Best Off Grid Electricity Conversions

QrizB

gazapc said:

It almost certainly won't be financially viable if cost is the only driver.  I'd suggest investigating individual elements but staying on grid provides a potentially optimal solution.

Remaining on grid has the dual financial advantage of giving you access to cheap power in the dark months (likely to be cheaper than the price of a generator, and fuel, and maintenance) while letting you sell your solar surplus in the summer when you've got more electricity than you know what to do with.

Looking back at that example PVOutput array, if you're using 250kWh/month then from March to October you'll have spare electricity. During those 8 months you'll generate maybe 5000kWh but only use 2000 of them. The remaining 3000kWh, even if exported at a 5p/kWh SEG rate, will earn you £150 - enough to cover your annual standing charge. Choose a better export tariff like Octopus Outging Agile and (based on recent rates) that becomes £600 or more; enough to cover your winter import costs too.

You could, if prices remain the way they are now, pay £14k and not have another electric bill for the life of the PV system.