North Wales solar panel quote

sandurzzz

For info I went direct to eon for a quote to solar panels before reading a lot of the posts here so am aware that the brands quoted are not always recommended, but would welcome any input to this quote.

I am a little unsure where to start with getting an independent other than just pick a company registered with the Mcs website - I don't have anyone to get local recommendations.

Current usage is around 3500kwh, there are two full time home workers so all day usage. Plan is 1 maybe 2 electric vehicles so usage will be going up.

12 panels and 5kwh battery for £8400 (£8000 without bird netting)

IOWJJBTM2025

I have previously looked into solar but from what I found a lot of the savings relied upon getting a new energy tariff where you charged up battery overnight and sold back to grid at more favourable rates.

With the recent changes in energy prices I am not sure what tariffs are available now?

With the equipment shown you will be reliant on grid to charge EVs unless you rely on granny chargers.

You currently use 10kWh per day and therefore suspect you would be drawing from the grid during the day for normal use. In particular if you have any devices that result in larger loads that 5kW during the day.

I am not a gambling person but would question if you spend £8K you would realistically break even in 8 years?

QrizB

For info I went direct to eon for a quote to solar panels before reading a lot of the posts here so am aware that the brands quoted are not always recommended, but would welcome any input to this quote.

That's the right sort of ballpark for what you've been offered. Aiko are a budget brand, Sunsynk are mid-market.

If you look at some of @Screwdriva 's recent posts on this forum you'll see that he knows suppliers who could offer Eurener panels (higher quality and more output) plus a Tesla Powerwall (13.5kWh of storage, enough to see you through the day) from about £10k.

I'm pleased to see they've specified a 5kW inverter which means they'll make a G99 application rather than only offering 3.68kW on G98.

Bird netting is a good idea to discourage feral pigeons if you're urban or suburban, but less necessary if you're rural and only see wood pigeons.

The £1000/yr saving seems a little optimistic if retail prices remain around 25p/kWh. Your current 3500kWh/yr costs you £875; if you generate 5000kWh/yr, use half and export the other half at 12p/kWh your saving will be £925. Are EON assuming you'll qualify for an EON-specific export tariff?

Combined with an EV tariff you'd potentially save more. If prices change, your savings will also change.

Reed_Richards

First make sure you have a smart meter. You will need one in order to sell your spare electricity and to give access to cheap night time electricity to charge your EV.

What you can then do with an EV and a home battery is to charge the battery overnight at your EV rate. You may not need to do this in summer but in winter you almost certainly will. With a 10 kWh battery you could shift all of your electricity consumption to the night rate (although your battery/inverter will have a discharge power limit and probably could not cope with an electric shower). This strategy will save you a lot of money for as long as cheap overnight electricity remains.

Reed_Richards

use half and export the other half at 12p/kWh your saving will be £925. Are EON assuming you'll qualify for an EON-specific export tariff?

A recent change to Eon's T&Cs means that you cannot be on a Time-of-Use tariff and get a decent export rate. So look elsewhere if you plan to have an EV and solar panels. I'm not sure if this applies if Eon installed your panels but it certainly applies to everybody else.

sandurzzz

Thanks for the comments, the return over 8 years is something I am skeptical about too as is balancing potential bank returns Vs energy price increases.

I hadn't put too much reading into tarrifs as car is probably end of year but guess I need to get head round that soon.

sandurzzz

In reply to the tariff in the quote above, it would appear to be this:

As they were first place to get a quote wasn't really sure what to expect or know the right questions to ask... Reading other posts is showing it's not as simple as I maybe expected!

QrizB

The SVT is under 25p/kWh; that penny of difference means £25 less savings on import.

Outgoing Octopus cut their rate from 15p to 12p at the start of March this year. That would reduce your annual export payments by about £75.

Those two together will pretty much explain the difference between my estimate and theirs.

Magnitio

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6664257/north-wales-solar-panel-quote

Where are you planning for the inverter and battery to be installed? The Sunsynk inverters can be a bit noisy when working hard, so fine in a garage, but not great when they are in the house.

sandurzzz

Thanks for all the comments. I think inside the garage would be the best place for the inverter. That is where the main consumer unit is anyway - not sure if that makes it easier or not.

I do already have a smart meter.

Based on the above should I be looking for a larger battery then?

QrizB

Based on the above should I be looking for a larger battery then?

It's probably worthwhile.

A second Sunsynk 5.3kWh battery retails for around £1200, or for the same amount you can swap the current 5.3 for a single 10.6.

However, that then gets you to £9600 total - which is close to the price of a system with a Tesla Powerwall, which would give you 13.5kWh.

I suggest you look for a few more quotes before choosing one.