Payback period of the solar battery

The high cost of designing and installing solar power plants is, of course, the most significant deterrent when planning such an acquisition. The payback period of a solar battery allows you to assess how economically feasible the investment is and how soon an alternative source of electricity will begin to generate a net income.

Payback of a solar battery - what affects the timing of income from a modern solar power plant

Today, alternative energy in Ukraine is at the peak of its development. It is not only a matter of striving to improve the state of the environment by using a renewable source of natural energy to cover basic needs. Potential solar power plant owners are also attracted by the opportunity to significantly reduce the amount of utility bills and receive income from solar panels through special programs of interaction with the state.

The payback period for solar panels directly determines the timing of net profit. Sunsay Specialists Energy , when developing the project of the station, take into account all the nuances that can reduce the period of return on investment.

The use of solar power plants under the Green Tariff program is a way to reduce the payback period

When connected to the state program, a stable profit from solar panels can be obtained after a maximum of 4-6 years from the date the plant was put into operation. At a fixed rate , Oblenergo buys from the owners of private SPPs with a capacity of up to 30 kW the excess energy generated by photovoltaic modules in full. At the same time, a mandatory condition must be met - first of all, the SPP is used to cover its own energy consumption.

The rate depends on the year of connection, its reduction occurs every 5 years. In 2020, the state paid 0.16 euros for 1 kWh, from 2025 the tariff will drop to 0.14 euros. It is obvious that the earlier the launch of the solar power plant, the shorter the payback period of the solar station. It is important to note that the rate remains fixed from the moment of signing the contract throughout the entire period of operation of the solar station and is not subject to subsequent reduction.

The conditions for the implementation of the "Green Tariff" for individuals and legal entities are different. The latter, according to the restrictions for industrial SPPs adopted in 2020, can use stations with a capacity of up to 150 kW as part of the program.

Payback of solar power plants depending on the climatic conditions of the region and the features of the installation

Geography and weather conditions affect the payback of a solar power plant no less than the Feed-in Tariff rate. The following points deserve attention:

• Geographic latitude of the area .
  The location of the region determines the potential number of sunny days per year when the SPP is able to operate at full capacity. The best indicators are typical for the southern regions of our country, followed by the east and center of Ukraine.
• The angle of the panels .
  The profitability of a solar station to a large extent depends on how well the SES is designed. Effective absorption of sunlight is ensured when they fall on the photomodules at a right angle. At the same time, the change in the position of the Sun in the sky with the change of seasons is taken into account. For the correct adjustment of the panels regarding the luminous flux, Sunsay specialists Energy at the design stage, they develop a special frame, to which the photocells are subsequently attached. Timely adjustment of the angle of inclination of the station elements is the key to increasing the efficiency of its work and reducing the payback period.

It is also important to avoid shading of photovoltaic panels. The creation of a shadow on their surface leads to a decrease in productivity and a negative impact on the service life of the station. Under the condition of competent design of the solar power plant and its connection to the Green Tariff program, the payback is 4-6 years.

How to calculate the payback of a solar station

Sunsay Specialists Energy offer their customers high performance certified solar panels. The calculation of payback is carried out at the earliest stage of the project, taking into account key indicators:

• capacity of the future solar power plant;
• angle of inclination of photomodules ;
• geographic latitude;
• orientation of the platform for photomodules relative to the cardinal points;
• the presence of blackouts;
• type and cost of equipment (the main positions are occupied by solar panels, inverter);
• own monthly energy consumption.

By calculating the payback of a solar power plant of 30 kW or a project of another power based on the specified parameters, the annual generation of the station is determined. Based on the value obtained, the potential annual income is calculated. The payback period is obtained by dividing the cost of a solar station by the annual income from solar panels.

Comparison of profitability of projects for 20, 25 and 30 kW

It is possible to evaluate the profitability of solar panels and the change in the payback period depending on the planned capacity of the solar power plant using the example of stations with a capacity of 20, 25 and 30 kW that are relevant for the implementation of the Green Tariff conditions. If the first two options are priority for private households, up to 30 kW SPP can be considered as a business project. For its installation, about 180 squares of free roof surface are required. But still, a 30 kW station is also suitable for a home if there is a payback due to the connection of the “green tariff”.

For a commercial project, the payback is calculated by annual savings on electricity from the grid, and not by income.

When calculating the payback of a 30 kW solar power plant and any other SES, they are guided by the rated power of one panel. The total number of modules depends on this value. Data on the main indicators of the operation of solar stations are given in the table.

As you can see, the greater the income from solar panels, the shorter the payback period of the project. If low-power (5 kW) solar panels are purchased for the home, the payback of the station is at least 10 years. Such solar power plants are mainly used to cover their own needs in electricity consumption. However, the payback may decrease with an increase in tariffs for the population.

Sunsay experts. Energy demonstrate high professionalism at all stages of the design and installation of a solar station kit. Thanks to an integrated approach, a thorough study of the external conditions and internal parameters of the operation of the future private power grid, the customer receives an efficiently operating solar power plant with a minimum payback period. The benefit is obvious even when installing a budget low-power station. Such an investment will not only pay off in the shortest possible time, but will also become a source of constant income for many years to come.

Over the past years, there has been a constant trend towards an increase in tariffs for electricity supplied by the state. In the future, only an increase in the amount of utility bills is predicted. In other words, every year the savings on the electricity bill will become more and more obvious. Even if the payback period of solar power plants is more than 5 years, the benefits of their installation are beyond doubt.