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

don0301

16.9 kWh today

which makes my monthly total so far as 219 kWh

which is exactly my PVGIS estimate for Feb

Martyn1981

davidanddeirdre wrote: »

Re overvoltages and inverters, presumably if there is a lightening strike anywhere near one's panels it could get a bit hairy not only for the panels but the inverter as well. Does anyone have any knowledge of this eventuality having actually occurred in the UK?
I have checked that my house buildings insurance would cover repair.

What a funny co-incidence.

D&D meet John (#1708), John meet D&D.

SMA explanation:

"Varistor - The varistors protect the electronics in the inverter from atmospherically coupled energy peaks, such as those that can occur in the event of nearby lightning strikes."

now for the million dollar question, how nearby? :eek:

Mart.

Studlea_Phatt_Katt

We make the simple changes; use dishwasher, washing machine in turn during daylight hours but don't worry if overcast; if an evening meal can be pre cooked , say a chilli, hotpot, beef in red etc, if panels cover the usage then fine, if not, then that's fine as well given we are trousering cash.

Our panels installed first week October, and paid us £167 in January.

Full report:PV Details
Lifetime Generation
587.60 kWh

Peak Rate
3.50 kWp

Anticipated Annual Generation
3.17 MWh

Configuration
multiple array, single string
Panel Manufacturer

SHARP
Panel Model NU-R250J5

Bearing
150 °

Inclination
30 °

Elevation
6.0 m

First Automated Reading
1.20 kWh

(12:18:22, Mon, 03 Oct 2011 UTC)

Latest Meter Reading
588.80 kWh

(18:47:04, Thu, 23 Feb 2012 UTC)

Our costs / CO levels are far lower by having one car built in 2001, doing only 5000 miles per annum, our second car built 1966 doing only 2000 miles per annum, properly insulating our home, only boiling enough water in the kettle for needs, not having air conditioning and remembering we have pullovers on the not cold but nippy days.

don0301

grahamc2003 wrote: »

I have no idea - perhaps you should address your question to sma - I'm only the messenger quoting their manuals. I didn't write a requirement to flash green at once per second four times on overvoltage - better than doing nothing I expect, just in case anyone sees it (e.g. the installer on a badly designed/wired system).

How do you propose the inverter guards against a too high dc voltage? According to sma themselves, who design, make and test the things so I expect should know, if you stick too high a DC voltage on the dc side, there's a danger of explosions. Not sure why some find that hard to believe, but each to their own.

Hope your hunkering down well there in graham land? got your hard hat on?

I think the rest of us will sleep easy, I hope so anyway

don0301

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

So it look's like you've already hit your maximum instantaneous output a month before the optimal sun elevation.

My sundance worked, my SoloPV briefly showed >3.6kW when the sun peeked out just after noon. Couldn't get a photo in time before it dropped to 3.33kW though.

that a bad thing?

Plot_Vendor

Had a strong day yesterday: 7.169kW vs 4.69 estimated by the PVGIS boffins. Still down on the predicted monthly average, though.

Two questions to forumites: I'm out all day, so now that I've got solar, what can I do with it other than sell it to my leccy co at 3.1p? Also doesany one know of an app that will let me monitor this on my android?

Panels 3kW Mage powertec plus
Location SE London
Orientation E/W
Pitch 30 degrees
Inverter - 3.6kW Aurora Power One (I think).

John_Pierpoint

........................Snap ? ..........................

Inverter - 3.6kW Aurora Power One (I think).

I had one of these installed on Valentine's day.

If you go to the top of this page of the thread you will find "search this thread".
Click this and then click "advanced search"
Enter my name in the appropriate search box (it is case sensitive).
Voila [OMG have a really made 70 postings on this thread].
Those postings since 14feb12 might be of interest to you.

Assuming you have an "Aurora" of USA or Italian manufacture - does it have a rubber aerial hanging out of the right hand side bottom of the casing (where all the wires loop in)?

Without the aerial - there is a facility to plug in a computer cable (according to the manual).

Do you have the desk top gizmo for monitoring and analysing the performance?

How easy is it for you to monitor the read-out on the front panel?

In my kitchen I have an oversized trap leading into a lined a boarded loft room, so I just reach up and drop the trap door and its attached loft ladder, then sit on the top step and the carpet on the floor. So I can spend half an hour trying to record and understand the rolling display:o Actually now that I know what they all mean, it is more like a minute or two.

Orientation E/W

So you have panels on both sides of a roof with a ridge running North <-> South ? You definitely need to watch those readouts through the day to understand what is happening.

orrery

Plot_Vendor wrote: »

Two questions to forumites: I'm out all day, so now that I've got solar, what can I do with it other than sell it to my leccy co at 3.1p? Also doesany one know of an app that will let me monitor this on my android?

If you can connect from a local PC that is left turned on, then you can use TeamViewer (free for personal use) and they have an Android App.

edwink

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Many winters ago I worked for the Welsh Office, water regulations side. During the droughts in 1995ish (?) one proposal came forward. Only a bare bones idea, but plausible, to take water from the large Welsh reservoirs for Thames Water.

Many reservoirs are already linked to maintain water levels, so add some more connections, move the water across Wales and into the Severn. Next abstract from the Severn and use the canal network to get across to the Thames, then abstract as and where needed. Simples!

Or fix the leaks?

Mart.

Hello Mart

Just to update you regarding our installation. To cut a very long story short I have spoken with our installers. They are sending an electrician to change the inverter. They said I should have a Sunny Boy 1200 for the 6 panels on the main roof of the house and 2 stacker 500 inverters on the lower extension roof as there is shading on these panels. Just wondered what your opinion is on that set up before they get here in 2 days or so to change it all.

Look forward to hearing from you.

ED

sly_dog_jonah

don0301 wrote: »

that a bad thing?

I'm just pointing out that your inverter max power output is less than what the panels can output and you've hit the inverter's peak output a month before the 'optimal' solar radiation point for the panels.

Therefore for the next month until optimum sun elevation (and the following one after optimum) your panels will be capable of outputting more power than the inverter can output (in the best weather). Therefore for 4months of the year at least, your inverter will be constraining the peak output under optimum conditions. I just don't fully understand why anyone would deliberately cap the peak power output for the sake of a few £ saved on the inverter? Each to their own though.

Our inverter can output up to 3680W and the panels 3700W. Allowing a % or two for DC cable losses, our inverter should never constrain the potential output of the panels.

What was the cost saving of going for a cheaper inverter with a lower power output than the panel array can generate?