Is solar battery storage worth it?

Heedtheadvice

Very broad question,

So very general answer,

Yes.

Depends a bit on what you mean by "worth it" and as with life lost of caveats and imponderables such as inflation and cost of not installing renewable and buying a poor badly installed system....so a few basic thoughts

Green renewables for many a year, so worth it.

Can reduce ongoing energy costs, so worth it

Can make energy costs zero or negative so then well worth it

Interesting approach to being a hobby, so can be worth it

One can overpay over or under install, so not so much worth it

Financially you can do other things with your cash that can be more beneficial such as risky investments.

Ties up your capital for many a year so might not be worth it

Borrow to finance the install costs, hmm not really so great.

Screwdriva

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003796#Comment_82003796

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82003843#Comment_82003843

That price is too high for bargain basement Longi panels. Also worth mentioning, given this sub forum is ethical in nature, that Longi as a brand is extremely unethical.

Installers offer better performing Eurener 515W bifacial panels (made in the EU) paired to the Tesla PW3 for under £13K (19 panels). This includes bird netting, 10 year workmanship warranty and G99 etc.

RocketRonnieRadox

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82005839#Comment_82005839

Thanks for the comment, I have had a quotation for 19 panels and PW3 that was more like £15.6k so I would be grateful if you could let me know who does that for £13k ?

Screwdriva

Sorry to hear this. That's a bit too much gravy on top for the installer if you get my drift. Feel free to DM me and I'll do what I can to help.

QrizB

I found that the Octopus Intelligent Flux will not let me charge my car via my Zappi when I want to.

That's odd. What problem do you have, exactly?

It's covered in the small print of the terms and conditions but should be made a lot more clear to those considering this tariff.

Now I'm really confused. Which particular small print do you have in mind?

Edit: if this makes no sense it's because the post I was replying to has gone missing!

Satman

I believe that most of the information on Solar panels and, especially batteries is very much out of date.

It actually states that it will take 10 years to get your Return On Investment if you get Solar - and LONGER if you get a battery.

I have had my system for 2 1/2 years ( 12 panels, inverter and a 9.5Kw battery. By using my battery wisely it means that my aberage cost per KW is 16.4p - when the average to buy it is 26p. That is because I can buy cheap rate at night and I sell it back in the peak period (4 -7 PM). I have been paid just over £900 for exporting in the last 12 months.

I actually use a lot more electricity now than I used to, because I have an electric sauna which I use about 12 times every month for 90 minutes each. I did not work out any of these figures - my solar app does it for me.
just before I had my solar fitted, I was paying £175 per month ( how many rises have there been since April 2024).

I have been paying £25 since October 2024, and at the moment I am over £500 in credit… 😀

More than likely my Return Of Investment (£8200) will be 6 1/2 years ! NOT 10+

Methinks someone should update and re-write this topic - because it is VERY MISLEADING.

PHIL from Wiltshire…

Officer_Dibble

Indeed, our breakeven point (allowing for foregone 5% interest on the cash originally spent) looks to be nearer 6-7 years than 10 for our system installed 4.5 years ago, which is roughly what I was hoping for.

However, past returns are no guarantee. How long will low overnight import and high peak time export rates continue? Your 6.5 year breakeven also relies on the energy company not objecting to paying for brown export. 10 years seems like a fairer assumption, anything else is a boon.