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

zeupater

cannonballdaze wrote: »

Hi,

My panels have partial shading in the winter months from my neighbour's roof and chimney.

I've read that Solaredge technology may optimise the panels' output during partial shade.

Do any readers have experience with fitting such technology to an existing installation - costs, benefits, other issues etc.

My installation is a 3.9 Kwp system consisting of 9 * 230 watt Sharp panels and a Diehl AKO Platinum Series Inverter.

Cheers - Joe

Hi

If it's only in the deepest winter months it's probably not worth the expense.

Have a look at PVGIS and determine what a decent average target would be for each month and compare this to your own monthly generation history for months which have shade ... ((own/PVGIS)x100) will give you a percentage performance to base any decision as to the severity of the shading on and ((PVGIS-own)*£FiT) will provide an idea of what is potentially being lost to the shade - from this you'll be able to gauge how many years it would take to recover any additional cost ..... remember to only look at the months where shade is an issue, if there is no shade then optimisers or micro-inverters will make absolutely no difference.

HTH
Z

tunnel

cannonballdaze wrote: »

Hi,

My panels have partial shading in the winter months from my neighbour's roof and chimney.

I've read that Solaredge technology may optimise the panels' output during partial shade.

Do any readers have experience with fitting such technology to an existing installation - costs, benefits, other issues etc.

My installation is a 3.9 Kwp system consisting of 9 * 230 watt Sharp panels and a Diehl AKO Platinum Series Inverter.

Cheers - Joe

Hi Joe,


Where do you get 3.9kWp from? 9 * 230 is 2.07kWp.


As for retrofitting, then yes, I have had it done on a 2.04kWp system that suffers from shading ALL year round.


Costs for me were about £700 BUT, I was having another system added(WNW). They used my older inverter for my new system and the new inverter went on the old system along with the power optimisers needed. There was no need for scaffolding either as it was on a garage so they managed with a scaffold tower of their own.


I would think long and hard over it if your shading is only winter especially if your not on the original higher FIT rate(what rate are you on?)


tunnel


ps any questions just ask

cannonballdaze

Hi, sorry - I mean 17*230 watt panels.

Joe

cannonballdaze

Thx for the advice and yes, I'm on the higher (almost 50p) FIT rate.

Happy New Year - Joe

eastcott5

Hi,

Have had solar for about 3 years now and apart from all the above suggestions - using bread-maker etc. when generating we now have a gizmo that diverts any spare generation not being used by the house to the immersion heater. This means no gas use in the summer - still get charged the basic supply though. Its great and only uses the spare - so if the kettle is turned on it doesn't divert. We have a Soliac - but there are now others out there that offer 2 diversions - so when the water is up to temperature you can turn on an radiator (electric). The immersion or radiator need a separate wire to the fuse box.
Lots of nice lights under the stairs that keep our grandchildren amused. We also monitor with an OWL in the kitchen as well as the solar monitor that came with the system.

Living frugally in old age.

cannonballdaze

Hi, thx for info - do you have any links for the Soliac and other diverters. Can't find on web.

Cheers - Joe

ChopperST

http://www.greenologic.co.uk/power-reducer-pv-immersion-controller-.aspx

Is what we have - you can also add a web monitoring portal for power usage and PV production.

shavy65

I`m considering getting a PV solar system installed at the moment, been wondering.....
In the summer months do most of you guys still have the gas boiler timed to heat your hot water for an hour or so in the morning/evening? Or does this intelligent immersion heater completly get rid of the need for that!!?
FYI the immersion diverter I`ve been quoted for is a SOLiC 200, any opinions on this appreciated?

Cheers!

tunnel

If you have a hot water tank then your immersion switch will heat your hot water during the day using any spare generated electric, if its a cloudy day and there's nothing spare then its back to good old gas.


Can't comment on the switch unfortunately as I don't have a hot water tank

legoman62

shavy65 wrote: »

I`m considering getting a PV solar system installed at the moment, been wondering.....
In the summer months do most of you guys still have the gas boiler timed to heat your hot water for an hour or so in the morning/evening? Or does this intelligent immersion heater completly get rid of the need for that!!?
FYI the immersion diverter I`ve been quoted for is a SOLiC 200, any opinions on this appreciated?

Cheers!

There are lots of different gadgets on the market today that will do what you want. Only problem is, the cost to buy and fit one. Takes an awful long time to get your money back.
Also if you are going to buy one, I'd look for one that can divert your excess SP somewhere else too, such as towel rail, storage heater etc!

energysavingexp on this site has made one for £25.00 if you are a DIYer


Here are some I have posted before

http://solarimmersion.co.uk/
http://www.sgwooldridge.co.uk/cms/Solarpvswitch
http://www.earthwiseproducts.co.uk/info/solic-200+73.html
http://www.immersun.co.uk/
http://www.diykyoto.com/uk/aboutus/optiplug
http://www.intelligent-immersion.co.uk/