PowerSwitch

I have a 3.28kwp Solar Photovoltaic System.
I have just come to the end of my second year of generating electricity.
Last April I had an import/ export meter installed and as I am sending my yearly electricity meter readings to my electricity supplier, I thought that you guys might be interested.

Export DAY for year 2421 kwh @ 15p per kwh ?363.15 +
Import DAY for year 949 kwh @ 15p per kwh ?142.15 -
Import NIGHT for year 433 kwh @ 4p per kwh ? 17.32 -

Net return ?203.48+
ROCs ( renewable Obligation Certs)
received ?150.00+

Total received from Electricity company for year ?353.48+


My Gas Bill for the year is ?322.

So the Solar PV has resulted in us being financially self-sufficient in term of domestic energy.

FYI
CO2 saved to date is 3541 kg.
The system cost ?8600 when installed. Maintenance ? 0 ( though I doubt the inverter will last forever)

The payback time at current rates is 13 years.
However as energy prices increases due to Peak Oil and associated issues, I expect that the payback will decrease.

Interesting, this suggests to me that large grid tied PV is not truly economic just yet, but soon will be and is therefore worth installing provided that you have the money (it is most unlikely to be viable if you have to borrow the money)

It must be noted that most such installations do NOT provide any backup supply, the owner is just as vulnerable as the neighbours to grid failures.

Such systems generally have the modules wired in series, and use dangerous voltages. It would be well to ensure that the connections are accessable and that you know how to rewire the modules into a low voltage battery charging system.
This should not be done until TSHTF since it would invalidate any warranty, and may contravene the agreement for grid connection.

Nice one AE!!!

It pays to take the plunge . . .

I have calculated the return on capital to be 4.1% better than many deposit accounts and with the potential for the return to increase.

Neil

I'm really pleased you posted this information alternative-energy I know so many people (with cash in the bank) who just won't jump because "It's not worth it financially" or "One household can never pay for itself" or "The payback period is more than 30 years" or whatever...

Thanks.

Irene

Sounds a good price, AE. Who supplied the system?

kenneal wrote:Sounds a good price, AE. Who supplied the system?

Chelsfield Solar supplied the system. It sounds cheap because ?8600 is what I paid. I received a grant of ?8400 also.

Neily at the peak wrote:I have calculated the return on capital to be 4.1% better than many deposit accounts and with the potential for the return to increase.

Neil

True, but dont count on getting 15p/unit forever, this is in fact a subsidy which may be withdrawn.
As economic conditions worsen, they may go back to only paying the "net avoided cost of generation" which is typicaly the cost of coal to generate the same number of KWH.

Which by then may be considerably higher! If we believe our own hype.

Neil

Which electricity company pays 15p/unit export?

alternative-energy wrote:

kenneal wrote:Sounds a good price, AE. Who supplied the system?

Chelsfield Solar supplied the system. It sounds cheap because ?8600 is what I paid. I received a grant of ?8400 also.

The same firm supplied a grid tied system for a friend of mine in Leyton, East London, I would recomend them.

UPDATE: Just received final statement.
Actually received ?280.59 for exported energy from SSE due to price increases to 17.23p
So the ?203.48 I stated was incorrect.

edit typo

5% return on investment. Not bad!! and inflation proofed as well.


Neil

Neily at the peak wrote:5% return on investment. Not bad!! and inflation proofed as well.

I hope so (unless SSE change their terms!) Fingers crossed they don't.
However our transport costs are not inflation proofed. We have a diesel Smart. It now costs nearly ?21 for a fill, however the 80mpg does compensate a little.
(Witnessed my first fill and run thief the other day as I was waiting to pay my bill - I'm sure this wont be the last I see. The guy behind the counter said it was becoming more popular) Now that is what I call inflation proofed

(Witnessed my first fill and run thief the other day as I was waiting to pay my bill - I'm sure this wont be the last I see. The guy behind the counter said it was becoming more popular)

I can see petrol-pump attendents being back in fashion soon at this rate.