Solar power in Scalea

[falcon]

I made a casual enquiry about solar panels on my house while I was sorting a few things out at ENEL in Cosenza. I was quite impressed that the Eng and two of her assistants turned up today to measure up and assess the possibilities.

I was expecting a massive quote anyway but what I did not expect is how the incentives work here in Italy.

It turns out that for my 2Kw panels the expected cost would be around €13k but and it is a big but the govt would pay me as a separate deal around €1200 per annum for the next 20 yrs. or whoever has the house if I sell up or whatever.

Of course if my average consumption is less than the expected 2800 kwH that my panels would produce in a year, then I will be paid 0.43p per excess kwH. Alternatively, I will pay the difference if the other way.

Unless there is something I am missing, I am thinking that it is like putting £12 in the bank and getting 10% interest over the next 20 years.

Has anybody else had any panels fitted here or enquired just to compare notes.

I have yet to get the formal quote but it almost sounds too good to be honest.

Francis

[Helena&Jerry]

Sounds really good; please keep us informed. Meanwhile I shall try a google search to see if anything comes up on another blog/forum in Italia.

Helena

[Helena&Jerry]

Seems like Italy is well ahead of the game in terms of parity in cost with govt supply (attached article explains better than I can) BBC News - Solar panel costs 'set to fall'

However the news seems to be as the panels get more popular they get cheaper and the new panels can last up to 40 years.

How great it would be to have heating provided in winter months via hot water.

Helena

[brynithel3]

Hi All

Does the Italian scheme apply to holiday home owners because for at least 10 months a year most people would be contributors to the national grid? The Italian scheme seems too good to be true and as we all know that normally means it is too good to be true. The article from the BBC is very good news so lets hope the installation prices reduce dramatically and we can all have them fitted and minimise our reliance on fossil fuels.

In the Uk the present costs show that it would take 45 years to recoup the initial outlay, so if the panels have a life time of less than 45 years, the maths just don't add up.

Ciao

John

[falcon]

Originally Posted by brynithel3

Hi All

Does the Italian scheme apply to holiday home owners because for at least 10 months a year most people would be contributors to the national grid? The Italian scheme seems too good to be true and as we all know that normally means it is too good to be true. The article from the BBC is very good news so lets hope the installation prices reduce dramatically and we can all have them fitted and minimise our reliance on fossil fuels.

In the Uk the present costs show that it would take 45 years to recoup the initial outlay, so if the panels have a life time of less than 45 years, the maths just don't add up.

Ciao

John

Hello John,

When I first looked into it online two or three years ago before the new incentives came in, the set up was that you get a lump sum like the UK as the incentive but the payment to you would stop if you were in credit for more than 49 days I think; so my 'evil' thoughts that I could end up in profit while I am happily working in the UK quickly disappeared.

I think the new system came in to do away with the abuses as always. Apparently, the lump sum payments were not being used to carry out the work in accordance with the agreement hence the new payment over the years.

I have yet to confirm but I think that the annual payment from the State is based on KwH used so it is not a fixed payment. In my case they estimated my 2KW panels would produce about 1400KwH (which I think is optimistic - my assessment on best data is about 1200KwH). The incentive rate is €0.43 / KwH. In the case of the holiday home it would not make sense I don't think.

I have looked at the BBC link and actually it hits a note with what the Engineer said to me on the house visit. At the time it did not click and I assumed it was sales talk but what she hinted at is that these incentives might not be available as is much longer due to falling prices.

I still have not heard from them and I just hope that by the time they write back, the incentives are still there!

Francis