The Great 'Get Paid To Generate Energy' Hunt

smellypunks

Dave_Fowler wrote: »

As I explained in my original posting, "I am about to retire" so I am looking for an alternative to a standard pension investment and one which will provide a steady annual index linked income for my future years.

I have been saving my money in various bonds / ISAs / annuities etc for many years now and it is time to reap some benefits. The idea of locking away money in a 20-year ISA is fine for someone in their earlier years but the lure of £65k in 20 years is not appealing to me - but it might be to the children.

I'm effectively looking from the other end of the telescope - not at what I might get in 20 years time, but what I can get for the next 20 years.

As you will see in a recent post, I did go ahead and purchase a system. The original idea of a 3.5kWp system did not materialize because of a limited roof space, but they did fit 2.96kWp - at a lower cost.

But lets keep with the original figures:- 'invest' £18k in a PV system and receive £1,236 in FITs in the first year. I use the term 'invest' loosely as has been pointed out before, the money is tied up on my roof and except for selling the house no part of it could be recouped.

The £1,236 is index linked, which this year is a 3% increase. If I were instead to invest the money in some financial institution the £18k would have to grow by 3% per year if it is to keep up with the current rate of inflation (=£540). If I were also to take an income of £1,236 in the first year, the interest on the £18,000 would have to be £1,776. (Withdraw £1,236 and leave £540 interest).

Taking these figures, I would need to find a flexible investment (one where I can withdraw some interest and leave the remainder) which would produce 10% annual tax free interest.

There may be such schemes available - let me know, I could just about manage to find another £18k

Dave

Sorry Dave did not see that you have already invested in PV. I think it might be better for the 'share/bond investment mix' vs 'PV system' discussion to move to another thread in light of your purchase.
All the best.
Let us know how it goes. Would love to see data sometime.
regards,

If someone wants to take the vs argument
I will not be writing new said thread but if someone else has interested to get correct calculation for the vs argument then please feel free to pick it up on a new thread.

Another posible power saving option
For those interested in making savings on electric bill but who don’t want to spend out on PV I have started a new thread on a new product called 'power optimisation box'. Sorry newbie can't link to thread but its on this forum called VX1.

John_Pierpoint

Another job for Cardew: Explain/debunk VX1 ? .

Twosheds

Darkseid wrote: »

Sorry to be dense, but I need a second cataract op and the first one's gone cloudy, so it's really, really hard to trawl through these boards right now. Basically: I live on a 4.5-acre smallholding in North Wales, disabled, low income etcetera, and I've tried signing up for the ISIS f.t.t. solar panels but it's obviously a lengthy process as I live above the Oxfordshire line they're operating to.

Given I've got a fair amount of land on the side of the Berwyn Mountains, are there similar f.i.t. schemes for wind turbines or even *-source heat pumps?

Much obliged for help with my hopework! Many thanks indeed.

try hitting CTRL and + it'll increase the font size in your browser every time you do. CTRL and - will take you back a font size.

jenny_vidler

If you are a customer of British Gas they are offering a free scheme too...

jackieblack

Apologies for double-posting (I have posted this on a new thread) but I'm desperate for some advice!

I'm due to have my Solar PV system installed in about 10 days time, I've just been advised that the Fronius IG30 inverter I was quoted for isn't available and they want to install a Diehl 2100S inverter instead.

It is a 2.2Kwp system that I'm having installed.

Fronius is a brand I've sen recommended, on here and elsewhere, but I know nothing about Diehl.

I don't really understand all this stuff but....

According to what I can see...
The Fronius IG30 has a nominal output of 2500w and a max output of 2650w
The Deiehl 2100S has a nominal output of 1750w and a max output of 1900w

Does this mean
a) reduced output to grid, resulting in reduced FIT payment?
b) that the Diehl will be operating at higher capacity/ under more 'strain' (for lack of a more technical expression) - something I have been told will shorten the lifespan of an inverter?

Also, the Diehl appears to be (based on a random sample of websites) a cheaper inverter (£200-£300 cheaper on average) than the Fronius that I have been quoted for.

I don't know whether this an acceptable replacement.
Can anyone who knows about inverters advise me please?
Thank you

jackieblack

The response I've had from the installers.....

Does this mean
a) reduced output to grid, resulting in reduced FIT payment? In short no. According the system we use (PV Sol a design tool for PV systems) Both inverters will give you pretty much the same yields. The Diehl is actually 0.1% better. Diehl are a huge company and their inverters extremely reliable. We have to use approved products and follow working regulations as we are MCS accredited.
b) that the Diehl will be operating at higher capacity/ under more 'strain' - By having a smaller inverter the overall efficiency of the system will increase, because of the climate we live in the inverter will never have the maximum input going through it and therefore will not be under strain.
(for lack of a more technical expression) - something I have been told will shorten the lifespan of an inverter?

Also, the Diehl appears to be (based on a random sample of websites) a cheaper inverter (£200-£300 cheaper on average) than the Fronius that I have been quoted for. - The Diehl is cheaper because it is a smaller inverter, as mentioned above we have to pick the equipment we use carefully to be able to operate under MCS.

Overall the either the IG30 or the 2100s could have been specified in the design as they will are nearly identical in productivity.

Is this correct?

zantos

I've got the Diehl 2100S fitted NOW, had a Sunnyboy fitted first and it couldn't cope, promised a Fronius and installer couldn't get one. My problem with the Sunnyboy was it would only do a restart in the morning when there wasn't much sun otherwise it got overloaded! I have the same output as you and seem to be getting the expected results from the Diehl PLUS it has a nice graphical interface that displays a multitude of reading covering monthly, yearly and daily outputs - even allowing you to enter costings for a monetary output. I can't complain at the moment and had it fitted for about 4 months and just got my first FIT payment (April tp Sept) of £293-61.

Jon_Tiffany

jackieblack wrote: »

The response I've had from the installers.....

Does this mean
a) reduced output to grid, resulting in reduced FIT payment? In short no. According the system we use (PV Sol a design tool for PV systems) Both inverters will give you pretty much the same yields. The Diehl is actually 0.1% better. Diehl are a huge company and their inverters extremely reliable. We have to use approved products and follow working regulations as we are MCS accredited.
b) that the Diehl will be operating at higher capacity/ under more 'strain' - By having a smaller inverter the overall efficiency of the system will increase, because of the climate we live in the inverter will never have the maximum input going through it and therefore will not be under strain.
(for lack of a more technical expression) - something I have been told will shorten the lifespan of an inverter?

Also, the Diehl appears to be (based on a random sample of websites) a cheaper inverter (£200-£300 cheaper on average) than the Fronius that I have been quoted for. - The Diehl is cheaper because it is a smaller inverter, as mentioned above we have to pick the equipment we use carefully to be able to operate under MCS.

Overall the either the IG30 or the 2100s could have been specified in the design as they will are nearly identical in productivity.

Is this correct?

Lots of installers use an inverter that is under the max rating your panels - its common to underate by around 10% (from memory). My own inverter is rated 200w lower than my panels, which is around 10%.

The thereoy is that a lower rated inverter is more efficient and makes up for the small amount lost when the panels reach their max rated output (which isn't going to happen often, and when it does it wont be for long).

Personally, I would be ok with the invertor, but would be expecting the price to be reduced from the original quote.

What warrenty do you get with the inverter?

jackieblack

Jon_Tiffany wrote: »

What warrenty do you get with the inverter?

5 years (I think - I will check that hasn't changed)


Update - yes, this hasn't changed

Cardew

Jon_Tiffany wrote: »

The thereoy is that a lower rated inverter is more efficient and makes up for the small amount lost when the panels reach their max rated output (which isn't going to happen often, and when it does it wont be for long).

I suspect also where you live in UK is a factor to be considered.

You are a lot less likely to exceed the max rated output for any length of time living in Northern Scotland than if you lived in Southern England.