ᐅ Is a solar power system cost-effective for us?

Hello,

we are currently considering whether to install a solar power system. I have noticed there are various opinions on this topic, but individual factors also play a role. Apparently, it might not be financially beneficial for us, or I may be overlooking something.

Here is our current situation:
- Quote for a 5 kWp solar system with everything included: just under 10,000€ (approximately $10,000)
-> 500€ (approximately $540) annual depreciation
- Interest on 10,000€ (approximately $10,000): 100€ (approximately $110)

---> 600€ (approximately $650) annual costs

Income:
A 5 kWp system apparently generates about 4,500 kWh.
We currently consume 1,500 kWh annually, but there are only two of us so far.

So, I roughly save 800 kWh x 0.30€ = 240€ (approximately $260) for self-consumption and receive 3,700 kWh x 0.08€ = 300€ (approximately $325) feed-in tariff.
That makes a total income of 540€ (approximately $585).

The hard part to estimate is the share of self-consumption covered by the solar system. Since we are not home during the day and mostly use appliances in the evening, I find the 800 kWh out of 1,500 kWh estimate rather optimistic.

If not all new buildings around us had solar systems, I would not hesitate further, but maybe my reasoning is flawed?
What do the solar system supporters say?

Thanks for your assessment!

Hausbautraum20 schrieb:

-Offer for a 5 kWp solar system with everything just under 10k

That is the mistake. 10 kWp should cost around 11k net. Then the calculation looks different.
4,500 kWh sounds low as a yield.

The offer also seems very expensive to me. For us, it's around €11,000 for 9.8 kWp.

I think it’s also a matter of perspective. When I look at our consumption in the Sunny Home Manager and see what we use ourselves versus what we feed back into the grid, I’m glad to have the system.

Get a better offer and the invoice will be correct. What is the roof orientation? You will achieve higher self-consumption with an east-west system than with a south-facing one.

Hausbautraum20 schrieb:

We are not home during the day and mainly use appliances in the evening,

I always thought solar panels were for hot water?

Thanks for your answers!

Due to the small roof area (and roof windows), we can’t install much more than 5 kWp. I estimated the corresponding 4800 kWh from the internet. The roof faces south, which is worse for self-consumption but maybe better for feed-in than 4800?

I will definitely get another quote. However, travel costs, scaffolding?, electrician... cost the same for 5 kWp as for 10 kWp, and labor hours around Munich are expensive.