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

shavy65

Yeah I`m interested in this also. Just out of curiosity pinks what are you planning using this for? Been thinking of beneficial uses for one of these myself!

ASavvyBuyer

Zenoka wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is a device that can sense when you are exporting and send that electricity to a hot water heater? We would really like to use the surplus to help towards heating our water, DH is good at diy and is already talking about fitting a 500w imersion, but we want a system that will automatically control it for us.

Does such a thing exist? I've searched but not been able to find anything.

Know this is an old post, but can't find an answer about a device at a reasonable price. After getting our solar panels installed, we looked at the commercial devices, but thought the payback period was too long to make it worthwhile. However, found this company (reuk) that provided a device for under £30. Installed it and it works a treat whenever we are producing more electricty than we are using.

ASavvyBuyer

orrery wrote: »

Indeed. I have a 600w camping kettle - this means I also boil less water when making a single cuppa.

We found using a 800watt travel kettle that holds enough water for two large mugs works well. Saves heating too much water and running a quick boil kettle that use between 2-3kw when on.

ASavvyBuyer

michaels wrote: »

I just switched (again) - one reason was the new tariff has a higher standing charge and cheaper units which makes sense for our winter usage...come April it may be time to go back the other way as our import usage goes either side of the sweet spot depending on the pv output....

Have been looking at our electric & gas bills to see if it is worth switching suppliers at the end of March, when we practically stop using gas heating and the solar panels start producing the majority of the electricity we use. Looks like switching to a supplier with low or zero standing charges for the summer would be worthwhile, and then switch back again in October to one with low unit charges when we start using more gas and electricity from the grid. Anyone else done this Any problems with switching every 6 months?

brizzledfw

ASB..that is a really interesting idea..had never thought of really maximising our panels in this way? Hope you get some information soon

Just a note - from memory you can use a different electricity supplier to the one you send your generation readings. Assuming that is correct, I am assuming that having panels is 'neutral' with regards to who you export to under the FiT - otherwise it will be a right faff to change the generation company at the same time?

ASavvyBuyer

brizzledfw wrote: »

ASB..that is a really interesting idea..had never thought of really maximising our panels in this way? Hope you get some information soon

Just a note - from memory you can use a different electricity supplier to the one you send your generation readings. Assuming that is correct, I am assuming that having panels is 'neutral' with regards to who you export to under the FiT - otherwise it will be a right faff to change the generation company at the same time?

No need to change FIT company when changing suppliers, so should not be a problem.

pinnks

Shavy65,

Sorry, missed your post on 5 Jan. I like the concept of networked sockets rather than remote radio frequency ones as a general principle. But I do have one specific use in mind.

I have a remote socket in my loft to operate my TV amplifiers (plural) and my Velux window motors. These suck a constant 12W or so and are used only when watching TV other than in the living room where we have Freesat, or operating the Velux blinds once a day max.

I try to turn the socket off when not in use to save up to nearly 300Wh per day but while the remote is fine when operating a similar socket downstairs to turn off my AV amp at the mains when not in use saving a constant 40W or so, it struggles through 2 ceilings, furniture and stuff in the loft so we need to keep a remote upstairs and trudge up and down the stairs to use it. A networked version would not suffer these issues.

brizzledfw

Thanks ASB for confirming

shavy65

Interesting post pinks, thanks. Did you ever take the plunge and try one of these, more budgety, network connected sockets?

pinnks

Not yet, was hoping the OP may have done that and would feed back...