KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR POSITION

In January 2010 EDF are set to announce the new buyback rates and some think it will drop back to 0.55 per kw. Others think it won't. Nobody knows for sure

During the QualiPV course we discussed the fact that in some areas ERDF are taking 6 months to inspect and turn on PV systems. Bear this stuff in mind

We did the QualiPV course this June and learned loads about the practical side. But they also talk you thru the rudiments of 'who gets what' and how to deal with the beaurocratic side of things. Here we can give you some answers to questions that we are often asked

1/ How much are you entitled to towards the installation of a PV system? A couple are entitled to a 16,000 euro ceiling on materilas. This means that for 16k spent on materials you get half the money back. You can also get 400 euros per dependant. (Child, pensioner etc). A Quick example sum for you. A couple want a 2.8kw system and the cost with us is 17,080 plus tax at 5.5% (939.40) = 18,019.40 Materials @ 14,850 Labour @ 3,169.40 50% of materials means 7,425 is given over using the 'credit d'impot' system. The clients pay 10,594 euros. 2/ How long to get this money back? The following are FACTS. I will explain as I go what each bit means. At this latitude 1450 kw of sunlight energy fall in each square meter per year. The above system of 2.8kwp (peak output on a sunny day) we times by 1450 = 4,060 kw Now we factor in a 'system performance ratio' of 0,75. In other words, we 'mark down' the performance to take into account sunny days, cloudy days, good years and bad years. So, we get an average 'payout' over the 20 year EDF contract. The 0.75 by those in the know. People who have studied PV performances in relation to global positioning. Then we allow for the angle of the system to the sun. So long as we are between 27 and 46 degrees (the angle/pitch of the roof will dictate this) then we will acheive 95% of max available. Fact. So..........4,060 x 0.75 x 95 = 2892kw of power created/sold per year. Times this by the 0.60176 paid by EDF = 1740 euros per year. The client paid 10,594 from their own pocket right? So, from the figure of 1740 we ought to take into account two other factors that play a part in this long term investment and the break even point. A 'top up' on house insurance of 50 euros per year and 50 per year towards the possibilty of renewing the grid tied inverter before the 20 years are up. It is only right that we all take this into account. We are left with a figure of 1640 euros per year. 10,594 divided by 1640 = 6 years and 5 months for your system to pay for itself. This beats, hands down, all the others we've compared ourselves to. Or 5 years and 11 months if you have 2 children.

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