Solar Panels

[dom]

We are thinking about having solar panels installed and was interested to hear if anyone on here has installed them, or considered them and decided against it?

If so is the extra outlay for battery storage worth it?
The eddy hot water diverter seems like a no brainer? Any other considerations?   The side of roof that gets most of the sun is South Easterly in direction if that makes any difference!

The Irish Government gives a grant of 2400 euro towards the cost and you get about half what you pay for the cost of electricity as a credit when your solar generation goes back to the National Grid

[Slim]

I did consider solar panels, then decided against it on the basis that it would take too long for them to pay for themselves. There are a lot of variables to think about.

I would think that the batteries are probably worth it, otherwise you'll only save money if you're running high power appliances when the panels are soaking up sunlight. You could run the dishwasher and the washing machine on bright days, maybe heat water during the day, of course.

Batteries don't give back all the energy you put into them though, and they have to be replaced eventually.

[dom]

The batteries are a significant additional cost and wear out after about 5 years of use. The technology is constantly improving so it might be worth waiting a little longer for that to improve. Then again as we get older the return on investment is going to reduce!

[Fishy]

We had a bloke in last night giving us the figures as the Scottish govt are giving grants for this.. it was tempting but we've decided no.. was potentially 9 panels for just over £10k.. 5 monthly payment of £224.. apparently our electricity consumption is above average which I'm not sure why.. checking the e-on app when we were on holiday electricity usage was about£1.50 a day.. so all the usual suspects of fridge freezer Alexa.. my homelab. hive lights coming on at night etc.. can only assume it's maybe the drier which is essential given the shit weather or maybe dishwasher.. maybe the oven as well

[dom]

Funny that you revived this thread Fishy as I've just today given the go ahead for a solar panel installation.

10 panels and battery. The Irish Government gives a 2k grant towards this.

The good thing about the battery is that if you switch to an EV plan you can charge the battery off the grid for peanuts between 2 and 5 in the morning and use it when electricity is more expensive. That means you're making significant savings throughout the year and not just the 6 or 7 months in Spring/Summer

[Fishy]

Funny that you revived this thread Fishy as I've just today given the go ahead for a solar panel installation.

10 panels and battery. The Irish Government gives a 2k grant towards this.

The good thing about the battery is that if you switch to an EV plan you can charge the battery off the grid for peanuts between 2 and 5 in the morning and use it when electricity is more expensive. That means you're making significant savings throughout the year and not just the 6 or 7 months in Spring/Summer

Sounds like a post for the coincidences thread .. smiles...