Clydach’s domestic solar market is a consistent one. The SA6 residential stock is predominantly Victorian and Edwardian terrace housing on the valley floor, with interwar semi-detached on the mid-slopes. The yield baseline at 950 kWh/kWp is consistent across the SA6 residential catchment.
Valley terrace payback: the worked example
A 4 kWp SolarEdge-optimised installation on a south-facing Clydach valley-floor terrace at effective 950 kWh/kWp generates approximately 3,800 kWh annually. At 37% daytime self-consumption: electricity savings of £394, SEG export of £311, year-one benefit £705. On £7,100 installed cost, simple payback: 10.1 years.
SolarEdge panel-level optimisation recovers 10% to 14% of annual generation compared with a standard string baseline on valley-shaded terraces — worth approximately £100 to £140 per year. Over 25 years that cumulative recovery substantially exceeds the cost differential between SolarEdge and a standard inverter.
Battery storage: the evening peak case
A 7.5 kWh battery captures the midday surplus and discharges it during the 17:00 to 21:00 evening peak. The battery adds approximately £210 of annual value above the solar-only case. On £5,800 incremental battery cost, battery-only payback is 27 years — marginal in isolation. The combined solar-plus-battery payback on £12,900 total at £915 year-one benefit is 14.1 years.
EV charging: the transformative addition
The Mond refinery and its supply-chain businesses employ shift workers and engineering staff who commute by EV. A household charging an EV four times per week at 10 kWh per session, with 45% of charge energy from surplus solar, avoids approximately £655 of grid electricity per year. Combined solar (£705) plus battery (£210) plus EV charging divert (£655) annual benefit: approximately £1,570 on £13,550 total investment including EV charger. Combined payback: 8.6 years.
Birchgrove: the mid-slope opportunity
Birchgrove, on the higher ground above Clydach, carries 1960s and 1970s semi-detached with better sky exposure than the valley floor. For Birchgrove properties with minimal shading, standard string inverter specification is appropriate — the cost saving versus SolarEdge is approximately £400 to £600.
Getting a Clydach survey
FLD is 15 minutes from Clydach. We combine SA6 domestic surveys with Swansea Vale commercial visits. Call Paul on 01792 680611.
