Derek Broughton wrote
Rod Speed wrote
Matthew Maddock wrote

We are moving to France in a few months to a house that needs
renovating etc. There is no existing hot water system, so that got
me thinking that instead of putting in the usual electric water heating
system that is common in France, a solar system might be nice.

They're hardly ever good value where mains power is available.

I beg to differ.

You have to get down on your knees to beg properly.

It's not hard to generate enough hot water to
pay for a DHW system in reduced electric costs.

Dont believe it when its calculated properly.

Pay back for my system vs. electricity would be about 100 months.

Dont believe it, show the numbers.

Not great, but I know many systems running over
10 years with no capital additions, so it's workable.

Nope, not when its calculated properly.

Since I'm not _on_ grid, and use propane
for hot water, payback is quicker.

Sure, thats why I said what I said about mains power.