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Solar powered products

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BelleWolf
BelleWolf Posts: 1 Newbie
First Anniversary
in Energy
I was wondering if it would be cost effective to invest in solar powered products in light of the increased cost of energy. I've seen some durable solar lanterns that I could use instead of lighting and I've seen solar powered phone chargers. Has anyone else considered this and done the maths to figure it out? I appreciate that it's harder to charge things up in the winter etc

Comments

  • Benny2020
    Benny2020 Posts: 525 Forumite
    100 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Solar lanterns for outside? then bring them in at night?
    Charging your phone uses very little power, why not get solar panels for your roof?
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 18,145 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    BelleWolf said:
    I was wondering if it would be cost effective to invest in solar powered products in light of the increased cost of energy. I've seen some durable solar lanterns that I could use instead of lighting and I've seen solar powered phone chargers. Has anyone else considered this and done the maths to figure it out?
    Most (I could almost say all) solar powered consumer products are very poor investments compared to the price of mains powered ones plus the electricity they will use in their lifetime.
    A 10W LED lamp, for example, will use around £3-worth of electricity a year.
    Charging a phone (like the iPhone X) with a 10Wh battery daily will use about £1.20-worth of electricity in a year.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 34 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
  • markin
    markin Posts: 3,860 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Probably better to install 2 x 300w panels on a south wall with a micro inverter £900, 3-4 year payback?
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 18,145 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    markin said:
    Probably better to install 2 x 300w panels on a south wall with a micro inverter £900, 3-4 year payback?
    I like the idea of these kits (link) but the prices are crazy. You could buy equivalent parts for half that.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 34 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.
    Ofgem cap table, Ofgem cap explainer. Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Best kettle!
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