In the last three years, self-consumption photovoltaic installations have multiplied spectacularly and the energy crisis has only increased this trend. But how long does it take to recover the initial investment?
More and more families and companies think of solar energy as a method of obtaining cheap and green energy. There is no doubt that we are talking about a booming sector that has exploded in the last three years.
But, for many of those interested, the problem is the same as always. First you have to make a strong disbursement. And the amortization of said investment will not arrive until years later. Not everyone can make that effort and many are also those who are not sure if it really pays off.
A single-family home that has installed 3 kW at a price of 6,500 euros, will take between 7 and 10 years to amortize the investment
To clarify doubts in this regard, the Ecooo solar energy cooperative has carried out a study in which it determines how long it takes to amortize an installation of solar panels for self-consumption in a single family Home.
And, according to Ecooo’s self-consumption coordinator, Laura Feijoo Garcia, this study is as conservative as possible. “Instead of using the maximum prices that electricity now has, we have made our amortization estimates with what was the average price of 2021 in the PVPC regulated rate, that is, 25 cents per kilowatt hour, and we are not applying inflation nor other increases in the cost of energy during the whole period”, he explains.
Between 3 and 10 years
Well, according to that analysis, a single-family home that has installed 3 kW at a price of 6500 euros, VAT included, it will take between 7 and 10 years to amortize the investment. This, moreover, without taking into account the aid or subsidies currently in force.
“Others (studios) give them fewer years, but that is because the trend in the sector is to use the current price of electricity and raise it with the CPI from there,” he says. “We estimate that electricity prices are not going to remain so high and we prefer to be as honest as possible”.
If we talk about Residential buildings, the deadlines are even lower, according to the Ecooo study. This is because the economies of scale achieved are usually greater (2,000 euros), although the power received by each neighbor is also usually lower (approximately 1.5 kW). In this case, the investment is usually recovered within a period of between 4 and 7 years.
Finally, if we talk about offices and industries, the estimation is more complex due to the variability of size and consumption. Although it is also possible to make the most of the potential of this type of installation, since the hours of activity usually coincide with those of sun exposure. This translates into a rough estimate of between 3 and 7 years.
The latter are the ones who most resort to financing for this type of installation, which banks usually approve with interest close to 3.5%. However, Feijóo points out that “It is such a profitable investment that, if you have savings, it is more than what any bank will give you”.
Font: Five days