Solar PV is still a good investment.

[Earthstore]

When the FIT rate was 43p Solar PV was a fantastic investment, with annual returns of 10-13% on your capital outlay, this is index linked to the RPI for 25 years, as it was offering such high returns, there were many investors that seized the opportunity, many large investments were made in a short space of time, causing the government to panic and bringing the PV industry into a state of disarray.

So, Where are we at now?

With the FIT rate now down to 21p for domestic sized systems, you may think that PV is just not viable, linked with some ill informed media coverage, and some added complexities like EPC's (energy performance certificates), oh yes, and the talk of the Green Deal ( I will reserve judgment on this one), that PV does just not pay any more.

Well you would be wrong, now that system prices are at an all time low, if you add in the savings on your electricity bills along with the FIT, you can still obtain 8-12% returns per year on your investment, the only difference is your capital outlay is less.

My advice would be, choose your installer wisely, go and see some of there local installs, talk to their customers, you can not get a better, safer, return on you money in any other investment.

If you have considered Solar PV NOW is the time to act as the tariff is due to decrease at the end of June.
I hope this helps.

(This is posted to try and help the public, as there are many that read this forum, something that the media should be doing for us all.)

 

[Eco Deal]

Lots of info there ! I agree the 21p has opened up the market for people who like to spend that little less but still save on thier full bills and earn some cash while doing so......

the way I look at things is a 43.3p or 21p rates the system still produces same amount of energy per year therefore fuel bills will be a lot lower. The FITS tariff may be lower now but so is the outlay to buy one which still make the Returns on investement around 8% - 12% depending on roof direction.

 

[methley]

So for example, what would a 16* Sanyo HIT235 plus SolarEdge SE3500 and optimsers cost me today?

 

[moggy1968]

I've just done a quote on 16 Bosch on an E/W split and it still gives a 10% return. Thats on SAP calculation, allowing 3% RPI and 7% fuel inflation. all our installs currently produce in excess of 20% over SAP estimates, so your looking in real terms a 12% return minimum, and thats an E/W system remember.

That seems pretty reasonable in this day and age!!

 

[Somecamel]

So for example, what would a 16* Sanyo HIT235 plus SolarEdge SE3500 and optimsers cost me today?

Don't think they do the 230W panel any more. Happy to give you a 'guide price' on a 4kW system of anywhere between £11-12k but you have specced up this system quite high. Panels on this- Sanyo (now Panasonic) are a premium panel as well as the solar edge system which is also a premium item.

You can buy a decent 4kW system for anywhere between 8-10k, even at 9k the return is around 12% (south facing roof), so you really are crazy not to do this.

Prices 'WILL' vary depending on where you are in the country but don't be taken in by someone offering stupid prices, a 4kW does not cost £16k any more.

 

[sedgy34]

When the FIT rate was 43p Solar PV was a fantastic investment, with annual returns of 10-13% on your capital outlay, this is index linked to the RPI for 25 years, as it was offering such high returns, there were many investors that seized the opportunity, many large investments were made in a short space of time, causing the government to panic and bringing the PV industry into a state of disarray.

So, Where are we at now?

With the FIT rate now down to 21p for domestic sized systems, you may think that PV is just not viable, linked with some ill informed media coverage, and some added complexities like EPC's (energy performance certificates), oh yes, and the talk of the Green Deal ( I will reserve judgment on this one), that PV does just not pay any more.

Well you would be wrong, now that system prices are at an all time low, if you add in the savings on your electricity bills along with the FIT, you can still obtain 8-12% returns per year on your investment, the only difference is your capital outlay is less.

My advice would be, choose your installer wisely, go and see some of there local installs, talk to their customers, you can not get a better, safer, return on you money in any other investment.

If you have considered Solar PV NOW is the time to act as the tariff is due to decrease at the end of June.
I hope this helps.

(This is posted to try and help the public, as there are many that read this forum, something that the media should be doing for us all.)

well said PM me for a quote lol

 

[FB.]

Yes, 3-4kWp systems remain a good investment - and I'm a "customer" not an installer.

Where else can you put money to give a decent, relatively predictable and relatively safe return and in something which will be useful for continuation of everyday life (unlike a bar of gold)?
Cash in banks? No.
Bonds? No.
Property? No.
Shares? No.

 

[Eco Deal]

So for example, what would a 16* Sanyo HIT235 plus SolarEdge SE3500 and optimsers cost me today?

Not sold one sanyo system this year why ???? cost too much ROI drops to 9% ... if you want to boost performance the best way is to upgrade inverter to solar edge ....

Solar edge should be paying me for all the good press I give them ... but I do love them loads xxxxxx

 

[Somecamel]

What 'percentage' increase do you see with the Solar Edge systems? really want to try one but have to consider costs etc

 

[Eco Deal]

our two oldest system which its first year is due soon are looking set to hit 20% more production than the SAP given

one is a Sanyo 3.8 Kwp Swansea wales

other is Samsung 3.9 kwp south coast.

 

[Gavin A]

yeah, but sap is meaningless rubbish.

 

[finchy]

Agree with all the above !!!

 

[solarcat]

our two oldest system which its first year is due soon are looking set to hit 20% more production than the SAP given

one is a Sanyo 3.8 Kwp Swansea wales

other is Samsung 3.9 kwp south coast.

Yes, SAP is incredibly pessimistic!

 

[Earthstore]

Chaps, Please do not hi jack this thread, condemning certain sections of this industry, this was meant to be a positive thread, to help the customers, to explain to them that PV is still viable (maybe better than ever to be honest).

So please go back over what you have written, if you want to edit it with something more positive it would be of a benefit to all.

Look at FB's post, he is a customer and that is how new customers should be seeing things.

Rant over.

 

[Somecamel]

Quick Example of the SAP(Standard assesment procedure VS Photovoltaic Geographical Information System)

SAP 4kW - Generation of 3605kW Per Year
PVGIS - Generation of 4470kW Per Year.

SAP is what we have to tell you the system will generate but is not very accurate and PVGIS is more localised.

Look at SAP as worst case scenario and PVGIS as a better estimation.

My SAP calculator is here Solar PV SAP Calculator

PVGIS here JRC's Institute for Energy and Transport - PVGIS - European Commission