SAP Calculation Spreadsheet

[Earthstore]

Set your appliances on timers, or install an automated switching device, that would bring your usage up.
I have to say though, that none of my customers only use 10% of their production, they make small alterations in how they live to make the most of what is free.

You appear to have convinced yourself that it is not right for you, however there are 1000's of systems up north, and all of the quality installs are doing very well.

Even though I have stepped out of the industry for a while, PV is still one of the best long term investments that is available to the masses.

 

[Telegram Sam]

I can't and won't contradict what you say, I just wish that someone somewhere would come up with the hard evidence to show that I am wrong! (Moving my own consumption to - say - 25% is not going to make a dramatic difference to the overall conclusions)

 

[Telegram Sam]

Technically - I am intrigued by the claimed outperformance of [Solar Frontier] thin film modules over the conventional crystalline panels, and am tempted to go for these in spite of the higher cost but not with Solar Edge. I don't know what experience other readers have of these and if they are already in a position to make any kind of a judgement.
Financially - I think the whole SV issue is at best borderline. You are in effect pre-paying up front your energy costs for the following approx 8 - 9 years in the hope and expectation that you will reap the benefits over an equivalent timescale thereafter. The best comparison is with a pension annuity where you are taking the gamble with the provider over how long you will stick around to recoup your investment. Granted that compared with an annuity, under specified conditions the returns from solar are really quite attractive - but mainly on account of the atrociously low returns anyone can get from an annuity these days. I am on the fence!

 

[SRE]

Telegram Sam I don't really think you're on the fence - you're very cautious with your money and you want guaranteed returns, imho solar really isn't for you. You're probably better putting it in a bank account so you have the reassurance that the money is there if you need it.

Solar isn't for everyone, it's a long term investment using sensible assumptions but without any sort of guarantee of weather the cautious investor will never feel able to commit. I'm not that type of investor, I have 3 systems installed in a similar location to you and I'm delighted with the returns. 2 of the properties are rentals and I don't get any benefit whatsoever from using the electric generated. I'm pleased with the income, it's way more than if I put it in the best ISA at 3% (not sure where you found 4% - I got that last year but nothing like it this year)

In life very little is certain, if you invested in housing, the stock market, pensions then in all probability over the short term you've been let down. In the longer term fingers crossed it will prove to be worth while. Investing in solar is much more predictable than the previous examples but an equally long investment so it doesn't really matter which panel/inverter combination you go for, unless the returns are guaranteed and the price low you're not going to feel confident enough to invest. To get the return you want of 20% (not sure where else you'd get even a quarter of that for tying up your cash) you'd have to screw the installer on price and will end up with a badly designed and installed system that will justify your initial feelings that solar can't achieve the returns you want.

Stick your cash in an ISA at 3% - you'll feel safer

 

[Berneray]

With the 7th of May only a matter of weeks I'm now sitting down with a blank spreadsheet and my new pristine copy of The Guide to the Installation of PV Systems....and the Dummies Guide to Office 360!

Today I am going to be mostly concentrating on Pages 55 to 66.

Wish me luck.... I may be gone for some time.....

 

[whinmoor]

With the 7th of May only a matter of weeks I'm now sitting down with a blank spreadsheet and my new pristine copy of The Guide to the Installation of PV Systems....and the Dummies Guide to Office 360!

Today I am going to be mostly concentrating on Pages 55 to 66.

Wish me luck.... I may be gone for some time.....

Strong coffee needed along with matchsticks to keep eyes open...

 

[Berneray]

Have any of you guys been trialing the new PV Performance Estimation method against SAP2009.

I've done a few this afternoon and found that BEFORE making an allowance for shading the TOP figure is actually higher even for Zones 15 & 16 (North East Scotland). However this changes substantially depending on how you use their Horizon Template...

I wonder how many of our sharp dressed salesmen will bother with the shading....or even have the brains to know how to do it....

I know the guide has been drawn up to prevent miss-selling.....but these guys are so good at waffling I bet as from 7/5 most of their PV Estimates will be higher than before....