Solar Electricity - is it worth the investment?

[traveler]

I was very surprised to see the government suggest that it would tax micro generation. How stupid is this government to even suggest such a scheme? First, it will kill the industry. The loss of tax revenue due to unemployment and lost VAT will be greater than the tax revenue generated from taxing these schemes. Second, it is just a hassle to file a return for this type of operation. I have to pay an accountant, subject myself to unknown bureaucracy and hassle, and further expose myself to an unpredictable tax authority. Third, isn’t it smarter to implement tax policy that creates jobs? What are these guys smoking in Lisbon? If this is their route to prosperity, then I will find another way to reduce my energy bill that does not involve the PT govt. As the poster mentions above, you cannot make a sound business case for any type of investment that involves reliance on the government.

[sam]

People have constructed their own solar water heating using copper pipes or coils of black plastic tubing. Even heard of one person who laid black drainpipes on his roof, connected them up and sealed them. They are apparently less efficient than commercial versions, but much cheaper. I don't have any technical details for installation, but cannot see it would be a problem for someone with a bit of plumbing knowledge.

[jonboy]

Interesting to hear that Widge's electric costs are high as mine have escalated an awful lot this year without that much increase in consumption.Mine runs around Euro 250 per two month period.I think that if you are on a hight potencia then the standing charge is higher but the unit costs remain the same? Have others seen a big increase in their bi monthly costs?

JB

[EMM]

I believe that we all have, two factors the increase in prices plus the rise in VAT to 23%.

Is pool heating necessary , I do not think so.
Do you need aircon on as much or as often , I doubt it.
Can you run your pool pump and fitration less in the winter, I think you can.
If you do not already have solar water heating the install it now ready for the summer.

[Bruce Wallis]

I believe that we all have, two factors the increase in prices plus the rise in VAT to 23%.

Is pool heating necessary , I do not think so.
Do you need aircon on as much or as often , I doubt it.
Can you run your pool pump and fitration less in the winter, I think you can.
If you do not already have solar water heating the install it now ready for the summer.

EMM.....You're SO MONEY SUPERMARKET!!

[ks]

traveler, I have had an installation working for 18 months. I will be happy to provide you with the details. Please pm me if you would like the infomation.

[Sheila]

Totally agree with you Bruce (did I just say that? ) I''ve done the sums and it's certainly over 5 years in PT. even if you are not there for 6 mths of the year and all the power goes to the grid. The problem is there is always the standing charge of - I think- €0.92/kwh installed/mth, so you are paying over 20 per mth for basically nothing. The story of a payback in the uk of 6-7yrs was a joke - friend's son worked for an installation company and he was so embarassed by the lies they had to tell, he went back into satellite communications.

We have solar pv in the UK . Installed 2 years ago. Payback is on course for 7/8 years despite the terrible lack of sun! Although the tariff has been cut the cost of installation is also considerably lower so payback should still be about the same. Our tariff is fixed for 20 years. Only new installations have the reduced tariff. You can get a 4k system now for less than the price we paid for a 2.4 two years ago.
Would definitely recommend it if you have some spare cash. Of course it may not be as good in Portugal.

[Sheila]

EMM,
.........If we do go this route, I will look for ethical high quality suppliers. Although, I suspect that many of these use parts from China. Hard to avoid these days.

We chose what we thought/were told, were french panels...turned out they were made In China.

[Sheila]

traveler, I have had an installation working for 18 months. I will be happy to provide you with the details. Please pm me if you would like the infomation.

I have sent you a pm but it is stuck in my out box. I haven't sent one before. Is this normal?

[HampshireRich]

traveler, I have had an installation working for 18 months. I will be happy to provide you with the details. Please pm me if you would like the infomation.

I have sent you a pm but it is stuck in my out box. I haven't sent one before. Is this normal?

.... just means ks has not picked it up yet - it will go to your "Sent" box when ks reads it.

[Sheila]

OK. Thanks.