PV Solar Panels

Markw

I am investigating installation of Solar Panels before the Tariff plummets in January. Does anyone have accurate figures of Electricity cost before and after installation?

Cardew

The solar PV owners and experts all post in the 'Green and ethical' section of MSE forum, so you will get a better idea if you ask there.


There is no way you can get 'accurate figures' for the reduction in your electrical consumption and hence costs. There are many factors that affect the figure - size of installation, how hard you 'work' at using the excess electricity etc. If you have a Hot water tank you can buy a device like 'Immersun' that diverts any excess to an immersion heater.


People report savings anywhere between £50 and £200 a year.

Markw

Thank you. Yes I realise that every installation is different, but just interested if anyone keeps accurate figures as an illustration.

[Deleted User]

If you make an effort you could save about £10pm.

Trouble is when you generate the most i.e. summer you use the least electricity. Fortunately we use a diverter to heat our hot water but still don't use it all.

TBH you could save >£10pm just by swapping to LEDs, more efficient appliances, changing habits etc

Suggest doing an audit of all bulbs and stuff plugged in. Its surprising just how much the power from all these devices all adds up!

Cheers

PS Loads of stuff on the G&E board.

System

Costs and savings at this link:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/domestic/solar-panels

Treat savings estimates with a large pinch of salt. I have a 2.15kWp system which generates about 2000kWhs in a good year (the past 6 weeks have been dismal). Historically, with two of us at home all day, we use about 60% of what we generate. This includes charging an electric vehicle.

PS: Installation costs have gone up as installers rush to cope with all the requests. Remember any system has to be installed and registered to claim the FIT.