Solar Panels

gromituk

The price can definitely plummet if there is enough interest, competition is established and economies of scale come into play. But of course that's a chicken and egg situation. I'm with you on the government - Gordon Brown trumpets his tiny tax incentive for greener cars, and yet ever increases the duty on fuel for trains.

paul_h

gromituk wrote:

I'm not so sure about that - remember acid rain?

Good point... however, acid rain is caused by the sulphur dioxide and other sulphates in the flue gases, not the Pulverised Fuel Ash. PFA is basically inert... or so the boffins at the Power Station keep telling us, but that's another story... :rolleyes:

Acid rain still occurs, as only around 90% of the sulphur is removed by FGD, and some power stations are now burning cheap petroleum coke which is has a higher sulphur content.

The statement about PFA going up the chimney was made in the context of the intention to concentrate the dumping of 4 million tonnes of it in one place.

gromituk

Ah - I assumed that the same flue gas scrubbers which remove the sulphur also create all this PFA.

My house uses 1920s breeze blocks which are made from compressed ash, presumably from power stations. I'm sure they're poisoning me slowly!

paul_h

gromituk wrote:

Ah - I assumed that the same flue gas scrubbers which remove the sulphur also create all this PFA.

My house uses 1920s breeze blocks which are made from compressed ash, presumably from power stations. I'm sure they're poisoning me slowly!

More than likely!;)

You're sort of right, the scrubbers ('precipitators') have to remove the solid matter (PFA) from the flue emissions before it is fed through the 'absorber' where the sulphur is extracted and converted into gypsum.

Although it's two separate processes, the plants are usually installed together due to the Flue Gas Desulphurisation process requiring scrubbed flue gases.

skylark_3

Hi

I've been 'hovering' for some time and this is my first post - here are some more web addresses for those interested:

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/hackleman65.html - American site, plans for solar water heating system designs

http://www.rainbowtradingpost.co.uk/ various solar and wind power kits

http://www.lowimpact.org/ do various courses, inc self-build solar hot water

http://www.cat.org.uk/ more courses & practical applications, loads of research

paul_h

skylark wrote:

Hi

I've been 'hovering' for some time and this is my first post

Welcome to posting on MSE! :j

The US sites are often overlooked by many here in the UK because they think the info won't be relevant. However, there is some excellent stuff on some of them, particularly the 'DIY on a shoestring' type sites - which is what MSE is all about.

Have fun!

Ken68

Thank you Skylark, just what I was looking for...am about to embark on making a solar water panel....thermosyphon using filtered rainwater. Hopefully no pump needed.

gromituk

No pump needed but don't forget to drain it in the winter!

Ken68

Yes Grom...have made provision in the plans for draining off at collector and cylinder ends.
Fittings will have to be 22mm...found a cheap source and Screwfix stuff competitive.

kestor

ken68
hi ken how much do you estermate that the panels will cost to make
regards jason