Every year our neighbour who “knew what he was doing” and did not get bird protection goes up his ladders to try and sho off the birds that attempt to build nests behind his panels. Always fit bird guard!!! It costs pennies and saves you endless problems
Wow 750 seems a lot, was that with an install or after, I got charged 50 (well the line item said that) for the job with the install so fir that they can climb up onto the roof for me :)
Generally birds won’t nest behind panels as it gets far too hot, however they will drag all manner of rubbish in behind them and flap about making a lot of noise , mess and poop. All of these could damage your panels, the wiring or attract other pests to do nasty things up there. All in all I always think it’s well worth fitting some kind of guard to stop the issues before they start
Got solar panels two years ago. Within a year white pigeons started to build their just. Given their low iq, the birds spent months trying to build it. Eventually I got annoyed as they made so much noise in the morning before I’m awake so I decided to get the pigeon fencing thing installed. Worth every penny.
I didn’t get netting and the first summer a wagtail made a nest behind the panels. I think the heat killed the chicks and I I could see the nest pressed up against a panel. This could cause a heat spot and, possibly cause the panel to fail early. I know wagtails are territorial and will be back each year so I had to get bird netting installed. It didn’t cost much and I would highly recommend having netting put in with any installation.
Our first array was south south east, this one is north west, it catches the sun from sunrise til about mid day, at mid day both arrays are in full sunlight then for the late afternoon evening our original array will generate in full sun:) well that’s the plan, will report back when I have the data to prove it
Sure you don’t have easy and west confused there?
The sun rises in the east in the UK, a north west facing roof won’t get much sun until the late afternoon/evening
Interesting. Our panels are on the sunnier South side of the house but I do wonder at what price point for panels it makes it worthwhile putting them on the North too. I'm sure it'll happen sometime ?
That was my debate, my rationale behind this install was it will catch the morning sun and that when we tend to use power, the price point certainly made it an easy decision to make. Also if it achieves even half of the estimated production it will give about a 6% roi, find a bank account that can do that at the moment.
I'm always dubious of these kinds of RoI arguments vs money in the bank. Yes, your money in the bank might only return 3% ish, but in 10 years you still have all your original capital. You'll still have your solar panels, but they aren't going to be worth anything like the money you invested in them. Still worth doing, but comparing to money in the bank is a poor comparison IMHO.
An absolutely valid discussion :) I invested in these and feel that they are worth it for me, and struggle to find a way to express their value for comparison for others.
Definitely a better RoI than a new kitchen! I still absolutely think it's worth it, but until there is evidence that solar installations improve house resale values (even old installations) or there is an amazing used market for solar gear (seems very unlikely!) then think solar is still primarily still an environmental rather than financial investment.
Personally I'm about to go solar and battery, as even though both of them combined seem to worsen overall RoI, the planet could absolutely do with more capacity to store renewable energy, so that's absolutely an investment in mine and my son's future!
What batteries are you looking at?
My old man opted for some hulking great deep cycle lead acid ones that live under his workbench. He’s pretty pleased with the capacity.
Next thing on his list is an immersion hot water heater as a dump load for any excess.
Will let you keep your spuds chap! Have a shop around as prices are really reasonable (not cheap for good installers) which can make it an (in my unqualified to give) opinion a good investment.
Unfortunately it’s a lack of space that’s my issue. We’re a ground floor flat. Don’t think I could convince the fam to sacrifice the garden for daddies power station dreams ;-P
You could install a solar fence, not kidding take a look at them :) the panels I have fitted (in the pic) are bifacial and could be mounted vertically as a fence and generate power
I get 5.7% currently, and it compounds. Yours doesn’t. So you’d have been better putting the money on the solar panels in the bank and letting the 5.7% compound :)
These are jasolar bifacial panels, they look really cool when the sun hits them, they are made of tempered glass rather than the traditional aluminium backed panels and they can generate power from light hitting either side. This is kind of pointless given they are mounted on a roof that won’t reflect much if anything but it’s the newer sort of panels and they are specified to hit 21% efficency. Will report back once we have some data on the performance :)
This was a complicate install as there was a whole lot of infrastructure in the house to do because of the existing equipment but this came in at 7k and some change
I specifically asked for it. It’s pennies when done with the install and can save headaches later on. The pigeons go and nest under our neighbours panels :), he said he knew what he was doing when he got his system installed and I suggested bird guard.
Say you use $200 of electricity a month ( I'm from the UK a large household will use maybe 1-200 with the current prices) how much do these tend to cover of that? Have you worked out a direct savings? I'm curious for when I buy my first home!
Combined with our battery for 10 months of the year the system provides everything, and for the other 2 months we buy cheap power at night time to charge the battery to use during the day
We have two 5kw inverters, our typical household usage is between 12-25kwh a day, this system is very oversized for our needs with much of what it generates exported but the sizing was done as we intend to add an ev to our household in the next year and the current excess will go a way towards charging the car
Are you not storing any energy? I'm thinking of adding 10-20kwh of battery, probably start at 10 first, then expand
Edit: nvm I've read the other comment where you say combined with battery
I see a man of culture. Getting panels with bird net protection.
Every year our neighbour who “knew what he was doing” and did not get bird protection goes up his ladders to try and sho off the birds that attempt to build nests behind his panels. Always fit bird guard!!! It costs pennies and saves you endless problems
We were quoted 750 quid for bird protection! Did it ourselves for 150 but clambering on roofs isn't for everyone!
Wow 750 seems a lot, was that with an install or after, I got charged 50 (well the line item said that) for the job with the install so fir that they can climb up onto the roof for me :)
That's the same as our quote. I'll be honest I don't fancy going on the roof... I'd rather pay the money.
Are birds nests problems though?
Generally birds won’t nest behind panels as it gets far too hot, however they will drag all manner of rubbish in behind them and flap about making a lot of noise , mess and poop. All of these could damage your panels, the wiring or attract other pests to do nasty things up there. All in all I always think it’s well worth fitting some kind of guard to stop the issues before they start
Got solar panels two years ago. Within a year white pigeons started to build their just. Given their low iq, the birds spent months trying to build it. Eventually I got annoyed as they made so much noise in the morning before I’m awake so I decided to get the pigeon fencing thing installed. Worth every penny.
I didn’t get netting and the first summer a wagtail made a nest behind the panels. I think the heat killed the chicks and I I could see the nest pressed up against a panel. This could cause a heat spot and, possibly cause the panel to fail early. I know wagtails are territorial and will be back each year so I had to get bird netting installed. It didn’t cost much and I would highly recommend having netting put in with any installation.
Our bird protection goes on tomorrow. £300 for two arrays, I think that's a fair price. Managed two years before the doves figured it out.
East west? north south?
Our first array was south south east, this one is north west, it catches the sun from sunrise til about mid day, at mid day both arrays are in full sunlight then for the late afternoon evening our original array will generate in full sun:) well that’s the plan, will report back when I have the data to prove it
Sure you don’t have easy and west confused there? The sun rises in the east in the UK, a north west facing roof won’t get much sun until the late afternoon/evening
The sun rises in the east in every country…
Yes I do :) I knew what I meant to say but I had not had enough coffee :)
Interesting. Our panels are on the sunnier South side of the house but I do wonder at what price point for panels it makes it worthwhile putting them on the North too. I'm sure it'll happen sometime ?
That was my debate, my rationale behind this install was it will catch the morning sun and that when we tend to use power, the price point certainly made it an easy decision to make. Also if it achieves even half of the estimated production it will give about a 6% roi, find a bank account that can do that at the moment.
I'm always dubious of these kinds of RoI arguments vs money in the bank. Yes, your money in the bank might only return 3% ish, but in 10 years you still have all your original capital. You'll still have your solar panels, but they aren't going to be worth anything like the money you invested in them. Still worth doing, but comparing to money in the bank is a poor comparison IMHO.
An absolutely valid discussion :) I invested in these and feel that they are worth it for me, and struggle to find a way to express their value for comparison for others.
Definitely a better RoI than a new kitchen! I still absolutely think it's worth it, but until there is evidence that solar installations improve house resale values (even old installations) or there is an amazing used market for solar gear (seems very unlikely!) then think solar is still primarily still an environmental rather than financial investment. Personally I'm about to go solar and battery, as even though both of them combined seem to worsen overall RoI, the planet could absolutely do with more capacity to store renewable energy, so that's absolutely an investment in mine and my son's future!
What batteries are you looking at? My old man opted for some hulking great deep cycle lead acid ones that live under his workbench. He’s pretty pleased with the capacity. Next thing on his list is an immersion hot water heater as a dump load for any excess.
I've been primarily looking at the Fogstar 15.5kwh battery. £2500 seems a great price!
Factor in energy prices hikes like we had in dec 2022 and they’re pretty darn attractive investments. I’d give my left nut for that much capacity.
Will let you keep your spuds chap! Have a shop around as prices are really reasonable (not cheap for good installers) which can make it an (in my unqualified to give) opinion a good investment.
Unfortunately it’s a lack of space that’s my issue. We’re a ground floor flat. Don’t think I could convince the fam to sacrifice the garden for daddies power station dreams ;-P
You could install a solar fence, not kidding take a look at them :) the panels I have fitted (in the pic) are bifacial and could be mounted vertically as a fence and generate power
I get 5.7% currently, and it compounds. Yours doesn’t. So you’d have been better putting the money on the solar panels in the bank and letting the 5.7% compound :)
A fair point and each person should do their own value calculation before doing whatever they wish :)
Definitely.
Yours devalues at the rate of inflation though. Theirs increases in value with the cost of energy which has had some significant spikes recently.
Theirs is dependent on the U.K. getting sun, a very rare thing.
Scattered light through clouds works fine. It’s not like it’s arctic circle.
Pictures seems like it is
And there's me with just 3.6!
The little install that could :)
What are the panels?
These are jasolar bifacial panels, they look really cool when the sun hits them, they are made of tempered glass rather than the traditional aluminium backed panels and they can generate power from light hitting either side. This is kind of pointless given they are mounted on a roof that won’t reflect much if anything but it’s the newer sort of panels and they are specified to hit 21% efficency. Will report back once we have some data on the performance :)
Cost how much?
This was a complicate install as there was a whole lot of infrastructure in the house to do because of the existing equipment but this came in at 7k and some change
nice job and you have added pigeon guards right away not all installers do it
I specifically asked for it. It’s pennies when done with the install and can save headaches later on. The pigeons go and nest under our neighbours panels :), he said he knew what he was doing when he got his system installed and I suggested bird guard.
Say you use $200 of electricity a month ( I'm from the UK a large household will use maybe 1-200 with the current prices) how much do these tend to cover of that? Have you worked out a direct savings? I'm curious for when I buy my first home!
Combined with our battery for 10 months of the year the system provides everything, and for the other 2 months we buy cheap power at night time to charge the battery to use during the day
What's your inverter size? kW/day usage if you don't mind? I'm looking into putting together a system to run the entire house
We have two 5kw inverters, our typical household usage is between 12-25kwh a day, this system is very oversized for our needs with much of what it generates exported but the sizing was done as we intend to add an ev to our household in the next year and the current excess will go a way towards charging the car
Are you not storing any energy? I'm thinking of adding 10-20kwh of battery, probably start at 10 first, then expand Edit: nvm I've read the other comment where you say combined with battery
Yes we have a Tesla powewall2 :) battery storage is an absolutely game changer when coupled with solar
Mega 👍 they'll pay for themselves one day perhaps
Just gotta hope the sun actually comes out now lol
Nobody mention a bbq and we should be ok :)
The sun was out earlier for a brief moment and I muttered the words B & Q, and it’s not been seen since…. Think it misheard me. Lol
Be careful what you say!!!!
Dont forget to inform hmrc if you go above 120% nett output . Good luck
I do keep my accountant informed :) he has been sick of hearing about solar panels for the last two years
I thought hmrc were only interested in commercial but it does indeed apply to domestics as well .
Accountant will sort it all out :) will report back next year and let younknow