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

70sbudgie

There are lots of different models of solar diverters that use a clamp around the cable between your consumer unit and meter to identify when you are exporting and diverts that to your immersion heater. The different models have different features and price points. I think the starting point is about £220 for a "fit and forget" with a 90minute boost manual button (I've forgotten the make, even though it is what I have), to the myEnergy Eddi that I understand has software that allows it to integrate with the Zappi and offers the ability to prioritise energy consumption. There are also options that allow multiple outputs. There is a great conversation on this board somewhere about the different models and their features.

themaverick1953

I know I had one fitted on panels we has put in on a previous house about 14 years ago (on 53p a unit when we sold and buyers just thought they were an eyesore, the FITS payments covered the gas bill).

stellaegerton

Hi there - I'm moving into a 4 storey mid-terrace victorian house (~1870), and I'm consider solar panels.  The Front of the roof faces west, and the smaller outrigger roof at the back faces south.  I'm going to explore solar panel options with a few suppliers - wonder if anyone has recommendations?  Thanks, Stella.

tomkaier

Might be useful to know where you are Stella! 

stellaegerton

Oh- I’m in sunny Manchester ! 

theonenonly

glaciotim said:

Hello!

Completely new here but...

Have just had 10 solar panel installed on our house free of charge through a government scheme. Part of the deal is that the energy can't be sold back to the grid, it is jsut returned (fair enough of course). I was just wondering, what is the best way to make the most of this. I was considering buying a battery, as obviously at the moment it's only useful during the day when they're producing. We've been trying to use high energy appliances during these periods, but it's also really hard to tell how much the panels are producing, there's a very basic interface which tells us cumulative kWh produces, and has IMP or EXP (??).

Should we just carry on with what we have - if so is there a better way to visualise when we can use the energy, or purchase a small battery to store and use the energy - if so, any recommendations??

Any help welcome!

I'm interested to know what government scheme this is?

glaciotim

theonenonly said:

glaciotim said:

Hello!

Completely new here but...

Have just had 10 solar panel installed on our house free of charge through a government scheme. Part of the deal is that the energy can't be sold back to the grid, it is jsut returned (fair enough of course). I was just wondering, what is the best way to make the most of this. I was considering buying a battery, as obviously at the moment it's only useful during the day when they're producing. We've been trying to use high energy appliances during these periods, but it's also really hard to tell how much the panels are producing, there's a very basic interface which tells us cumulative kWh produces, and has IMP or EXP (??).

Should we just carry on with what we have - if so is there a better way to visualise when we can use the energy, or purchase a small battery to store and use the energy - if so, any recommendations??

Any help welcome!

I'm interested to know what government scheme this is?

It is/was a Liverpool based scheme i saw and my partner applied for. Not sure if it still exists/is available more broadly!

glaciotim

glaciotim said:

Hello!

Completely new here but...

Have just had 10 solar panel installed on our house free of charge through a government scheme. Part of the deal is that the energy can't be sold back to the grid, it is jsut returned (fair enough of course). I was just wondering, what is the best way to make the most of this. I was considering buying a battery, as obviously at the moment it's only useful during the day when they're producing. We've been trying to use high energy appliances during these periods, but it's also really hard to tell how much the panels are producing, there's a very basic interface which tells us cumulative kWh produces, and has IMP or EXP (??).

Should we just carry on with what we have - if so is there a better way to visualise when we can use the energy, or purchase a small battery to store and use the energy - if so, any recommendations??

Any help welcome!

Just an update on this.

I've had a proper look into what was installed. The panels go into an inverter (SOLAX X1 Boost i think), then to a generation meter (ECA2.V Emlite). At the moment the inverter displays the power generation from the panels, but is in the attic. The meter displays total cumulative generation in kWh.

What are the best options going forward. I would potentially like:

• some sort of smart sensor/screen to know when we're producing, and actually check that we are using the energy (e.g. being able to see that when we put the washing machine on it is actually drawing from the panels, not the grid)
• installing a battery in the future within this system, and a smart system to know when it's charging etc.

Thanks!

phsci

You can buy a dongle (wi-fi or LAN) that will fit into a port on your inverter.  Once set up, you will be able to see the data either via an app on your phone or you can use a PC.
See Monitoring Dongles - SolaX Power

glaciotim

phsci said:

You can buy a dongle (wi-fi or LAN) that will fit into a port on your inverter.  Once set up, you will be able to see the data either via an app on your phone or you can use a PC.

Thank you! Have ordered one and will play around with this. How can we see if this system is working - should i monitor a smart meter just to check it's actually using the solar generated energy (maybe i have trust issues??!!).

In terms of battery - someone recomended a Pylontech. Based on what we currently have, we'd "just" need the installation of a battery, another inverter, and some sort of meter/unit to read this and control the energy? Sorry for the very green questions!