Vocal Voices

We've done just over a year with our solar panels, and I can see that the saving on electricity used has been 46%. That equates to around a £400 reduction in terms of our monthly electric bills.
Now that's comparing a relatively lousy summer (2023) with a very hot and sunny one (2002). If I compare 2023 with 2021, which wasn't the best of summers, the saving is more like 49%.

We've also just been notified of our annual SEG payment for exporting electric to the grid. They are sending us a cheque for just over £400, apparently, so overall, we have made savings of around £800. So I reckon our electric last year actually "cost" us about £100.

Just posting this in case it is of interest to anyone contemplating installing solar panels - it's just good to get a feel as to how they have actually performed in practice compared to the hype ........

How many panels do you have Os?

Standard array for a household, Crommers, 12 panels generating the max you're allowed for a domestic installation without falling foul of various regulations.

(Older installations tended to have 16 panels to deliver the same effect, but these days, modern panels have improved efficiency).

We have 16 panels, Mick reckons we've saved around 50% on our bill, so about the same as you, Ossie, bearing in mind we have a few more panels.

But hang on!

What was the installation cost? What is the lifespan of the array, and how much will the maintenance / spares be over their lifespan? Those costs have to be taken into account and taken off the nominal "savings" don't they?

The numbers on the monthly bill do not necessarily give the overall picture. It's like ignoring depreciation, servicing etc. when saying how much a car costs to run. Surely?

Well yes, that's very true.

Our installation cost £6.1K, but that included decomissioning and removing the old solar themal that blew up , so let's say around £5.6K.

So at the current rate of saving, our system will therefore start to pay for itself after 8 years. Of course, goes without saying that energy prices will fluctuate in the meantime, so it's 8 years, give or take.

In broad terms, the lifespan of these systems is said to be 20-25 years, and maintenance is said to be minimal (we shall see!).

As a long-term investment therefore, it seems viable, and hopefully it'll put added value on the house if we should sell it (or if we peg it) in the meantime.

What I take from this is that at least it does seem to be delivering what was said on the tin - which is rather a relief.

Kaz, good to hear that Mick's calculations seem to be on the same lines as mine. Regarding your 16 panels, it is because you've got 8 panels on one side and 8 on t'other because of the way your house sits (IIRC)?
We are very lucky - our long pitched roof faces due south.

That sounds good ossie seagulls would have a field day if we had them
Our housings Association did a survey here a few years ago but nothing came of it good that you are facing South tho all that sunshine

Yes Ossie, that’s why. The back of our house faces SW, most of the panels are on the back, but the few on the front catch the morning sun.

Frank, we took all of that on board. It will take the best part of ten years to recoup that initial outlay, but it “future proofs” the house, and will make it easier to sell in future we think.

Oh and it’s 15 panels, not 16 - typo

Roof at front faces east, roof at back faces west. So panels would only get lighyt for part of day.

One house at the top of the crescent where the roof faces south has had solar panels fitted.

There arenew houses being built about half a mile away but none of them have solar panels fitted. Shoudn't this bep;art of modern planning requirements?

saundra wrote:That sounds good ossie seagulls would have a field day if we had them

Saundra, we had special anti-pigeon netting fitted around ours to stop them roosting underneath!!