With rising energy prices, more and more individuals are installing solar panels to brighten up a bill that is inexorably gray. In just a few months, orders have doubled or even tripled. So much so that installers of photovoltaic panels are struggling to keep up.
Quotations and orders that have doubled
The recent and significant rise in the price of electricity has many Belgians thinking about controlling their energy portfolio. To do this, many want to install solar panels to relieve their finances.
In just a few months, the number of quotes and orders literally skyrocketed. Jean-François Bragard, director of Enersol, confirms this trend: For requests for quotes, there were more or less 150 requests per month before the increase in the price of electricity. Since September and October, it has gradually increased to 300 requests per month. In terms of orders, we’ve gone from 70 to around 150. So yes, clearly that’s doubled significantly. “
Consequence: much longer lead times
Despite the disappearance of certain “ecological” aids, professionals in the sector unanimously affirm that more and more individuals are turning to solar energy to save money.
But this almost sudden enthusiasm has a direct impact on the deadlines of a company like that of Jean-François Bragard: ” THEn hope it will stabilize because it is still increasing month by month. And unfortunately I cannot double my teams to respond quickly to demand. As a general rule, we were more or less 2 or 3 months away. Now it’s twice as long. It takes about 5 to 6 months for the turnaround time, we are so busy. “
A payback period that melts like snow in the sun
Undoubtedly, the rise in the price of electricity has prompted many Belgians to invest in photovoltaic panels. The hope is therefore to make real savings thanks to this technology, which makes it possible to significantly reduce the annual energy bill.
For Benjamin Wilkin, director of the Association for the Promotion of Renewable Energies, the investment is certain in the medium term: ” In 2021, there was an upsurge in solar for individuals. And we think that 2022 is going to be quite important because many people ask us about it, following the increase in the price of electricity. Clearly with a solar location, you control a third to half of your bill over 25 years. In addition, the price of panels is twice cheaper today. We are at a time when photovoltaics sells itself. Even if there are no more bonuses or green certificates in Wallonia, for example, it is much more interesting today than yesterday. A year ago, we were at a return on investment time of around 10 years in the Walloon region. Today, we are certainly going to 7 years or even less for an installation that will last about 25 years. So yes, it’s interesting since you can control your electricity bill and reduce it by up to 50% during the life of the system. “
A much more accessible and much more mature technology
For the solar experts, the interest of the private individual for this technology will be more and more important insofar as one does not expect a strong reduction in the price of electricity in the future. Jean-François Bragard, administrator of Enersol, also underlines the technological advances as a more accessible price which also explains this enthusiasm: ” In 2012-2013 for a classic cleaning installation, we were easily at prices of 15 to 20,000 euros. Now, we are rather around 5 to 8000 euros. Even if since the beginning of the year, for the first time in the sector, we have had a rise in the price of panels of 15 to 20%… This remains much more affordable than in the past. This is without counting on the fact that this technology is very mature and very well mastered. “
More than ever, the rise in the price of electricity has given a boost to the photovoltaic sector. The solar sector is set to develop even more in the future, as individuals fear that energy prices will continue to soar.
It should be noted that specialists in the field note that new players, attracted by the golden rays and the bright prospects of the solar market, are offering offers that are not profitable. It is therefore a question of taking the time to choose your installer well, and not to hesitate to compare several quotes to make real savings.