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

sly_dog_jonah

Plot_Vendor wrote: »

Thanks, sly_dog_jonah.
Looked at the Android marketplace and the apps all seem to be company/equipment-specific, e.g SMA, SunPower. Similar to the sky+ app that lets you interface with your box wherever you are, I'm after a solution that would let me read, say, the SoloPV data wherever I am in the country.

I'm not aware of anything that can do that without interfacing directly with the inverter via it's communication ports (most have an RS232 or similar). I did look briefly at this but nothing off the shelf seemed to be compatible with my Enfinity inverter, and usually your choice is limited to the solutions available from the manufacturer of your inverter. I'm afraid I'm not aware of anything that allows remote monitoring of a SoloPV, but it is a Zigbee-certified product, which should allow interoperability with Smart Meters and other such devices in future:

Solo Smart Energy with Full Zigbee Certification
The GEO Solo SE was awarded full Zigbee Smart Energy Certification on March 17th 2011. ZigBee Smart Energy is the world's leading standard for interoperable products that monitor, control, inform and automate the delivery and use of energy and water. It helps create greener homes by giving consumers the information and automation needed to easily reduce their consumption and save money, too. For more information visit the Zigbee website.

GaryMo wrote: »

I've only been here a short while and like most forums have already identified the people who are willing to argue their point to any length for nothing more than an ego boost. It's pointless guys, it really is. Surely we're all here for one common reason?

Here here!

The Met Office site with the sunshine stats has now been updated for February (select Sunshine under Climate Variable):

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/anomacts/

We are in the +10-30% band here, which corresponds to our performance vs PVGIS-Classic for February.

March has had an indifferent start with a couple of foggy mornings eventually turning nice, then yesterday started with rain which cleared nice and early and managed a very respectable 14.3kWh. Today has started with persistent rain but various forecasts reckon it should brighten up as the day goes on.

Kernel_Sanders

teachergirl wrote: »

Sitting in bed listening to the weather forecast.......maybe snow in Essex today:eek

We've had rain all day in the East Midlands, at noon I was only generating 270 watts (was ten times that around this time yesterday).

Ended up with a total of just 1.64kwh! Did anybody else accumulate less than this?

The_Green_Hornet

seagull09 wrote: »

I cleaned my panels yesterday using the soft sponge side of a telescopic window cleaning pole, and then a quick rinse with a jet spray from a hose. There were some quite large muddy marks on a few panels from when installed, now they are gone it may make a tiny difference.

I had a thought, for those without hoses or in a ban area, would one of those Super Soaker toy water cannon things be powerful enough to get to roof height to wash panels off occasionally? I might have to experiment.

I've had my panels for well over a year and I have never cleaned them once. I find that an occasional rain shower is sufficient to keep them clean enough.

Kernel_Sanders

The_Green_Hornet wrote: »

I've had my panels for well over a year and I have never cleaned them once. I find that an occasional rain shower is sufficient to keep them clean enough.

What is your pitch?

seagull09 wrote: »

I cleaned my panels yesterday using the soft sponge side of a telescopic window cleaning pole,

I'm not at all sure that this is a good idea. Some rain droplets are formed around tiny particles of grit, which tend to get deposited on the panel surface (especially with a shallow pitch). If you start rubbing these into the glass, don't you risk forming minute scratches? These won't be noticeable in day to day generation, but you have to consider the possible cumulative affect over a quarter of a century. This is just my theory, so any other (constructive) views would be appreciated.

The_Green_Hornet

The_Green_Hornet wrote: »

I've had my panels for well over a year and I have never cleaned them once. I find that an occasional rain shower is sufficient to keep them clean enough.

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

What is your pitch?

30 degrees.

GaryMo_2

How about the likes of Snow Foam? There would be no contact at all so possible abrasion wouldn't be a worry.

Doc_N

The_Green_Hornet wrote: »

I've had my panels for well over a year and I have never cleaned them once. I find that an occasional rain shower is sufficient to keep them clean enough.

Likewise - 19 months, no cleaning, and no sign of any drop in output.

Plot_Vendor

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

Do you have the CD with the Power One Aurora documentation on it ? (actually there is all sort of bumph on the CD, including how to monitor your wind turbine in half a dozen languages).

Thanks, JP. No, but I'll be speaking with my installer - having been on this board for a while and seen some of the comments from other users, I'm feeling decidedly short-changed by my lot. :mad:

Martyn1981

GaryMo wrote: »

I've only been here a short while and like most forums have already identified the people who are willing to argue their point to any length for nothing more than an ego boost. It's pointless guys, it really is. Surely we're all here for one common reason?

All together now, "Oh no we're not!" You starting?

Too obvious?

Mart.

Edit: Oops, too busy messing around, forgot my actual post, and that was to say to Seagull, also surprised at 80% with a split system. These toy's are surprising, they do try hard. M.

Kernel_Sanders

seagull09 wrote: »

I am absolutely sure you are right about the possible abrasive effect - I would not advocate using anything other than the force of sprayed water to clean them normally.

However as the installers had managed to leave some muddy sort of prints on them which even torrential rain hadn't removed, I decided some careful action was needed. I can imagine the only other time it might be necessary would be when a bird has been purging the cache in the vicinity of one's panels.

When this happens to my array (we get wood pigeons mainly) I intend using a soft bristle such as a car cleaning brush, dipped in a solution of hot water with copious amounts of washing-up liquid.
Any comments, anybody?