My solar install took about 4.5 years to break even, which I understand is maybe a bit below average for where I live (Ireland).

▲

rgblambda 4 hours ago | parent [-]

Although isn't there an Irish government grant to help cover the cost of the panel + installation? That would make comparing break even times across countries quite difficult.

▲

hdgvhicv 3 hours ago | parent [-]

Certainly isn’t today. In the U.K. solar panels have about a 14 month payback, no incentives other Thant hey are currently tax free (like food. Electric from the grid has a 5% tax)

On top of that there’s an inverter, and if you can’t use all the power immediately you’d need a battery too, which tends to increase the cost.

The biggest cost though is installation.

	▲	rgblambda 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		I imagine the costs of purchasing and installing the panels in the UK are similar, but in Ireland there's definitely grants: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/housing-grants... You do make a good point about VAT on electricity bills also being a factor in the break even calculation. In Ireland it's 9% and that's a temporary cost of living measure and will revert to 13.5% in 2030.