Record breaking 2022 for Solar

Chris_Type_R

> and the FIT tariff was an exceedingly generous one from a customer perspective.

That might be the case, but I think there are edge cases where while the tariff is generous, the outcome has not been an absolute win.

Our 2011 installation came with the house, and we did not consciously pay any extra for it. We feel we're quids-in - especially with the compounding RPI linked payments, and with little capital spend. Our neighbour recently removed a tree which allows for significantly improved generation. All good for us.

From the original (elderly) owners point of view, it was an abject failure - £14.5k for a 2kWp array - where the array is partly shaded in the morning and was substantially shaded by trees to the south during the day. They then sold the property 4 years after making the investment. I believe they were oversold and miss-sold the installation. For them, spending money on loft insulation would have been a better investment.

I think when you factor in inflation & opportunity cost the total 'return' on our installation would not be significant. People who were more alert when pricing their systems and with less compromised installs - AND who have remained in the same property have certainly done well.

zeupater

Hi All

{Just when everyone seems to be on a high - there's always one!!}

We're not far from last years total with December yet to to go .... problem there is that last year was our worst to date by considerably more than December's target ...

Z

jimjames

Chris_Type_R said:

I think when you factor in inflation & opportunity cost the total 'return' on our installation would not be significant. People who were more alert when pricing their systems and with less compromised installs - AND who have remained in the same property have certainly done well.

We'd certainly be in that category although with the knowledge at the time I think more lucky than alert. Total generated over 36,000 kWh in the last 11 years from 3kWp panels, FIT paid £19064, cost £9000. Plus the energy used in the house on top. 14 years to go so even if we move we've got our money back.

Exiled_Tyke

Another observation.   I've just noticed that my post 2018 generation averages around 4% more than my pre-2018 generation.  (Note I can't count 2018 itself).  Has anybody else had similar experiences.

Martyn1981

This thread was handy yesterday. I popped to my sister's and we got to talking about here 'new' PV, which is now about 15 months old. The inverter data, and the TGM both had generation for the last 12 months (running 12 months) at 11.5MWh, from a 10.3kWp system. At first I was thrown, as I'd suggested they should be good for 1,000kWh/kWp, as it's SSW facing, no shading, and quite exposed for wind cooling .... but still ..... 11.5MWh. But then I remembered that folk had all seen a good 2022. Also whilst I was there, so early Dec and very grey weather, they were generating 700-1,100W, so enough to run a 3.5kW A2A heater ..... which they are now looking into.

Looking back at the data across the summer, they had a fair few days at around 75kWh, so around 7.3kWh/kWp. Told my sister I didn't want to know how much they've been generating anymore, I was taking my PV ball (4.5MWh pa) and going home.

Pulpdiction

Best year for me also, had mine installed in 2015, so no signs of any degradation, have a 3.5kw system with PVGIS estimation on purchase of 3,122kw/hrs a year. We clocked over to 3,400kw/hrs yesterday, forst time we have ever broken that number, average is 3,255kw/hrs and 2017 was the worst year at 3,041kw/hrs.

So more than happy with the results this year, this includes a period where I was having building work done and several times I had to hose down the panels in sunny days to remove dust which was reducing output.

1961Nick

My previous best year was 2020 with 3959 kWh - 2022 is currently at 4232 kWh (+7%).

PVGIS is 3400 kWh.

Better still is self use which is 98% this year - a consequence of retirement.

1961Nick

Whilst filling in my spreadsheets the following statistic was quite an eye opener...

In the past 6 days the net cost of my energy was more than the whole of 2020... 

Exiled_Tyke

Just sneaked my best year ever as of yesterday.  So should be whopping 10kWh or so better than 2020 by the end of the year.

Magnitio

Solar panels installed at the beginning of February. Installer's estimate of output was 5,670kWh per annum. PVGIS estimate was 5,994kWh. So far this year (so no January or remains of December) output has been 6,302kWh.