Solar, battery, worth it for partly occupied house?

AndrewKnight_2

I've just done some calculations based on Energy Savings Trust's solar calculator, and assuming a 30% occupancy rate and pretty much no usage (a fridge and a freezer) when unoccupied, it looks like I'd save around £80 on energy, but get over £700 on export. They estimate a cost of around £5.5k for the installation, so it would pay for itself in 6-7 years.

Screwdriva

AndrewKnight_2 said:

I've just done some calculations based on Energy Savings Trust's solar calculator, and assuming a 30% occupancy rate and pretty much no usage (a fridge and a freezer) when unoccupied, it looks like I'd save around £80 on energy, but get over £700 on export. They estimate a cost of around £5.5k for the installation, so it would pay for itself in 6-7 years.

Sounds correct but doesn’t factor in future energy price increases (if any).

pete-20-11

AndrewKnight_2 said:

I've just done some calculations based on Energy Savings Trust's solar calculator, and assuming a 30% occupancy rate and pretty much no usage (a fridge and a freezer) when unoccupied, it looks like I'd save around £80 on energy, but get over £700 on export. They estimate a cost of around £5.5k for the installation, so it would pay for itself in 6-7 years.

Have you factored in income tax? 

Not 100% sure how that works, but exporting 120% or more of your consumption could mean paying income tax, especially as it’s not your main residence. It may be treated as energy trading. 

There is a £1000 tax free trading allowance - but again I’m not 100% sure how that works. Obviously £700 is less than £1000 but if you have shares etc, it would share that allowance.