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

zeupater

don0301 wrote: »

can't have it both ways lol

It's extremely likely that it probably would be the case that 'both ways' would be the same way considering that if there is a difference between the readings then it could be due to the voltage being set incorrectly and most who are reading this would probably accept that to be the case .... have you tried it yet to see if it helps ?? ....

HTH
Z

grahamc2003

Well, it's pretty clear to me from Don's 3 word inane responses to the considered posts posted today (and before) that he simply isn't at all interested in the accuracy or not of his owl, or for that matter his generation meter. He's just here for attention, at not interested in answering any of the many points raised (just read the recent responses). And no answer as to why he doesn't simply read the generation meter if he wants to know what he's generating, or more importantly, if he wants to inform others as to what he's generating.

don0301

grahamc2003 wrote: »

Well, it's pretty clear to me from Don's 3 word inane responses to the considered posts posted today (and before) that he simply isn't at all interested in the accuracy or not of his owl, or for that matter his generation meter. He's just here for attention, at not interested in answering any of the many points raised (just read the recent responses). And no answer as to why he doesn't simply read the generation meter if he wants to know what he's generating, or more importantly, if he wants to inform others as to what he's generating.

theres one thing I'm not interested in

the dribble you come out with

don0301 wrote: »

16.4kWh today

new record :j

happy?

Martyn1981

grahamc2003 wrote: »

Well, it's pretty clear to me from Don's 3 word inane responses to the considered posts posted today (and before) that he simply isn't at all interested in the accuracy or not of his owl, or for that matter his generation meter. He's just here for attention, at not interested in answering any of the many points raised (just read the recent responses). And no answer as to why he doesn't simply read the generation meter if he wants to know what he's generating, or more importantly, if he wants to inform others as to what he's generating.

That's a rather strange post.

Don has shown great interest in the accuracy of his monitor, and tried to find the best way to optimise the reading, why would you state the opposite? Yes it's way out at low readings, most clamp types are below 200W's, but get more accurate at higher amps.

How does one, simply compare the instantaneous kW reading from a monitor, to the kWh reading from the generation meter - short of hoping that generation stays constant for 15 or 20 mins whilst staring at the meter with a stop watch?

I've fitted an LED flash reader to my TGM to give an accurate reading (well as accurate as the meter), and there are a few such devices hitting the market. But explain how this can be done simply?

While you're at it, why don't you also explain why somebody who is 100% totally opposed to PV wants to constantly comment on a thread designed for those with PV to chat about their systems?

If Don gets short bursts of 3.5kW's and sustains approx 3kW's for 5 to 6 hours, then that matches his TGM reading for the day. I'm well aware that you don't believe PV works, and that you don't believe Don's readings - but that's your cross to bear, not ours!

Mart.

grahamc2003

Martyn1981 wrote: »

How does one, simply compare the instantaneous kW reading from a monitor, to the kWh reading from the generation meter - short of hoping that generation stays constant for 15 or 20 mins whilst staring at the meter with a stop watch?


Mart.

Ignoring all your nonsense and just addressing this point ... well isn't it very easy to get an accurate estimation of the generated power from the generation meter at its 0.1kWh resolution?

If he's generating 3.5kW, then that's just 1.714 minutes to wait for the meter to increment 0.1kwh (I'd appreciate a maths whizz like you or Don to check the maths please), so no need to wait 15 or 20 minutes (don't know what was going through your head with that one, unless you think Don is pulling your leg). So instead of Don spending about 18 hours on these boards, he could take say a 5 minute break around lunchtime when the sun is strong and his owl is reading 3.5kw, and measure how long 2 or 3 0.1kwh increments take.

cepheus

rhiwfield wrote: »

but some tips:

• Switch usage times about e.g. Cook evening meal during day
• Save winter washing/drying/ironing for good generation days
• Hoover when the sun shines

Sorry for being cynical here but surely from a pure 'money saving' point of view you do precisely the opposite of the above. The electricity can be exported for a far greater cost than you import it, so you maximise output and use as little electricity as possible, except when it is dull or at night when you import it at a fraction of the price.

Of course to provide winners there must be many losers, the so the rest of us taxpayers without PV must indirectly subsidise your extortionate export tariff!

I suppose since the 'green' electricity always offsets fossil fuel use by someone and the amount produced nationally is proportionately small, what time you use it matters very little from an environmental point of view.

This is the ideology and fallacy of independence and private generation which the last two governments have encouraged. The only issue of real importance environmentally and nationally, is could the enormous subsidy required to introduce the feed in tariff have been used more efficiently through other energy generation or efficiency measures. Of course the answer is yes, but there are less votes for economic sensible measures like erecting big turbines in the Outer Hebrides, or commercial photovoltaic arrays in sunny energy intensive Gibaraltar!

don0301

cepheus wrote: »

Sorry for being cynical here but surely from a pure 'money saving' point of view you do precisely the opposite of the above. The electricity can be exported for a far greater cost than you import it, so you maximise output and use as little electricity as possible, except when it is dull or at night when you import it at a fraction of the price.

actually, your paid for what you generate whether you use it or not.

link:

http://www.fitariffs.co.uk/

HalloweenJack

^^ the estimation is 50% and thats what the export tarrif is based upon; unless you fit an export meter or before smart meters are thrust upon everyone

However, in the initial years before Smart Meters are widely used, the export element will be deemed to be 50% of the power generated by the system

cepheus

don0301 wrote: »

actually, your paid for what you generate whether you use it or not.

link:

http://www.fitariffs.co.uk/

Yes I see what you mean the difference is quite small even if you did measure it, so it probably matters little when you use it.

Generation tariff - your energy supplier will pay you a set rate for each unit (or kWh) of electricity you generate. Once your system has been registered, the tariff levels are guaranteed for the period of the tariff (up to 25 years) and are index-linked. For a full list of generation tariffs, see FIT payment rates published by the Government
Export tariff - you will get a further 3.1p/kWh from your energy supplier for each unit you export back to the electricity grid, so you can sell any electricity you generate but don't use yourself. This rate is the same for all technologies. At some stage smart meters will be installed to measure what you export, but until then it is estimated as being 50% of the electricity you generate.

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Financial-incentives/Feed-In-Tariffs-scheme-FITs

Index linked Eh? Very nice at the moment!

don0301

cepheus wrote: »

Yes I see what you mean the difference is quite small even if you did measure it, so it probably matters little when you use it.

well, I'm forecasting a saving of approx. £160 in a year (from electricity savings alone), but I'm only just under 2 months of accurate figures, so time will tell.