6 years experience of solar

davidanddeirdre

Just wondered how this compares with other users.
1. We have a nominal 1.75kW system, 10 panels, facing 10 deg E of SE
2. It cost almost £8000 (March 2011)
3. We make at least £800 p.a. from FIT (about 1590 units p.a.) and electricity saving
4. I've not seen any discernable fall off in performance in 6 years. Maybe know better further down the line!
5. We've had no failures except the inverter tripped out once (voltage?)
6. I don't check output every day, but am fairly confident I have caught the two highest daily outputs, both were in Mays
7. I've had endless cold callers trying to sell me panels which I already have, and various gizmos to allegedly enhance performance. My supplier, who is still in business, told me to ignore all the gizmo sellers.
8. Does any forum contributor have actual experience of selling a property with solar panels?

The_Green_Hornet

1. I have a small 1.32 kWp system, 6 panels, facing due South
2. It cost £6,600 (October 2010)
3. I make approx £650 p.a. from FIT (about 1300 units p.a.) and electricity saving
4. I've not seen any discernible fall off in performance in 6 years.
5. I have had no failures nor have I had to do any maintenance on the system
6 .I don't check output every day, but I do have a display monitor and a spreadsheet which I update each month
7. No cold callers as I have a telephone call blocker which politely tells them I'm not interested in whatever they are trying to sell me
8. No experience of selling a property with solar panels

To date, the FIT income has easily covered my gas and electricity expenditure (which was the original reason I purchased the panels) and I fully expect it to do so for the next nineteen years. Excess income will be used to repair/replace the inverter if and when needed.

DREKLY

DD & GH, I am amazed that such small systems yield such good returns,
well done !
My 16 panel 4Kw SSW system is coming back now the sun is
above the neighbours forest of beech, bamboo, and black poplar, 20kw
yesterday on a cold but crystal clear day, today is hopeless, might yield
5Kw....
I get about £550 p.a. from FITs at 13p, not really sure how much I save on
import, as I have E7 only, no central heating, and sun is too limited in
the winter months to produce much free immersion hot water, but my
Direct Debit to EDF is only £20 a month, so can't complain

[Deleted User]

And for me

1. We have a nominal 4kWp system, 16 panels, facing SW. Scotland.
2. It cost £10582 (Nov 2011)
3. We make at least £1726 p.a. from FIT. Unable measure electricity savings but as we have a heat pump (all electric) we don't let much escape except in the brief summer. .
4. I've not seen any discernible fall off in performance in 6 years.
5. We've had no failures except the inverter tripping out occasionally, suspect solar immersion so no longer used. If the solar trips out I'm not earning...
6. I don't check output every day only log quarterly.
7. Never had cold callers. My supplier is still in business and mainly does non domestic installs.
8. Will shortly Would like solar again but figures no longer add up And there are many other ways to be greener

Cheers


EDIT: Looks like its pretty much paid for itself inc. possible electricity savings