I have one on my balcony. 400 Euros and it saves me 10% of my energy bill. works well and is probably now refinanced.
Which energy bill? Monthly or yearly?
Are you paying for electricity and transfer on a separate schedule or something?
Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
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Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#12I don't mean this lightly: you absolutely can not trust the average Brit to safely install these on a balcony.
If they think they can get an ounce more sunshine, they'll hang it over the edge, badly
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#13I've been seeing headlines of this sort last few weeks. It points to Europe preparing for the next time the Hormuz is blocked off. But are there actual actions taken beyond those that save 10 percent on an apartment's electricity bills?
Are there large scale mitigation measures that would actually soften the impact of another energy shortage in a serious way?
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#14We legalized these in Belgium last year. I bought a 1600Wc + 1.9KWh kit (Ecoflow Stream) for +/- 1300€ last summer. It took us about 2h to install (we had to setup a new plug outside), and I already saved 200€+ since July. I am expecting to save about 350€ per year. Also, as u/jstch said, it's extremely fun to setup and generate your own power!
A 3.7 year ROI would be incredible (and fairly uncommon AIUI)
South facing?
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#15How is this handled in your country?
We're talking only about solar panels which plugs directly into your main.
Because here, small country in EU, this is not allowed since it would mean ridiculous investment into electric infrastructure.
It's heavily regulated and you need special electric meter, license, etc. and still price of electricity is negative in certain times during the day, because everyone who could, got their solar power plant from EU subsidies.
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#16Every installed PV-panel is a dozen barrels of oil (eq.) less CO2 in the atmosphere. Plus, so much fun to generate your own power! Can highly recommend it, even starting small. It's addictive though. Living in the center of the city (The Hague, NL), with a home battery, I'm now 100% self-sufficient electrically for 10 months of the year.
How many barrels of oil (eq.) are required to manufacture and transport the PV panel?
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#17Why do Europeans need permission from their governors to buy solar panels? I bet you also need to pay taxes on the energy you generate even though you alleviate the infrastructure need.
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
Which energy bill? Monthly or yearly?
It’s the same thing. Say you have a bill of 120€/year. On average that comes to 10€/month (120€ divided by 12 months). If you have save 10% a month you save 1€, which after 12 months becomes a saving of 12€. Now do that yearly: 10% of 120€ is… 12€.
10% of saving for July's or August monthly bill will give less than 10% saving for the year as in the winter solar output is lower.
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#19Any dangers from plugging this in to a socket?
Does it need its own earth? Will it switch off if it detects a residual current? Can it handle spikes in load?
Re: Solar panels at Lidl? Plug-in versions set to appear in shops
#20Why do Europeans need permission from their governors to buy solar panels? I bet you also need to pay taxes on the energy you generate even though you alleviate the infrastructure need.
If you pay tax on generated energy they would have to let you deprecate the cost of the panel as a cost. Would be interesting as to where that lands and if it makes much tax revenue at all.