UK PV Installations Reaping Increased Savings & Income

Sign up for daily news updates from CleanTechnica on email. Or follow us on Google News!

 
According to a new study released by the Energy Saving Trust, UK homeowners are earning a pretty penny from their photovoltaic installations. The data show that the average combined savings and income made from households installing solar photovoltaic installations has increased by nearly £100.

“The average size of solar PV installations has increased from 3kWp to 3.5kWP, which basically means households are generating more electricity and therefore more savings and Feed-in Tariff income,” said Ian Cuthbert, renewables expert from the Energy Saving Trust. “It is clear that UK households are increasingly looking to get the maximum yield for their roof to maximise the benefits of the solar installation.”

UK Photovoltaic PV Savings and Income Increases

Data prior to the beginning of November showed that the average combined savings and income for PV-installed households was approximately £540 per year. The new figures, however, show that this has increased to £635. The updated savings and income figures were published alongside data revealing that a third of UK residents have been approached with the idea of installing solar panels on their homes, but only four percent decided to purchase a solar power system.

“We hope the latest data and figures will provide householders, whose homes are appropriate for solar panels, with the reassurance that they will be making significant savings and income as a result of the installation,” Cuthbert added. “These savings could be even higher if householders take steps to reduce the amount they export to the grid by shifting some of their electrical demand to during the day when the solar PV system is generating. For example, using the washing machine during the day instead of at night.”
 
Chip in a few dollars a month to help support independent cleantech coverage that helps to accelerate the cleantech revolution!
 
“It is also important for installers to be offering the right measure in the right home alongside the right advice to ensure that trust continues to be built between them and householders who could benefit from solar installations.”

Energy Saving Trust worked out the new figures for solar PV installation income and savings through the following:

  • Annual generation, income and savings calculated using the Energy Saving Trust’s Solar Energy Calculator
  • Generation tariff of 15.44p/kWh and export tariff of 4.5p/kWh
  • Home with a roof tilt of 40 degrees and roof orientation precisely south facing
  • Home with a 3.5kWp system would generate around 3000kWh
  • Average installation price of £7,600 including VAT for a 3.5kWp system. This figure is the average contract value for the period June – September 2012 though householders may end up paying significantly less at time of this press release as costs continue to fall
  • Assuming 75% export of energy and 25% onsite savings
  • Assuming property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band D or higher

When looking to install solar panels, the Energy Saving Trust has produced the following recommendations and guidance to help households:

  • Visit the Energy Saving Trust’s Solar Energy Calculator to find out how much you could save and earn through solar panel installations.
  • The Feed-in Tariff rate will depend on both your eligibility date and your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band. Band D or higher will receive the higher rate of FITs. Band E or lower will receive the lower rate.
  • Call the independent Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 for free impartial advice on:
    • How to find an approved installer
    • What rate of support you could get from the Feed-in Tariff
    • Other things you can do to save energy and cut your bills
  • Make sure you only install MCS-certified products and only sign a contract with an MCS-certified installer that is also a member of theREAL Consumer Code.
  • Make sure you get at least three quotes before signing a contract.
  • Remember you have a 7-day cooling-off period in which to cancel the contract without penalty.
  • Never pay more than 25 per cent of the contract price up front, and check how the funds will be protected.
  • Make sure you read the REAL guidance before signing a contract.

Source: Energy Saving Trust
Image Source: lydia_shiningbrightly


Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest CleanTechnica TV Video


Advertisement
 
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.

Joshua S Hill

I'm a Christian, a nerd, a geek, and I believe that we're pretty quickly directing planet-Earth into hell in a handbasket! I also write for Fantasy Book Review (.co.uk), and can be found writing articles for a variety of other sites. Check me out at about.me for more.

Joshua S Hill has 4403 posts and counting. See all posts by Joshua S Hill