solar 2012

Martyn1981

Z This may be going a bit off thread, but you've raised an interesting point about electricity prices. I tried to work this out before PV (but was rushing to beat the price rises last spring).

It makes sense (I think) for PV'ers to find the best rate for them with PV now.

Not sure if I got it right, but I switched to a single rate, 12.35p (+vat), with a standing charge of 22p/day.

That way everything I save, saves a flat rate of 13p per unit 'avoided'. Rather than trying to hit tier 1 or tier 2 maths. I also noticed that as my consumption was falling each year to 2,600 (pre PV) that having dual rates was actually penalising me more and more.

At 13p per unit, I'm on course to save 1,200*0.13 = £155.

Is this a sensible tip? Is this worth cross posting on the 'so now I have ...' thread?

Mart.

HalloweenJack

had a look at npower earlier for single tier - 41p per day SC and 14p per unit - OUCH

Dave_Fowler

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Z This may be going a bit off thread, but you've raised an interesting point about electricity prices. I tried to work this out before PV (but was rushing to beat the price rises last spring).

It makes sense (I think) for PV'ers to find the best rate for them with PV now.

Not sure if I got it right, but I switched to a single rate, 12.35p (+vat), with a standing charge of 22p/day.

That way everything I save, saves a flat rate of 13p per unit 'avoided'. Rather than trying to hit tier 1 or tier 2 maths. I also noticed that as my consumption was falling each year to 2,600 (pre PV) that having dual rates was actually penalising me more and more.

At 13p per unit, I'm on course to save 1,200*0.13 = £155.

Is this a sensible tip? Is this worth cross posting on the 'so now I have ...' thread?

Mart.

I'm on a capped rate with SP.

Their prices are:

Standing charge 22.62p / day and 10.590p per unit
or
No SC, 19.763p / unit for first 900 units then 10.590p for remainder.

1 year's standing charge 365*22.62p = £82.563

or, for the 2 tier system:

19.763-10.590 is the difference in the cost of the expensive units.

900*(19.763p-10.590p) = £82.557

So if you use up all your tier 1 units there would be 1/2p difference in the bill. If you use less than 900 units a year (I wish) you would be better off using the 2 tier system. There is no difference if you use more than 900 units per year.

Dave F

The_Green_Hornet

I'm with npower as it is the cheapest for my energy profile - but I pay 30.14p daily standing charge and 9.18p per unit.

Just goes to show how crazy the tariff system is in the UK.

zeupater

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Z This may be going a bit off thread, but you've raised an interesting point about electricity prices. I tried to work this out before PV (but was rushing to beat the price rises last spring).

It makes sense (I think) for PV'ers to find the best rate for them with PV now.

Not sure if I got it right, but I switched to a single rate, 12.35p (+vat), with a standing charge of 22p/day.

That way everything I save, saves a flat rate of 13p per unit 'avoided'. Rather than trying to hit tier 1 or tier 2 maths. I also noticed that as my consumption was falling each year to 2,600 (pre PV) that having dual rates was actually penalising me more and more.

At 13p per unit, I'm on course to save 1,200*0.13 = £155.

Is this a sensible tip? Is this worth cross posting on the 'so now I have ...' thread?

Mart.

Hi

Have a look at your effective cost/unit .... from previous posts ...

Consumption = 2600kWh
pv = 1200kWh
Import = 1400kWh

((1400x0.13)+(0.22*365))/1400 = 18.7p/kWh

That's around the same as can be available at tier1 costs from a number of suppliers. Of course, with pv, the more you pay, the more you can show as a saving, but in the end you're still paying more, so it makes sense to find the overall cheapest package for your own usage profile .... unless the calculations are provided by a pv salesman :D

The way I look at it is that with such low net usage ourselves we're into the area where we are close to saving some units at tier1 pricing during the summer months and therefore eating into the amortised 'standing charge' .... probably doesn't make that much difference at the moment, but we've still got a number of energy improvements to 'invest' in yet ....

HTH
Z

jamesingram

I've gone for the no SC tariff in last few years as when i look at it last it was a bit better, also I just like the idea of not paying when I'm not using
though I realise this may be queer logic, due to the 2 tarrifs.
I've only recently installed PV so perhap I should look at it again
My use was around 2000kWh/year , but weve moved recently

Martyn1981

Think I came to the same conclusion as Z, when I tried to find the best deal. The less you use, the less PV helps, ironicly!

Think I'll be at the point this year that kind of straddles all the tariffs. So will get harder to save any more. Need to reduce consumption instead.

Don't think I switched to the best tariff, but it was back in May when Scottish Power announced huge price rises, so I simply switched to the cheapest 3 year lock in I could get.

Regarding salesman figures for savings, I got the lot, from £70 to about £200. Interesting how the FIT and export are pretty well rigidly controlled and they varied little, but the one that has 'some play in it' revealed big differences. Cheeky boys!

Mart.

jamesingram

So on SSE

standing charge 18.62p /day 11.91/ unit
No SC 16.29p / unit for first 364 units/quarter then 11.91p .

1 years standing charge 365*18.62p = £67.96

for no SC :
18.62-11.91 = 6.71p is the difference in the cost of the expensive units.

6.71 x 364 x 4 = £97.70 so £29.74 worst of on no SC

does that sound right ?

Martyn1981

James, if I'm doing the maths correct, then you're right.

The breakeven point is £67.96 / £0.0671 = 1,013 units. Both tariffs = £188.61 (approx)

Less units eg 800 and no SC = £148.96
whilst SC = £163.24

More units eg 1,200 and no SC = £223.44
whilst SC = £210.88

Does that help?

M.

jamesingram

So with or without Pv I'm better of with a standing charge ?
unless I'm below 1013 kWh pa
It's the 364/quarter and that relationship to usage/PV/rate
that's doing my head in. ohh