Solar Panel Companies - Recommendations

Oakleigh

I currently have a leaking immersion cylinder. I have been thinking of Solar panels for hot water for a while but now that the cylinder may need to be replaced anyway, it might be time to consider it more seriously.

I gather there are alot of cowboys out there... having read through some threads. When I google there seems to endless companies doing solar panels. I was wondering if anyone could pm me with recommendations or indeed, let me know who the cowboys are so I don't waste my time with them.

Also the parts of the roof that could take the panels is East or West facing - am i wasting my time even looking into it?

Thanks for any feedback

Oakleigh

Based in North Co. Dublin by the way

rolion

How do you know they are ... cowboys !?
Doing solar panels is not easy as changing a radiator,therefore I assume some sort of natural selection applies !?

I advise you to do the homework but i guess ...change the attitude as well !?

For east and west you will need a set of lets say 20 on each side.
Not overcomplex but tricky as the Sun may not be up until after 12,warming the other side of the roof.
Also,cylinder is based on panel and family size.

I already consider myself cowboy now, giving you these advises !

Have fun.

Oakleigh

Thanks for your reply. Perhaps an unfortunate choice of words...but there has been alot of discussion around solar companies putting in the hard sell, requesting on the spot deposits and all sorts of bells and whistles with what would appear to be significantly inflated prices.

I by no means underestimate the work involved. I simply want to make sure I go straight to those companies that will do the work properly without trying to fool anyone into extras that are not necessary and charging exorbitantly for the priviledge.

I am simply looking to contact a number of companies, get them out to have a look at the job and provide a quote. Hence I asked for recommendations of reputable companies.

rolion

Thanks.

I appreciate your last post,it make sense.

Re your house,check the position of the Sun during the four seasons.
I suggest to go with the round tubes and not the flat type.

I know friends that they went with East - West and installed 20 panels in each side.
Not difficult,all magic happened inside the roof,at the manifold level (junction boxes) and at the controller / pump /sensors.
AS one side could be hotter than the other,based on time of the day,you have to allow the system to be more efficient on that side.
Bigger issue is the 300L cylinder due to the size of the door frames,not able to get bigger.

I went with a local supplier HERE
I called in to their show room,seen and touched the panels.
Bought the kit from local supplier for builders.
I had a plumber that i helped with the installation.
My roof is fully South therfore easy to do it.

Also,you can do the PV panels and get a system that heats the water and then supply free electricity.
Much easy to instal,maintain and service.

Check with the supplier / fitter in relation with the SEAI grant,that may save you some big money.

I have both systems and i can say that the solar tubes for water is much better doing than the PVs.

ted1

If I was you I'd look at solar PV which can heat water via the immersion or provide electricity for other uses.

Many people end up just dumping the hot water especially in summer. You'll utilise PV energy more often than just water

Sleeper12

ted1 wrote:

If I was you I'd look at solar PV which can heat water via the immersion or provide electricity for other uses.

ted1 wrote:

Many people end up just dumping the hot water especially in summer. You'll utilise PV energy more often than just water

Totally agree. There's very little maintenance on the pv system and you will get a higher return for your money.
The most solar can ever do is give you a tank of hot water. With pv you can get the hot water and free electricity.
If they let you sell back to the grid in the next few years just add a few more panels and sell electricity during the day. Seems to be the way to go.

rolion

rolion wrote: »

How do you know they are ... cowboys !?
Doing solar panels is not easy as changing a radiator,therefore I assume some sort of natural selection applies !?

I advise you to do the homework but i guess ...change the attitude as well !?

For east and west you will need a set of lets say 20 on each side.
Not overcomplex but tricky as the Sun may not be up until after 12,warming the other side of the roof.
Also,cylinder is based on panel and family size.

I already consider myself cowboy now, giving you these advises !

Have fun.

There is no restrictions on who fits solar panels so yes there are a lot of cowboys out there.

Why would the OP have to change their attitude, if more home owners asked tradesmen to prove their qualifications or experience then this type of work would be less interesting to the cowboy element and they might go back to propping up a bar somewhere.

rolion

Hi,

Can someone that praises the PVs versus the solar tubes gives practical usage & some facts,some figures, please!?

Let me ask how much energy (electric and thermal) will take a 3kw immersion to keep a 300l cylinder happy for a normal day / typical family WHILE providing the so called "and the free electricity" !?

Thanks.

Bigus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52XnoTvDVdM

rolion

Bigus wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52XnoTvDVdM

Dont have the patience,sorry to watch ads about a product ahead of its time,as from price and performance.
Ca you give a resume of that clip,please!?
Applied to current economics.

Thanks

PS
I'm not been smart here but I've DIY a 5kw PV and 40 tubes solar tubes at my home.

Sleeper12

rolion wrote:

Dont have the patience,sorry to watch ads about a product ahead of its time,as from price and performance. Ca you give a resume of that clip,please!? Applied to current economics.

You are correct about the batteries. Even dedicated installation companies will talk you out of the batteries because of the cost. They are getting cheaper though.
Pv is better value € for €than solar. And eventually they will let you sell back to the grid.