Snow and solar.

[SUNRAY]

If the panels actually 'fail' before the end of the guarantee period then, provided that the guarantee still 'works' (e.g. the provider of the guarantee still exists!), that's presumably not a problem, is it, since they would presumably replace the failed panels 'under warranty'? However, there could, and probably would, be some argument about what constituted 'failure' - particularly if one was just talking about reduced output!

Precisely. My simple obversations seem to point to 10% per year and on that basis 100% over 10 years. If they were down to say 70% by then I'm sure the guarantee provider would have no difficulty rejecting any claim.

The nastier situation is presumably if the panels fail soon after the end of the guarantee period?

Which I've heard of so many times, including having a car stolen less than 12 hours after the insurance expired at which point my initial renewal price simply wafted away.

As I always say, I think that far too many people do not give enough thought to the financial side of all this. As I've said to him, I think that the wisdom of people as old as eric and myself making a large 'capital investment' which will mean that, at best, we will be financially 'worse off' for the next X years is pretty questionable.

I'm not far behind in age but 13 years ago I came to the same conclusion. I'd have been 56 then

Of course, as someone may well point out, there are reasons other than financial for having PV - and I would not knock people who felt that being "financially worse off for the next X years" was an acceptable price to pay for 'saving the planet'. However, I suspect that not too many people think like that!

Fully agree, I feel anyone 'out in the sticks' would be very sensible to have PV with battery

 

[ericmark]

Fully agree, I feel anyone 'out in the sticks' would be very sensible to have PV with battery

This was the main reason for having PV and battery, a power cut will be unlikely to stop central heating and freezers to stop working. May lose lights etc, but will not freeze.

 

[JohnW2]

This was the main reason for having PV and battery, a power cut will be unlikely to stop central heating and freezers to stop working. May lose lights etc, but will not freeze.

I have a cheapo Lidl generator which enables me to have central heating and lights in the event of a power cut. At about GBP 150 (I seem to have temporarily lost my 'pound' symbol ), it was a fair bit cheaper than PV+batteries

 

[SUNRAY]

I have a cheapo Lidl generator which enables me to have central heating and lights in the event of a power cut. At about GBP 150 (I seem to have temporarily lost my 'pound' symbol ), it was a fair bit cheaper than PV+batteries

Same here; £69.95 B&W 650VA, primarily got it for my public address work...

Used once in 30 years!

 

[Why Not Indeed]

Yes I'm aware the sun level has a lot to do with it but I believe 23 and 24 haven't been very different , bearing in mind the very sunny February and March 24.

UK: sunshine hours by month 2024 | Statista

The average daily sunshine hours in the UK are lowest in January and December, with December 2023 recording less than one hour of daily sun on average.

www.statista.com

February 2024 was about 40% down on 2023 and 2024. March 2024 was about 25% up on 2023, but 45% down on 2022. February was one of only three months in 2024 [so far] that beat either 2023 or 2022. So I am confident that 2024 will be down on 2023 and 2022.

 

[ericmark]

February 2024 was about 40% down on 2023 and 2024. March 2024 was about 25% up on 2023, but 45% down on 2022. February was one of only three months in 2024 [so far] that beat either 2023 or 2022. So I am confident that 2024 will be down on 2023 and 2022.

I see your point, however only need to move one mile, to find different weather. So 2023 October is the only month I can compare with a full month in 2024

even this now I have off-peak and 6.4 kWh of battery, and in 2023 no off-peak and the battery only 3.2 kWh. And your data does not include October, so can't compare. Sept

It was only fitted on 7th of Sept so not a full month. Your data shows

more sunlight in 2023, but my data does not match up with that. I am showing ¼ more sunlight, which matches up for missing week, so in real terms about the same.

 

[lostinthelight]

2023 was my best year since installation in March 2019