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On looking for information about Forest Green Rovers, I see that they have solar panels installed, which generate 10% of their electricity requirements. This is a sizable amount for a football stadium which would mean a significant saving on their expenses, and I wonder whether the folks at Plainmoor have ever considered putting solar panels on the roofs of the Family Stand and Bristow's Bench.

What do you think? Any experts here who could say whether this would be worthwhile? Does Launa Windows do solar panels? For that matter who, if anybody, is there at Plainmoor who regularly considers feasible economies and fund-raising ideas..??

Already under consideration by TUFC and yes Launa Windows do have a subsidiary company that could install them. Personally I think the idea of having them, at least on the roof of Bristows Bench, is a good one assuming it could generate some money for the club but as always it will be the up front cost that will no doubt prove to be the stumbling block!

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/T ... story.html

Not sure whether I'm in possession of state secrets on this topic, so I'll say only that this idea is in progress. Quite why it's taking so bloody long, God only knows.

ANDY CANDY, any news on this?

Matt.

CP Gull wrote:Already under consideration by TUFC and yes Launa Windows do have a subsidiary company that could install them. Personally I think the idea of having them, at least on the roof of Bristows Bench, is a good one assuming it could generate some money for the club but as always it will be the up front cost that will no doubt prove to be the stumbling block!

The prime positioning for SP is South East to South West facing. The bench is probably a bit too far easterly facing to be ideal. The Family stand would probably be the best. Maximum income generation is when you buy the panels outright, not use one of the myriad of installers that offer to rent your roof and fit them for free (assuming these are still around after the cuts to the FiT). However, the payback time for initial investment is now into double figures year-wise (probably around 14), so it will be a long time before the club see any return on the investment cost.

Then we need a sponsorship deal. Free everything for us, free training ground naming and sponsorship rights for 5 years for "Mike's Solar Panel Geezers".

Unsurprisingly, SSU seems to know these things, say that sponsorship would be worth £25,000 and "Mike" installed us precisely the system you have suggested. Over the course of the 5 years, would we be better off with the panels or the 25 grand?

Matt.

ferrarilover wrote:Then we need a sponsorship deal. Free everything for us, free training ground naming and sponsorship rights for 5 years for "Mike's Solar Panel Geezers".

Unsurprisingly, SSU seems to know these things, say that sponsorship would be worth £25,000 and "Mike" installed us precisely the system you have suggested. Over the course of the 5 years, would we be better off with the panels or the 25 grand?

Matt.

Too many variables with regard to the system output for anything more than a stab in the dark.
The bit where I posted it takes around 14 years to recoup initial investment should give you a clue though?

Just as an example, as I got in at the right time for maximum return, I expect a roughly 200% return over the 25 years of the FiT and to pay back the original cost in around 8 years (say 10k initial cost and 30k back in total).
The FiT has now been changed (ie. cut) so now you're looking at somewhere around 80% return over 20 years (say 5k initial cost and 9k back) taking around 12 to 13 years to recover the initial outlay.