Green investment - funds vs solar system

Johnnyboy11

Solar never stacked up for us either, £15k upfront and a 15 year breakeven period. But not wanting to miss out on the state subsidies being hosed around the renewables industry, we invested instead in BP and SSE shares. Happy with our decision so far, the dividends cover half of our energy bill and we have ready access to our capital if needed.

silverwhistle

Well, I have solar and rather too many SSE shares as I've has them 20+ years and never got round to re-weighting! My FITs cover my fuel bills and my SSE divis by over 3 times. As there are plenty of state subsidies being pushed the way of nuclear will you be investing there too? 

I can't comment on the economics as I've had mine 12 years and the £6k I paid came out of my rainy day cash ISA savings with a yield not worth mentioning. For me it was a simple calculation and they were in place a month after my return to the house from abroad.

But on a low income I found the fact that I didn't have to worry about my bills reassuring, as well as the environmental aspect which I ascribed a value to even if others might not. A new kitchen would have been nice, but a long term investment in the house that actually yielded an income, and minimised the amount I had to pay out of taxed income was a bonus.

As with any investment there are variables to consider, but this one was directly in my sight and under my control, without any mediation through investment funds, and the bureaucracy of business and the taxman. They also had an educational role in making me appreciate electricity and how to best use it efficiently. 

My next step is a heat pump as I'd like to get rid of gas. This time I'm going to include the kitchen as part of the upgrade!;-)