DavecUK I have tried and tried and I cannot make solar cost in for me.
Just over 20 years ago we renovated our then apartment. While the place was in a mess, we decided to route ethernet cables in the floors and walls so that we could have computers connected to the internet router from every bedroom in the house. A few years later we had wi-fi, and those cables were never used.
The moral of the above story is that we can’t predict technology 20 years into the future, and we can’t predict our own future either (we could move house, or die, or a bunch of other things).
In the same way, we can’t really know what the future of energy will be. Prices of electricity may rocket further, or they may go down. Appliances may become more efficient (LED light bulbs, heat pumps on laundry driers, and who knows what’s next). Cars may be different. Things might work on different energy sources, or replaced by something else altogether… or not.
Solar power can change too. Future technologies might see smaller, lighter, cheaper, easier to install panels. Batteries and inverters can become more efficient, smaller, cheaper, have longer life… or not.
All the above can be used as reasoning to not get solar panels now, or to get them, but the reality in my opinion is that we don’t know if such a system will pay for itself or not, and in how long. So it’s a bit of a gamble, and other considerations can be taken into account as well.
I want solar panels now because I want to shield myself from some of the crazy things that may or may not happen. I like the idea of generating some of my own energy without depending on the grid, or on war somewhere. I like the idea of creating a little less damage to the planet if this is actually possible. So I will put some money on the roof (if I can get anyone to do it in these crazy times), and I hope I will enjoy having it. After a few years it will hopefully pay for some of the initial cost, so it won’t be as expensive as it looks now. Then hopefully it will contribute more to lower energy bills and the cost will be even less. Eventually it will either cover all the investment, maybe even save me money, and maybe not. Eventually I will move house, or die, and it won’t matter anymore.
