Private photo voltaic installations up 3.4% in 2016

[JimX]

I do not think so Alan

[cyprusmax47]

Of course you will have no power as there is no backup installed (batteries)
and for security reasons the system switches off. Imagine EAC is repairing power
lines and some one is feeding electricity into the network...
There are systems on the market where you store your produced electricity in battery banks
but this is much more expensive and too early for Cyprus.

[trevnhil]

I agree with Cyprusmax47

Trev..

[PolemIan]

For some people the decision to proceed with the net metering scheme may be more than a financial/ investment decision, the 'green' aspect can be as, or more, important, for some. Looking at the data the inverter sends to the web, total CO2 saving since the end of July is 1,883kg. I don't know how accurate it is and I guess depends on the original main production efficiency but seems like a lot of gas to me! In context the stop start system on our car has saved 2.7kg since last service. For us, our motivation was to invest to reduce ongoing outgoing bills, but still good to know the eco impact.

[Mark]

My neighbours recouped there investment in 6 years, and are delighted that they are now Eco warriors, but keeping the money saved to themselves.

[Polemi Dave]

Our electric bills for the past year were just under €1,200...and we haven't skimped on a/c and using the a/c units for heating this winter. So we would have to remain in the house for at least 4.5 years before we would start to see any financial advantage from a pv installation...and considerably longer to see a worthwhile saving. So, like Allesley, just not a quick enough return from our point of view.

We have had our 3KW system for 3 years, we were one of the first in Paphos. With the electricity we have saved (never paid a unit since installation) I think we are already near break-even. 2 points come into the calculation which we could not foresee when we installed. Firstly we use more AC than we would if we were counting units and our annual gas bill for central heating is down €200/€300 every year. Our meter will be read in about 6 to 10 days and as of this morning we still have 93 units in hand. No gas fire this week and the underfloor will be set on minimum. I don't usually manage to use up all the excess production, last year we were caught out by the change in cut off dates and we lost 267 units.

If you have a suitable location for panels and €4/€6 in the bank earning no interest - why not invest and get a 20% return on your investment while saving the planet.

[Dominic]

If you have a suitable location for panels and €4/€6 in the bank earning no interest - why not invest and get a 20% return on your investment while saving the planet.

This is what swung it for us too. We weren't going to spend the money, it was getting next to no interest in the bank, so what better way to put the money to work?

[cyprusmax47]

It is the best investment one can do in Cyprus. If you look at the little interest one gets at the banks
which will be reduced by 30% so called army tax .... only gambling gives more but what security you have.
Solar panels will work even after 40 years and the parts of the inverter to replace in case of a fault are not
costing the world and are sometimes guaranteed 15 years from the installer.
Max