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

Doc_N

Just a word of advice from someone who's had panels up and running since the summer of 2010 - you can waste an awful lot of time fussing over what will prove to be quite small amounts of money if you're not very careful.

Forget all the fine detail, the fancy arrangements etc and just live life normally, using a bit of commonsense, or the thing will take over your life.

If it's sunny (and likely to stay that way) do the washing and dishwashing and put on any other high-energy appliances that stay on for a while. If it isn't sunny, consider delaying them until it is, provided it's convenient to do so.

Apart from that, live life normally. Life's too short to get obsessed over small savings that really don't matter that much if they're going to make life just too much hassle.

Kernel_Sanders

EricMears wrote: »

Great day today ! Over a kw by 8:30am - so breakfast coffee came from free hot water.

Coffee with breakfast? How very unBritish!
And yes, a massive contrast to yesterday. I generated a paltry 1.64kwh on Sunday, but today managed 17.70kwh - easily a record. But Metcheck is getting worse; this was their prediction for today's cloud cover as recently as 10pm last night:



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Cardew

Doc_N wrote: »

Just a word of advice from someone who's had panels up and running since the summer of 2010 - you can waste an awful lot of time fussing over what will prove to be quite small amounts of money if you're not very careful.

Forget all the fine detail, the fancy arrangements etc and just live life normally, using a bit of commonsense, or the thing will take over your life.

If it's sunny (and likely to stay that way) do the washing and dishwashing and put on any other high-energy appliances that stay on for a while. If it isn't sunny, consider delaying them until it is, provided it's convenient to do so.

Apart from that, live life normally. Life's too short to get obsessed over small savings that really don't matter that much if they're going to make life just too much hassle.

Exactly.

It costs less than a penny to boil enough water for two cups of coffee - with no assistance from solar PV.

If you use a 2kW or 3kW kettle, as opposed to a 0.5kW kettle, it will 'use up' all your excess generated electricity most of the time.

Is it really worth the bother to save small fractions of a penny when boiling water?

Even when attempting to use a washing machine to take advantage of solar the savings will be tiny. Unless you have a very old machine, most wash cycles use 0.4kWh or 0.6kWh with the majority of that used in a short burst with a 2.5kW or 3kW heater - which solar often will not 'cover'.

You would probably save more by turning off freezer or fridge overnight.

Cardew

seagull09 wrote: »

Since when did the ethos of Money Saving Expert only apply to large amounts of money? Look after the pennies (or even fractions thereof) and the pounds look after themselves.

I agree with the idea that one shouldn't become *too* obsessed with 'solar watching', but to imply that using half of a generated 2000+ kWh per year is pointless - well, most people here would love to save £150 or so a year, eminently worth while.

I haven't 'implied' anything of the sort.

It is surely valid to opinion that buying and using a 500w kettle to save minimal amounts is not worth the bother.

I believe the inherent difficulties in manually matching demand to supply make the savings you suggest impossible to achieve - even for the most diligent 'solar watcher'.

P.S.
I find it strange that you 'thank' Doc N for saying the same as myself, but seemingly disagree with me!

EricMears

Doc_N wrote: »

Life's too short to get obsessed over small savings that really don't matter that much if they're going to make life just too much hassle.

Originally Posted by Cardew Is it really worth the bother to save small fractions of a penny when boiling water?

Many a mickle maks a muckle

Look after the pennies and pounds will look after themselves

I don't think I'd say I was 'obsessed' with saving small amounts of money - but if I was, this forum is a place I ought to feel comfortable. :grouphug:

I'd never go to ridiculous extremes - e.g. when convenient we try to have main meal of day at lunchtime if it's sunny but haven't yet got to the stage of not eating for three days in case sun comes out on fourth.

However, other things being equal, I'm happy to wait a few minutes for a slow kettle rather than paying 0.06p (or whatever) for the instant gratification of a hot drink before I've had time to prepare the sandwich to go with it. Do that 150 times (and I'm sure I would most months) and there's a pound less on the next electricity bill. If 60 million others could do the same we could probably save the thick end of a billion (the nasty American billion rather than our traditional million million) pounds a year - more than enough to keep our MPs in second & third houses.

BTW, I didn't have to buy a 500w kettle for this application - I just took it out of the caravan where it's usually kept between outings.

Martyn1981

Doc_N wrote: »

Just a word of advice from someone who's had panels up and running since the summer of 2010 - you can waste an awful lot of time fussing over what will prove to be quite small amounts of money if you're not very careful.

Forget all the fine detail, the fancy arrangements etc and just live life normally, using a bit of commonsense, or the thing will take over your life.

If it's sunny (and likely to stay that way) do the washing and dishwashing and put on any other high-energy appliances that stay on for a while. If it isn't sunny, consider delaying them until it is, provided it's convenient to do so.

Apart from that, live life normally. Life's too short to get obsessed over small savings that really don't matter that much if they're going to make life just too much hassle.

But if we're having fun, what's the problem? A lot of this is just people running through some mental exercises over what can or could be done. I've already found, that it's become second nature, not really a chore anymore, just a new way to do things.

Similar thing happened when we got a water meter, you think about what and how you do stuff, learn then adapt. No real chore, just the fun side of 'beating the system'.

Silly, yes, but still fun, and nobody gets hurt. There are worse (and yes better) hobbies one could have.

Mart.

don0301

I'm getting savings of roughly £20 a month by:

a. having solar panels

b. making a little effort to turn things on as when they are free or mostly free

I get great satisfaction out of seeing 3k+ on the owl and putting the kettle on for a nice brew for free

grahamc2003

seagull09 wrote: »

Since when did the ethos of Money Saving Expert only apply to large amounts of money? Look after the pennies (or even fractions thereof) and the pounds look after themselves.

.

But as you say, the site is Money Saving Expert. That implies to me saving the maximum amount of money for the least effort, and not saving a ha'pny here and there for a great deal of inconvenience. (Not saying you do, just stating what I think this site is, or should be, about).

I think Cardew had it spot on last week when he gave the opinion that if you just use solar by setting a timer at midday to run the washing machine etc (if you're not on e7 that is), then you'll probably pay about £25 more per year than someone who continually tries to match solar generation with usage (and who's good at it). That's a lot of effort for 4 beers in Prezzos.

don0301

grahamc2003 wrote: »

But as you say, the site is Money Saving Expert. That implies to me saving the maximum amount of money for the least effort, and not saving a ha'pny here and there for a great deal of inconvenience. (Not saying you do, just stating what I think this site is, or should be, about).

I think Cardew had it spot on last week when he gave the opinion that if you just use solar by setting a timer at midday to run the washing machine etc (if you're not on e7 that is), then you'll probably pay about £25 more per year than someone who continually tries to match solar generation with usage (and who's good at it). That's a lot of effort for 4 beers in Prezzos.

I'm confused, as cardew mentioned a timer at midday i guess he was talking about someone not at home during the day. but you seem to be comparing that with someone who is home during the day by saying someone continually trying to match generation?

Martyn1981

grahamc2003 wrote: »

But as you say, the site is Money Saving Expert. That implies to me saving the maximum amount of money for the least effort, and not saving a ha'pny here and there for a great deal of inconvenience. (Not saying you do, just stating what I think this site is, or should be, about).

I think Cardew had it spot on last week when he gave the opinion that if you just use solar by setting a timer at midday to run the washing machine etc (if you're not on e7 that is), then you'll probably pay about £25 more per year than someone who continually tries to match solar generation with usage (and who's good at it). That's a lot of effort for 4 beers in Prezzos.

I simply don't get the point of all this. Two solid years you two have been attacking every aspect of PV and FITs, and now you want to have a go at us for saving a few quid and enjoying ourselves at the same time!

You enjoy your beers, I'll enjoy wasting my time with PV. As long as neither of us harms anyone else, then why bother complaining.

I simply don't get the point!

Mart.