So now I have a solar PV system how do I make the most of it???

had a look at total output today:

310kwh for an `up time` of 725 hours since install. and thats winter production

old_grouser wrote: »

Hi Everyone,
I haven't been here for a while, and am interested to see discussion of how much is being generated, rather than what to do with it.
On a different (now moribund) Solar PV thread I wondered in August 2011 whether my new Sanyo panels would justify their extra cost by working well in winter. Judging by what I read, they are doing me proud. My 3.29 kWp array has generated an average of 8.33kW hours per day in the 277 days since installation. Best winter days 9th Dec 11.6kW/h; 16th Jan 13.8kW/h; 26th Feb 17.0kW/h; 12th March 19.0kW/h. South facing near Brighton.
I'm still waiting for the right box of tricks to control my immersion heater. There are some promising things on Electricians' Forum....
Best Wishes to all Druids,
OG

Hello OG

I am in the south east in Hertfordshire. I have a 2.4kw array, 10 panels which are South facing. They generated 7Kwh today. Mostly it was overcast but this afternoon the sun did finally come out. I had my system installed last month. So I am also very interested it what others are generating.

ED

March has been disappointing, so far, in NE Essex
Despite a high of 11kWh generated on the 8th (:) highest since 15th Oct 11), we are almost half way through the month and only 55kWh generated so far - only 35% of prediction for March
Shaping up to be the first month since Feb 11 to generate less than prediction , (although even if we generate no more at all this month, total generation since installation would still be approx 120% of predicted figures )
Of course, there are still 17 days to go ...... maybe the sun will break through the thick fog we have at the moment and the rest of the month will be spectacular..:cool:

There's really not a lot of point worrying about how this year compares with last, next or even long term averages. The predictions are useful when deciding whether or not a future investment might be worthwhile but there's very little you can do with them after you've made the decision.

Perhaps worth bearing predictions in mind if you're consistently below them but that would either be caused by weather (about which you can do nothing) or shading - which is pretty easy to detect just by standing outdoors and watching for shadows. Some shading can be overcome (e.g. prune a nearby tree); some can't (your neighbour probably wants to leave his roof where it is).

Similarly, now is not the time to worry that your roof has the wrong slope or points in the wrong direction. You - &/or your installer - should have taken those points into consideration and designed the best installation for your house.

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Jackie, if Mch is poor, try this site afterwards:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/

Click on sunshine, and Mch 2012 then see how this year compares to an average of 30 years.

Weather has gone bad here too, freezing fog, it's almost like Winter!

Mart.

Hi Martyn
Someone, (I think it may have been zeupater) pointed me towards that website around this time last year.
I do have a look occasionally, it's interesting to see how my % generation vs prediction compares.... it's generally been pretty accurate
Not of any real use, but interesting (if slightly nerdy )