Peter GleickJul 18, 2025
Weird how the fossil fuel industry claims it's renewables that are expensive.
My solar panels paid for themselves in 7 years (instead of the predicted 13) and our solar electricity is free now. And it runs our car.
Show threadXCMJul 18, 2025
@petergleick
That’s good to know. I’d love to have panels too.
But I am not totally convinced by the numbers.
I hear that the panel lifespan is ~25 years.
Average electricity savings in 25 years are around £14-17k if I understand correctly, without considering inverter replacement and assuming no degradation.
~£6k invested elsewhere with 5% real return: ~20k after 25 years. Which beats average electricity savings and eclipses them if panels are financed.
Show threadXCM
@petergleick
Also, I might be paranoid, but all this marketing from energy suppliers tells me that panels are a great way to shift infrastructure burden on homeowners, while reducing peak pressure on the grid. With no investment on their end. It’s effectively a privatised infrastructure expansion. No wonder they push so hard. Or am I really being paranoid 😬
Jul 18, 2025 at 10:49pmMastodon for iOS