Free solar panel discussion

Nang

Cardew wrote: »

Exactly!

Although you could of course argue that even to sell the generated output at 11p/kWh involves an element of subsidy; albeit not as generous as FITs;)

Really ??

I reckon that's what Npwr have been charging me!!, they must have seen me coming.

Either that or they are trying to claw some cash back, for all these FITS payments.

PeterZ_2

digitaltoast wrote: »

The PV FiT WILL NOT MEAN ONE LESS COAL FIRED POWER STATION IN THE UK.

Quite correct.

However, it will reduce the amount of coal fed into those power stations.

Even at this time of year solar pv will supplying power, reducing the load on the power stations, in turn reducing how much coal or gas needs ot be burnt.

We need to be moving away from a fossil fuel based ecomony. We are most likely at or near peak oil, more positive thinking and solutions are what is needed, not ill informed rants on a fourm.

PeterZ_2

digitaltoast wrote: »

Nang wrote: »

Do you really think all those coalfired power stations would sit on standby, waiting for a nippy spell? Have you ANY idea how long it takes these things to get up to speed? Do you really believe they can go into standby when the sun pops out?

What do you think happens at half time when the demand suddenly soars as everyone puts on their kettles?

You have completly misunderstood how the grid operates. Demand is a constantly moving target. The NG engineers are experts at controlling the output to meet demand. They have to be able to adjust the output quickly, output from renewables is easily managed.

A fair chunk of our power is generated from gas fired stations which can react quickly. Coal powered stations are used for the base load.

PeterZ_2

Cardew wrote: »

Maximum demand on the Grid is always on a winter's evening.

So nobody uses electric in the summer during the day then?

What about spring and autumn?

What is very obvious from reading this thread (and I've only bothered to read a few pages) is that there are a very vocal minority on here who are just out to bash solar generation, no doubt with some hidden agenda.

Do you really think that if it was all a waste of time that someone from the national grid would of told the government by now?

The UK needs energy security right now. We all need to move away from oil.

PeterZ_2

LILLYBET wrote: »

Someone way back asked about Storage Heaters! Can they be set to store electricity during daylight hours instead of having E7? That way I would pay virtually nothing for electricity with 12 panels on my roof.

I'm afraid that the output from solar panels is at its lowest for Nov, Dec and Jan when you need the heating most. There just wont be enough powered generated for heating (unless you have a massive array).

Would work fine if you wanted the heating on in the summer.

PeterZ_2

Cardew wrote: »

However we tend to be seduced by the headline figures of 8% or 9% return; and we are not comparing like with like. As said above, money in a BS is available - it ain't sitting on your roof.

Very true - cash you can get your hands on is worth much more.

Something else to bear in mind is the long periods of time. Most business work on a payback of 1 to 3 years. 10 - 12 years is a long time, you might not even be alive by then!

grahamc2003

PeterZ wrote: »

Would work fine if you wanted the heating on in the summer.

And if sh*t were grub, there'd be no starving people in the world.


And furthermore, a typical 'free' solar array would not provide sufficient power for typical winter heating requirements even at a midsummer's day midday output.

And peak demand is around 5:30pm in the winter.

And your views on how the grid is controlled to match real-time demand are totally incorrect.

And basically, if you wish to attempt to patronise all and sundry on here, at least try to ensure you are informed on the topics you are posting about.

zeupater

PeterZ wrote: »

So nobody uses electric in the summer during the day then?

What about spring and autumn?

What is very obvious from reading this thread (and I've only bothered to read a few pages) is that there are a very vocal minority on here who are just out to bash solar generation, no doubt with some hidden agenda.

Do you really think that if it was all a waste of time that someone from the national grid would of told the government by now?

The UK needs energy security right now. We all need to move away from oil.

Hi

Balancing the Grid is a little more complicated than this ..... to get an idea see the following description of balancing the grid just for January this year ..... http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/D2D84389-583B-4542-A90D-3B0AEF10AEEE/45618/MBSS_January_2011.pdf

National Grid describe peak demand here .... http://www.nationalgrid.com/NR/rdonlyres/1C4B1304-ED58-4631-8A84-3859FB8B4B38/17136/demand.pdf .... note the reference to the summer demand peaks during a football match.

And if anyone would like to analyse daily demand patterns the source of information is here .... http://www.nationalgrid.com/uk/Electricity/Data/Demand+Data/

As an aside, for information, even as someone with a pv system above me right now, I tend to agree more with those who post conservatively and cautiously regarding the benefits & capabilities of solar pv than those who make over-inflated claims of what can be achieved with pv systems.

HTH
Z

PeterZ_2

zeupater wrote: »

Hi
with those who post conservatively and cautiously regarding the benefits & capabilities of solar pv than those who make over-inflated claims of what can be achieved with pv systems.

Not sure if that is aimed at me, but I'm certainly not making any over inflated claims, quite the opposite.

Solar pv is only ever going to be a small part of the solution.

We need more solar, wind, tidal, hydro and dare I say it - nuclear. And we need it fast, there will be a price to pay, but we will all reap the rewards later.

zeupater

PeterZ wrote: »

Not sure if that is aimed at me, but I'm certainly not making any over inflated claims, quite the opposite.

Solar pv is only ever going to be a small part of the solution.

We need more solar, wind, tidal, hydro and dare I say it - nuclear. And we need it fast, there will be a price to pay, but we will all reap the rewards later.

Hi

I totally agree, a mix of technologies is needed.

For information, the post was actually made because I don't see many posts or posters on the forum which fall into the category which caused the claim ....

'What is very obvious from reading this thread (and I've only bothered to read a few pages) is that there are a very vocal minority on here who are just out to bash solar generation, no doubt with some hidden agenda.'

... what does seem to happen from time to time is that spamming installers & suppliers post illogical and/or unsupportable claims on their product or services, alternatively, mainly uninformed 'green zealot' types turn up and try to preach to the converted on a subject they probably should research further in order to not hinder their own cause. You must admit, that within a few recent posts, some statements which were obviously made in order to have an impact have been injected, and this has been done without fully researching the community which may have thereby been insulted. I do suggest that anyone joining the debate at a late stage reads a little more of the thread in order to better understand the viewpoints of individuals, whichever side of the debate they may post.

HTH
Z