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New solar install payback?
New solar install payback
I’ve currently got a DIY installed 16kwh battery and a small 2kwh of solar panels (shed mounted). I was planning on have more solar installed on the house by an installer to give me a MCS certificate to allow export.
Payback was always going to be questionable as I’ve ran on about 96% off peak tariff over winter on IOG. Most my saving was going to be from summer exports at 15p which has dropped by 20%. With IOG now dropping to 3.5p/4p it’s making spending £4-5K very hard to justify.
I know it’s always going to be based on tariff availability but if you have an EV is solar even worth it anymore or should you just have battery only
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10 Replies
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As I say often, tariffs change. Don’t do it based on tariff, do what makes you least reliant on energy companies so tariffs harm you less
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stand charge is going to be biggest cost and solar doesn’t help much with that. That’s why alot was costed on export payments
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Every 1000kWh of expected annual production on your MCS certificate will add 3 points to your house EPC.
So if you add 6kW solar with an expected production of 6,000kWh you would add 18 points to your house EPC which is likely to improve it by 2 letters.
Houses with higher EPC get higher valuations at time of sale and improved mortgage rates.
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I would definitely agree with you there, moved house last year, I’d had fitted 7.7kwp of panels, house was A rated, sold within days, multiple offers above the asking price.
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While the IOG price remains solar makes little sense personally. Heat your hot water, charge your car and battery and its the cheapest option.
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Solar future proofs any rise in costs for minimal expenditure – if DIY panels are £60 and last 20 years ish.
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A question for you to ponder. How confident are you the future will not change and prices won’t rise?
Your cost of production for Solar PV electricity will be £0.00 on day of install and £0.00 in 10-20 years time too.
IOG night rate is 7p now, 3.5p in a few weeks, but most likely 10p in July, maybe more in Sept and January.
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Honestly, as an owner of a 10kWh array and 30kW of battery storage, I’ve been staring at net electric bills <£50 over winter and wondering if the solar was worth it. Could have had a much easier ride, easier install just getting the batteries in the garage and being done. I’d benefit greatly all year round. If export drops much further, yeah the solar wasn’t worth it.
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your 10kW of solar will have added 18 points to your house EPC so will have covered the cost just in the increase in mortgageable value and the rates you get offered for having a property with 2 grades higher EPC
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None of which impacts me until 2040… bit of a long game
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