Solar or not?

Snakecharmer500

I just read Stephen Fitzpatricks ideas for the government to help people through the winter.

I am a pensioner but have some savings and was thinking about having Solar Panels installed.  Trying to get omprehensive information, without actually having a company out, is hopeless.

There is no simple method available to calculate how much could be saved, or earned by generating surplus energy.  Standing charges complicate things even further and where there was once government support - now, when its needed most, there is nothing.  Also when I Google solar panels, some advertise support but are bogus.

I could really do with some straight forward advice please.
Chris Bradley
Durham.

Sent from my Galaxy

pochase

It will take 5 to 10 years to save enough to pay for your solar panels. So if you have the savings available and won't need them short term it is still worth it.

Problem is that you currently wait 12 to 18 months for an installation.

gefnew

Try reading this forum you may get some useful information.
Green & ethical MoneySaving — MoneySavingExpert Forum

[Deleted User]

Snakecharmer500 said:

I just read Stephen Fitzpatricks ideas for the government to help people through the winter.

I am a pensioner but have some savings and was thinking about having Solar Panels installed.  Trying to get omprehensive information, without actually having a company out, is hopeless.

There is no simple method available to calculate how much could be saved, or earned by generating surplus energy.  Standing charges complicate things even further and where there was once government support - now, when its needed most, there is nothing.  Also when I Google solar panels, some advertise support but are bogus.

I could really do with some straight forward advice please.
Chris Bradley
Durham.

Sent from my Galaxy

Let me provide some simple facts based on two installations that I have had fitted. There is no simple method to calculate savings.

Let us assume that you have the space for a 4kWp array which outputs 4000kWh/year. Most homeowners will use somewhere between 25 and 50% of the energy generated: why because you get an excess of solar from March through until September, and very little at all in December.

Assuming that you can make use of 33.3% of the solar output then you would save 4000/3 units from the Grid which at 50p/kwh will save you £666 in import costs. You can also receive a payment for the energy that you export (at up to 7.5p/kWh depending on the supplier) which will give an income of £200, Your total return is therefore £866.

If the array and installation cost £6000 then you are looking at a breakeven point of £6000/866 or 6.92 years: less if Grid prices increase.

Export payments are claimed under a Special Export Guarantee Scheme (SEG). Not all suppliers offer SEG and payments vary. To claim SEG, you will a smart meter; a MCS Certificate for your installation, and a copy of the DNO approval. The supplier then applies to your DNO for an export MPAN for your smart meter: that is, one meter with 2 MPANs.

Is all the hassle worth it, the simple answer is yes but you need to choose your installer with care. I have a 6.35kWp array that cost me c.£7000. It generates 6000kWh/year and I export about 2000kWh/year to the Grid. It is saving me 4000 x .50p at today's prices which will give me a payback period of about 41/2 years.