I had a meeting someone the other day. His panels were VERY attractively priced. (Under €900 for an integrated 195litre system.)
During the meeting, he let slip that he sourced some of the gear from China. Obviously, we can't buy into the idea of shipping our emissions to the other side of the world, etc etc. So my question is this:
Do you know anyone in Europe who can provide an ethical supply chain as well as good solar? Water a priority. Electricity to follow...
Ethical solar power
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devolutionary
- Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
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Martin
- A selfsufficientish Regular
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it all depends on your definition of "ethical"..........if you want UK-made panels, you will pay appreciably more than chinese-sourced ones (several TIMES the price). Many of the "big names" try to make tubed systems appear as if they're "German, Swiss or Austrian" - most of them come off the same production lines in China, and then are bounced round Europe being rebranded 
You sound as if you're referring to the integrated units available - they work extremely well, and are very cheap, but most are unsuitable for the UK climate
(most integrated all-in-one systems are not proof against freezing)
We supply and fit Chinese panels with a relatively clear conscience - there is no native or European product that comes anywhere near the price, and one of the prime requisites for these technologies is that they should be affordable.
Ours come directly to our suppliers by boat and road transport, and thence to us and the client.
I can fully understand the willingness to "source locally", and would do so myself if it made any sort of economic sense - as far as I can gather, nearly everything manufactured these days comes from the PRC, particularly "big name" products.
Fortunes are being made by pretending that chinese goods are western in origin, whilst our own manufacturing abilities are dying fast.........
You sound as if you're referring to the integrated units available - they work extremely well, and are very cheap, but most are unsuitable for the UK climate
(most integrated all-in-one systems are not proof against freezing)
We supply and fit Chinese panels with a relatively clear conscience - there is no native or European product that comes anywhere near the price, and one of the prime requisites for these technologies is that they should be affordable.
Ours come directly to our suppliers by boat and road transport, and thence to us and the client.
I can fully understand the willingness to "source locally", and would do so myself if it made any sort of economic sense - as far as I can gather, nearly everything manufactured these days comes from the PRC, particularly "big name" products.
Fortunes are being made by pretending that chinese goods are western in origin, whilst our own manufacturing abilities are dying fast.........
http://solarwind.org.uk - a small company in Sussex sourcing, supplying, and fitting alternative energy products.
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
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devolutionary
- Jerry - Bit higher than newbie
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2007 3:14 pm
- Location: The Dordogne
- Contact:
I know. I've come across the making money by having the Chinese pollute on our behalf thing before.
A friend of mine at Action South Facing suggested I look at www.solara.de (I'm in France). It's not just my own politics that are driving the need to source locally - we're setting up a very low carbon campsite and need to show that we have made every effort to curb the cost of the business. I want to be able to say we're carbon positive, eventually.
While we're on the subject, do you know where I could find the carbon footprints for solar panels?
A friend of mine at Action South Facing suggested I look at www.solara.de (I'm in France). It's not just my own politics that are driving the need to source locally - we're setting up a very low carbon campsite and need to show that we have made every effort to curb the cost of the business. I want to be able to say we're carbon positive, eventually.
While we're on the subject, do you know where I could find the carbon footprints for solar panels?