Those of you with solar panels? Can I ask?…

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If you have solar panels. Can I ask.
how much did they cost you?
how much are your monthly bills since?

thank you.

I think ours cost €12,100 because we got 2 batteries. In the first 12 months our electricity only cost €83 or €89 for the full year and that included the standing charges. We are high users so we're delighted with them. We're in credit so far this year.

Thank you. It cost €83/€89 per month or for the whole year?

Mine cost just over 9k and in the 2.5 years I’ve had them I have been in credit on my electricity since.

Hey, thanks for your reply. What do you pay monthly do you mind me asking?

We paid £8k for 14 panels and 2 batteries. We use LOADS of electricity (we have three electric cars) but have seen our bill drop a bit.

I don’t pay anything… the panels create enough for me to run my house. I have a 5kw battery and sell back to the grid.

The whole year. Our only regret is not getting them sooner.

We had solar panels installed for around £5,000–£6,000 (after grants). Since then, our electricity bills have decreased significantly in the summer; they’re often very low or close to zero. In winter, we usually pay around £30–£50 per month, depending on usage. Overall, it’s been worth it for us in the long run.

Thanks all we finally got them just under 10k with a 10kw battery. The last few days we have taken nothing from the grid!! Absolutely delighted.

Ok glad to see this.. we’re getting ours installed this week. I don’t think we’ve a battery though .. is it still worth it without it ?

We were in credit until the winter months and then bills were high but when I asked people without solar panels theirs were astronomically higher so they’ve definitely helped but due to cost of installation (think about nine thousand euro), we won’t see savings for a few years obviously

We were originally not going to get a battery but we thought of the winter months when it’s less sunny and we are in work all day and then we come home and start using the oven etc and thought having the battery for the evening would be best. So far since installing we have been 87% self sufficient.

Yes it will take 5-7 years for us to break even as such but I see the environmental impact as a huge benefit too 🙌

I don't remember how much they cost - but we had a local council scheme at the time, it was a good deal. On sunny days we'er self sufficient, and we've been plesantly surprised how many sunny days there are.

thanks folks, great to know, I’ll definitely enquire about the battery. If we’re doing it at all we should do it right

Just double checking that you are in Ireland (this is Craicnet) but if you are definitely enquire about getting a battery as part of the installation - if you get it with the initial installation you won't pay VAT but if you add it on at a later stage you'll pay VAT, this is the same if you add extra panels later on as well.

Yes in Ireland. Oh that’s good to know, thanks. I’ll definitely check that out.. dh organised it and he’s a bit sketchy on exact details 🙄

Our solar panels reduced our winter electric bill big time, even on cold days if it's anyways bright it can still generate plenty of electricity. It's the dull wet days that don't produce much.

Our solar panels have been great and have reduced our electricity bills. Something I have noticed though and wondered if it was connected is a massive increase in bird poo everywhere on our patio and windows. Anyone else who has them notice this?

Can I also ask what energy company those of you with solar panels are with? We are looking at Electric Ireland or Pinergy. Thanks

We used Green Electric, they were recommended to us. They were probably a little bit more expensive than some other companies but they're a well established company.

Haven't noticed any extra bird shit, no more than normal anyway.

Sorry @honeyrider i meant who is your electricity provider?

Electric Ireland

UK numbers I'm afraid but we paid £9k for 8 panels, a 3.7kW inverter, an 11kWh battery, and an emergency backup gateway (we get a lot of power outages here as we are rural, so that is a huge bonus).

We have an electric car and both work from home with powerful (and therefore energy hungry) computers and multiple screens each. Taking last month, we spent £53 and exported £35 - so net costs of £18. To compare April last year, before we got the system, we spent £181. So a 90% cost reduction!

The panels are great, but the battery is also hugely important - have it set to charge during overnight off-peak periods and even on dull days you will have access to much cheaper electricity. During the day the only time we ever draw from the grid is when running a shower as our shower is 11kW and the inverter is only 3.7kW.

Today is completely dull and overcast, but out battery is at 100% at midday, and we are exporting 1.5kW.

Omg, yes! It’s bizarre. My patio is covered and the panels themselves sometimes. Very annoying.