Excellent a thread about solar panels.
Couple of things; I'm amazed at the lack of knowledge and understanding around solar from people that I respect the opinions of on here. Secondly, if this is the level of knowledge and understanding of intelligent people, it's no wonder that the majority of the general public doesn't get it.
Solar panels are the most efficient they have ever been. In the 20+ years that I've been in the renewables sector I've seen solar go from little more than a radiator painted black with washing machine hoses attached to it (SolarTwin) to the norm being 300wp panels with 400wp ones about to be launched on to the market.
Some classic myths debunked:
1. EV fast chargers are £10k. No they're not, try less than €700
2. They take 20+ years to pay for themselves. No they don't. If a £10k system saved you £500 a year (forget feed in tariffs, which further accelerate the process) then how long would it take to pay for itself.... The answer is not 20 years. The answer is in fact closer to 12 years depending on the rate of fuel inflation, given that it's been running at an average of 10% per year for the last 20 years or so it's fair to assume that the projected rate will be the same/similar/more. It won't be less. So if the cost of fuel goes up quicker, the system pays for itself quicker.
3. All the electric generated by PV goes to the grid and you then benefit from cheap electric. OMG no.
A simple export meter will show you how much is exported. And with a properly sized system and battery, very little will be exported.