Brigid Browne: Are solar panels right for you? — and some questions to ask installers

We are in a three-bed semi-d and are hoping to retire in a few years so we want to know how solar panels might benefit us

Ask each installer for a written annual generation estimate based on your location, roof pitch, orientation and shading, with monthly figures showing the seasonal pattern. Also ask what happens during a power cut.

Hi Brigid,

Quite a few of our neighbours have had solar panels installed and with the price of home heating oil rising all the time we are thinking of doing it ourselves. While we are paying huge prices, those neighbours seem very happy with their investment.