Ministers are consulting on rules that will let households plug cheap solar panels straight into their mains. But several big questions remain unanswered, reports Josiah Mortimer
I’ve got two 250w panels set up feeding a 1kwh battery box/inverter which in turn feeds my ‘fridge and works as a UPS.
Around the solstice I can run it all about 12-14hrs but even a month later it’s down to 8-10 already, never mind winter, and with current rates it’s at least a 10 year payback. I don’t really understand the financials of microsolar. It seems like something that scales better if the building management put it up rather than individuals with 400w on the balcony.
I think it depends how much the panels cost, batteries probably make it much harder to pay for it’s self as they add a lot to the cost. Also depends on how much of that power you can use and if you get a decent export rate if not.
I’ve got two 250w panels set up feeding a 1kwh battery box/inverter which in turn feeds my ‘fridge and works as a UPS.
Around the solstice I can run it all about 12-14hrs but even a month later it’s down to 8-10 already, never mind winter, and with current rates it’s at least a 10 year payback. I don’t really understand the financials of microsolar. It seems like something that scales better if the building management put it up rather than individuals with 400w on the balcony.
I think it depends how much the panels cost, batteries probably make it much harder to pay for it’s self as they add a lot to the cost. Also depends on how much of that power you can use and if you get a decent export rate if not.