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

John_Pierpoint

There is not a lot of money you can save be replacing gas or economy 7 electricity with "free" daytime electricity. Beware the intelligent meter, and perhaps "net metering", is coming fairly soon.

At the moment I've got more "free" electricity than I know what to do with:
08:00 - 09:30 fridges and freezer on then 9:30 - 11:00 small night storage heater 11:00 - 12:00 large storage 12:00 - 14:00 hot water immersion then repeat in reverse as we slide down the hump of the generation graph.
Then wait for about 6 hours and turn on to use Economy 7 as required.
Today I had the luxury of using the tumble dryer for free.

It must be a brilliant technology for those living in N.Africa.

Martyn1981

RoxyK wrote: »

Yay my PV installation was yesterday - and today I generated 21kWh Pleased with the installation even though they had a challenge due to how the tiles had been laid.....

Roll on getting the monitor sorted so I can access the data remotely!

Congrats, first day and you've beaten my 2012 best by 40% already! But remember the fun wears off eventually, or so I've been told.

Mart.

jackieblack

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

It must be a brilliant technology for those living in N.Africa.

As the panels generate less efficiently above a certain temperature (mid 20s C?) wouldn't it be too hot for very efficient generation?

Martyn1981

jackieblack wrote: »

As the panels generate less efficiently above a certain temperature (mid 20s C?) wouldn't it be too hot for very efficient generation?

Nah, they just keep them in the shade!

Mart.

jackieblack

jackieblack wrote: »

March has been disappointing, so far, in NE Essex
Despite a high of 11kWh generated on the 8th (:) highest since 15th Oct 11), we are almost half way through the month and only 55kWh generated so far - only 35% of prediction for March
Shaping up to be the first month since Feb 11 to generate less than prediction , (although even if we generate no more at all this month, total generation since installation would still be approx 120% of predicted figures )
Of course, there are still 17 days to go ...... maybe the sun will break through the thick fog we have at the moment and the rest of the month will be spectacular..:cool:

Well, my previous pessimism appears to have been unfounded
120kWh generated over the last 9 days :T
Have now exceeded March's prediction with 3 days left to go

jackieblack

Martyn1981 wrote: »

Nah, they just keep them in the shade!

Mart.

:rotfl:

Martyn1981

We've gone sticky!!!!

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3872445

MSE just wanted a reference to their advice page included. They turned it around in half a day, very fast.

Thanks again to everyone for your ideas and comments (keep em coming) and for suggesting stickyness.

Pats on backs all round.

Mart.

dktherapy

RoxyK wrote: »

Yay my PV installation was yesterday - and today I generated 21kWh Pleased with the installation even though they had a challenge due to how the tiles had been laid.....

Have been watching your posts with interest as we too have just had panels installed. Not as good as you though: a steady 15kWh per day for the past 3 days. Exciting stuff so far!
Debbie

cashman_2

Anyone know if I add to my 3kw system that was put in 9th nov 2011 to get to 4kw if I can still get paid to Fit payment from then?

Thanks

GaryMo_2

Yes, you'll still get your current rate of FiT payments for the existing 3kW part though the newly installed 1kW will only be liable for the FiT rate at the time of install, 21p at the moment.