Solar panels

I think it's due to a combination of factors. 1) It's not the cheapest solution when taking into account the cost to saving ratio over a period of say ten years. 2) Most properties are flats/apartments and most of those do not have the most beneficial orientation nor the space to accommodate what a typical user would need. 3) There was something called a Sun tax mentioned a while back but i think that's only applicable if your linked up to the mains, which most people are. Maybe that's changed since?

It's a shame considering the South of Spain probably has the most sunny days in Europe yet the only people taking advantage of it is the water treatment plant and the larger Chinos (who are minted). I'd have it tomorrow if i could afford to splash out on it. 

I agree with Roach. It may be because many of the people who move to Spain are retired. I considered it when we moved out here, but it needs a large investment, and the effective pay-back period exceeded our probable life span.

We have friends who live in the Valencian province who don't have an electricity supply to their house, and so had to go for solar. This cost them about €10,000 and since then they've had to buy a new inverter, a new bank of batteries, and a new generator. Even though they've got ten solar panels, they still need to run the generator on quite a few winter days, due to the lower height of the sun and cloudy days.

Thanks for the info guys

Before the collapse, I did a detailed analysis of the costs and benefits when I had been approached by a sales company. When I showed them the figures - how strange! - I never saw them again! Yes, for all the reasons in the replies, the advantages just don't stack up. It's tragic that all this is true as widespread introduction of solar generation with subsidies would make very good sense if what is shouted about climate change is true.

I thought newer solar panels are now far better than the old type and only need ambient light now. I have friends in the UK who have solar and it saves them money here even on cloudy days (which are far greater than sunny ones here in Manchester).

Surely newer panels have got to produce enough electricity to make them viable.

Is it also possible that, as usual, the companies selling this to ex pats are English companies, who tend to like ripping off the ex pat community and charging the same extortionate cost as here in the UK. You usually find they've ripped everyone off here then run out of new customers so gone to Spain to start the process again.

New solar panels may well be more efficient, but there's still the capital cost of swapping out the old ones.

I spoke to our friend yesterday and asked him for more information. He had installation and replacements from a Spanish company. He didn't know an exact amount, but guessed that over thirteen years he's probably spent €18,000. It would have been a couple of thousand less if he'd gone for ten panels at the outset, as upgrading from four to ten meant he had to buy a new inverter.

Yes I agree that in hindsight it would have cost less to fit more in the first instance. However Im sure your friend was advised 4 would be enough and found that not to be the case. I'm not suggesting the cost of replacing after already investing in them so long ago. What I'm pointing out is panels are more viable now than 13 years ago and produce electricity without direct sunlight.

Thanks 

I think there's historical foreign investment in uk too. French, spanish (iberdola supply electric). China now building power stations. UK dont supply any if its utilities. North sea oil sold abroad. Disastrous fracking.

The problem is the lack of being able to store electric successfully and supply when daylight means you have to go back to the grid at night. Suppose it all depends on what you are running on electric. There is of course solar hot water too. So choice of PV (electric) or water. Also bear in mind lots of electric water heaters and the cost of running aircon be it on cold in Summer and possibly hot in winter.