My solar PV first year payback calculation

Cardew

CathyDebenham wrote: »

The average prices they identified are as follows:
Fixed costs £2,000
Equipment £5,000 per kWp installed
Example: 1kWp installation should therefore cost around £7,000, and a 2kWp installation around £12,000 (although there are signs of a 10% price drop over the two years analysed.

As this thread is about payback, it really is vital that realistic installation prices such as those above are used in the calculations.

Fred_Bear_2

CathyDebenham wrote: »

The average prices they identified are as follows:
Fixed costs £2,000
Equipment £5,000 per kWp installed
Example: 1kWp installation should therefore cost around £7,000, and a 2kWp installation around £12,000
(although there are signs of a 10% price drop over the two years analysed.

That confirms the OP's figures: Mcfi5dhc's installation is 1.44kWp and cost £7950.
Cathy's calculation would give 5000 x 1.44 +2000 = £8400.
If you reduce this by 10% you get £8280.

yakky58

Can confirm that mine was a 2Kwh installation and that was about £8500. But I did do some work myself. Was installed 3.5 years ago.

Cardew

Fred_Bear wrote: »

That confirms the OP's figures: Mcfi5dhc's installation is 1.44kWp and cost £7950.
Cathy's calculation would give 5000 x 1.44 +2000 = £8400.
If you reduce this by 10% you get £8280.

Fred,
You have a different calculator to mine!

5000 x 1.44 + 2000 = £9,200

However I see how you reach £8280.

The point I was making that the capital cost is a big factor in calculating the financial viability.

It seems apparent that prices will reduce in the years to come, however that will be offset by loss of grant and lower FIT rates.

Fred_Bear_2

Cardew wrote: »

Fred,
You have a different calculator to mine!

Thanks for pointing that out Cardew. My calculator is now in the bin and I have added a new one to my Christmas wishlist.

I agree with your other points in this post.

Radarjet

I am in need of a whole central heating revamp.

I currently have 2 boilers both 18 years plus old - one does bedrooms, t'other does rest of house and hot water - both spluttering occassionally and need a bit of TLC and coaxing along

It seems to me that if I'm going to fully revamp anyway, then I'd be as well to start the PV solar thing going simultaneously.

Is there anything to stop me putting in a 1.8 ish system with a larger inverter and getting grant and current FIT rates established with recognised installer and then at a later date adding more panels to the system ?


I hear the rationale of payback time but think I'd like to be a bit greener plus would like to have a little independence from the grid and have an alternative option over the powercuts that seem to have been striking us recently .
Roof space/direction no problem.

Also, I'm struggling to find a company in the Midlands who are willing to talk about a sizeable project of both traditional CH revamp plus installing new PV solar ? Anyone any recommendations if thats allowed on here ?

Many thanks

Cardew

Radarjet wrote: »

I am in need of a whole central heating revamp.

I currently have 2 boilers both 18 years plus old - one does bedrooms, t'other does rest of house and hot water - both spluttering occassionally and need a bit of TLC and coaxing along

It seems to me that if I'm going to fully revamp anyway, then I'd be as well to start the PV solar thing going simultaneously.

Is there anything to stop me putting in a 1.8 ish system with a larger inverter and getting grant and current FIT rates established with recognised installer and then at a later date adding more panels to the system ?


I hear the rationale of payback time but think I'd like to be a bit greener plus would like to have a little independence from the grid and have an alternative option over the powercuts that seem to have been striking us recently .
Roof space/direction no problem.

Also, I'm struggling to find a company in the Midlands who are willing to talk about a sizeable project of both traditional CH revamp plus installing new PV solar ? Anyone any recommendations if thats allowed on here ?

Many thanks

Surely the CH revamp and installation of Solar PV have no connection with each other.

Domestic Solar PV is not intended to have anything to do with heating, it simply doesn't produce enough power. It provides electricty during the day and allows you to export what you don't need.

As it doesn't work at night, how will it provide independance from the grid?

Mcfi5dhc

Cardew wrote: »

Surely the CH revamp and installation of Solar PV have no connection with each other.

Domestic Solar PV is not intended to have anything to do with heating, it simply doesn't produce enough power. It provides electricty during the day and allows you to export what you don't need.

As it doesn't work at night, how will it provide independance from the grid?

Cardew is right - these are different projects, so you'll almost certainly need two different contractors.

Also, if you wanted grid independence, you'll have to go down the whole battery route, which will probably double the cost, and you wouldn't earn FIT - FIT is only for grid tied systems.

The independence you will gain though, is you won't really be worried if they increase the cost of the power you buy off them, because your system should generate far more FIT than the electric you still have to buy (e.g. at night).

PM me if you want the details for the company that did my PV - they should cover the Midlands.

Grolsch30

Can anyone confirm that the Government grant of £2500 will end in April of 2010?

If this is correct it would put me in a predicament as we are hoping to move into a New build later this year and would like to install a PV system (C21e solar tiles).
If one applies for a grant how long would the grant be valid for by that I mean how long is the application valid before it expires.
Could I apply before the deadline and wait until August/ September before using the monies from the grant?

Fred_Bear_2

Fred_Bear wrote: »

I have telephoned the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (0800 915 0990) this morning and they confirmed that the grants (Max £2,500) will continue until April 2011 at least. This applies to all the UK.

This post #100 last September.