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

[Deleted User]

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!

I use the solarimmersion as Legoman62 has kindly listed. This one chosen as at the time it fitted the bill and was vastly cheaper than the market leading immersun.

Anyway now we are into Feb it is starting to 'wake up' but won't fully take over hot water duties till Mar. Quite simply if there is a period of no sun then the boiler [ashp] will heat the water as usual.

Cost savings - 2kwh a day averaged over the year so almost £90 quid a year saved. We have no mains gas. Payback time 2 years ish but less wear on the ashp.

Cheers

groovyf

I'm due to have my 2.6kWp system installed next week. Both washing machine and dishwasher have built in delay-timers so I'm OK on that front.
My biggest draw in juice is from the electric underfloor heating in the living room, so I'll be really interested to see how meter readings are affected after install.

old_grouser

cannonballdaze,


I've just seen your post, and it's probably no use telling you (but it might help someone else) that a piece of software called Optitrac, which is found in some of the SMA inverters, will deal with shading for you. I turned mine on two years ago, when I realised that a gable end was cutting into early morning generation, and have never had reason to turn it off again; and I've more or less forgotten about it. I wonder if there is anything else out there that will do this job as easily...
...demolishing the gable was not an option...
OG

old_grouser

..Oh, and (to Groovyf) I fitted a Solarimmersion last spring on Jeepjunkie's recommendation, and it has worked well for me - and it now seems to be 20% cheaper than when I bought mine!
Best wishes for your installation,
OG

shavy65

I presume a washing machine and dish washer only pull thier maximum power during the heating stage of their cycle? i.e. at start?
And the tumble drier (damn thing) will pull a high wattage more or less constantly?
I`v a newborn.....drier`s never off! haha

cannonballdaze

Thanks for this - mine's a Ako Diehl Inverter so I don't know if it will work.

Cheers - Joe


I've just seen your post, and it's probably no use telling you (but it might help someone else) that a piece of software called Optitrac, which is found in some of the SMA inverters, will deal with shading for you. I turned mine on two years ago, when I realised that a gable end was cutting into early morning generation, and have never had reason to turn it off again; and I've more or less forgotten about it. I wonder if there is anything else out there that will do this job as easily...
...demolishing the gable was not an option...
OG[/QUOTE]

tunnel

shavy65 wrote: »

And the tumble drier (damn thing) will pull a high wattage more or less constantly?
I`v a newborn.....drier`s never off! haha

Welcome to my world, although the youngest is now 2&1/2. I swapped my tumble dryer for a heatpump condensing one by AEG. Much cheaper and economical than conventional tumblers.

orrery

tunnel wrote: »

Welcome to my world, although the youngest is now 2&1/2. I swapped my tumble dryer for a heatpump condensing one by AEG. Much cheaper and economical than conventional tumblers.

Alternatively, if you have a spare room, you can use a dehumidifier and a desk fan - it will dry a load of washing in a day and use less than 300W (on and off). Much more solar-compatible.

themaverick1953

Havent looked at this thread since we got our system 3 years ago. At that time I seem to belive it was £2000 + to install a switch to divert excess solar to an immersion heater. Just had a plumber round who has solar and he says the cost has come down a lot any recommendations?

mickyduck

themaverick1953 wrote: »

Havent looked at this thread since we got our system 3 years ago. At that time I seem to belive it was £2000 + to install a switch to divert excess solar to an immersion heater. Just had a plumber round who has solar and he says the cost has come down a lot any recommendations?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4152489

I have a solar immersion that does the job