Thoughts on plug-in PV panels?

WIAWSNB

Curious about your thoughts on these, as it doesn't appear to me to be a practical solution.

For most, there would be too few panels to provide a useful output, assuming most folk would go for 2-4 panels due to space limitations. Difficulty in positioning them on your property southish and at a 40o-ish angle. Visual eyesore.

The payback period must be pretty high?

Lorian

Some discussions here

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6549184/plug-in-solar

HHarry

I watched this after the government announcement. Estimated less than 2 year payback. I assume that without the installation / scaffold costs of traditional installations they are much more viable.

https://youtu.be/Na4LTD1M6nw?si=97RgifGlygqqS30R

I’m interested. If I could get a couple of panels on each of my W/S/E elevations I could cover my base load for most of the day.

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81937801#Comment_81937801

He talked of 8 year payback for all the kit he had in that video.

Section62

"Curious about your thoughts on these…"

Will potentially make working on electrics more hazardous. As much as I love DIY, the idea of people who have no idea what they are doing plugging an energy source into their home wiring fills me with dread.

Plus, regardless of regulation, we all know a significant market share will end up being equipment of dubious quality. Anyone who thinks otherwise clearly hasn't seen all the e-bikes and e-scooters whizzing around all over the place, and frequently catching on fire.

Cisco001

What will insurance company say?

flaneurs_lobster

You thought Sky dishes poking from every conceivable aspect of a building were an eyesore?

Wait till these things are hanging off every balcony (or anywhere else you can bang a couple of nails in). Dangly daisy-chained extension leads will be very attractive too.

MyRealNameToo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81937964#Comment_81937964

They dont ask so you dont have to tell… the core basis of CIDRA

Chickereeeee

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6661370/thoughts-on-plug-in-pv-panels

Have you got a garden fence facing in roughly the correct direction? Make it a SOLAR FENCE!

https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/solar-panel-fences

I have seen statements that the panels can be cheaper than wooden ones, in some countries.

Cisco001

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81938001#Comment_81938001

It is OK if you are in detached house.

Or you need to tell your neighbour's kids not to kick the ball to your fence…

chris_n

Where I live these are already legal and widely available, I can drive to the local B&Q equivalent and pick a system up for just over €350 or wait till they have them on offer in Lidl or Hofer (Aldi). They are also available from Amazon for €200 for a 800W system or about €150 for a 450W system. I have seen hundreds of installations on all sorts of buildings. I have never read of any problems with people getting electrocuted or etc in the press or on social media or heard of any on the jungle drums and you can bet if there were any they would be publicised.