Solar panels on new build house

smk77

I've reserved a new build property. It will have 5 solar panel installed on the roof. Looking through the literature from the developer and looking online, these panels may be as low as 250W. That means 1.25Kw is the max power generated. I've used one of the online calculators and the minimum they will provide estimates of power generation / cost saving is 2Kw.  Based on that though, it looks as though the annual savings might be about £100...If true, what's the point!?! Those saving will be wiped out if a new invertor is required..

Anyone got any experience with buying a new build with solar panels? Are these just installed to tick an "eco friendly" box as part of planning applications?

AdrianC

smk77 said:

Are these just installed to tick an "eco friendly" box as part of planning applications?

Tsk. How can you possibly suggest that developers may be so cynical as to cut corners on specification to save a few quid where they know it won't affect sales...

edgex

What is the spec of the system?
250W is just below the average, but ideally you'd be looking at 300W+.

I suspect this is what's being installed;
https://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/?product=plug-in-solar-1-25kw-1250w-new-build-developer-solar-power-kit-for-part-l-building-regulations
" it is estimated that you will generate 1288kWh per year."

At 14p per kWh, that's ~£180

If you can time household electrical use to when they're generating, so basically daytime, then that electricity is 'free'.
So, you won't be paying for your fridge/freezer in the daytime, & could use a slow cooker, etc.

smk77

edgex said:

What is the spec of the system?
250W is just below the average, but ideally you'd be looking at 300W+.

I suspect this is what's being installed;
https://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/?product=plug-in-solar-1-25kw-1250w-new-build-developer-solar-power-kit-for-part-l-building-regulations
" it is estimated that you will generate 1288kWh per year."

At 14p per kWh, that's ~£180

If you can time household electrical use to when they're generating, so basically daytime, then that electricity is 'free'.
So, you won't be paying for your fridge/freezer in the daytime, & could use a slow cooker, etc.

It's this:
https://www.viridiansolar.co.uk/solar-products-panels-for-roof-integration.html
Looks like 270W to 320W depending on the panels. Obviously, that level of detail omitted! 

edgex

smk77 said:

edgex said:

What is the spec of the system?
250W is just below the average, but ideally you'd be looking at 300W+.

I suspect this is what's being installed;
https://www.pluginsolar.co.uk/?product=plug-in-solar-1-25kw-1250w-new-build-developer-solar-power-kit-for-part-l-building-regulations
" it is estimated that you will generate 1288kWh per year."

At 14p per kWh, that's ~£180

If you can time household electrical use to when they're generating, so basically daytime, then that electricity is 'free'.
So, you won't be paying for your fridge/freezer in the daytime, & could use a slow cooker, etc.

It's this:
https://www.viridiansolar.co.uk/solar-products-panels-for-roof-integration.html
Looks like 270W to 320W depending on the panels. Obviously, that level of detail omitted! 

If you can get the 320W mono, go for it, mono is the most efficient type available currently.
The 270W would give 1.35kWp
(that pluginsolar lot are being optimistic on their kWh calculation)

So, producing ~ £160-190 of electricity a year (270W to 320W)