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Are Solar Panels a good investment?

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  • Thank you all i have reposted a summary on the green-ethnical thread as some of you suggested!
  • MWT
    MWT Posts: 10,262 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper

    They have advised its probably best to install the panels get some usage and think about a battery later. 

    A few quotes for Solar PV based on 310w panels (they advised this would be better for us that than the larger 390 panels and total system kWp is similar.

    I'll follow the thread in the other group, but just as a first thought, those two points would bother me.
    #1 385W panels about 13% larger than 310W panels, but deliver around 24% more energy, so unless there is something about your roof shape that means you can get more of the 310W panels fitted than 385W it would seem an odd choice to go for the smaller option..
    #2 Leaving the battery decision for later means you will pay 20% VAT on it, but if installed at the same time as the solar there is the potential to pay only 5% VAT...



  • Has anybody ever looked into, or gotten any information on the roofing system sold by Tesla?
    I have no significant knowledge about solar panels/roofs but I have sometimes wondered if it might be something to look into if I ever look to replace the roof.
    My house is south facing, so any solar panels would be on the street side for me. A couple of my neighbours have them, and I think they look terrible, but I might be interested in roof that actually looks like a roof.
    No idea about the upfront cost or break even time though.

  • I've always been interested in solar power. However, all the rules, and regulations (and cost) have always put me off. So in reference to MWT's post, i subsequently read this:-

    Please note: after the new VAT laws introduced on 1 October 2019, if a home battery is installed at the same time as a solar PV system, you might be able to secure VAT @ 5% on the Powerwall. That would bring the price down to £8,584 inc. VAT @ 5%. This is only possible if the materials element of the invoice (ex VAT) is less than 61% of the total invoice value. Ask your local installation company for more details.

    If you don’t meet the 61% threshold, it’s cheaper to have the solar panel installation put on one invoice @ 5% VAT, and then the battery installation submitted on a separate invoice @ 20% VAT.

    More caveats. Nobody wants me to have solar power :(


  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    1,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited 4 October 2021 at 8:56AM
    Has anybody ever looked into, or gotten any information on the roofing system sold by Tesla?
    I have no significant knowledge about solar panels/roofs but I have sometimes wondered if it might be something to look into if I ever look to replace the roof.
    My house is south facing, so any solar panels would be on the street side for me. A couple of my neighbours have them, and I think they look terrible, but I might be interested in roof that actually looks like a roof.
    No idea about the upfront cost or break even time though.

    Not yet available in the UK.

    https://www.theecoexperts.co.uk/solar-panels/tesla-solar-panels

    Try looking at inroof PV solar options such as that provided by SunFixings. Bear in mind that inroof options do result in a small efficiency loss due to a lack of panel cooling, and you can expect to pay more.


    https://www.sunfixings.co.uk/case-study/bourton-on-the-water/
  • I've been quoted £11500 for a 3.6kwp system including Suntech Monocrystalline panels and a 5.8kw battery. The promised return seems too good to be true (payback in 7.5 years) so I'm thinking it must be. Any comments welcome
  • gefnew
    gefnew Posts: 931 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Post here with full details of quote.
    Green & Ethical MoneySaving — MoneySavingExpert Forum
    will get good advice.
  • Sorry, I jumped on your post instead of creating a new one and now can't delete it :(
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