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juliamc
Rank 20
juliamc
Rank 20
May 25, 2023

Choosing the optimum number of solar panels for my roof- Any advice?

  • May 25, 2023
  • 38 replies
  • 950 views

I’m planning to get solar panels for my bungalow. I have a lot of south east facing roof space, an air source heat pump, and an electric car (low mileage). We are ‘at home all day’ and I am hoping to not need battery storage.

The word on the street is to get as many PV panels as can fit on the roof, 24 would fit and the DNO is ok with that. 
How do I decide just how many panels to get ? Any advice would be gratefully received.

    38 replies

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    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    Jeffus
    Rank 20
    June 5, 2023

    I’ve just got a quote from Octopus for their standard variable tariff and it would cost me £138 more per annum than OVO. That’s quite a lot of 15p SEGs!!

    Are you on OVOs standard variable tariff? 

    juliamc
    Rank 20
    juliamcAuthor
    Rank 20
    June 5, 2023

    Simpler Energy - dual fuel, my annual electricity use on the OVO plan is 8332 kWh and gas just 284 kWh so maybe a ‘normal’ customer may do better.

    elec unit rate   OVO 44.96p : Octopus 45.57p

    gas unit rate    OVO 27.72p  : Octopus 27.47p

    standing charges almost identical.

      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      Jeffus
      Rank 20
      June 5, 2023

      Simpler Energy - dual fuel, my annual electricity use on the OVO plan is 8332 kWh and gas just 284 kWh so maybe a ‘normal’ customer may do better.

      elec unit rate   OVO 44.96p : Octopus 45.57p

      gas unit rate    OVO 27.72p  : Octopus 27.47p

      standing charges almost identical.

       Be interesting to see what happens when the new rates kick in on 1st July. 

      We should get the new rates soon. @Tim_OVO may know when OVO will release there rates.

      As they change every quarter it does make budgeting interesting.

      Do you think any of the other Octopus tariff would work for you? 

        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        June 5, 2023

        Is that a fixed rate from Octopus? I'm on Cosy Octopus which has a "normal" electricity rate of 32.55p. The cheap rate we get early in the morning and mid afternoon is 19.53p and the expensive evening rate is 52.08p.

        1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
        juliamc
        Rank 20
        juliamcAuthor
        Rank 20
        June 5, 2023

        No @M.isterW its their standard variable rate. I didn’t look further but will do at some stage. Solar panels not on order yet but I’d like to get a reasonable SEG payment once they’re installed.

        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        M.isterW
        Rank 6
        June 5, 2023

        I'm confused. I've just checked the Octopus flexible tariff (the standard variable tariff) and it's showing as 34.18p per kWh.

         

        Are the figures you're being quoted after the end of the government price guarantee?

        1992 4 bed detached house. Solar PV + battery, Zappi EV charger, Mitsubishi Ecodan ASHP and i-life2 fan assisted radiators.... No gas 😊
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        June 5, 2023

        I'm confused. I've just checked the Octopus flexible tariff (the standard variable tariff) and it's showing as 34.18p per kWh.

         

        Are the figures you're being quoted after the end of the government price guarantee?

        Perhaps you are quoting the rate for the single rate electricity tariff? 

        Perhaps @juliamc may be quoting the peak rate on E7?

        For my postcode 

         

        juliamc
        Rank 20
        juliamcAuthor
        Rank 20
        June 5, 2023

        Hmm… that’s very different! The quote was given today, 5th June. It is via the ‘recommend a friend’ link… so they dole out £50 each to the recommender and the recommendee

        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        Jeffus
        Rank 20
        June 5, 2023

        Hmm… that’s very different! The quote was given today, 5th June. It is via the ‘recommend a friend’ link… so they dole out £50 each to the recommender and the recommendee

        Use this page

        https://octopus.energy/tariffs/

        Don't click on get a quote. 

        Just type your postcode in the box below it. 

        Then you can see and filter all the current OVO tariff. It is the easiest way to compare. 

         

         

        juliamc
        Rank 20
        juliamcAuthor
        Rank 20
        June 5, 2023

        Update!!! I’m being a complete pillock 🤦‍♀️ those numbers I gave are the standing charge. 

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          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

          OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd