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

Equaliser123

ChrisJD wrote: »

My system is 3.64 kWp, facing SSE on a 25 degree slope, situated near Nottingham

Highest reading to date 10.5 kWh on Friday, with 10.2 kWh yesterday. March total was 159 kWh, and April to date 56 kWh.

I know I'm not in the best latitude, but still the figures are a little lower than I would have expected.

Agree with Teachergirl that those figures do sound very low. What system do you have?

I have a WSW facing 3.29kwp system and my max so far is 17.6kwh.

Our 'perfect day' is actually white cloud in the morning which seems to provide more output than a clear day until the sun reaches the panels (currently about 10.30am). Guess the cloud acts as a reflector when the sun is not directly on the panels.

Had 2.5kw pretty much all of yesterday afternoon. Popped the immersion heater on and practically boiled the water in the tank...

Moist_von_Lipwig

That's definitely low Chris - my 2.35kWp system on the south coast (facing +17 degrees from azimuth, 35 deg slope) produced 13.7kWh yesterday. It might be worth asking the techie boys over on the navitron forum to see if they can help.

ChrisJD

Moist_von_Lipwig wrote: »

That's definitely low Chris - my 2.35kWp system on the south coast (facing +17 degrees from azimuth, 35 deg slope) produced 13.7kWh yesterday. It might be worth asking the techie boys over on the navitron forum to see if they can help.

I've just emailed my installer. I suspect one of the two parallel strings is not working at all.

jackieblack

diable wrote: »

I thought in 3 years they paid for themselves.......... ;o)))))

free_juice? wrote: »

Only if this last week's weather never stops. Eight years at best is more like it and even that assumes steep rises in electricity costs.

Also assumes regular rise in (and assumes continuation of!) FIT payments, no problems with any of the equipment (particularly the inverter) and at least average predicted levels of sunlight

free_juice?

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

I may not have made the most of it but a pigeon has. My tiles are deeply ridged and one local tree rat has seized his opportunity and is taking twigs and rubbish under a panel. I am going up to gutter level with a hosepipe to flush the blighter out. :mad:

Cardew

free_juice? wrote: »

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

I may not have made the most of it but a pigeon has. My tiles are deeply ridged and one local tree rat has seized his opportunity and is taking twigs and rubbish under a panel. I am going up to gutter level with a hosepipe to flush the blighter out. :mad:

This is the 'clean the panels' or 'not to clean' discussion again!

Some people say it is absolutely necessary, others that the rain will keep them clean.

Are you sure the squirrel isn't 'nesting' in your loft? Is so get rid of them asap.

free_juice?

Oh, sorry, 'tree rat'. I meant pigeon as in flying and pooping all over Trafalgar Square. I blocked squirrels from the roof ages ago, not that they ever got in but they did to a neighbour's roof.

This little devil has got under the side edge of a panel because that happens to coincide with a tile ridge, or rather its valley. So it is not interfering with generation it's the constant cooing and the pooping that is the nuisance so I will be up there as soon as I have someone around who can control the water tap and dowse him and poke him in the eye with a stick.

ChrisJD

ChrisJD wrote: »

I've just emailed my installer. I suspect one of the two parallel strings is not working at all.

Well, both strings were working, but it seems that on this size of Kaco inverter, the leftmost terminal is for earthing, so one string was not actually connected.

Now producing twice the power :-)

Chris

grahamc2003

free_juice? wrote: »

Oh, sorry, 'tree rat'. I meant pigeon as in flying and pooping all over Trafalgar Square. I blocked squirrels from the roof ages ago, not that they ever got in but they did to a neighbour's roof.

This little devil has got under the side edge of a panel because that happens to coincide with a tile ridge, or rather its valley. So it is not interfering with generation it's the constant cooing and the pooping that is the nuisance so I will be up there as soon as I have someone around who can control the water tap and dowse him and poke him in the eye with a stick.

Just to add to your woes a bit and perhaps save you getting outsmarted by the pigeon, a hose connected to a tap won't give much of a blast - if any - when you're at solar panel level. I'd take extra stcks and do extra poking in the eyes to compensate, or get a pressure washer. But as with everything there are pros and cons, and pigeon pie is lovely.

penrhyn

Stop the pigeon!

Sounds like a job for............