Free solar panel discussion

Gizmosmum_2

The_Governor wrote: »

Thnaks for that, they also kocked me back at the first hurde for not having a house that faced between south and east, even though it does :rotfl:

Blame Google Earth for that - that's how they do their first assessment. if they get the wrong property (which they often do) then their orientation can be miles out.

I'm guessing that their ideal install is 4kwp on a tiled due South roof and if they've got loads of those waiting to be installed then they can bin most other options.....

ronlizpatsimon

MYSTERY SOLVED?
Many posts on this thread appear to be against the use of panels. I used to wonder why these persons were posting on this thread at all.
I've now worked out what they are up to - They probably all have panels installed (owned or rent-a-roof); but they realise that the more people who have them installed ; the more everyone (including themselves) will have to pay for the electricity they still consume from the grid. So, their whinging, complex calculations or political statements, are merely intended to put the uncommitted off from acquiring the panels.

zeupater

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

MYSTERY SOLVED?
Many posts on this thread appear to be against the use of panels. I used to wonder why these persons were posting on this thread at all.
I've now worked out what they are up to - They probably all have panels installed (owned or rent-a-roof); but they realise that the more people who have them installed ; the more everyone (including themselves) will have to pay for the electricity they still consume from the grid. So, their whinging, complex calculations or political statements, are merely intended to put the uncommitted off from acquiring the panels.

Hi

I don't think that there are many people posting against the use of panels at all. However, there are some who attempt to both bring a little realism to the expectations of some who post and counter a number of the sometimes outrageous claims which are made by, or on behalf of, the 'rent-a-roof' sector.

HTH
Z

thorsoak

When we bought this property, it already had 4 solar panels on the south-facing roof - the "ordinary" water heating ones. I have no idea how much they cost the previous owners of the house, and we were not sure just how much they would save us. Well, since 17th April I have not had the immersion heater, nor the oil-fuelled boiler on - and the water temperature at its highest is 58C - and as the household now consists of me and the dog, there is more than enough hot water for my needs - daily shower, every other day washing machine & dish washer! So it is saving me at the moment!

Doc_N

Just out of curiosity, what are people getting out of their systems in this consistently sunny weather? Mine's a 4 kWp system, capable of producing around 3.6 kW at max, but it won't go, at the moment, beyond around 3 kW at best - not sure whether that's because the sun isn't sufficiently high in the sky yet or whether there's a fault.

Producing around 21-22 kWh a day at the moment.

jackieblack

suecoo66 wrote: »

Just another quick bit of advice needed, Tendring DC keep telling me that solar panel companies are lying when they state you don't need planning permission. I don't live in a listed building or a conservation area, so does anyone know where I stand legally? I want something in writing from the council in case I ever sell.

Sue
We come under Tendring DC, I rang them last summer when we were first thinking about having Solar panels installed. They told me I had to fill in their form in order to get a decision that confirmed I didn't need to get planning permission, so I filled in their form and (eventually) got an email back confirming planning permission was not needed provided the installation met certain conditions.

They did also advise that Building Regulations approval was needed, but this was covered by installers being 'Part P' (?) registered and by getting confirmation from the installers that the solar panel installation would not increase the loading on the roof by more than 15% of the current weight.

ronlizpatsimon

Doc_N wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, what are people getting out of their systems in this consistently sunny weather? Mine's a 4 kWp system, capable of producing around 3.6 kW at max, but it won't go, at the moment, beyond around 3 kW at best - not sure whether that's because the sun isn't sufficiently high in the sky yet or whether there's a fault.

Producing around 21-22 kWh a day at the moment.

Yes, the angle of the sun would normally reduce the possible power output. Also, despite being hot and sunny, there is often some thin high cloud or smog.

howzurfath3r

anyone know if the London weighting allowance still applies to solar panel retrofit grant scheme ?

zeupater

Doc_N wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, what are people getting out of their systems in this consistently sunny weather? Mine's a 4 kWp system, capable of producing around 3.6 kW at max, but it won't go, at the moment, beyond around 3 kW at best - not sure whether that's because the sun isn't sufficiently high in the sky yet or whether there's a fault.

Producing around 21-22 kWh a day at the moment.

Hi

It's almost all down to the haze reflecting a good proportion of the radiation and reducing what is hitting your panels .... I get the same so don't worry.

The deeper blue colour the sky is the better your system will perform. These 'wedgewood' blue skies just limit performance more than you would think possible. When you've had your system a while you'll be able to guess what's being generated just by looking at the sky.

HTH
Z

Nang

Doc_N wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, what are people getting out of their systems in this consistently sunny weather? Mine's a 4 kWp system, capable of producing around 3.6 kW at max, but it won't go, at the moment, beyond around 3 kW at best - not sure whether that's because the sun isn't sufficiently high in the sky yet or whether there's a fault.

Producing around 21-22 kWh a day at the moment.

Hi Doc

I had the same concerns, with my four 4Kw system. The sun is creating a lovely bell shaped curve but despite 20 x 200 w panels, its peaking at about 3.41 but in most cases about 3kw.

I spoke to a colleague in Leeds and its the same for him, so I stopped worrying about it.

I also suspect that that as the panels get hot they lose efficiency (I read about this in some literature from SMA, about matching inverter size to panel ratings). I see this in effect when the sun goes behind a cloud for a bit and then comes out again it maxes out for a while and then slowly descends again.

Hope this helps.