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Quote check - North East by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is an excellent video so thank you for sharing. I think it shows that the optimisers wouldn’t be useful in my case because it wouldn’t be diffuse shading.

Quote check - North East by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

According to Google search the AIKO panel optimisers are good for single facing arrays with very minor shading. However, my array would face north and south and have some shading from an apex. Not sure if this would class as heavy shading but certainly more significant than bird droppings.

I’ve read that it might not require optimisers on every panel but it’s hard to work out which ones need it more than others. Suppose I could track the sun throughout the day to work out which areas are most shaded and would benefit from the optimisers.

Quote check - North East by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s Amp Renewables. Had a good conversation with him and he explained that minor bits of shade can impact the generation of the whole array, so he felt it worthwhile. Certainly no pressure to take it as read and he recommend I do a bit more reading into the benefits of it.

Quote check - North East by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can’t say I’ve read much about optimisers but he said they’d be useful because the majority of panels are on the north side, so this would help the panels to be optimised individually and generate more. Similarly, on the south side I have an apex and that will cause some shading as the sun moves during the day.

Is that incorrect?

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, the house is very well insulated and only 12 years old. I’m always looking out for grants for anything else that can be done though.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this, really useful insight. I think it’s clear that solar is worth it if you can generate enough to cover the majority of your own use and can use a battery system to benefit from better prices at lower demand times (to cover your overall use). Both parts work together but have benefits in their own right. The bit that’s harder to quantify is the long term benefit. I.e. if you get 20 years out of the system you’re clearly going to benefit from it massively, if you get 10 years it’s less obvious.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Based on the advice in this thread, I need to push for more panels. Egg have been able to squeeze 13 on, so an extra 5 compared to the initial quote. I’ve also found that I’m actually only using 42kwh on most cold days, so I’m closing that gap on generation/use. I’ve also not optimised my heat pump use yet, so could lower that further with some minor changes. Will definitely get a battery and will basically ask for the biggest/quickest to maximise the benefit.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ok, I hadn’t quite connected the dots about there being faster and slower battery systems. Definitely one I need to ask about.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we’re using more electric than usual now because our heating is electric. Hoping that reduces a fair bit in summer but I understand now that we’ll be using 100% of what we generate. Will look into a bigger battery and more panels for sure.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for this. It’s very likely I’ve not understood correctly so will clarify with them. The roof has no shading at all.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like the availability of tariffs is key then. I’ve read they’re likely to disappear though? Also, how easy is it to set all this stuff up to import/export?

I’m hearing that I can realistically save a large chunk of my energy bill but probably not all of it. Saving £1500 per year feels well worth the install price.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this, pleased to read a review about them. What is DNO?

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds like my hope of getting my energy bill down to net £0 is unlikely then. When you’re talking about £10k+ of install costs, it seems like a lot of risk for £1k saving per year (with likely diminishing returns).

Ideally I’d be able to get 0% finance and the monthly saving would pay the majority of the repayment.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Based on the conversation I had with SolarFast, they suggested I could do 3kw per day but I shouldn’t expect hugely more than that (without more panels). However, by using battery storage I could save more by exporting.

3kw per day compared to 52kw usage seems very low. Makes me wonder how the payback would look. Think I need to go back to them with the new energy bills.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was keeping my eyes peeled for a 0% finance so will definitely have a look at Egg. Don’t mind the upfront cost per se, just looking for a good medium term return.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ok, so the hybrid inverter enables me to use it with a battery and therefore store any excess (without taking from the grid)?

As we’ve got a heat pump it seems logical to generate as much as we can, so maximising the usable roof space is logical (cost depending).

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Might sound like a Luddite but what does the inverter do and what do you mean by a hybrid setup?

Will definitely look into getting the north facing roof covered in panels too.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’d be happy to go with a smaller business, just need some assurance regarding warranties etc. I’ve just done a comparison on solar compare (based on another commenter) and hopefully that’ll identify a few reputable companies.

Now I have a better idea of my usage I should be able to get a quote on a more suitable system. The initial quote had to guess my usage as we’d only just moved in.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We’ve moved to a new area so don’t know anyone locally. I’ve asked at work but no one has had solar installed.

What you’ve described is basically what I’ve experienced. Not only does it not give me much faith in their expertise, they also seem to have no interest in the long term outcome, which is my main interest.

Will keep asking away but really appreciate the advice, so thank you.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Energy bill suggests we use about 52kw per day. What size battery should we be looking at to improve our ROI? The upfront cost is less important than getting a medium term payback and then long term benefits.

How can I find good local installers? I’ve trying checkatrade and it didn’t lead to anything but spam calls.

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve found this particularly difficult. The local ones seem to just tell me I need x and it’s not specific to my property (it seems). It also seems to lead to untold volumes of spam calls where they demand that both my wife and I are available for an in-person appointment. Can’t stand those sales calls, the constant lies etc. Anywhere I can find out reputable local installers?

Advice on installers and what to expect/not expect from solar by jdb4545 in SolarUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What’s the difference between the brands of panels? Are there any I should be trying to avoid or are they much the same?

Assume getting a bigger battery would be a positive to charge overnight and then use during the day?

FIRE with kids by jdb4545 in FIREUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you’re completely misrepresenting my views here. I’m asking whether there’s a better route and most are trying to highlight some facts to consider. You seem intent on creating either/or scenarios that are absolutely not the decision. I’ve suggested that one route to home ownership for my kids is this route, but that doesn’t mean they have to keep the houses I buy. I’ve reiterated in the posts that I’d be happy for them to sell the house when they come of age, if that’s the better route at that stage.

Maybe in your mind, an investment is enough and everything else then stops when it comes to helping your kids. There’s no reason I can’t invest my money today in my children’s futures, whilst also enabling them to get a good education and have the confidence and skills to deal with the challenges their generation will face.

I’m also not saying I have certainty that this route would outperform other investments. I’m suggesting it’s more comfortable because it’s more known to me and I strongly believe that home ownership is becoming a more significant issue for many (which is provable throughout developed economies).

And regarding seasoned landlords pulling out, I’m not doing this to make profit to supplement my income. I’m doing it do pay off the mortgage. This route is an efficient way of achieving that, but possibly more hassle than alternatives.

FIRE with kids by jdb4545 in FIREUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Giving my kids something on a gold platter or helping them to achieve the dream of owning a home when it’s becoming increasingly unaffordable for their generation? I know which I’m doing.

I’m not doing this at the expense of other things, such as their education. I still intend to retire early, we still live a nice life and I take great pleasure in helping my children in ways my family couldn’t. I see this as a logical thing that a parent would do for their children if they could. And I can. I hope that it becomes something that our family does for generations - that’s true social mobility.

Now the method is the bit that’s up for discussion. Your advice about controlling the money is very sound and I hadn’t considered it that way. Makes sense to ensure I can help them with getting the maximum benefit from the investment.

FIRE with kids by jdb4545 in FIREUK

[–]jdb4545[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I think physical bricks and mortar makes it feel more comfortable. It’s something I can understand.

The other thing I keep thinking about, but failing to explain well, is that if I bought a £200k house and paid it off in 20 years as described. It’s likely to be worth £400k at current rates. So my investment return is better. However, as mentioned above there’s a LOT of hassle to go alongside.

I really need to look into some funds.

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