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

don0301

wish these damn things would work in Winter :D:D

if i took zuepater's advice it would be showing 3.788kW

larkim

Don, its getting a little boring. Where did anyone say that solar doesn't work in the winter? Its blindingly obvious that if you have a nice sunny day you'll generate power. Its just also blindingly obvious that in the winter there is less sun than in the summer (on average). Given the current drought conditions in parts of the UK, it should come as no surprise that there will have been more sun / less cloud than normal. which is of course great news for solar generation at this time of year.

But one swallow doesn't make a summer; in 5 years time when you have average info for your system over a few winters then your numbers will be marginally more meaningful, but in the meanwhile, give it a rest - your enthusiasm is welcomed, your positivity about solar is great (I agree with you!!), but the constant repetition is getting a little tedious.

(By all means come up with something new to post though!)

Matt

Barter

larkim wrote: »

...Given the current drought conditions ...

...maybe, when the South East has had us all pay for a pipeline so they can import water from the North West, they'll export some of their sunshine (in the form of sharing generation profits?) by way of fair shares?

Thanks in advance...

sly_dog_jonah

don0301 wrote: »

wish these damn things would work in Winter :D:D

I presume that's the maximum instantaneous output (give or take OWL tolerances) you're likely to see, if your inverter is only 3.5kWp?

Maybe you've covered this before, but why did you go for a 3.5kWp inverter for a 3.9kWp array? Avoiding DNO issues?

Hopefully when the sun is a little more higher in the sky our 3.68kWp inverter (and 3.7kWp array) will be just edging you on a good day. Our 44 pitch is slightly more inclined (sorry) to summer rather than winter generation.

Martyn1981

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

I presume that's the maximum instantaneous output (give or take OWL tolerances) you're likely to see, if your inverter is only 3.5kWp?

Maybe you've covered this before, but why did you go for a 3.5kWp inverter for a 3.9kWp array? Avoiding DNO issues?

Hopefully when the sun is a little more higher in the sky our 3.68kWp inverter (and 3.7kWp array) will be just edging you on a good day. Our 44 pitch is slightly more inclined (sorry) to summer rather than winter generation.

Inverter to array size is an interesting point that comes up regularly on various forums. For countries like the UK where we get a lot of days below 'great', the argument goes that an undersized inverter will run more efficiently, with lower losses, and a lower switch on / off point.

You mentioned instantaneous peaks, but of course the real generation is sustained long term. Most panels once hot, operate at about 90% efficiency, so you may get instantaneous figures close to, or even over max (I've seen 2.6kW, on my 2.5 inverter, from a 2.4 array!) but only for 1 or 2 mins.

In the case of Don's system, I think, his 3.9 array will probably 'only' sustain 3.5kW (90%) on a long good day, thus maximising the full kit.

My 3.6 only seemed to sustain 3.2 / 3.3 last August, so the maths may work. No idea if the argument is correct, but often read that the industry suggests undersizing by 20%.

Have noticed that my SB1200 switches on before my SB2500, and switches off later, could be array, but suspect it just runs a tiny bit more efficiently?

Mart.

John_Pierpoint

My inverter has a factory set: turn on at 200 volts (just before 07:00 ) and close down at 140 Volts.
By this time it is generating next to nothing.
These settings can be changed by the installer BUT beware of making the thing cycle on and off every time a cloud drifts across in low light conditions. Having an Italian influence it reminds me of the Indisit fridge at the foot of the loft ladder I use to reach the attic room - min d you that fridge is about 35 years old. The semi auto defrost died years ago but the rest of it keeps going - it is paired with an Austrian chest freezer of the same age in the shed outside the back door.

John_Pierpoint

Here is the third echo of good advice from another thread.

It seems that all British Gas needs is the MCS reference and they then access your certificate on the MCS data base.

Barter wrote: »

I'm with npower for our supply of dual fuels, but was unimpressed by them for FiT registration. So, back in December when the previous chaotic deadline was approaching, I called British Gas (free/quickly answered) and was readily accepted by them. I rang them again to check about an answer on the form, then all paperwork sent by email, confirmed by phone call.

Maybe they've recently closed to non-customers, but I'd give it a try as I couldn't fault them!

Thanks for that.

I have filled in and submitted the British Gas form emailed to me by someone called Rubin.
That plus a scanned photocopy of my passport and the order/invoice/receipt from my supplier/fitter, seems to be all they need.
The system automatically acknowledges the receipt of an email when the ".doc" and two ".jpg" files arrived.

Two simple pages of MS-Word form is soooooo much more simple than the equivalent nPower snail mail system, with its spurious detail over 6 sides of A4 plus more detailed bumph about the inverter and panels installation.

It is nonsense that the inverter is not certified under the MCS scheme, only the panels.

Installing on my bungalow took 3 blokes 6 hours with the MCS qualified bloke calling in to check they had done it correctly.

For a simple roof (interlocking concrete tiles and a traditional ring-main type installation of electricity) any competent handy man/electrician could do it.

don0301

larkim wrote: »

Don, its getting a little boring. Where did anyone say that solar doesn't work in the winter? Its blindingly obvious that if you have a nice sunny day you'll generate power. Its just also blindingly obvious that in the winter there is less sun than in the summer (on average). Given the current drought conditions in parts of the UK, it should come as no surprise that there will have been more sun / less cloud than normal. which is of course great news for solar generation at this time of year.

But one swallow doesn't make a summer; in 5 years time when you have average info for your system over a few winters then your numbers will be marginally more meaningful, but in the meanwhile, give it a rest - your enthusiasm is welcomed, your positivity about solar is great (I agree with you!!), but the constant repetition is getting a little tedious.

(By all means come up with something new to post though!)

Matt

It's only a bit of fun, cheer up

don0301

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

I presume that's the maximum instantaneous output (give or take OWL tolerances) you're likely to see, if your inverter is only 3.5kWp?

Maybe you've covered this before, but why did you go for a 3.5kWp inverter for a 3.9kWp array? Avoiding DNO issues?

Hopefully when the sun is a little more higher in the sky our 3.68kWp inverter (and 3.7kWp array) will be just edging you on a good day. Our 44 pitch is slightly more inclined (sorry) to summer rather than winter generation.

I think the inverter goes up to 3680W, might be wrong

My maximum output will be on/around 27 March, then reducing slightly towards June, due to my roof pitch. Although in the summer months I'll be generating for a longer time at peak i guess.

My Installers designed it, their advice was that this was the best solution.

Of course, there's also the argument that at some point, you CAN be just too greedy

sly_dog_jonah

don0301 wrote: »

I think the inverter goes up to 3680W, might be wrong

My maximum output will be on/around 27 March, then reducing slightly towards June, due to my roof pitch. Although in the summer months I'll be generating for a longer time at peak i guess.

My Installers designed it, their advice was that this was the best solution.

Of course, there's also the argument that at some point, you CAN be just too greedy

Is it one of these Fronius IG 40?

http://www.fronius.com/cps/rde/xchg/SID-525A48E3-D9D9606B/fronius_international/hs.xsl/83_382_ENG_HTML.htm

I'm also hoping that the summer combine the best angle of the sun with the longest days to maximise daily output. Our slightly east of south orientation means we'll never match an equivalent system thats due South though. But our pre-midday peak means I can get the washing machine on and clothes hung out earlier in the day

Feb's turned into a bit of an overcast let down in cider country, but with a bit of luck we'll get to PVGIS estimate+25% (running about 4% behind at the moment) in the next 5 days. Time for a sun dance.