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Original poster

Solar panels - are they worth it?

19 replies

WokingOrNot · 13/06/2022 14:24

I'm about to move into a bungalow in Surrey and thinking of installing solar panels, specifically ones with feed-in tariff. I'm looking for any advice on what to watch out for, how long it takes for the return in saved energy? As it's a bungalow the roof is quite big so we hope it can generate decent amount of energy.
The bungalow also has a converted loft and I hope the solar panels can help prevent it from overheating in the summer, did you find that to be the case?
Any advice would be highly appreciated.

OP posts:
ivegotthisyeah · 13/06/2022 14:30

I have them but can't tell you much about them. My ex put them on the house about 5 years ago took out a fairly big loan which I remember I was t happy about! However! It's kept my energy prices fairly small and I get a tariff back from them. The tip is to use all your washer / dishwasher / electricity during the day don't put anything on at night when there is no sunlight. I'm glad now he did it but at the time it was a big outlay

hannahcolobus · 13/06/2022 14:43

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

RaaRaaLaLaLa · 13/06/2022 14:47

We've had two quotes. One before the price hike then another one more recently when we thought it might be financially worth it because of the huge increases.

Both times it was going to be ten years before we would be making the saving. I suppose it depends how much roof you have though. Although maybe not as the more panels you have the more the initial outlay.

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 13/06/2022 14:52

Is the MSE Guide helpful?

SallyLockheart · 13/06/2022 15:38

can you clarify what you mean by feed in tariff? Solar panels now are eligible for the export tariff which varies between power companies. The feed in tariff scheme which guaranteed a set amount for each kw of power generated finished a couple of years ago or more. However, the cost of install has gone down considerably and the increase in electric unit costs makes it more worthwhile if you use quite a lot of your day time power generation.

ginislife · 13/06/2022 15:42

Good luck with sourcing any panels !! There's a world shortage according to my client who fits them. He reckoned they work on approx 10 year pay back and he quoted me approx £7k to supply & fit.

Original poster
WokingOrNot · 14/06/2022 07:05

Thanks everyone, that's really helpful. And I know the scheme has a different name now and pays only for energy we won't use.
We're home most days so that's part of the reason we thought of the panels.

OP posts:
BonnyandPoppy · 14/06/2022 10:34

You can also get panels and a battery installed so it stores the energy you produce for the evening.

tanstaafl · 14/06/2022 11:11

BonnyandPoppy · 14/06/2022 10:34

You can also get panels and a battery installed so it stores the energy you produce for the evening.

Yes this.
Home Battery system which charge from the solar panels. ( and cheap overnight mains tariff ) then use devices from the batteries during the day.

as i understand it, the cost of electricity is more than the feedback tariff?
so you want to charge a battery cheaply then use it during the day

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 14/06/2022 14:06

The batteries add thousands to the cost of the installation. I doubt if they are worth it for most, but everyone is different. If it adds up for you then go for it.

BooksAndChooks · 14/06/2022 17:27

We didn't add a battery as it was an extra 3k at least on onto of our 6.5k panels. I wanted to see how we got on with them first.

Only had them installed since May but they have brought our electric usage down by about 3/4's. We do our best to run the washing machine and dishwasher during day light hours. It isn't a big issue for us as someone is almost always at home.

We got the solar water heater too, the extra cost was £500. We have been able to move away from using oil to heat water for showers etc. It should pay itself back in about 2 years. So glad we went for it.

I feel it's too early to say with the panels with any degree of certainty as we haven't had them a full calendar year yet. They don't perform as well during very overcast days, which I expected, and I will be interested in seeing how they do over the autumn and winter.

We bought our house to be our forever home, so I don't see us moving anytime soon. I'm not sure that I see energy prices getting significantly cheaper either, but would be happy to be proven wrong on that one.

BoiledFroggie · 14/06/2022 17:32

I 2nd the 10yr payback & by that point, more efficient ones will have been designed and you'll need to reinstall as they start breaking. This happened to two of my friends. There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Soontobe60 · 14/06/2022 17:49

CruelAndUnusualParenting · 14/06/2022 14:06

The batteries add thousands to the cost of the installation. I doubt if they are worth it for most, but everyone is different. If it adds up for you then go for it.

My DD has them. The batteries are well worth it! It means she can use stored energy when the sun’s gone down. She’s all electric for cooking - it makes a big difference.

IBelieveInAThingCalledScience · 14/06/2022 17:51

I have an electric car so totally worth it.

Original poster
WokingOrNot · 15/06/2022 05:33

Reading all the messages and online guides we'll probably hold off for now. We plan on staying in this house for 10 years or so. Maybe something for the next house, and we could buy an electric car then.

OP posts:
SallyLockheart · 15/06/2022 07:18

Had our solar panels 10 years, expect them to last another 15 years plus. Not heard of many panels failing to work after 10. Yes, they aren't as efficient as newer ones. "Efficiency" works in two ways. I have a larger area covered by solar panels than I would now. My panels are 250w, newer ones range from 330 to 400 for the same size with higher prices for the higher wattage ones. My panels are I think 18/19% efficient, newer ones are over 22% - so creating higher kw generation each year.
I bought and installed them expecting a 10 year payback and they have done that. Happy overall as done for both environment and financial reasons. Planning to get a battery next and water heater to supplement the panels, with a EV charger when we get an electric car as the next car.

wibblewobbleball · 15/06/2022 07:24

You can't estimate the length of payback without knowing the size of the installation, estimated price per unit of electricity (with a predicted % increase over a few years) and current energy use of the property. The feed in tariff has finished. Batteries are nearly always not worth it in a domestic scenario - give it a few years and they might be. The only way you can know if its worth installing PV on your home is to get a few quotes from companies to see what the average says across their different modelling options.

jessycake · 15/06/2022 08:02

If you get them fitted , get them meshed ,otherwise at some point you may get a flock of pigeons living under them.

SantiagoSky · 15/06/2022 08:10

We are getting a new roof this year which will be made completely from solar panels, and a house battery. This setup will cover all our electricity usage except for winter days. It will pay back for itself eventually, and the timeline depends on future energy costs. (We are in Switzerland where prices haven’t risen yet.)

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