Thesis Research on Solar Panel Economics

JonSnow8

Hello all,

I am a third year student currently doing my dissertation which is based on solar panels and their economic benefits for users. I know solar panels are a renewable source of energy and are good for the environment but this research focuses on the savings on energy bills. For this I need solar panel users to reply to the following short questionnaire (only 6 questions long!)

If you see this don't ignore it, it would help me greatly and also develop my understanding as to how useful solar panels can be as a means for users to save money on energy bills.

The questionnaire follows.

1. How long have you been using a solar panel?

Less than 1 year

1 year

2 years

3 years

4 years

5 years

6 years or more



2. How much were the capital costs?








3. Do solar panels save you money on your bills?

Yes:
No:

If yes, how much on average per month







4. In hindsight, was getting solar panels worth it?








5. Would you recommend solar panels to others considering using them?

Yes:
No:

Explain why:



6. Did solar panels meet your saving expectations?

Yes:
No:

If no, how comes:




Again to those who kindly take the time to participate in this research I thank you.

You can post your replies here and I will gather results.

Thank you.

Mnd

1 7years
2 £7400
3 yes but don't know how much. FIT is what matters to me
4 Definitely worth it. paid for themselves
5 probably not with minimal or zero FIT. Have to do the sums and see what payback time is
6 yes

michaels

JonSnow8 wrote: »

Hello all,

I am a third year student currently doing my dissertation which is based on solar panels and their economic benefits for users. I know solar panels are a renewable source of energy and are good for the environment but this research focuses on the savings on energy bills. For this I need solar panel users to reply to the following short questionnaire (only 6 questions long!)

If you see this don't ignore it, it would help me greatly and also develop my understanding as to how useful solar panels can be as a means for users to save money on energy bills.

The questionnaire follows.

1. How long have you been using a solar panel?

Less than 1 year

1 year

2 years

3 years

4 years

5 years

6 years or more



2. How much were the capital costs?

4850 for 4kw system (price depends on size)






3. Do solar panels save you money on your bills?

Yes:
No:

If yes, how much on average per month

Estimate annual production 3600kwh x 70% x 11p/unit = £260pa





4. In hindsight, was getting solar panels worth it?

Yes but more because of Fit approx. 18p per unit generated for 100% of generation plus deemed export approx. 5p unit for 50% of generation






5. Would you recommend solar panels to others considering using them?

Yes:
No:

Explain why:
Currently rate of return is too low given electricity prices and install costs


6. Did solar panels meet your saving expectations?

Yes:
No:

If no, how comes:
Yes because Generation about 10% higher than forecast in first 42 months. Buying an EV and being able to charge in the day means we are able to use the majority of generation



Again to those who kindly take the time to participate in this research I thank you.

You can post your replies here and I will gather results.

Thank you.

Replies in line.

Bluebell1000

JonSnow8 wrote: »

Hello all,

1. How long have you been using a solar panel?

Less than 1 year (1 month to be exact!)


2. How much were the capital costs?


£5200, 3.57kW system, solar edge inverters


3. Do solar panels save you money on your bills?

They should, but it's too early to give any figures. I suspect about £150 a year if my estimates are correct.

4. In hindsight, was getting solar panels worth it?

Financially, we are probably looking at 13 year payback time. It was borderline as to whether it was worth it. It's made us more aware of our energy use - we have just changed to full LED bulbs, for example, so that is likely to help us reduce our bills further. I suspect that in the next 5-10 years we will get an EV, which will also make a difference. The environmental benefits were also a factor in our decision.


5. Would you recommend solar panels to others considering using them?

Yes:

Explain why: Yes, but only as long as the feed in tariff lasts, and even then work out cost/benefit carefully. Without the extra from that and the export tariff, the payback times would have been too long for it to be worthwhile.


6. Did solar panels meet your saving expectations?

I don't know yet!

Replies in the quote, hope the research goes well.

sevenhills

1 5 years
2 free
3 yes but don't know how much
4 Definitely worth it, no down side yet.
5 yes
6 yes

zeupater

Hi

I really do think that for the dissertation to be considered any way near valid on economic & environmental grounds you will need to seriously review the questions you're currently asking ...

HTH
Z

lstar337

How could you possibly write a dissertation when you know nothing....

....Jon Snow

Sorry, couldn't resist!

silverwhistle

To follow up what Zeupater has said, have you passed these by your supervisor? What are the aims of the study?



I've only been party to questionnaires in the social science field where I've been a respondent and also reviewed a survey before it was issued. The questions were very focused and there was a lot of work in getting them right!

JonSnow8

Hi Zeupeter & Silverwhistle,

I appreciate the criticism. Maybe as users of solar panels (I assume), you could give me a better understanding as to what you mean... maybe suggestions.

In all seriousness I have more or less been doing this research with next to zero guidance as my supervisors just retired and was hard to get a hold of!

I am trying to develop my ideas and I am still researching. At the moment I'm only making a proposal and my questions will most likely change once I get a new supervisor, however as I said earlier, I do welcome any suggestions or further criticism. My research revolves around solar energy and how economically beneficial it is to the user (obviously it is economically beneficial) but my research revolves around the extent as to which it is, especially in a location with unpredictable weather like the UK. I wanted to pick something straight forward and I believe solar energy isn't the hardest concept to grasp.


I don't deny I still have a lot of research to do and I hope to get some contructive feedback... unlike Lstar337!


thanks.

lstar337

JonSnow8 wrote: »

I don't deny I still have a lot of research to do and I hope to get some contructive feedback... unlike Lstar337!

No room for a little humour in your life?

My post wasn't intended to be insulting.

Martyn1981

lstar337 wrote: »

No room for a little humour in your life?

My post wasn't intended to be insulting.

I thought it was funny, but admit to only learning this Xmas (from nephew and niece who are in Uni) that the saying is currently popular with the 'yuff'.

A while back, on another forum, and in response to a 'Ted Striker', I pretended something might be illegal, just to suggest he might have to go to a police station allowing me to shoehorn in the conversation:

A police station, why what is it?

It's a large building with policemen, but that's not important right now.

The first response I got was highly critical of my "illegal" accusation, till Ted turned up and explained the joke!

Showing my age.