Anyone have a solar PV installation ?

[nickk]

That's because those who haven't got the cash are subsidising you

a bit like a lottery -if you pay into the system you get a little back.

 

[jugs]

You can get a good 4kW system for £8-9000.(depending on accses).


Say £8500, south facing, roof angle 40°, life 25yrs, (replacing the £1000 inverter twice in that time)

@ 21p FIT rate it pays back in aprox 12yrs & gives 5.5 % ROCE (tax free) so better than an ISA.

@ 43p FIT rate it pays back in aprox 6.7yrs & gives 14 % ROCE (tax free)a no brainer (these are figs from the energy saving trust + my financial spreadsheet, not some oily salesmans)

It's totaly mad, but there for the taking (if you can afford to make the investment). The big energy companys are making £milions from the FITs scam, but they are closing the loophole for the small guy

The govenment cocked-up in Dec, so the 43p rate will still be paid on instalations regestered by midnight 3rd march, & that runs for 25yrs
(unless the minister goes to the supream court to get it backdated, but they've lost twice already), after that its 21p for 25yrs.


BUT

From april 1st you will only get the 21p IF your house attains the correct level of insulation

see- http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk...-proposed-changes-to-solar-PV-Feed-in-Tariffs

You have a small "window of opertunity" so be quick (2 days to install + scaffolding)

See-
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Solar-panels-PV/Solar-Energy-Calculator to do your own estimate.

PS; DON'T go for a rent-a-roof system, that is a scam

 

[Punx0r]

Out of interest, are the ratings for these panels based on typical British weather/daylight hours or under equatorial midday sun?

 

[jugs]

Out of interest, are the ratings for these panels based on typical British weather/daylight hours or under equatorial midday sun?

On my roof in Anglesey, I went for a 4kW system.
Acording to mates who've had these for several yrs, you generate 15-18% more than the local area estimate
See-
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/...rgy-Calculator to do your own estimate

just put your postcode in (you get more in Cornwall than Caithness)

Dont forget this is a government backed/guaranteed 25yr investment, safer than banks + better returns, it also gives you some free electric.
It is not a way of shutting down power stations,

If you are not on the FIT tariff, YOU will be paying for my electric (thanks guys ) scandalous I know, but thats what you get for letting MPs run things

First time I've made a profit from the government

 

[Shox Dr]

The above is ALL subject to fixing to a SOUTH facing roof though.

 

[jugs]

The above is ALL subject to fixing to a SOUTH facing roof though.

Not true play with that calculator

& see!!

you get a suprising amount from East or West, even on cloudy days, the panels work on visable light not heat, (in fact above 50°C they become less efficant).

A bright overcast day will produce as much as a hot sunny day

 

[Shox Dr]

OK OK calm down

 

[jugs]

OK OK calm down

No probs, You are correct in saying south is generally best.
In UK 40° is the best roof angle, my system is on the w/shop roof @ 15° but still gives acceptable figs

 

[nickk]

No probs, You are correct in saying south is generally best.
In UK 40° is the best roof angle, my system is on the w/shop roof @ 15° but still gives acceptable figs

Dont wish to annoy & offend but i thought 28-35 was the best pitch?

 

[jugs]

Dont wish to annoy & offend but i thought 28-35 was the best pitch?

Not annoyed or offended but....

30° is good for South Spain

at Latitude 52 degrees a roof of 48 deg gives the best year round solar output

If you want to adjust the tilt of your panels four times a year, you can use these figures to keep capturing the most energy year-round. This table gives some examples:- note the winter angle


Latitude .................... 35°....40°... 45° ......50°
Summer angle ............ 7.9 ...12.5...17.1..... 21.7
Spring/autumn angle .. 32.0 ...36.9...41.8.....46.7
Winter angle.............. 55.2...59.6....64.1.....68.5


To keep the sun perpindicular to the panel
or you could make a powered tilt & pan frame

PS the best pitch is black & sticky

 

[jugs]

It's not my overview, this was from an article I read in (I think) the Independant and the Mail. Solar power isn't worth it unless the government pays for it, and it looks like with cuts, those subsidies are being removed.

http://www.independent.co.uk/enviro...rs-to-pay-back-installation-costs-917202.html

Oh, it's actually 100 years to pay back installation costs! ha ha!

NOT true absolute lies & rubbish



Without the subsidies, a £10,000* 4kW system will pay back in aprox 78 yrs

Then you are into profit
*(alowing that all component will have to be replaced 4 times)

 

[rtbcomp]

Do all these calculations allow for increasing cost of electricity from other sources?

 

[jugs]

Only partly, the fits payments are indexed linked to RPI/CPI =4% (Av30yrs) with electric fuel +1 = 5% but fuel prices are to volitile to be acurate long term
If fuel goes higher the returns get better

 

[tigler]

Biggest disadvantage is you need to stay in the same house for a period of time long enough to at least break even. So, thats me out. If I go Solar PV I'll buy the bits and do it myself. Might start with 2 or 4 panels and pay for more as I go.

 

[jugs]

Biggest disadvantage is you need to stay in the same house for a period of time long enough to at least break even. So, thats me out.
If I go Solar PV I'll buy the bits and do it myself. Might start with 2 or 4 panels and pay for more as I go.

tigler
The FITs are paid to the instalation so if you move in 5yrs there are 20yrs of garenteed income that you tack on to price of the house (& you get your cash back quicker).

If you DIY, you can't connect to the grid & you can't get FITs so it will never pay back.

 

[tigler]

Thats if the the new owner would play ball and not want it themselves.

DIY would not get FIT but it would reduce electricity consumption from the grid and run the meter in reverse, so you would get a return and in less time as it would cost significantly less to install.

 

[rtbcomp]

You can't just connect 220v to your mains and hope it reverses the meter. It has to be synchronised with the mains.

But more importantly there are safety implications. If there are engineers working on the system and you suddenly poke 220volts into the network you could kill someone.

 

[tigler]

As long as the invertor has a synchronous lock it wouldn't be a problem, after all that is what the 'authorised' installers use. One of the potential suppliers that came to survey the property actually said if the service provider doesn't change the meter thats their problem, as it will run in reverse when the system is on grid feed. He said that although they are notified it's surprising how many do not change the meter !
Also, I would install with an interlock to prevent backfeed in the event of a power cut.

 

[rtbcomp]

You might, others wouldn't. Presumably your public liabilty insurer would cover an amateur installation.

As a matter on interest, how would such an interlock work?

 

[jugs]

Thats if the the new owner would play ball and not want it themselves.

DIY would not get FIT but it would reduce electricity consumption from the grid and run the meter in reverse, so you would get a return and in less time as it would cost significantly less to install.

You can not conect a DIY system to the grid !!!!! It is dangerous to line workers & ileagal. (Heavy fine & disconection + posible prison if some one gets hurt )

Solar isn't viable without the FITs, end of.