Is Solar Worth It? My experience of installing Solar Panels in the UK

After my installation of solar panels, I look at the finances of owning solar panels to see if it was a positive investment, as well as helping the planet. Here are the things you NEED TO KNOW before getting a solar PV system installed at your home. Join me as I explain how a solar photovoltaic system is installed and all the things you need to know in order to get a quote. #solarpanel #solar #solarpanels . The average unit price for dual fuel customers on standard UK variable tariffs, subject to Ofgem's price cap, paying by direct debit is now 34.0p/ kWh for electricity and 10.3p/ kWh for gas, inclusive of VAT, from 1 October 2022.
I don’t work for any solar company or body.
I don’t recommend the company that did my installation.
But do get someone to do a free full excel on your house. The returns are much faster than the sceptics say for some reason .
With such big gas price jumps, it now means the financial return on solar panels has changed dramatically. Especially if your charge your ev and part heat with electric fan heaters when you have enough spare power.
It’s not just about the financial numbers.
My system in three weeks has saved almost 100 kg of C02 and 2 kg of sulphur dioxide going into the atmosphere. This is also about making sure the grandkids have a planet to live on, and the North Pole hadn’t turned to mush.
There have been so many daft comments below I may have to switch off comments on this video - Paul
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Take care and stay safe - Paul
Inquiries: [e-mail] We film in the US & UK and are UK based.
© 2022 MGTracey Ltd - Something for Everyone
MUSIC & SOUNDS EFFECTS: soundbible.com.

[@pind507]

It's not always about pay back time it's more related to having peace of mind that you don't have to pay bill for almost rest of your life. Also contributing towards clean energy and our environment at the same time

[@mgtracey]

I couldn’t agree more. So many comments are.. they look ugly … you will never get your money back . One day all houses will have them .

[@mgtracey]

But it the key to saving the planet ! You do get your money back in around 3 years, and it still adds value to your house when you sell it. Much better return than in a savings account ?

[@calderjack7818]

I wouldn't worry too much about the environment, the UK contributes about 1% to the worlds co production!

[@constructioneerful]

@@calderjack7818calderjack - you make no sense - could split all of the worlds emissions into 1% segments, and then you don’t need to worry about any of them!

[@AlexH2024]

Standing charge is about £15 a month so theres a certain amount ud pay each month , solar generation in the winter in the UK is awful so definatley not free in winter months!

[@harryhaines1995]

Lots of interesting comments here, and I wanted to share my personal view on solar as I work with several of the largest companies using my software. Solar is, without doubt an excellent investment. But you have to be mindful of the reasoning behind your decision to have solar installed. For example, make sure you do your due diligence when it comes to finding the right provider. So many solar companies are using the market boom to boost their profits, and I myself have had to stop selling my software as it was being misused and frankly abused. Payback period varies depending on your situation. Where is your property located, what system do you have, what inverter have you gone for, the amount of sun time in a calendar year, how clean and close to full capacity is your system working. These are just a few questions in the sum of a solar payback. However, let's be smart about this and understand the climate situation. Without doubt the UK government will make it mandatory for most houses in the UK to have solar, subsidised or not. But, the real question is, does having solar installed increase your property value, while reducing your monthly expenses. I would have to side with yes (not financial advice). For anyone looking to have solar installed, I would certainly do your research and even get in touch with me at [e-mail]. We've developed an important checklist to consider before investing into solar.

[@KJSvitko]

An energy efficient home or business is more comfortable and saves money in the long run. Solar energy on your roof combined with battery storage can make people more independent from the grid and natural gas supplies. Add solar and supplemental electric heating or a heat pump for home heating.. Added insulation, triple glaze windows, energy efficient doors, energy efficient heating and cooling systems, energy efficient appliances, LED lighting, smart thermostats, solar panels combined with battery storage and a electric vehicle charger in the garage or car park. People are too focused on the short term costs and miss out on long term savings and comfort. Blower door testing and air sealing are under appreciated tools.Even if you have money to burn you should not waste it. Climate Change will impact everyone. Leave a better future for your children and grandchildren. Join in and speak up for the future of the planet.

[@mgtracey]

Thank you for your comment. I have received so many nasty comments about this video from sceptics that they I have had to remove dozens of them and even thought about removing the video . The financial numbers are good if you follow your points, but even if they weren’t its for the benefit of future generations. In the first 9 days of this month the cells have generated 160 KWh and have exported 66KWh. Octopus new flex export tariff pays an average of over 30p per KWh!

[@markwelsh9068]

"Climate Change" my arse!

[@UK-Expat-in-USA]

Being an Ex-Pat living in Las Vegas with Solar and a Tesla Powerwall over the past 3 years we have Not paid a power bill, we bank enough credits during summer with our Time Of User power rate that it covers us for the rest of the year, I've interested what kind of savings you get in the UK for if we decide to return home

[@markrainford1219]

Why would you do that? lol

[@Nine-Signs]

A migrant. Nought wrong with that, I just find it odd Brits often use "ex pat" to avoid the obvious.

[@trodd77]

​@@Nine-Signs"Expat" typically refers to someone living temporarily abroad, often for work, while maintaining ties to their home country. Try using the dictionary now and then mate.

[@bicycle-oq1eh]

return to the UK for the BUPA medical private insurance is a very, very good reason. in my opinion. I've lived on both sides of the pond..

[@sazzadur]

If you live in Scotland, the simple answer is "NO". I installed on my roof, and I regret to waste money. Now I have to pay electril bill plus loan of solar panels. Solar Panel is not for Scotland, dark weather cannot produce electricty and 1KWH production in entire day during dark rainy weather period does not worth at all.

[@mgtracey]

Kent is very different. Even now at end of October Im getting and average of 7KWh per day. Many variables. Roof pitch, roof direction, no tree overhang, and having the very latest panels. This year my system has generated over 5000 KWh so far. Enough to power three houses here. (Subject to your levels of insulation)

[@sazzadur]

Kent is sunny place. The maximum I got was 16.9KWH in a very sunny September. But when the day is dark with black cloud and rain, it produces less than 1kwh in a day and the entire October is the same.

[@richjones5432]

We had a installation in mid Aug. We live in N.Wales with a full on large south facing roof. Its early days but we are seeing a definite benefit. But & I think this is a very BIG BUT & I had done the maths & not the "math" before we got involved. If you can afford to buy your system privately ...... i.e with your own money, then yes you will see savings going forward. Our system will never recoup its initial price in our lifetimes. We have waved 60 a big bye bye. Its like buying tyres. What we will get going forward are much lower electric bills. So people please understand the cost / gain ratio here. I don't really see any overall benefit if you front load solar + finance. Just my opinion & I am not qualified to give financial advise.

[@peterlangridge4639]

We haven't begun our solar journey yet but are considering it. Q. Do you still pay your grid supplier a silly amount daily for standing charges? Ours presently is close to 45 p a day, considering they're only offering SEG rates of 4/5 p per Kw seems a mockery. So far, I've had two quotes for 16/12 425 watt panels, 6KW inverter and 5KW battery, both different equipment but costs are similar. One offer was for 16 panels, the other suggested we only needed 12. As cost difference was minimal should we opt for "bigger is better" and have the extra units? As far as batteries are concerned, is one type better than another? Your helpful advice will be much appreciated.

[@mgtracey]

Sorting out the feed in tariff is a whole different ball game . It has been a major pain in the arse due to the amount of paperwork and people like your DNO that you have to deal with. I’ll do another video on it when I finally got to grips with it the gist of it, You don’t need to sell the electricity to the same company that you buy electricity from so it seems the best deal is octopus at 15p per kilowatt hour, but you can’t combine that with an economy seven tariff. It’s really about how much electricity you can store you can’t use all the electricity these systems generate in the day, so I think you need two batteries to be able to store at least 10 kWh That should run your house except for heating for a day. No reduction on standing charges . But you may be able to earn £1000 for feed in fees or TV year . Depends on lots of variables . House position , and roof pitch angle .

[@JohnJones-ri7pi]

yes took me 5 months to get the SEG tariff up and running lol@@mgtracey

[@richjones5432]

At the risk of making it more complicated people should understand that the storage rating of a battery does not align itself with the discharge rate.@@mgtracey

[@jonnyswalk4674]

Perhaps a naive question here….but I’m thinking forward to when electric cars etc are compulsory and I’m genuinely wondering what sort of a system you’d need to be able to run your house and charge up your car at the same time? Im wondering would you have to have “2 roofs” and “a loft caving in with batteries”….or does anyone know some new or clever ways that things will be going in the future?Thanks 👍

[@mgtracey]

The system will have a software tweak so after supplying the house and charging main batteries it will charge the ev before exporting any power .

[@jonnyswalk4674]

I’m no mathematician but that would be a few candles of power is what i was getting at. Whilst I was also wondering if it is possible for a system like we have now to be totally “off-grid” whilst meeting such high power needs of the NOW and soon to be ALL Electric future. And I wonder what additional ways of generating power will be explored along the way to meet our power needs in that future. Especially when we add to our power needs those drone style people carrying flying EV’s which again in the “future” future perhaps after our days, will become a part of the modern day travel! Maybe one step at a time eh? 👍Anyway thanks for your video and taking the time to answer Sir 🙂 👍

[@uksupporter8867]

No it’s not as I have just been quoted £800 before vat for a new inverter after 4.5 years so where is the savings, this is almost £200 per year and I barely saved that in the first place . Regretting this

[@mgtracey]

Mine has a nine year warranty. With power to the house next year over £3000 per annum . Full system cost is under £15000. Including two batteries. Power sold back to net as we’re away in summer is £750 per annum . About four years and it breaks even .

[@bilbocrackers3246]

@@mgtracey may have misread...power sold back at £750 per year x 4 =£1500. the 4 year break even time - what does that actually mean please?

[@mgtracey]

The equasion is a bit more complicated than that. It also depends if you have a system with enough storage batteries or if you are charging your EV as well. But roughly thats just the feed in tariff, this house saves over £1500 on the electric it was using. We use electric fan heaters and water immersion heaters rather than gas whenever we can, even worked in Feb. Gas saving £1400 per year. Fully charging an EV can cost over £50 a go. 4 x £750 is actually £3000 not £1500 as you state. 4 years electric sold £3000 4 Years electric saved £6000 4 years of gas saving ( not total it wont cover dec / jan. ) £5600. And we all know how tariffs for buying power are going up over the next few years, Total for 4 years actually £14600. More than install cost. We got the local estate agent to value our house before and after. Panels added £10K, so even when well sell we get some money back.

[@stuartburns8657]

Got a relatively new installation ourselves. Mid September. 6k PV and 8.2k battery with 5k inverter. Last month pretty much been topping up battery to 100% via Octopus Go. Tumbler and washing machine we also set to run during the cheap period. 4 year period payback seems optimistic?

[@mgtracey]

I have been told that the Octopus Go tariff doesnt give you the 15 p per Kwh feed in rate ?

[@stuartburns8657]

@@mgtracey no, it's 4.1p. Wanted to get through the winter before considering a tariff change tbh. Might switch come March, and back to Go end of October..

[@stevedunn3113]

@@mgtracey I'm on Octopus Go. Feed in tariff is £0.04.1 pence per KWH.

[@mgtracey]

From their website today !!! Fixed Outgoing Octopus: a flat tariff, so you can sell your electricity at a flat unit price of 15p per kWh . Change quick !

[@mgtracey]

octopus.energy/blog/outgoing/

[@philiplindley7384]

I've watched videos of people in the southern states in the USA saying it takes 10/12 years to recoup the investment so saying it can be done in 4 years in the UK makes me dubious?

[@mgtracey]

This is because in the UK electricity prices can be 10 times higher than in the US. So depsite less sun, but then adding in the no UK tax on Solar Panels, 4 years is when I will hit for a full return. But its better than that really as the value of my house when sold will still be higher than before the panels were installed. In the UK the panels will add roughly the install cost to the value of the property. Your roof and property angle also play a part. Most solar comapnies will send you an estimate of what your actuall roof will generate. Paul

[@MichaelPickles]

Be careful of installers charging £1,000 for a bit of plastic. The cost of them would be 100 quid tops including labour

[@mgtracey]

What choice does one have . Has to be done while scaffolding up. I don’t want to do it. All quotes in Kent were similar. Neighbour spends time on top of a ladder poking out fried pigeons . Still get total money back in four years .

[@jamesl3546]

@@mgtracey Thanks for the run down, but £1000 IS excessive for the mesh bird proofing, especially if it is part of the install with the scaffolding in situ. I think some of the cost of that should be absorbed in the costs of the original install. The solid aluminium solaskirt is more in line with that pricing, which at least gives a smart in roof apoearance to the panels. If someone is reasonably active, I'd consider doing it themselves while the scaffolding is in place, if the installers quote is excessive. I certainly would have done so if I had, had any knowledge of the bird issues when it was installed. As it is I'm going with the solaskirt when I have some additional panels added.

[@aclegendary94]

What is the capacity of each panel you have installed as you have 12 panels? And what is the positioning of your roof?

[@stephen_syddallskycom]

I have Sunsynk as well

[@mgtracey]

How you getting on ?

[@stephen_syddallskycom]

@@mgtracey i love it , i have the same battery storage as you do just over 10 kwh an 8kw hybrid invertor and a 6.24 kh solar array

[@thepaintedsock]

Thanks for sharing the video. I'm interested in your annual credit/deficit and total kwh actually used. Regarding installing the plastic around the edges of the solar panels? Surely you can buy some chicken wire for £20 and get a roofer to do it for a days job at a quarter of the price?

[@mgtracey]

You can use chicken wire but you need to check the warranty small print . It doesn’t look as good though. In high winds my neighbours lost theirs !

[@mgtracey]

Overall the system makes three times the energy our house uses. I am changing the big tests of power . Our new washing machine is A+ rated with a 20 minute cycle. I need to swap our dryer to a new A++ heat pump version which takes longer but uses much less power . In Dec to End of Feb the system makes less power than we need and in then in surplus for 9 months .

[@thepaintedsock]

Thanks for feedback. Can I ask what kwh system you have? Roughly how many kwh will it generate for you during the month of august and the month of december in total? Thanks@@mgtracey

[@SPIDERman9051]

all i need to know is this..do having solar power cut my energy bills per month or not?

[@mgtracey]

Yes it should make your house neutral. You may have to buy some electricity in the winter but you’ll export more than that in the summer. Also remember the investment is still there in the house. Check with your local estate agent or Rialta at 10,000 investment add 10,000 to the house when you sell it so you can’t lose.

[@DragonXDrei]

Does your panel warranty get voided if you put the bird netting? I thought you shouldn't attach anything to them.

[@mgtracey]

Fitted by the installation company I didn’t add . Defo needed as birds get underneath otherwise

[@DragonXDrei]

@@mgtracey Needed, but have been told that it invalidates the warranty, regardless who installed it, your warranty is with the panel manufacturer, not the installer. I know there are some new guards now that don't need any attachment (screwing or glueing).

[@Erks89]

We don’t have any sunshine in UK, does this actually work?

[@mgtracey]

I don’t know why people are so sceptical just a quick call to an estate agent to see how much he owes to the value of a house and some simple numbers. Everybody should do it here is a chart showing last weeks son and how much was exported.

[@mgtracey]

The system won’t let me put the chart here so I’ll do it as a post now on the front of my channel

[@GWAYGWAY1]

How much does the limit on export actually make a difference to the costs to you of the solar power?

[@mgtracey]

There is no actual physical limit just if you’re exporting (this is from memory )over 4 kW/h you need a different sort of license. This doesn’t cost anything but it just takes a little longer to get it approved. More has to be checked because the amount of energy you’re putting back into the grid.

[@a7eca13]

What size battery u recommend for 12 panel system?

[@mgtracey]

Have more than you think you need . Electricity is worth more to you than exporting it particularly as we moved to electric vehicles. I’ve got two mega battery packs from sun synk in the loft

[@calderjack7818]

From a lot of your replies it sounds like you're a promotion figure for solar panels. Most pay back times are about 12 years plus!

[@mgtracey]

You can see ive been doing KZbin for 12 years. I don’t work for any solar company. Get a solar company to do an excel projection on your house. With new electricity prices it’s about 3/4 years. We charge a ev so no petrol to purchase either. Run fan heaters when we have spare power so we don’t use the gas heating. It depends on your house angle and roof pitch. My system is already generating nearly 30 KWh per day . Summer should be better . We also work in the usa a lot so we have a higher percentage exported via 🐙 Octopus. Compare that return to what the money would earn sitting in a building society account ? Ask yourself why are there so many houses around you getting installs ?

[@mgtracey]

I don’t even mention which company did my install . I wouldn’t recommend them even if I did .

[@drmarrese101]

Having lithium batteries of that size in the house is playing with fire. I’d put them in an insulated shed, garage or at least on a external wall. If they catch fire nothing can stop them

[@mgtracey]

They are on an outside wall within a fireproofed area.

[@JohnJones-ri7pi]

They're Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, not Lithium Ion, not a fire risk at all

[@huudielbo728]

You didn't answer the question, was it worth it? Do the sums.

[@mgtracey]

Yes money back within 4 years . Over life of panels it’s £97,000 profit .

[@LukaszStolarczuk]

May I know the cost of all from start to finish?

[@mgtracey]

Including some moving some of the pipes on the roof ready for the installation Andy installation cost with two battery packs. Are you looking at just under £14,000 there is no VAT currently in the UK on this work.

[@theoldskoolboyzzzz6958]

how many panels did you get and how long will it take to pay itself off cheers Rob

[@mgtracey]

My system generates up to 4KW pH at Max. I had all pipes on roof moved so maximum area could be panelled. Under 4 years payback. But you cant lose as the intsall cost just adds to the house value. Ask your local estate agent how much more a £10K system woudl add to your house.l

[@rocky5755]

Do the batteries become less efficient over time?

[@mgtracey]

Yes they are the same as in as Tesla car. For 10 years it’s nominal. Next 10 years they lose around 1/3. This is factored into all the return on invest calculations. Remember whatever happens estate agents say your house value when you sell goes up roughly by the solar investment. So you always get your money back . If later you have an Tesler car it can also store 5 days of house power you can use from the car,

[@dan4566]

I have the pipe on my roof aswell, how did you go about removing it? Have you got any more info on that?

[@mgtracey]

I got a plumber to cut the pipe in the loft space and fit the durgo value. A roofer to remove the old pipe above and install anew tile. About £250 in all. Make it all look better and increases the yeild, improving the ROI to about 4 years.

[@RichardABW]

@@mgtracey Sounds worth doing even if you're not doing solar!

[@brianholding4357]

@@RichardABW I did that 10 years ago.

[@scriptedpixelsltd]

How have you found the sun synk gear? Is there many companies that support it incase the company who does the install goes bust? Also, what’s wired to your mains meter from the install? Looking at getting solar installed & just doing my research. It’s the same install as yours too, coincidentally

[@mgtracey]

No problems. Sun stuck us sold by several companies. I need to get my system updated as I add in an ev charging point .

[@scriptedpixelsltd]

@@mgtracey what would you get to the system now you’ve got an ev?

[@scriptedpixelsltd]

Do you gave you app settings available here for you export timings etc?

[@RichardABW]

If you spend anything like £1000 for bird protection you are being done I'm afraid.

[@mgtracey]

With Contact Solar that was the price. Sort of plastic spring system that goes all around the edge. Other types near me have not stopped the pigeons esting.

[@RichardABW]

@@mgtracey It is the price with many of them, maybe most or all that have some kind of sales team. They are absolutely rinsing people during these high energy times. The kit tends to be around £200, I can't believe it would take more than an hour to fit for someone doing this stuff all the time.

[@Nine-Signs]

A thousand pounds extra for something 25 quid's worth of chicken wire can prevent? o.o, otherwise, looks great.

[@mgtracey]

Warranty issues with chicken wire. Already had to have one panel replaced as it went a funny colour under the warranty.

[@Nine-Signs]

@@mgtracey Ah I understand, as for the panels, at least you know the warranty's good. I am looking at doing a DIY install, it's a rental but long term at a good rate so it's worth it. Funny you should mention the econ7 tariff plus batteries idea as I was actually wondering if that would be possible just a couple of weeks back and well you've answered that for me. Much obliged.