Talk Morgan Forums Community General Photo Gallery Solar PV at the N-M ranch

I know that one or two of the TM regulars are also micro generators, so I thought I would post our new installation up for anyone interested.
It's a 4KW system and it went live at the end of last week, but with so little bright weather over the last few days we have not generated very much electricity so far.
Cheers,
N-M

4KWH installation fitted late November 2011, just in time to get on the 42p/Kwh deal.

Nominal output 3296 Kwh/year according to the Government figures for our latitude (Salisbury, Wilts) and orentation of the roof.

2012 Power = 3723Kwh so 13% above nominal.
2013 Power - 3792Kwh so 15% above nominal

To date over £4000 back from the Government, so payback in 6.5 years. Then the next 18.5 years is pure index linked profit.
There is a high probability that a new DC/AC converter will be needed on the way, but they are about £2500.

As has been said by others, this the best investment I've ever made.
Average monthly revenue is £133 so over 25 years that is over £40K, less the capital cost, including alowing for a new converter, is £15K leaving £25K over 25 years

So the profit is at least £1K a year, INDEX LINKED and TAX FREE!!

+1
Mine is generating more Than the quote
I am very happy with it

Just an update...

Last September saw the FIT payment that finally paid off the cost of installation and up to date nothing has broken or dropped off, so we're into profit going forward, which means that any future FIT payments can be used towards either helping to heat the place (currently mains gas and two open coal fires) or re-invest in some sort of further energy saving equipment.
As insulating the walls is not a practical solution for this property and a ground source heat pump wouldn't be workable due to the lack of heat retention qualities of the house, my original thoughts were to invest in a good biomass boiler system, but the cost would be quite considerable if it were to be done properly.
I wondered if anyone else has an old property and found the perfect method of effectively heating their home with some sort of eco qualities.

The next FIT cheque will clear our costs & put us in profit too.

Can't help on the heating but Bob the Train has also installed batteries to store power so maybe that plus electric heating?

I divert excess power into hot water till hot. The switch cost a few hundred fitted & is also just about paid back after 5 years.
Maybe you could connect a similar switch to night storage heaters except feed them in the day?

About to have a 5kw system installed with possibly another 2-3kw in Jan - Feb when we get clearance , just got to get roof tiles on first !

I thought the maximum was 4Kw for FiT?

Ugly things aren't they.

Eye of the beholder and all that, I suppose. Fortunately we have enough land to go for a ground-mounted array, which I'll start looking into next year.

Interestingly, I was talking to one of the strategy guys today, apparently the future for gas is that as it gets more and more expensive, it will be too valuable to squander on heating, we'll have to keep it for flexible generation to complement the variable output from renewables.

For heating, they are expecting a massive increase in the use of ground-source heat pumps and a widespread switch (back?) to electrical heating in houses.

You can't see our array unless you are at the top of the back garden. Even so I love the fact I am saving the planet a bit.

Just don't mention the flight miles & the Roadster.
I also like the tax free index linked cash as well.

Jay...I agree, but a/ You get used to it after a few years & b/ It's not affected the fabric of the building so can be removed or changed to less visual panels in the future.

Tim....Interesting point about the cost of gas...and I agree, ground source heat pump systems are probably the future for air tight and mega insulated new build houses but draughty 300 year old farmhouses?.....forget it. Hence the reason why I grasped the nettle and grabbed the FIT bandwagon....to help take the sting out of future heating costs in my future retirement.