Solar PV...Still worth it?

GaryMo_2

celerity wrote: »

JHSSolar is talking about ROI (return on investment) %, not panel efficiency % .

/\dam

"and the type of panel used (of course the higher the efficiency, the better)."

I'd say he's talking about the panel in that a panel with higher efficiency is better. It's not. It's just smaller. A more efficient panel won't always lead to a higher ROI.

celerity

Ah, missed that, apologies!

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

JHSSolar wrote: »

We have become very aware that many people believe that the Feed-in Tariff is no longer available.

Really? Not many people around here are so misinformed.

JHSSolar wrote: »

It is.
The current tariff is 21p for a 4kWp domestic system until 1st July, when the tariff will be cut. By how much by is awaiting the results of DECC's consultation 2A.
Typical ROI is between 6-10% depending upon the area the installation faces (ideally south) and the type of panel used (of course the higher the efficiency, the better).
We are actually seeing ROI at similar levels to this time last year, when the FiT was set at 43p, as the price of panels have dropped so significantly.
The solar ship hasn't set sail yet, so if you are considering it, get a few quotes from various companies

Including JHS Solar Solutions, perhaps.

JHSSolar wrote: »

to see whether solar could benefit you!

A cynic might think this is suspiciously spammy from a first-time poster.

JHSSolar

We were not referring to this post, in general, the inormation out there can be confusing for those who may be looking into solar and have no idea where to start.
We meant that typical ROI is between 6-10%, the installation however can determine how much your own ROI will be, for example the panels used, inverter used, orientation of the installation and the angle of the installation. Gaining returns of 10% plus will be aimed at those installations in the optimum area ie: south facing and of course little to no shading.
Having looked at this post, many are really well informed although we are simply pointing out that many companies remain to misinform others about the simple facts of a solar PV installation. You would be surprised at the myths floating around about solar: the FIT is no longer available, the bill payers suffer from large costs added onto their bills to fund the FiT, panels are only made in China,and solar creates the same amount of electricity no matter how sunny it is, just to name a few.

silvercar

I'm now looking into this.

I have a south facing large roof, nearest town is Watford.

My concern is whether my home can get a D rating.

Upside: 30cm roof insulation, double glazing throughout
Downside: detached, 74% efficiency boiler, solid walls, recessed spotlights throughout.

Is it possible to get a D rating or shouldn't I waste my time?

Also the roof although in good condition is quite old, will this be a problem?

Martyn1981

silvercar wrote: »

I'm now looking into this.

I have a south facing large roof, nearest town is Watford.

My concern is whether my home can get a D rating.

Upside: 30cm roof insulation, double glazing throughout
Downside: detached, 74% efficiency boiler, solid walls, recessed spotlights throughout.

Is it possible to get a D rating or shouldn't I waste my time?

Also the roof although in good condition is quite old, will this be a problem?

Evening, regarding the roof, up to you of course, but if you don't think it's going to be good for 25 to 40 years, then better to get it done. However, you need to weigh up whether you are spending money on work that isn't needed.

There's a DIY EPC check on the EST site (damn that's a lot of acronyms!). Not sure how good it is. I tried and got a B with the potential for an A (only recommendations were a more modern boiler and a general thermostat on top of the TRV's). Can't really believe that a 1930's semi can ever get to a B let alone an A, so it might be a little generous, but worth a shot none the less.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/In-your-home/Home-Energy-Check

My rating would have benefited from already having PV. But to qualify for the higher rate tariff any new installed PV is taken into account, ie, helps towards the final rating.

Mart.

silvercar

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/...e-Energy-Check

That indicates an E before the PVs are fitted.

Bit difficult to judge as we have some odd features, like two boilers - one is a combi and one with a tank, I don't know how an assessor would rate that. Both about 74% efficiency.

Also the front door is triple glazed, the side door single glazed.

Martyn1981

silvercar wrote: »

That indicates an E before the PVs are fitted.

Bit difficult to judge as we have some odd features, like two boilers - one is a combi and one with a tank, I don't know how an assessor would rate that. Both about 74% efficiency.

Also the front door is triple glazed, the side door single glazed.

Way out of my depth here, and I will try to find a discussion I saw months ago on another forum for you - just need to try to remember where it was - but I think the assessment tries to account for multiple energy sources proportionately. However, how do you convince them of that!

Given that EPC's are now (I believe) about £50 or less, you could bite the bullet just to see where you stand, before going any further, especially if the roof needs work, and FITs will be revised again in July.

It might be highly illuminating to find out from the horses mouth exactly what effect PV would have on your rating, assuming that the 'bod' will be willing to chat with you about such things?

(The solar PV FAQ's thread has some links and references on EPC issues, so may be of use, but admittedly, this subject is not covered in detail.)

Mart.

Gizmosmum_2

silvercar wrote: »

That indicates an E before the PVs are fitted.

Bit difficult to judge as we have some odd features, like two boilers - one is a combi and one with a tank, I don't know how an assessor would rate that. Both about 74% efficiency.

Also the front door is triple glazed, the side door single glazed.

If your boiler is running at 74% you'd be better spending your money in the first instance in replacing that for an A rated boiler and installing adequate controls. This should be enough to take you to a D rating and if you've any cash left you can consider pv. You could wait for the Green Deal to come in and do it through them but the FiT will have dropped to around 12p by then and there's a suspicion that the prices through Green Deal will be inflated. Better to do the boiler before Green Deal IMO.

Numbnuts

Depending on system price and roof direction will determin ROI %

a 4 kWp south facing bought a £7.7k will give you an ROI of around 13% - 14% same as the 43.3p tariff or better .

buy a system for say 11k then ROI will be about 9.2%

going rate for 4 kWp is now £7k - 8K

depending on panel brand .