The point about understanding how to use your electricity is a good one, but if you're out all day and everything goes to the National Grid, whether you use units during the day or night seems a little immaterial.You get paid for EVERY unit your roof produces, including what you use yourself, not jut what is exported. Furthermore you only pay a reduced amount per unit (well, at the moment) and get 43p for every unit produced.Bear in mind that you probably won't generate the number of units that most Solar Panel Companies calculate (probably midsummer in a desert) but even accepting an annual saving of 25% of your annual electricity bill doesn't include the Feed In Tariff payment. If your bill is say £600, that comes down to £450 plus you will probably "earn" somewhere close to £1,000 from your FIT payment.... What it means is you pay about £12,000 and then get "free" electricity, plus a small surplus towards the cost of installation... so say £550 meaning that you cover your £12,000 in about 25 years, using the present price per unit.I don't see the system as a "money maker" just a way of getting your costs down.If a Utility Company said "Give us £12,000 now and no more electricity bills for 25 years" would that seem a good deal?That's roughly the question. Will I pay more than the installation costs over 25 years? Will you still be here in 25 years, will the price continue to climb, so that in 25 years time, the annual bill might be £5,000 not £500 (or euros or renminbi or whatever)......PV does seem to be the way to go, IF you can afford the initial outlay, but ensure you have at least 3 Quotes and ensure you understand ALL the Cons as well as the Pros....Think "double glazing" and keep on your toes.
Kevin Regan ● 5557d