Solar battery - are they worth it now?

Magnitio

lisyloo said:

5 bed house with hot tub 

I appreciate it’s impossible to be exact but anyone got a rough guide as to whether this would be a worthwhile investment?

Selling the hot tub would would provide significant financial and environmental gain.

mickyduck55

The arrival of Flux has changed the way I use my batteries.  I now charge up to 90% during the off peak period (ATM about 2.5 kWh added nightly) then my solar runs throughout the day topping the battery to 100% and exporting any excess for about the same price as I paid to charge.  Rough guess is I need to export 3 kWh more than I import to totally cover my electricity bill including standing charge.  I still like the "idea" of the battery especially in winter but the argument based on cost savings particularly in summer is no longer even close.

Screwdriva

Reed_Richards said:

Screwdriva said:
Incredibly well articulated! Totally agree! Octopus Flux is a game changer!

But can you rely on it continuing?  Or continuing with the same good rates?  What would really be a game changer is if other electricity companies followed suit and brought out their own similar tariffs.  As things stand, relying on the continued existence of Octopus Flux is very much putting all your eggs in one basket.  

 You'll forgive me Reed, but I'll make my hay while the sun shines (pun slightly intended) ;P

We are currently paying < 5p per kWh of gas on tracker and now with Flux, I'm expecting a net zero bill across both fuels. Not an easy thing to achieve these days!

JKenH

mickyduck55 said:

The arrival of Flux has changed the way I use my batteries.  I now charge up to 90% during the off peak period (ATM about 2.5 kWh added nightly) then my solar runs throughout the day topping the battery to 100% and exporting any excess for about the same price as I paid to charge.  Rough guess is I need to export 3 kWh more than I import to totally cover my electricity bill including standing charge.  I still like the "idea" of the battery especially in winter but the argument based on cost savings particularly in summer is no longer even close.

Yes, it does cause a change of approach. It is cheaper for me to buy energy between 2am and 5am to heat my hot water than use the i-Boost as we shower first thing in the morning and the tank isn’t now cooling down for 12 hours. 

Reed_Richards

Screwdriva said:

You'll forgive me Reed, but I'll make my hay while the sun shines (pun slightly intended) ;P

We are currently paying < 5p per kWh of gas on tracker and now with Flux, I'm expecting a net zero bill across both fuels. Not an easy thing to achieve these days!

You're completely forgiven   But until the nuclear winter, we can be fairly sure the sun will shine reliably, at least on an annual basis.  We can't be nearly so sure about Octopus Flux.  And Octopus Tracker for gas must surely finish soon at that pric?.

Tryinghardtosave

Got at a 15.6kwh (useable capacity) battery for 7.5k, so your price seems excessive.
I dont currently have a smart meter so my battery is earning it's keep at the moment in saving me from drawing from the grid. 

michaels

Reed_Richards said:

Screwdriva said:

You'll forgive me Reed, but I'll make my hay while the sun shines (pun slightly intended) ;P

We are currently paying < 5p per kWh of gas on tracker and now with Flux, I'm expecting a net zero bill across both fuels. Not an easy thing to achieve these days!

You're completely forgiven   But until the nuclear winter, we can be fairly sure the sun will shine reliably, at least on an annual basis.  We can't be nearly so sure about Octopus Flux.  And Octopus Tracker for gas must surely finish soon at that pric?.

Presumably even at 'that price' a customer on Gas Tracker may be more profitable per unit than one on the price cap.  However competitive pressures (or the lack thereof) might lead them to try and increase profit margins on the tracker tariff....

Screwdriva

Reed_Richards said:

Screwdriva said:

You'll forgive me Reed, but I'll make my hay while the sun shines (pun slightly intended) ;P

We are currently paying < 5p per kWh of gas on tracker and now with Flux, I'm expecting a net zero bill across both fuels. Not an easy thing to achieve these days!

You're completely forgiven   But until the nuclear winter, we can be fairly sure the sun will shine reliably, at least on an annual basis.  We can't be nearly so sure about Octopus Flux.  And Octopus Tracker for gas must surely finish soon at that pric?.

No, the tracker price follows the market price of gas in the UK. Since I've switched to it late last month, it's never exceeded 5.2p per kWh.