower off the hot and cold system and theres 4 of you 3- 4 year pay off they are a gr8 job highly recomended!!

Kip

thank you john joe. Much needed advice!

turbodiesel

Kip wrote: »

I recently spoke with a consultant from Activ8. Has anyone had any dealings with them? From reading up here they seem to be up to ten times the price of what's available (10k for flat ones (4m sq for family of four, not new-build) - they say the piped kinds are hugely problematic). <snip>At this price could it possibly be worth the investment? Has anyone done the actual maths on how much they're saving and when you might be making your money back? One woman on boards said she's only saving 60quid a year!
Don't get me wrong, I'm very keen to do my bit for the planet, hence my meeting with them, but I need some serious reassurance before I go paying such an enormous bill.
Thanks for your help!

I've just turned down a quote from them tonight aswell, a salesman took 2 hours to go through his sales pitch and then quoted a list price of €10k for a 3 bed semi ( with 2 austrian made flat panels covering 2.25 metres each) less approx 20% for acting as a referral house in the area with a 3x 2 sign in the front for 4 weeks and then the govt grant of €1100 only if i signed tonight would those discounts apply. Felt very pressurised, like a timeshare sales pitch...

ntpm

turbodiesel wrote: »

I've just turned down a quote from them tonight aswell, a salesman took 2 hours to go through his sales pitch and then quoted a list price of €10k for a 3 bed semi ( with 2 austrian made flat panels covering 2.25 metres each) less approx 20% for acting as a referral house in the area with a 3x 2 sign in the front for 4 weeks and then the govt grant of €1100 only if i signed tonight would those discounts apply. Felt very pressurised, like a timeshare sales pitch...

Saw quote given to householder in Westmeath Area by Activ8...... ridiculous amount for bungalow.
They insisted on 3 panels 1 front of house and 2 at back, replace cylinder etc ( technically probably right but don't think there is signifiicant water use in the house to warrant works or cost... around 11K..

Same sales pitch as the old time Double Glass Window Salesmen..... we will give discount for sign on house.. further discount for advert/show house... called manager for further discount if you sign contract today/tonight!!!

IMO. Pay back in less than 10-15years is not realistic in some installations unless you are using large quantaties of water during summer months, as during the winter you will still need a top up source like oil/gas/electric or solid fuel.

Also what is the efficiency of the system in 10-15 years and life expectancy of the panels. The solar guys do not factor in maintenance cost or checks of the solar fluid (glycol).

kscobie

Average cost for a 2 panel system , cylinder etc and labour , roughly between 4-6 k, depends on the house layout, bungalow/2 story/dormer.And less 1k of a grant from sei , or seai, as there called now. Those guys who called are nationwide, and seem to operate the same way everywhere

Joey the lips

Hi Folks. I wish to temp close this thread and see advice is it permitted to name companies so to speak. I may leave it open and snip later.

However my most sold pce of advice is to never accept one quote. Always get 3. Companies have different prices because of different specifications. Make sure you are compareing like with like

lastly...Sometimes performance quality is a lot cheaper than conformance quality...

Joey the lips

I have re opened this thread again and make correction. I wish to reinforce the point that the only way you can know is to compare like with like.

For example. A mercedes dealer is not going to be as cheap as a toyota dealer but both very reliable cars.

I_am_an_angel

We bought a Solar Panel system from Active8 Energies. the person who came to our home was very nice and helpful. They offer a bespoke package and he went through everything carefully. We learned a lot and bought a Soalr Panel sytem. They were recommended to us by friends so we are reasonably assured. They are a reputable company, their product is priced at the upper end of solar Panels but we have been reassured they are the best money can buy and we will have years of value from them. We got a significant discount from the list price

goat2

I_am_an_angel wrote: »

We bought a Solar Panel system from Active8 Energies. the person who came to our home was very nice and helpful. They offer a bespoke package and he went through everything carefully. We learned a lot and bought a Soalr Panel sytem. They were recommended to us by friends so we are reasonably assured. They are a reputable company, their product is priced at the upper end of solar Panels but we have been reassured they are the best money can buy and we will have years of value from them. We got a significant discount from the list price

i intend putting in a solar system in april, and between then and now i will be looking up the parts for the system and get them at budget price, i will then hire the person to put the lot together, that is my plan, i am hoping to do it on a budget

heinbloed

Goat2 wrote:

i intend putting in a solar system in april,

Well, why, you live in a solar system, why putting in another one, it might mess up our gravity.....

There are Solar Thermal heating systems (ST) and there are photovoltaik systems (PV).

Solar systems are suns (or 'stars') surrounded by planets, moons and debris.
If someone tries to sell you a 'solar system' ask for an acre on the moon, you might get a better deal (smiley).

goat2

heinbloed wrote: »

Goat2 wrote:



Well, why, you live in a solar system, why putting in another one, it might mess up our gravity.....

There are Solar Thermal heating systems (ST) and there are photovoltaik systems (PV).

Solar systems are suns (or 'stars') surrounded by planets, moons and debris.
If someone tries to sell you a 'solar system' ask for an acre on the moon, you might get a better deal (smiley).

sorry about that, lol
i mean a solar hot water system, i will not be looking for grant, as that requires ber, and i cannot affort all, and anyway i think these grants are in for reduction,
gravity,,,, Im still standing

sullzz

I_am_an_angel wrote: »

We bought a Solar Panel system from Active8 Energies. the person who came to our home was very nice and helpful. They offer a bespoke package and he went through everything carefully. We learned a lot and bought a Soalr Panel sytem. They were recommended to us by friends so we are reasonably assured. They are a reputable company, their product is priced at the upper end of solar Panels but we have been reassured they are the best money can buy and we will have years of value from them. We got a significant discount from the list price

Active8 are known to be waaaaaay over priced and i know from people who had the rep call to them that they were almost forced to sign the contract and were told that they would get a further discount by leaving a sign up in the garden .
In my opinion they are gangsters and i wouldnt allow them anywhere near my house

esox28

the larger company like activ8 have 'large' over heads ie reps, management, office staff and not to forget the all important installers.

as the mod says get 3 quotes with like for like detailing.

imo its always best to keep the work local using local contractors, most plumber have the know how and experiance to fully install any solar thermal package, look up the 'http://http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Better_energy_homes/homeowner/Registered_Contractors_List/ list

heinbloed

Esox28 wrote:

imo its always best to keep the work local using local contractors, most plumber have the know how and experiance to fully install any solar thermal package, look up the 'http://http://www.seai.ie/Grants/Bet...tractors_List/ list

Well, our experience has it that most ST installers are factory/seller trained and haven't the slightest clue when it comes to a new, previously not-seen ST system.
Any energetic or economical calculation done on behalf of the final costumer is to much for the majority of the SEAI listed installers.
A simple question like a guaranteed amortisation time is beyond the intellectual scope of most ST installers.

I_am_an_angel

Hi all

some of the comments are a bit hysterical to be honest. If you want to have Arfur Daly doing the job then gods speed...I have seen the job that Activ8 did in my friends home and it is top notch. In this life you get what you pay for. Cheap isn't always the best. I know of the Arfur Daly type that will leave your roof leaking and panels which don't work...The choice is your...good luck

I_am_an_angel

By the way you have to have a house under 1400 sq ft and have specific size panels and tank to qualify for grant. If your house is over 2000 sq ft then in order to qualify for a grant you have to get a 300 lite tank with at least 3 solar panels. Why would you want 3 panels and a 300 litre tank with a couple and few kids in the house???
Grant is a scam!

hanloj1

Any thoughts on the system on about the house last week. works all year round. got a quote for 4300 excluding grant. enough water for 5/6 people.

paddy147

hanloj1 wrote: »

Any thoughts on the system on about the house last week. works all year round. got a quote for 4300 excluding grant. enough water for 5/6 people.

fantastic.:)

Thermodynamic Solar Panel system from LVP Renewables.

I have instant hot water 24/7.

hanloj1

paddy147 wrote: »

hanloj1 wrote: »

Any thoughts on the system on about the house last week. works all year round. got a quote for 4300 excluding grant. enough water for 5/6 people.

fantastic.:)

Thermodynamic Solar Panel system from LVP Renewables.

I have instant hot water 24/7.


That does look sweet. Im not sure if we'd be worth getting it as theres only two of us in house.very interesting though.

heinbloed

Here some more infos one finds when searching for facts:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056473411

Check the posts in this thread from the 6th of december 2011 onwards, follow the links and ask questions. Like electricity consumtion numbers for example and what was certified by who.

Merch

@ Heinbloed

What elements of a system and information (in a list) would you recommend for someone/they look up for someone interested in a solar thermal system? (being supplemented by their existing hot water when needed)

Thinking of a solar thermal set up with evacuated tubes, havent priced anything but things Im concerned about are
How much heat does it provide (not even sure what i use for hotwater now, as my gas runs the space and hot water so dont know the split as dont always use it for both).
How much electricity is used running the system (average size)

heinbloed

Merch asks:

What elements of a system and information (in a list) would you recommend for someone/they look up for someone interested in a solar thermal system? (being supplemented by their existing hot water when needed)

Thinking of a solar thermal set up with evacuated tubes, havent priced anything but things Im concerned about are
How much heat does it provide (not even sure what i use for hotwater now, as my gas runs the space and hot water so dont know the split as dont always use it for both).
How much electricity is used running the system (average size)

How high is the thermal demand I would ask.

What do the alternatives (gas, oil, electric boiler) cost.

And what resources are there, finance, availability of space and collecting surface.

Without these questions being answered there is no advise, only guess work.

Here some very basic infos from the IEA concerning harvest per m2 for various places:

http://www.estif.org/fileadmin/estif/content/press/downloads/3-Nielsen-m2-kwh-webinar.pdf

For a detailed analysis one can use sophisticated analytical programs, most serious ST traders and installers will do this anyhow.

For cheap DHW the Chinese collectors are the most efficient, they're bought and used all over the world without any subsidies and pay for themself within a very short time.
They don't use electricity at all. Unless an electric heating element is used for topping up the temperature. No pump is involved, no electrical controls. No anti-freeze, no maintenance.

KoolKid

Closed pending review.