Is solar electricity wothwhile ?

[Pattestinguk]

I understand its not being subsidised as much now ? and whats the lifespan of the average panel ?
A few lovely looking houses have been spoilt by it near me.:crazy:

 

[ingflying]

The electricity generated from solar panel is very expensive ,And need the goverment help the industry, but will be a good choice for the people to use the electricity as one thinks and be not worry about the bill in the future .

 

[moggy1968]

it's like satelite dishes, we used to think they were dead ugly, now we're used to them, it will be the same with solar panels. Personally I think they loog great!!
is it worthwhile? depends on the company who installs them. we can make it still worthwhile for people, ROI 12%+ at 21p

 

[SolarCity]

I agree, panels can look good and even make some properties look better. Slate roofs especially look good in my opinion.

 

[ingflying]

it's like satelite dishes, we used to think they were dead ugly, now we're used to them, it will be the same with solar panels. Personally I think they loog great!!
is it worthwhile? depends on the company who installs them. we can make it still worthwhile for people, ROI 12%+ at 21p

I think ,you are right,but the fossil fuel is less for grandchildren,solar energy is the only one choice.

 

[moggy1968]

Especially with all the polution china is kicking out, and the huge use of Raw materials:wink_smile:

 

[Earthstore]

There are many things we can all do to produce/save energy, Solar PV, although one of the better technologies is not the only one.
However some of these do need a little Government support, and this is where it is failing.
The whole industry is so complex, and getting even more so, day by day.
There is no clarity as yet, for the future, I am afraid it all comes down to politics, sadly, that means, our industry is guided by, quite frankly, those that have not got a clue.
The whole renewable/alternative energy industry does have a future, as we can not carry on using fossil fuels in the way that we have been, but as yet there is not one specific answer to it all.

This is just my opinion and I hope it helps.

 

[ingflying]

Especially with all the polution china is kicking out, and the huge use of Raw materials:wink_smile:

So Bad opinon , everyone need energy , include you , generating energy is crucial for the world , not only china , but ereryone , all of us , pollution is put into the air, everyone will breathe .

 

[jupestar]

yes sadly the manufacturing of solar panels can add significantly to the pollution and raw materials paticularly when it is not monitored. but still much for green/kwh than coal or gas. and the question about is solar electricity worthwhile, well it really depends on you motivations and personal circumstances.

 

[Vegelen]

If you do your homework and buy a good quality efficient solar panel array, combined with a good quality inverter. Installed by a professional solar pv installer, with a properly designed solar system, installed on a property with a good orientation (approximately south) and inclination of roof (30 degree is ideal) at current UK fits of 21p and you anticipate to be living in your property for many years to come- solar can be a great investment.
At current FITS rates of 21p you have to carefully evaluate what you are spending and what your return on investment will be. In future when FITS dissapear will Solar be a good idea when fossil fuels start to run out and become ever more expensive?
PVGIS Website: Will tell you your solar potential, for a given location:
http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php
NB: Solar is a long term investment.

 

[Dan]

The sooner we stop paying the energy companies the better! Not sure if I'll ever see it in my lifetime, but I hope one day every home is pretty much self sufficient and doesn't rely on many external companies. Some clever idea's on Grand Designs and the likes but they can cost a lot to build and it outweighs the gains (or takes decades to reep rewards).

Solar is a good start. I could give a monkies about gaining from the grid but the moment I got no bills for power, I'd be laughing.

 

[Eco Deal]

BANK 3% ROI in ISA
SOLAR PV upto 14% ROI (depending on roof & system size / Price ) & FREE ELECTRICITY ??????


mmmmm hard choice

 

[pwboston]

Bank 5% ROI in a long term ISA
Moneys gone (dont forget that as a buyer)

14% + Free electric surely that 14% figure is including the free electric ?

However in saying that it is a good investment, I wouldnt sell it as hard as the figures above.

 

[FB.]

Return on investment is heavily influenced by the projections for energy prices and inflation. Whack in some high expectations for RPI and energy prices and you can "demonstrate" some awesome returns. But if inflation and energy prices don't soar, the returns might look very different.
In fact, in the future, we might be looking at claims for solar mis-selling in the same way as endowment mortgages used unreasonably high projections.

Rather than salesmen using high inflation expectations to tell the customer how rich they're going to get, it would be better to provide a few projections, including, for example, one based on the following scenario:

RPI averages the Bank of England's 3% target for the next 25 years, and energy prices rising in line with RPI.

I'm a professional investor and I've always found it prudent to look at a worst-case scenario, so that if that's just about acceptable, then the best case scenario will be a very pleasant and welcome surprise.

By projecting high inflation into the future, we risk "counting out chickens before they've hatched". There's nothing so humbling as fantasising about how rich an investment will make you, only to see a worst-case scanario steamroller you.

 

[Vegelen]

I'm a professional investor and I've always found it prudent to look at a worst-case scenario, so that if that's just about acceptable, then the best case scenario will be a very pleasant and welcome surprise.

Solar panel systems on 43p FITS, (if invested wisely) will be paid off in 9 years or less.

Future 43p UK FITS payments on a 3-4 KW solar system will approximately cover gas and electricity payments on the average house for the next 16 years!

You also have the potential to use more of the energy you generate into the future as the technology improves.

If thats not a good investment I dont know what is.

In time many people will regret not having a solar system installed at 43p UK FITS.