Solar Panel Guide Discussion

Pje39

Gizmosmum wrote: »

oxters wrote: »

The Company was Solar Energy Savings but the installers are PV Solar UK. Anyone know anything about either? QUOTE]

One or 2 of my neighbours started with this company - the rest of the neighbours went with a local company - draw your own conclusions and compare systems like for like. Watch out for roof fixing kits and structural surveys, they are hidden items that are often good indicators of the approach taken by the installers.

PV Solor UK have just installed my 2.16kw system within a day with no trouble or surprises.. The pay back is calculated to be within 6 years which includes the FIT, Energy generation and energy saving. I think we are saving 50% of electric by using our appliances during the day. ie we set a timer on the hot water and washing machine..
You need the SAP calculation to compare systems.

grahamc2003

pje39 wrote: »

Gizmosmum wrote: »

PV Solor UK have just installed my 2.16kw system within a day with no trouble or surprises.. The pay back is calculated to be within 6 years which includes the FIT, Energy generation and energy saving. I think we are saving 50% of electric by using our appliances during the day. ie we set a timer on the hot water and washing machine..
You need the SAP calculation to compare systems.

It's been discussed a lot about using the immersion to soak up excess solar power, but just to say, the absolute max surplus you will ever have is likely to be 2kw, and turning on a 3kw immersion will mean you'll be importing 1kw (minimum) of peak electricity, costing around 12p/h these days. If you otherwise heat with gas (at 1/3rd the price/kwh of electricity), then your actions will cost you more (at best the same) to heat your water, not less, even though you are using more of your generated electricity.

edit - don't know why it thinks the above quote was from gizmosmum - it was from pje39.

John_Pierpoint

Immersion heaters of other sizes are available eg:

http://www.asap-supplies.com/marine/immersion-heaters/hotpot-immersion-heaters

Alternatively can anyone see a problem with putting two hot water tanks and their immersion heaters in series?

thenudeone

According to post 148 here
http://www.electriciansforums.co.uk/central-heating-systems/23969-immersion-heater-pv-electricity-15.html
it is possible to use an SMA inverter (plus a £50 option) to automatically switch on a (small) immersion heater (or other load) once PV output reaches a certain level.

2 downsides:
- it takes no account of other usage in the house
- the immersion heater powered by this method is probably too small to be used as a backup heating method

Cardew

pje39 wrote: »

PV Solor UK have just installed my 2.16kw system within a day with no trouble or surprises.. The pay back is calculated to be within 6 years which includes the FIT, Energy generation and energy saving. I think we are saving 50% of electric by using our appliances during the day. ie we set a timer on the hot water and washing machine..
You need the SAP calculation to compare systems.

Firstly, to be pedantic pay-back cannot be calculated it is estimated. The estimate will be based on a number of variables.

Secondly I have never heard even the most optimistic salesman claim pay-back in 6 years.- most seem to think 10 to 12 years is a reasonable estimate.

Bear in mind that WHICH recently reported that Solar salesmen are over estimating savings.

Can you please give some figures on which you or the salesman based that estimate. i.e. Cost/size of system, predicted output, price of electricity, interest rates etc.

If you normally use gas or oil to heat your water, using an immersion heater to 'use up' the excess electricity will actually cost you money(instead of saving) for much of the year.

John_Pierpoint

We have a parallel debate about immersion heaters going here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/45756628#Comment_45756628

zeupater

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

We have a parallel debate about immersion heaters going here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/45756628#Comment_45756628

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IF X=10
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Some may read this more than once .... some may never read this .... some may understand my logical humour ? ...
Z

John_Pierpoint

Are you suggesting that this discussion is getting loopy?

John_3:16

I have been following the PV debate for a few months.

If I spent £12000 on a system and I have 15yrs to go to retirement. Would it be wise to assume that it is value for money for 10yrs of my retirement?

I am thinking at worse I will have an income of £800 a yr from the system.

Or would I be best to stick 12000 into a pension plan.

I know I will get "well every systems different you can't tell the FIT may go" But any gut reaction out there?

All comments valued.

Cardew

John_3:16 wrote: »

I have been following the PV debate for a few months.

If I spent £12000 on a system and I have 15yrs to go to retirement. Would it be wise to assume that it is value for money for 10yrs of my retirement?

I am thinking at worse I will have an income of £800 a yr from the system.

Or would I be best to stick 12000 into a pension plan.

I know I will get "well every systems different you can't tell the FIT may go" But any gut reaction out there?

All comments valued.

£12,000 these days will easily get you a 4kWp system.


The kWh generated will depend where you live and the orientation of your roof. Assuming you live in 'middle UK' a reasonable figure might be 3,400kWh per year.

That will produce an income of around £1,525 plus you can save on your electricity bills - say £75 making £1,600 pa.