Where'd the light go?

Two interesting things happened coincidentally today. There was an email waiting for me when I got the computer on. It was from EDF and it was asking me for my FiTs meter reading. FiTs meter readings are supposed to be taken every three months but the timing of my start in the system means there is an extra sunny few weeks tagged onto the front of this set. Therefore, from 26 May to 12 September, I generated 1,306 units and this should realise £539.38. Additionally, half of these units should attract the £0.03 export tariff which adds another £19.59.

Amazingly, on the same day, a huge weather front passed over the UK today depositing a lot of rain. It also blocked the Sun rather well. Before today, my worst daily generation had been 3.4 units about 3 weeks ago. Today's return was a measly 0.9 units; astonishingly low and an indication of how poor a wet December or January day will be.

Improving weather and free power

It is a measure of our poor summer that even as the days shorten dramatically, my averages are improving. Of course, this is helped by the end of August being blessed by a true indian summer that looks to continue into the first few days of September. As the graph shows, even my annual average, which had been declining steadily (yellow trace), is showing a distinct upturn.

At the end of August, my total average as measured from installation was 12.3 units daily, well clear of the 6.85 figure that the predictions gave for my installation over the course of one full year. In fact, Given that the prediction was for 2,480 units annually, I reached the halfway mark of 1,240 units on 26 August. That's just over 3 months since installation.

The total earned from the Feed-in Tariff was £493 from 1,200 units since the scheme began. That excludes any addition made for the 3 pence export tariff. Since half of those units will be deemed to have been exported, that should add 600 x 0.03 which is an added £18. What happens next is that during September, I expect a letter from my energy company requesting a reading from my generation meter. My actual payment for the summer will be based on that.

I'm very happy with the performance of the installation thus far. In fact, I view it as a small part of my pension. Like a pension, I make an investment while I'm earning which realises a return when I'm not. There was an item on the BBC which shows that I'm not the only person who views it as a long-term investment. A company in England has seen a very clever opportunity to make a profit.

What they do is lease space on a homeowner's roof to install an set of panels. The owner gets access to the electricity and will therefore save money on their bill if they use the power when it is available. The company gets the Feed-in Tariff, which is the really profitable part. I guess it's a good system for those who are not able to access the cash to install panels themselves. It gives them the benefit of free electricity when the Sun shines. Yet I feel that what's good for that company will be good for me and my family. I am much happier having made that investment now.