The Great 'Get Paid To Generate Energy' Hunt

zeupater

Hi All

Many have been reporting that their pv arrays have been generating more than expected, the reason could possibly be .....

Spring ... http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/2010/13/2010_13_Sunshine_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif
Summer ... http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/2010/14/2010_14_Sunshine_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif
Autumn ... http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/2010/15/2010_15_Sunshine_Anomaly_1971-2000.gif

... note the relatively poor (realistically ... /average) summer, which is in line with reported pv performance figures.


Full details available at Met Office : http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/

Looks like it's been a good year to introduce FiTs ..... <shades on> :cool:

Z

Dave_Fowler

After two weeks of no generation due to snow on the panels, yesterday started with an avalanche and all the snow came off the panels, missed my drive and landed next door, half burying their car. Luckily they were away for two days so won't know. Perhaps this could act as a warning for those whose panels still have snow on them; when it comes off, it comes off fast!

Dave F

John_Pierpoint

There has been a lively debate about what to do with the excess day time electricity generated.

I still favour a low power immersion element pending the development of a LOW COST gizmo that can identify when the generation exceeds the household's consumption, and acts accordingly.

However induction cooking technology seems to be catching on and in certain parts of the world is becoming the de facto higher efficiency method of food preparation.

I am sure it has a part to play in the low carbon "sustainable" future.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_cooker

Anyone got practical experience of a home with induction cooking?

Cardew

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Anyone got practical experience of a home with induction cooking?

Yes I have a 5 'ring' induction hob. The model is a Neff T44T90N

Very impressive in use in that it is quick and very easy to control the heat. However not sure how it could be used utilizing solar power.

The total power drawn is 10.8kW and the smallest 'ring' is 1.4kW.

ChrisJD

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

There has been a lively debate about what to do with the excess day time electricity generated.

I still favour a low power immersion element pending the development of a LOW COST gizmo that can identify when the generation exceeds the household's consumption, and acts accordingly.

Even more simply, are any of the clip-on energy meters able to detect the direction of current flow, or do they simply show everything as consumption?

Chris

Doc_N

ChrisJD wrote: »

Even more simply, are any of the clip-on energy meters able to detect the direction of current flow, or do they simply show everything as consumption?

Chris

They can't detect direction (presumably because it's AC). Mine is virtually incomprehensible since the panels went on, but I'm assuming it shows a net reading. Whether that's a net positive or a net negative is impossible to tell.

Dave_Fowler

Doc_N wrote: »

They can't detect direction (presumably because it's AC). Mine is virtually incomprehensible since the panels went on, but I'm assuming it shows a net reading. Whether that's a net positive or a net negative is impossible to tell.

The clip-on energy meters always produce the sum of the net current through the sensor, be it import or export.

Some use can be made of the readings on the clip-on energy monitors if you have one of the older electric meters which goes backwards when you generate more than you are using.

There are two scenarios:
1) Your house electricity meter is a new type which only reads what you import, or
2) Your house meter goes backwards when you export.

Let us use letters I for imported, E for exported.

In case 2) House meter reads I - E, and your clip-on meter reads I + E.

If you add the two readings together and divide by 2 you will get your true import figure and the difference divided by 2 is the export figure.

You will have to make some allowance for Power Factor. The electric meter will read Watts and the clip-on meter Volt.Amps (because it does not know the phase). I was able to find a rough PF correction factor for my house during the many days when there was no generation because of the snow on the panels. My PF correction for the 10 days worked out to be 0.93. This means I have to multiply the clip-on meter reading by 0.93 before applying it to the above equations.

Degree in maths anyone?

Dave F

Doc_N

I see there are fully installed systems all over eBay now - with all the usual exaggerations on savings! Can't help feeling that's a very risky way of buying something like this.

furndire

Doc_N wrote: »

I see there are fully installed systems all over eBay now - with all the usual exaggerations on savings! Can't help feeling that's a very risky way of buying something like this.

So do I - people need to know that the company installing has the proper registration, or they can't claim the FiTs payments, and without them its not worth installing.

zeupater

Hi All

Looks interesting when you think about it ......

A recent industry report names the UK as one of three main targets for growth ..... to me, market based targetting means incentives, which means competitive prices .......

http://www.solarserver.com/solar-magazine/solar-news/current/2011/kw01/pv-markets-lux-research-report-provides-an-analysis-of-which-nation-will-be-the-new-germany.html

HTH
Z