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

rodee13

charging a battery from diverter sounds good, anyone doing it ? if a smallish battery can have enough charge to power a small heating element fan for an hour or two in the evening would make me happy.

Sterlingtimes

With the recent fall in gas prices, 2.44 pence per kWh, and current metered export at 4.85 pence per kWh, it is only system efficiency that determines the point of indifference, i.e. near enough 50% today.

Diversion has no real benefit for me apart from the "red pixie light" I installed outside the airing cupboard that let's the family know when we are export and need to burn electricity. For that reason alone I will let the iBoost continue to do its job.

pinnks

You can't drive a battery charger from a diverter at the moment as they can only drive resistive loads but the theory could presumably be applied to turn a charger on and off when there is enough generation.

warrenb

I am waiting for battery prices to come down as I have a garage roof that could fit 4 panels. Want to use this space for a battery system, then have main system on house roof whilst charging batteries from garage roof to use durng evenings. Not worried about fit for garage system, would just need dno for the extra pv.

carbry

i have a 3.13 south facing system, to warm the room in the afternoon would a halogen heater 350 watts a bar be a good idea please. any replies would be greatly received.

thankyou

EricMears

I don't think anyone can really tell you the answer - you really need to see what you're generating and compare it to what you're using and see what excess you've been exporting.

As ever with heating requests, you'll almost certainly find that you've got ample power when the house is bathed in sunshine and getting so hot you've had to throw a few windows open but nowhere near enough when it's gloomy outside and chilly indoors.

But on the face of it, you ought to be generating at least 350W when it's reasonably bright but not full sunshine but only you can even guess at what else your house uses.

orrery

carbry wrote: »

i have a 3.13 south facing system, to warm the room in the afternoon would a halogen heater 350 watts a bar be a good idea please. any replies would be greatly received.

thankyou

To add to what has already been said...

Potentially yes, but you need to bear in mind that if you're not generating enough then you will import the surplus at a much higher cost than heating by gas.

The benefit will only be on those rare days when they is plenty of sun but it is still cold - they do exist and the benefit is real, but unlikely to worth the cost of a heater if you don't have one already.

shavy65

Anyone thought of any `big wins` for smart plugs? Got myself a Hive Plug but currently only using it to charge my handheld battery hoover while I`m at work
There must be better uses for it! haha.

iks123

I've been considering getting solar panels installed and read through most of the comments on here about using the electricity you generate during the day etc... can someone clarify as i have old style meter if you don't use all the electricity you generate during the day @ your meter spins backwards and then during the evening when you are using electricity you're using the units you reversed earlier so theres no difference??
Example:
For talking sake keep numbers simple in both examples we use 30kw over the course of the day.

1) You generate 10kw during the day and only use 2kw meter reverses by 8kw and you use further 20kw from supplier. Meter starts at say 100-8+28=120
2) you generate 10kw during the day and use 8kw meter reverses by 2kw and you use further 20kw
Meter starts at say 100-2+22=120
Both examples you end up paying for the 20kw balance?

Or am i missing something fundamental ?
Sorry if daft question but I don't see what difference it makes when you use the energy..

Exiled_Tyke

iks123 wrote: »

I've been considering getting solar panels installed and read through most of the comments on here about using the electricity you generate during the day etc... can someone clarify as i have old style meter if you don't use all the electricity you generate during the day @ your meter spins backwards and then during the evening when you are using electricity you're using the units you reversed earlier so theres no difference??
Example:
For talking sake keep numbers simple in both examples we use 30kw over the course of the day.

1) You generate 10kw during the day and only use 2kw meter reverses by 8kw and you use further 20kw from supplier. Meter starts at say 100-8+28=120
2) you generate 10kw during the day and use 8kw meter reverses by 2kw and you use further 20kw
Meter starts at say 100-2+22=120
Both examples you end up paying for the 20kw balance?

Or am i missing something fundamental ?
Sorry if daft question but I don't see what difference it makes when you use the energy..

The simple answer is that if you have an old meter that runs backwards then you are legally obliged to tell your utility company who will (eventually) arrange for the meter to be replaced by one that doesn't go backwards!