Solar power: Anyone have any experience?

[DontAsk]

Wiring in this house is 44 years and still going strong. Previous but one house was 45+ years when we sold it and still had a Wylex rewireable fuse box. The house in between still had rubber insulated cables from the 1950s, as well as some newer wiring in extensions and modern (<10 year old) consumer units. No one raised any red flags during either sale/purchase.

The rubber stuff was perfectly safe, as shown by qualified inspections, and none of it needs re-wiring. You are NEVER required to re-wire unless you are doing work on a circuit and the regs state the whole circuit needs to be brought up to current regs. Even then, there is no requirement to do the whole house.

At least one poster in this thread doesn't know what he is talking about.

 

[Bob Morgan]

I trust that you will all sleep soundly with antique wiring from last century!

 

[DontAsk]

I trust that you will all sleep soundly with antique wiring from last century!

We will. Far more important things to worry about.

 

[Bob Morgan]

We will. Far more important things to worry about.

Ah yes, all of those used batteries!

 

[DontAsk]

Ah yes, all of those used batteries!

Why would I be worrying about them? They are long gone. I only use rechargeables now.

 

[Scubadog]

I trust that you will all sleep soundly with antique wiring from last century!

I do.
I have tested mine and test around 200 installations each year.

I have also seen some recent installations that i have had to isolate and issue a danger notice on.

Point is....age means not a lot in electrical wiring.

 

[m4hmo]

The guy we stayed with in Devon 2 weeks ago has built his own set up on his swimming pool roof (which he also built), as it is non certified he can not have it feed in to the grid and so gets nothing back - however, the panels are 750W and cost him £150 direct from China, he has 20 plus a large battery storage solution that cost £1700 (sounds like a jet engine when the panels are all charging it in full sunlight), for sub £5k he has not used any mains since last November when it was up and running and he charges his MG 5Sw and his Citroen eDispatch from it for free overnight. He already imports stuff from China so had the contacts.

I am absolutely going to do what this guy did with ordering cheap from china, i have no problem taking risks like this. Labour is free after all. Thank you for the inspiration.

 

[m4hmo]

.

 

[Clodbuster]

Read a little further than Manufacturer’s Claims! An increasing amount of research has been done in recent years. In many instances, we are comparing Apples and Bananas – Just like Motor Vehicle Fuel MPG Figures, there is a huge difference between the REAL WORLD and a Laboratory Bench Test! We also have to examine PRECISELY WHAT is being measured by Manufacturers! – Is it the performance of the Outer Skin; The PV Cell; or the Entire Panel Assembly?

Their ‘Claimed Degradation’ CANNOT take account of Microclimate, Array Design, and other 'Local' Environmental Factors – And finally, we have to apply the Volkswagen Phenomenon!

A True Degradation Rate of 50% in 5 Years is true of ‘Cheap Panels’ (Dependent upon Circumstances) – All assuming that the Panel actually stays together for 5 Years!

I've had my panels for 13 years and most certainly NOT lost 50% in any length of time. This shows my daily averaged over 7 days. The 10 year average is that same period over 10 years. Have not had to renew anything, never cleaned the panels. House was built in 1975. Our draw from mains dropped by 30% immediately. The array paid for itself in 4.5 years. I do benefit from high FIT payments - currently £0.81/KW (08/11/2022)

 

[Bob Morgan]

Have not had to renew anything, never cleaned the panels.

Does the array face North too?

 

[Clodbuster]

Does the array face North too?

Sarcastic git - they are actually East West.angle more South. Goes from 13/2 - 12/2 (that was the day they were completed) Read every Tuesday. I'm no expert, simply saying what I've experienced.

 

[Bob Morgan]

Sarcastic git - they are actually East West.angle more South. Goes from 13/2 - 12/2 (that was the day they were completed) Read every Tuesday. I'm no expert, simply saying what I've experienced.

The Compliments of the Season to you too!

 

[Gettingthereslowly]

My limited solar experience:

Had circus of salesmen trying to flog them to me; went with the firm mid-priced, but seemed most trustworthy/had ther own installers/technicians.

10kw + 18kw systems fitted 7 years ago
South facing
Both systems have paid for themselves after 5.8 yrs (including therotical cost of capital/interest)
No breakdowns
No cleaning/maintenance
Current FIT unit price of £0.1343
Use most of the electricty produced for own consumption
Current panel performance ahead of manufacturers degreation chart

(i've just checked the 7 firms we got round to quote.........none of them are in business now)

I am slightly worried that in 20+ yrs, the actual panels will be like asbestos, expensive to dispose of/specialst contractor to remove etc.

 

[amyjones]

I've recently installed solar panels and battery system on my home and I am keen to understand how this will impact my savings. Can anyone shed some light on what sort of returns I can expect? Is it worth investing in solar energy? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

 

[Mark T Jones]

I've recently installed solar panels and battery system on my home and I am keen to understand how this will impact my savings. Can anyone shed some light on what sort of returns I can expect? Is it worth investing in solar energy? Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Surely you'd have researched that before splashing out?

Anyway, as a starting point, listen to what the salesperson says & add a barrel of salt.