Latest moan from you and me 2026

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by JWK, Jan 1, 2026.

  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    Re the smart meters... There is a UK YouTuber, Artisan Electrics, that does some incredible PV solar with battery installs, often including EV charging too - - ultimately, that would be the only way that anyone could hope to get away from paying through the nose for energy, especially at peak times.

    The trouble is, that is all well and good until the cost of the install is considered. They did one on their own Headquarters building, essentially a large warehouse, and that was a battery & panels install only... £100k! For any other business, the payback even taking into account the business feed-in tariff would be 10 years at a minimum and that was with a fairly huge generation area - - for them, it was nearer five but that is only because they were installing it themselves, so everything was at cost.

    I watched one a couple of weeks ago where they did an install where there were roof panels and another bank of panels mounted on a slope at the edge of a garden on a large country home - they didn't say how much, but I cannot see how it would have been much less than £100k. Don't get me wrong, they do top-notch work and seem to be installing the highest quality kit, but who in the real world can afford that sort of money? Financing it, if you didn't have cash in the bank, would be a nightmare.

    Admittedly, they were both really big installs - but think about it, if you want to actually get the best out of this sort of change, you are installing panels & inverter, battery storage (of a fair old capacity), heat pump for heating & cooling and an EV charger... and that in turn probably means you are changing your car too. You're not going to see much change out of £60k and that is assuming you go for a used car.
     
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    • Jiffy

      Jiffy The Match is on Fire

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      Just yesturday i sore a police car pull out in front of someone who had to brake hard to miss them
      Some one turning left on a mini rounderabout but turn right!!! indicatoring to turn left + front wheels on left lock as she then started to move she turned right, luckly i was watching
       
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      • Plantminded

        Plantminded Total Gardener

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        No it won’t, the government will hear public protests and get the utility companies to do a U-turn.:biggrin:
         
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        • Fat Controller

          Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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          It is mad the way they behave - all of those mentioned were yesterday and I did no more than 25 miles in the day.
           
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          • ViewAhead

            ViewAhead Total Gardener

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            I like an optimist! ;)
             
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            • gks

              gks Total Gardener

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              In Thailand they are actively installing smart meters, but the electric supply is state owned.

              I did mention sometime ago how they have different prices on usage and with having smart meters installed should help consumers in keeping bills down. When you see the price structure, you sort of understand the uptake of them.

              A monthly usage of under 150kWh based on 2024 prices

              First 15kWh. Baht/ kWh. 2.3488
              Next 10kWh. Baht/ kWh. 2.9882
              Next 10kWh. Baht/ kWh. 3.2405
              Next 65kWh. Baht/ kWh. 3.6237
              Next 50kWh. Baht/ kWh. 3.7171

              If you go over your monthly usage of 150kWh, then your charged Baht/kWh 4.2218 up to 400kWH usage and then Baht/kWh 4.4217 for usage over 400kWh. Each month it resets itself, so you start from the first 15kWh. There is a service charge of 8.19 Baht per month. So, just under 10p a kWh if you stay under your monthly usage and 20p a month service charge. Then you start again, as long as you have not exceeded the 150kWh or you will then go in to the next price band.

              For those who have over a monthly usage of 150kWh then it is as follows.

              First 150 kWh. Baht/ kWh. 3.2484
              Next 250kWh. Baht/ kWh. 4.2218
              Next 400kWh. Baht/ kWh. 4.4217
              Service charge 24.62 Baht per month.

              There is no fixed tariffs, prices tend to be set for 2/3 months.
              When it comes to public EV charging they are also set by the state with a small service charge that covers the cost of the charging point. For slow chargers of 7kWh and 22kWh it is currently 4.18 Baht per kWh. For faster chargers of 50kWh up to 350kWh it ranges from 7 to 12 Baht, about 17.5 pence to 30 pence, not unlike the UK where you can be charged 89p kWh regardless if your charging at 50kWh or 350kWh.

              £ will currently get you 42 Thai Baht, with authentic Thai food which generally cooked on woks, then gas is main source for cooking. Many expats who I have spoken to, say that a 15kg gas cylinder will last them anywhere between 2 and 4 months and costs between £9 and £11 for a refill depending on your location.
               
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              • Thevictorian

                Thevictorian Total Gardener

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                You are then also tied to the house for the repayment period because I bet you wouldn't get much back if you sold it.
                 
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                • Plantminded

                  Plantminded Total Gardener

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                  That's what gardeners are @ViewAhead :biggrin: or, if deluded, :help:.
                   
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                  • CanadianLori

                    CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                    The bill we get shows how many units at such and such a rate during low or mid or high peak. It is detailed. The price of the extra ink is well worth what they reel in.

                    And really, we can't do anything. There is only one electrical supplier for my region. No competitors. And it is this way in most of my province!
                     
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                    • CanadianLori

                      CanadianLori Total Gardener

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                      @Victoria had a large installation of solar panels done and she might know what difference it made in usage/money from the mains supplier?
                       
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                      • Fat Controller

                        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                        That is so cheap, I think I should move to Thailand...
                         
                      • Fat Controller

                        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                        There is certainly an argument for it if you can afford the upfront costs and are willing to ride it through 10 year to break even... the kit that these Artisan guys were installing, a lot of it came with 25 year guarantees, so that makes it worthwhile.

                        I can just imagine what the bank would say if I wanted to borrow £30k to capture some sunlight though...
                         
                      • Victoria

                        Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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                        There is absolutely NO comparison with here. We have roughly 3000 ours of sun each year.

                        The panels and inverter cost 800 Euros and generated 300 Euros the first six months and we went "live" the first july 2025. Jim did all the installation.

                        Sola1 17 Jul 25.jpg
                        Solar2 17 Jul 25.jpg
                         
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                        • Plantminded

                          Plantminded Total Gardener

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                          That pricing regime does sound a bit grim @CanadianLori. I suspected that the lack of competition would be a differentiator from the market here. Your ink suppliers must be doing well :biggrin:.
                           
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                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            Differentiator:biggrin:
                            You learn a new word every day here.;)
                             
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