ᐅ New photovoltaic system with storage in a single-family house – experiences

Hello,

I have simply attached a data output from my system here. Nowadays, in the digital world, you can easily access everything via an app, and even communications with the tax office are very straightforward.
Here you can clearly see what the system has achieved so far. It has been in operation since mid-March, and we have been living in the house since April.

8.1 kWp (kilowatt peak)
On the roof: 36x Heckert Solar NeMo panels
Battery storage system: E3/DC S10E 2Z with 4.6 kWh (kilowatt hours) batteries

Additionally:
An air-to-water heat pump, ventilation system, fresh water station, and accessories—all from Waterkotte; for the winter, a wood pellet fireplace with water circulation from Olsberg.

It was important to us that the entire system comes from one manufacturer so that everything fits together properly.

Everything is networked with each other and can access the data of the other devices and use it. For example, the heat pump uses the surplus energy from the photovoltaic system during peak production times to heat water without drawing electricity from the grid.

So, we are very satisfied with the system. Of course, we know that the balance will shift in winter, but with systems like this, you have to consider the entire year.
For us, one kWh costs about 0.30 cents. Without the photovoltaic system, I would have had to pay for 3441 kWh, which would amount to around 1032 euros. By using self-generated electricity, we only paid 351.30 euros, saving about 680 euros over 5 months, plus a small income of 357 euros.

Of course, everyone has to decide for themselves, but we are very enthusiastic.

As far as I know, you still pay 4.8 cents VAT per kWh for self-consumption (based on your 0.30 EUR per kWh - excluding the basic fee). That’s another 108.91 EUR gone, right?

And then there are taxes on the profit from feeding electricity back into the grid. You’ll need to apply your marginal tax rate here, as it counts as additional income on top of your other earnings.

So, at the moment, the savings plus profit minus various taxes is roughly 850-900 EUR, and might reach, I don’t know, about 1,200 EUR in total after the winter season?

Oh, and don’t you also need insurance for the photovoltaic system, and isn’t there an increase in your building insurance premium as well?

The battery costs 10,000 EUR? The rest of the photovoltaic system is 12,000 EUR?
22,000 EUR total?

Theoretical payback period, although I didn’t include all costs, is over 18 years. But after 10 years, you’ll already have to replace the inverter.

It’s a nice technical gadget, and you certainly won’t lose too much money, but you probably won’t save much either.

MKoni schrieb:
In our area, electricity costs just under 0.30 cents per kWh. Without a photovoltaic system, I would have had to pay for 3441 kWh, which would be about 1032 euros. By using self-generated electricity, it only costs 351.30 euros, so in 5 months that’s a saving of 680 euros plus the small income of 357 euros.

What I find missing in this statement are the costs for the system itself, spread over, say, 10 or 15 years... but no matter how you look at it, after deducting all subsidies, the system with storage probably still cost more than 10,200 euros (15 years x 680 euros + X for the winter months).

Therefore, this calculation can probably only be made after a full year, when 1) the complete cycle is known and 2) the tax authorities have weighed in. Because you also have to pay additional tax on self-consumption, if you’re allowed that courtesy.

You are absolutely right, and everyone has their own opinions. I just wanted to give the original poster something to consider, a way to look at this kind of setup. If the system were installed in Bavaria, it wouldn’t look any different.

You should also take into account that all these costs are tax deductible, and you get the VAT refund as well.

This is also partly about the good feeling of doing something positive for the environment and gaining independence from others. While we don’t achieve full independence, we get pretty close. Additionally, the core of the photovoltaic system can be used for a smart home, and those who are interested in that can save even more. What’s special here is the interaction between the devices and their optimal use. The costs are about 23,000 euros (approximately $25,000), with the 19% VAT refund as mentioned.

But you’re only looking at one side... yes, the VAT is refundable, but in return, you have to pay taxes on the energy taken from the photovoltaic system... so it’s just money moving from one pocket to another in a way. Overall, this topic must not be overlooked.

Photovoltaic systems with storage currently remain more of a hobby and a way to satisfy green conscience (especially if the manufacturing and disposal of photovoltaic systems and batteries are ignored) and you end up paying for it. Economically, it’s not a very sensible investment at the moment, unfortunately. If electricity prices ever reach 50 cents per kWh, the situation might look different.

I see the positive side, while others see the negative, and that is exactly what this forum is for—to exchange views so that interested readers can form their own opinions.

Here, it is necessary to talk about the offsetting between input tax and sales tax (value-added tax). Additionally, annual depreciation as well as the depreciation of any costs related to the installation must be taken into account. For example, the VAT on the electricity sold is paid by the buyer.

It also has the advantage that, as a business owner, you can benefit from various advantages.