Solar panel payback calculator

Please note: The department of energy is still to confirm the F-I-T rates, applicable dates and conditions for the energy performance certificate (EPC).This calculator uses the latest information known to the industry as at 16/12/11 but is subject to change pending final confirmation from the Governments consultation.

The returns generated by our customers far exceeded the estimates predicted by this calculator. We always aim to be prudent with our estimates but will be updating this calculators accuracy when we have finished analysing the actual returns enjoyed.

Please give us a call/ send an e-mail if you need any more information. Thank You

We hope you find this solar panel financial calculator useful. We have tried to make it as accurate and flexible as possible, whilst trying to keep it reletively simple.

The calculator compares the returns gained from investing in pv solar technology with returns from savings.

We are currently working on a printed version with full explanation notes that you can examine at your leasure. Feel free to check back here, it should be coded and fully operational within the next couple of weeks.

If you adjust any of the numbers within the white input boxes ( eg:Electricity cost per unit(p/unit) ), click the mouse outside the box to update the financial figures .

Your System Information

My roof is facing

Anticipated date of installation

System size

Total system cost(£)

House occupancy during the day(%)

Solar financial variables

Generation tariff rate

Export tariff rate

Electricity cost per unit(p/unit)

Electricity cost increase pa(%)

Retail price index-RPI(%)

Savings financial variables( for comparison )

Interest earned on savings(%)

Tax paid on savings(%)

Anticipated financial returns ( End of year figures )

Financial Benefit	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	Year 6	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11	Year 12	Year 13
Solar Returns £	1628	3310	5049	6846	8703	10623	12608	14662	16786	18982	21255	23606	26039
Savings £	10500	10815	11139	11474	11818	12172	12538	12914	13301	13700	14111	14534	14970

Financial Benefit	Year 14	Year 15	Year 16	Year 17	Year 18	Year 19	Year 20	Year 21	Year 22	Year 23	Year 24	Year 25
Solar Returns £	28557	31162	33858	36649	39538	42529	45627	48835	52158	55600	59166	62861
Savings £	15420	15882	16359	16849	17355	17876	18412	18964	19533	20119	20723	21344

Please note : This calculator does not constitute financial advice. It is simply our attempt to inform based on all the information available to us at this time. Whilst we have considered most of the significant factors which affect the returns, we strongly recommend that you take up the option of a free survey to ensure that your personal circumstances and factors are consistent with these forecast returns.

A full print out version of the submitted information and returns along with a comprehensive explanation of the factors should be available here within the couple of weeks. In the meantime, we hope the pointers below help with your understanding of the calculations.

House occupancy during the day(%)
Used to estimate the amount of generated power used and therefore the amount exported back to the grid
Electricity cost increase pa(%)
The anticipated annual electricity cost increase. We've estimated a figure of 6% which is fairly consistent with global economic forecasts but you may wish to reduce this increase if you wish to be more prudent. Decreasing this % will reduce the anticipated return value from the solar panels since the value of the electricity you generate will be less.
Retail price index RPI(%)
The tariff payments will increase in accordance with the retail price increase. We've used the very conservative figure of 3%. Currently running at around 5%, the RPI is a measure of inflation. In general terms, whenever you here the phrase 'quantitative easing', expect inflation and therefore the RPI to increase, and the relative returns on savings to decrease.
Interest earned on savings
We've assumed that you can a 3.5% return on savings. That would be what you would get with your cash if you did not invest in solar generation. It is also assumed that the returns from the solar investment can be invested and receive the same rate.

Solarsun4lifeuk
Cliffdale road
Leeds
LS7 2JF
Tel: 0113 262 0077
Tel: 0845 873 1726