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

Martyn1981

I didn't catch the whole story, but there was an article on Bloomberg yesterday about the Volt. I think GM are cutting back on production as they aren't selling too well at the moment. They don't want to build up a large inventory, but aren't willing to discount, as they are already losing money on them.

They hope that as demand grows, they could still eventually turn a profit, as Toyota did with the Prius after a few rough years. But at the moment, Americans are struggling with the concept of a $40k compact car. If Obama does get serious with Iran, as he threatened yesterday, then the Americans may want some efficient cars sooner than they realise.

Hopefully the Ampera will do well.

The plug-in Prius reaches these shores soon (now?), qualifies for the £5k discount, and should get about 12 miles on the battery alone.

Mart.

KevinG

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

is the post numbering adjusted accordingly? If so, that could cause problems when referencing a previous post.

No, that would be silly!

zeupater

Martyn1981 wrote: »

I didn't catch the whole story, but there was an article on Bloomberg yesterday about the Volt. I think GM are cutting back on production as they aren't selling too well at the moment. They don't want to build up a large inventory, but aren't willing to discount, as they are already losing money on them.

They hope that as demand grows, they could still eventually turn a profit, as Toyota did with the Prius after a few rough years. But at the moment, Americans are struggling with the concept of a $40k compact car. If Obama does get serious with Iran, as he threatened yesterday, then the Americans may want some efficient cars sooner than they realise.

Hopefully the Ampera will do well.

The plug-in Prius reaches these shores soon (now?), qualifies for the £5k discount, and should get about 12 miles on the battery alone.

Mart.

Hi

Looking at the US car market and prices you'll soon understand that most 'premium price' vehicles don't have American badges and even premium/luxury vehicles are sold at prices far below those typically available in Europe, so combining this with the fact that Europe, and in particular Germany, is much further down the 'greener' path than the USA, then it was probably a poor decision not to launch in Europe first, but winning European Car of the Year 2012 immediately prior to it's UK launch shouldn't harm it's initial sales too much .... looking at the initial depreciation of 'non-mainstream' vehicles like the Prius & Insight due to consumer wariness on used batterypacks there's a very good possibility that there will be competitively priced used Amperas around in a year or two.

HTH
Z

don0301

Cardew wrote: »

Am I supposed to have a listed building? I know Don implied that I have - however there is very little he manages to get correct, and that statement does not improve his record.

I keep my Arab stallions in the South Meadow and having consulted with my head groom he is not keen on your idea - besides as it is such a long way from any of the buildings on my estate, there would be unacceptable transmission losses.

My butler thinks panels would ruin the appearance of the servant's wing - he is such a snob.

Meanwhile if I see FIT(pun intended) to attempt to quantify potential savings utilizing solar PV, I will continue to post my views.

haha cardew

pot kettle?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3738661

don0301

EricMears wrote: »

It does seem a little strange that anyone without solar panels should feel they have anything to contribute to a thread entitled "So now I have a solar PV system how do I make the most of it???" . I certainly joined the debate hoping that someone would be offering useful pointers on how to maximise the advantages of having them.

One minor error that's crept in (and quoted above): just because a building is 'listed' doesn't necessarily mean that solar panels can't be fitted- it just means that you can't assume automatic planning consent. There have been several recent examples of very old churches (which should have listed status) being allowed to fit panels on South facing rooves which canot be seen from the ground. Or of course, many listed buildings would have a few spare acres of land and could put a ground mounted array in the South meadow.

I understand for a listed building you need planning consent, and possibly listed building consent.

I also understand you cannot ground mount in the grounds of a listed building without permission either.

Someone with a listed building and panels can probably correct me or not

that rules you out apparently cardew

I wouldn't be surprised if churches come under different rules, cos they are not a habitable building or classed as a charity? dunno

Kernel_Sanders

The moon is very bright at the moment, and it's also due south and high up in the sky.
Hmmm, I wonder.......

John_Pierpoint

I went to a talk given by the expert on "renewables" employed by the National Trust for England.
One woman in the audience launched into a rant against her council (She lived in Peckham in S.London if I remember correctly). Seems she owned a grade two building and the way she told it the panels would be invisible from the road.

In response the expert tapped on his laptop and put up a picture of a grade 1 castle, complete with PV panels; admittedly on one of those roofs facing another roof with a lead lined valley between them. The expert went on to admit that usually they find a suitable barn for the panels near-by, simply to avoid the hassle.

The energy bills for some of the trust properties, off the gas grid as many of them are, were eye watering. Possibly one of the reasons why this 1930's beauty has been difficult to let:

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/homewood/things-to-see-and-do/

Perhaps the mature planting mitigates the cold in winter hot in summer effect - but the total wall windows must be magic in spring and autumn.

Martyn1981

zeupater wrote: »

Hi

Looking at the US car market and prices you'll soon understand that most 'premium price' vehicles don't have American badges and even premium/luxury vehicles are sold at prices far below those typically available in Europe, so combining this with the fact that Europe, and in particular Germany, is much further down the 'greener' path than the USA, then it was probably a poor decision not to launch in Europe first,

HTH
Z

Don't get me started on American cars, I'll never stop. Wish I still had my beloved 1981 Firebird, what an ugly beauty that was!

I'm surrounded by piles of US mags, but particularly like Car & Driver, as the editors are very honest about Americas faults and the 'too' low gas price.

Cars are much cheaper there because they are generally a little lower quality, especially regarding safety and efficiency. It took Ford about 2 years to get the Euro Focus, and then Fiesta approved. European crash standards are very high with crumple zones etc, the US still demands enormous front collision strength. So very different cars underneath, and differing emissions standards too.

The worst thing regarding US car testing is the very old 'gas mileage' tests. They still use an old simulated program that when designed, the rolling roads weren't strong enough to cope with too much torque, so acceleration had to be slow and light. The same program is still used even today so doesn't reflect normal driving. Car stickers giving fuel economy are simply a reduced percentage of the test results, about 80% I think. Totally daft.

Other issues that make no sense, some manufacturers want to add stop-start technology to their cars, but the test has no stationary elements to it, so the cost of the tech would not be reflected in a better gas-mileage score. Despite the car having a better real life performance. Totally crazy.

Car & Driver have been arguing for a guaranteed minimum fuel price that is higher, yes higher, so that the domestic manufacturers can plan ahead and develop more efficient cars. At present they keep trying to match demand for small, then big vehicles as the gas price shoots up and down alarmingly.

One good thing, the A-Z listers in Hollywood can afford the newer kit and play the role of guinea pigs, as long as their cars are perceived cool.

Mart.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

I went to a talk...

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

I went to a talk...

Didn't get enough the first time?

don0301

Fruit_and_Nut_Case wrote: »

Didn't get enough the first time?

pardon? can you repeat that?