How much to live on

Squint

Also looking at solar and getting a quote via a comparison site, my energy supplier and a local supplier this week, but coming out as more expensive than yours OrganGrinder. 12 panels and 11kw battery is £9k but waiting for the other two to come in. Also have a south facing roof, but access is tricky. No EV or heat pump but would like the option in future, but don't expect to get more than 12 panels on it, so not sure that will be an option.

Still reading up about it.

Alnat1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82152759#Comment_82152759

@Squint check out the Green & Ethical board, it's where the solar people hang out and give advice.

HUSKYPAL

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82152759#Comment_82152759

I used Glowgreen for my installation, they were by far the cheapest quote and everything done on time and left nice and tidy. Very happy with the installation, would definitely recommend asking them for a quote.

Squint

Thanks @HUSKYPAL for the Glow Green suggestion they are quoting for us tomorrow. Got a better quote today from my electric supplier but our annual use is low apparently so the pay back time depends entirely on selling back to the grid and the rate paid for that. I will go and look at the Green & ethical board now though. Thanks @Alnat1

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82154409#Comment_82154409

I've had one quote so far from an independent. Boxt are currently preparing a proposal too which looks as if it could be cheaper. Will get another one from another independent as well.

It's a delicate balancing act looking at the various options. Number of panels. Battery size. Payment options etc. Ideally I'd get it on an interest free credit card but my options have dried up completely!

HUSKYPAL

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82155128#Comment_82155128

My advice would be to get as many a will fit and a good size battery. I would have loved to install 20-24 panels and 20kw battery, but they won't fit. Excess can be exported, OVO buy excess at 12p/kwh or 20p if they do the install (solar and battery). I have the 12p price, but rarely export to be honest, system is too small and we tend to use what we generate. Fairly significant amount of the cost is in the install (labour/scaffolding etc), the panels themselves are not that expensive.

Organgrinder

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82155364#Comment_82155364

The issue is one of upfront cost.

Max we can realistically fit is 12. 8 more than meet our needs which is fine. Same for battery. Our overall usage is about 2500kwh pa plus EV charging. So a small system suits us fine.

Organgrinder

I decided to revamp my finances again after another rise in Netflix subscriptions. I realised my food budget was way too high so I've amended that but increased my discretionary spend budget.

I feel another holiday coming on. I like city breaks and Transylvania appeals! It's different!

Meanwhile I've got a fight on my hands with teachers' pensions. The rules state if you have a break in service they have to do what is called a hypothetical calculation at the point of the break. They then calculate your pension earned up to the point of the break and at the point you take your pension then you are awarded the higher of the two. (In a nutshell).

I queried mine and for arguments sake at the point of my break they used a salary of £40k from 2013 and said this was lower than my final salary. Except they forgot to revalue it using the Pensions Increase figure (otherwise known as CPI).

It makes me wonder just how many teachers have had their pensions calculated incorrectly.

Nebulous2

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82158342#Comment_82158342

We rarely watch TV and I get very little for my Netflix subscription. I'm mulling it over, but this increase may well prompt me to give it up.

Some other subscriptions went the same way, reducing value, an increase in costs and that prompted me to stop. It's easy just to let these things roll on, but its a good discipline review them anyway - without an increase.

This year has not been a very expensive one holidaywise, despite a lot of time away. I'm planning a big trip next year though - so that will more than make up for it.

Organgrinder

We do use Netflix a lot, however not nearly as much as we used to.

There is so much good free stuff on ITVX, iPlayer etc. I might unsubscribe and resubscribe for a binge watch of the odd thing.

Back on the solar front, I'm finding it incredibly frustrating. If I go and buy a new car and it has everything I want, I generally just buy it for the price advertised less a little haggling. These "headline" solar figures seem to bear no resemblance to the quotes. Often 20% higher yet nothing has changed. Straight into the "not dealing with you" pile.