Solar Panels

[Bayleaf]

Seriously thinking about investing in this in some shape or form - especially if there's a chance of a grant from Govt. as we're well under the income threshold.

Anyone with solar panels who can give some advice first hand?

Articles like this don't sound overly positive!
https://www.french-property.com/news/mo ... lar_panels

[Blaze]

It could be easy to be tempted by the thought of solar panels, but the practicalities aren't very encouraging. I think this paragraph is very relevant, particularly in older houses :

"If your only objective is to reduce your electricity bill, a cheaper alternative would be to give primary consideration to insulating your property, through draft-proofing, insulating the loft and the installation of double glazing."

[RobertArthur]

Bayleaf, about photovoltaic solar panels:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=55

General remark about those grants: there are income limits and bear in mind that in France the price is at least "real price" + grant, so you are not the one to benefit from this funding. Which helps to explain the huge differences with other European countries.

[Bayleaf]

Thanks, very informative.

The bottom line is that householders will be encouraged to have them installed - to reduce use of fossil fuels in the longterm, but at absolutely no saving to the consumer by the sounds of it!

We've done so much to try to insulate our 300yr old house - there is a limit, especially when resources are low.

[MAD87]

Bayleaf, about photovoltaic solar panels:

viewtopic.php?f=18&t=55

General remark about those grants: there are income limits and bear in mind that in France the price is at least "real price" + grant,

Exactly - inflated prices are the real stumbling block.

[exile]

I've posted this before but since it has come up again as a subject, I will post again.

Out heating and plumbing engineer no longer advertises solar panels. If really pushed he will install them (and is accredited to do so). He says that the returns for selling your electricity are so low that the payback time is around 20 years if you have to borrow the money to have them installed. He says the projected lifetime of the cells is around 15 years.

What I don't know is whether the increasing cost of purchasing electricity has led to a commensurate gain in selling it back.

[Hotrodder]

If I had the available cash I would certainly go for solar panels, but not involving any contractors or grants with lots of cryptic fine print, or contracts tying me to sell to EDF.
A system of panels, plus a huge bank of storage batteries, well managed systemic approach would allow me to terminate my supply contract with EDF. I think they call it "off grid".

[exile]

That's the thing with living off-grid.

You can save a fortune in bills but to do so you need to invest a bigger fortune.


I remember having similar feelings in the late 70s/80s with self sufficiency and all it meant. Easy peasy. All you need is
a minimum 10 acres - preferably double
a heavy horse - preferably female plus access to male sperm
a few cows - and a bull or access to sperm
chickens
pigs
sheep
a wood - for fuel, fence posts, etc..
various bits of horse drawn farming kit - harrows, harvesters, winnowers, ploughs etc.
A well
A farm house, barn and outbuildings
plus all of the off-grid accoutrements to avoid buying electricity, water, fuel, clothing etc.

And you still have to pay rates, internet (today - previously telephone and stamps), vets bills, etc.

[L Austin France]

That's the thing with living off-grid.

You can save a fortune in bills but to do so you need to invest a bigger fortune.


I remember having similar feelings in the late 70s/80s with self sufficiency and all it meant.

Yeah right!
I bet you, like the rest of us red blooded males, could see no further than the delightfull Felicity Kendal playing Barbara on 'The Good Life'.

[exile]

You are wrong LAF. I also helped fund John Seymour's self sufficient life style by buying several of his books.