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

don0301

teachergirl wrote: »

Jackieblack, just checked my readings compared to last year. February last year was 143kWh and the expected was 180kWh. This year we are at 234kWh already. What a huge difference. I have just been trying to dig my garden and some of the ground is quite hard,I hate to say it but I think we could do with some rain here in Essex

heresay!

we need more sun, not water

John_Pierpoint

teachergirl wrote: »

You will never find me. I've hidden myself in Essex's famous secret nuclear bunker.;)

The one with all the signs pointing to it...or is this a double bluff?

I thought that was the "Spitting Image" puppets - so you would be in "good" company with Margaret Thatcher etc., she lives there tucked up in one of the posh beds, not the bunks.
Dreaming of John Major and hiding from Arthur Scargill?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/theboob/4576579232/in/set-72157623861753613/

moss1

don0301 wrote: »

heresay!

we need more sun, not water

hi wonder if anybody can help tell me if my system is producing enough power i have a 3.5kw sysyem with 3.2 eversolar inverter installed on 14th september 2011 it has produced about 625 kwh up to today 25th feb 2012 i live in sunderland no shading issues south east facing at 22 degrees i dont know where to find out what each month on average it should produce any help appreciated thanks.

Yut_Man

moss1. try this: http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php. Its bantered around this forum alot and seems to do the job of power estimation. however one nice day can totally change the results.

Martyn1981

moss1 wrote: »

hi wonder if anybody can help tell me if my sstem is producing enough power i have a 3.5kw sysyem with 3.2 eversolar inverter installed on 14th september 2011 it has produced about 625 kwh up to today 25th feb 2012 i live in sunderland no shading issues south east facing at 22 degrees i dont know where to find out what each month on average it should produce any help appreciated thanks.

Hiya Moss, I love running these numbers, so here you go, from that site. Remember these are only estimates:


Location: 54°54'29" North, 1°22'43" West, Elevation: 36 m a.s.l.,

Solar radiation database used: PVGIS-classic

Nominal power of the PV system: 3.5 kW (crystalline silicon)
Estimated losses due to temperature: 10.3% (using local ambient temperature)
Estimated loss due to angular reflectance effects: 3.6%
Other losses (cables, inverter etc.): 14.0%
Combined PV system losses: 25.7%

Fixed system: inclination=22°, orientation=-45°
Month Ed Em Hd Hm
Jan 2.33 72.1 0.85 26.3
Feb 4.36 122 1.59 44.6
Mar 6.91 214 2.56 79.4
Apr 9.68 290 3.71 111
May 12.00 371 4.67 145
Jun 11.90 356 4.73 142
Jul 11.80 365 4.70 146
Aug 10.00 311 3.96 123
Sep 7.99 240 3.07 92.2
Oct 4.86 151 1.82 56.3
Nov 2.76 82.7 1.02 30.5
Dec 1.52 47.1 0.56 17.4
Yearly average 7.18 219 2.78 84.4
Total for year 2620 1010

Quick tally of 1/2 Sept to end of Feb is about 600, so looking pretty fine to me.

You smiling now?

Mart.

Martyn1981

Edwink, are you still out there? Did anything happen today? Were they Steca inverters (my guess in last post)? Are you winning yet?

Mart.

don0301

18.2 kWh today :j

monthly total climbing nicely

247 kWh so far

jackieblack

teachergirl wrote: »

Jackieblack, just checked my readings compared to last year. February last year was 143kWh and the expected was 180kWh. This year we are at 234kWh already. What a huge difference.

Great, isn't it
If the next few months are as productive as last year I'll be happy!

teachergirl wrote: »

I have just been trying to dig my garden and some of the ground is quite hard,I hate to say it but I think we could do with some rain here in Essex

EricMears wrote: »

You need occasional rainfall else the 'self-cleaning' panels won't self-clean.

Absolutely fine with me, it can rain every single night - once the sun has gone down

Kernel_Sanders

EricMears wrote: »

Along with (probably) a vast majority of solar panel owners, my inverter is tucked away in the attic in order to be as close as possible to panels (just like another page of the manual suggests).

I had mine installed in the small bedroom/study immediately below where it would have been in the loft. My installer said the difference would be negligible (it's a low roof, 23° pitch).

edwink

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Edwink, are you still out there? Did anything happen today? Were they Steca inverters (my guess in last post)? Are you winning yet?

Mart.

Hello Mart

I am waiting for the electrician to come back and change the inverter. When I spoke with the installers Technical Officer on Friday he said the electrician would contact me in a couple of days. Assuming they do not work on a Sunday I should hear by Tuesday or at the very least Wednesday. If I do not hear by then I shall start chasing!!!

Will keep you posted!!!

ED