Solar panels

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by flymo

Best way to understand all thats included is to fill in the free investment calculator on the energy savings trust website, its free to do.

Ta.
Have Done, it reckons 'estimated payback' is 14 years. However, thats really vague, as it doesn't explain if thats just a return of capital, or break even when versus investment

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by flymo

Theres a financial benefits calculator here that you might find useful. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/...ack-Calculator

ahh thats a better one. 9 and a bit years payback on a 4kw system in the south, assuming no loan taken out and no maintenance charges.
But that is just return of capital, you can see from the figures.
However, as stated, my 14k invested could easily be 20k in that time, which would take the generation over 13 years to accumulate, by which time my original investment would have reached... You see where I am going?
Now if you invest all your returns each year, say in ISA or better still RPI bonds, then the break even point is reached quicker, But still not the 9 years they quote, not by a long way.

[flymo]

tell you what, you pop your 14K into your investment portfolio, I'll sup a few beers and watch the weather and we'll compare notes in 10 years

Does that calculator take into account inflation and the probable rise in electricity costs?

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

Does that calculator take into account inflation and the probable rise in electricity costs?

Tariffs include inflation based on the Retail Prices Index. An increase of 4.8% has been applied from April 2011.

The tool doesn't include the following:

• Fuel price increases over time
• Inflation (though FITs are index linked)
• Net present value

The calculation for solar PV does not include any maintenance costs. Well installed systems should last many years maintenance free though inverters are the most likely part to require maintenance though many come with 3-5 year warranties. Customers should check these details with their installer. Solar PV modules typically come with 20-25 year warranties ensuring at least 80% of rated performance at end of period. Calculations in calculator assume 100% performance over lifetime of tariffs i.e. 25 years.

So all the variants cancel each other out then?

[widepants]

being a poor divorced single dad I now have the "honour" of living in a council house(Yes I do work).The coucil are fitting all their housing stock with solar panels and mine goes in next week.Although they get any profit produced ,I do get free daytime electric.What is the best/least expensive/safest elecrical heating system I can get ,to get my house toasty for when I get home from work.Ar oil filled rads any good?

have to insulate your house pretty well to hold the heat which will be your main problem unless you are only home during the day?

Oil Filled Rads are ok or just a couple of 2KW heaters

[Stingo]

Originally Posted by widepants

being a poor divorced single dad I now have the "honour" of living in a council house(Yes I do work).The coucil are fitting all their housing stock with solar panels and mine goes in next week.Although they get any profit produced ,I do get free daytime electric.What is the best/least expensive/safest elecrical heating system I can get ,to get my house toasty for when I get home from work.Ar oil filled rads any good?

And make sure you put your washing machine on before you go to work...

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by thefallenangel

So all the variants cancel each other out then?

All a bit ambiguous really isn't it.
A worry is the unproven longevity of the equipment. The inverter will almost certainly fail, the PV panels are not expected but who can tell. Its all and well having a 20 year guareentee, but from a company thats been trading for just a year or so its a hard one to believe in.