Home Solar Genegration

SpursDave

Not sure if in the right bit...sorry if its not.

I am interested in investing in a home solar system (we are completely electric, no gas) with the aim of eliminating our bills and even earning more by feeding into the grid. We don't intend moving or leaving our home in the foreseeable future, so I am aware of the long term investment in terms of recouping costs.

Has anyone on here actually gone down this route? Is it efficient and cost effective? Problems?

Most of the websites seem to lack impartiality and are trying to sell stuff, so I am hoping for some feedback without prejudice on the subject...over to you!

Cardew

There are quite a few threads on solar electricity generation and solar hot water on the 'Green' forum on MSE.

The majority of websites are for firms posting absolute rubbish, or from those who are in love with anything with any 'Green' credentials.

The simple answer is that with the high price of solar equipment there is no way that solar panels either for electricity generation or hot water makes any form of financial sense. That is even if you get the panels from the cheapest source and DIY, let alone get it installed by some of the 'cowboys' who operate in the solar 'industry' - check with any Trading standards office.

The hope is that in future the price of solar panel will reduce dramatically and electric generation might become finacially viable, but that depends on the subsidies and ability to sell electricity to the generators being maintained.

SpursDave

Yes, just coming to the same conclusions having spent a few hours in deep reading on the net! Thanks. Shame though....

adprob

A family friend did this (more money than sense) and it will take about 15 years for the cost of installing the panels to pay for themselves.
The price will only come down if someone does a "Henry Ford" on them which will force other producers to do the same.

jd87

The Energy Saving Trust website is reasonably impartial. As Cardew mentioned, there are two different technologies - solar electricity generation, and solar water heating. Neither of them are going to make you rich. Here are some quotes from the EST website:

Solar Water heating:

Costs for a typical solar water heating system range from £3,000 to £5,000.

Savings are moderate - a solar water heating system can provide about a third of your hot water needs, reducing your water heating bill by between £55 and £95 per year. It will also save up to 645kg of CO2 emissions, depending on what fuel you will be replacing.

Solar Electricity

Costs for installing a solar electricity system vary a lot - an average system costs between £8,000 and £20,000, depending on its size and type.

Savings can be considerable - around 1.2 tonne of CO2 a year, and around £250 off your electricity bill*. A 2.5 kWp system could provide 50% of a household's yearly electricity needs.

Cardew

adprob wrote: »

A family friend did this (more money than sense) and it will take about 15 years for the cost of installing the panels to pay for themselves.
The price will only come down if someone does a "Henry Ford" on them which will force other producers to do the same.

Of course the panels to 'pay for themselves' is only if you take a very simplistic view of the financial aspects. If you take the EST quote above;

Solar Water heating:

Costs for a typical solar water heating system range from £3,000 to £5,000.

Savings are moderate - a solar water heating system can provide about a third of your hot water needs, reducing your water heating bill by between £55 and £95 per year. It will also save up to 645kg of CO2 emissions, depending on what fuel you will be replacing.


Solar Electricity

Costs for installing a solar electricity system vary a lot - an average system costs between £8,000 and £20,000, depending on its size and type.

Savings can be considerable - around 1.2 tonne of CO2 a year, and around £250 off your electricity bill*. A 2.5 kWp system could provide 50% of a household's yearly electricity needs.

Investing £3000 to £5000 you would pay for Solar Hot water will produce £90 to £150 in interest pa(compounded) @5%. The £8,000 to £20,000 for electric will produce £400 to £1000.

Bear in mind that the normally roof mounted panels will require to be cleaned of grime and bird droppings - I don't fancy clambering on the roof.

The electricity generation returns depend on getting grants, and the current(sorry) good price for selling electricity back to the grid - no guarantee that will continue.

Also I suggest that anyone who thinks that there will never be a problem with the electronics involved with the systems(and pump for HW) is naive.