Solar panels Not worth the money

mparter

The price is high to start with, then you have to add on pigeon protection and screen protectors so the panels don’t crack. Those are a nightmare to get on!

ABrass

Despite installing a very large array the level of power I generate is not enough to power my home office/lab. Admittedly I do have some rather high current applications but I am worried that I won't be able to finish my work before the villagers get here.

V Frankenstein.

Alnat1

I haven't had to pay a utility bill since PV install in March, that's going to make it feel much worse when I do have to start paying something in winter when the sun isn't shining so much.

I've only built up around £250 credit towards the winter bills so far and the government are only giving me £400 towards energy costs. This will mean I'll need to pay Octopus around £500 to cover my gas/electricity bills over winter! That's an average of £100 a month from Oct-Feb!

If my energy bills are going to be that high every year, I'm really not sure those panels were worth it.

Magnitio

I installed mine to provide a home for pigeons. They also find them excellent as a toilet and as an added benefit I now don't need an alarm clock.

QrizB

ispookie666 said:

I think the only use of solar panels is to act as a signal receiver from Aliens.  What if they talk to me 🤔🤔

They're talking to *me*, did you scare them off or something?

gorgeousme said:

If you have had panels fitted and feel that they were not worth the investment, please tell me how far the reality is from the original thought/prediction.

OP is there a serious point to your question? Do you have problems with your system, or know someone who does?

Or have you had a cold call from someone promising you compensation for a mis-sold solar PV system? There are some scammers who do exactly that.

dunstonh

I was going to get them installed but then I was told they only work during daylight hours.    How daft is that!

gorgeousme

You ARE a humorous lot! But seriously, I would like to now whether you feel it was worth it or not.

silverwhistle

All of us who have commented _do_ feel it was worth it, very much so.

Is there any reason why you are so concerned? If you have any specific concerns there is a lot of experience and expertise here, and you might get some serious answers!

EricMears

gorgeousme said:

You ARE a humorous lot! But seriously, I would like to now whether you feel it was worth it or not.

I too thought it was a joke post !

But if you really are serious then yes,  it was the best investment I've ever made.  Afraid you've missed the boat for joining the FIT scheme so benefits are nowhere near as good as they were eleven years ago but it's probably still worthy of consideration.  Just check out the pinned post in this forum section and look through more recent ones for current views.

MidlandsGlory

Perhaps one 'downer' in the current situation is the regulator ramped up standing charges ludicrously as a crude mechanism to protect the remaining suppliers from going bust with the erratic market prices.

So even if your panels give you a useful supply and lighten your grid use big time, you still pay the high standing charges just to keep mains connected for the nights or daytime shortfall.