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

Cardew

smartn wrote: »

Sorry to go Off Topic again Teachergirl . Mine is actually used to fund pension savings, so any payment I get back from the fits will then go into my pension and reclaim tax on the pension payment. It's money I'm happy to tie up as a very (ie 25 yr) long term investment.

Cardew - I think you are being a little negative regarding the fit payments. It's an investment thats not for everyone but when you have money sitting in the bank not earning a lot with the likelihood rates staying low for the medium future its worth investigating other options. Do you mind me asking if you have Solar PV and if not why not?

Why negative? I merely pointed out that we can only estimate, not calculate, pay-back periods.

I haven't got solar for several reasons.

Firstly I live in a conservation area where I wouldn't get planning permission and secondly I am shaded by trees with preservation orders.(not that I would dream of cutting down wonderful trees for a little profit)

However, whilst I have sufficient funds for a system, I wouldn't install it anyway as I don't find it an attractive financial proposition for myself.

To invest in something that should break even in around 12 years(IMO) doesn't interest me; nor would the sub 10 years that you estimate.

I totally agree that for many people it is a rock solid very long term investment, if somewhat lacking in flexibility.

teachergirl

Jon it is only the third sunny day since we got our panels on Dec 17th. I have checked my OWL and we are exporting. Showed OH and gave him the explanation too. Just waiting for the sun to come out from the cloud then I'm off for my electric shower!!!!!!:D O.K. just a bit obssesive . (I need a shower as I have just come in from my run)
BTW I looked at my inverter in the garage and there does appear to be bits where there are single wires albeit quite thick ones before they join together to go into a single white plastic bit(very technical I know) Is there any harm in trying to find which one is the exporting wire????:)

penrhyn

You must have one mother of a solar array if its going to power your electric shower, even in high summer!

teachergirl

Hi penryn. No I haven't got a massive solar array. Just 3.96kw. Which I know probably won't run my shower but my hubby and I have had great fun this morning learning which appliance uses what and seeing if we can get our OWL meter to read zero. Not honestly because we are that MSE but just because it's a bit of a challenge.:D
Maybe we should get out more:rotfl::rotfl:

grahamc2003

teachergirl wrote: »

. Just waiting for the sun to come out from the cloud then I'm off for my electric shower!!!!!!:D O.K. just a bit obssesive . (I need a shower as I have just come in from my run)

I do hope we get some clear skies today, or at the latest tomorrow or...

But I'm not sure even a kw will make much of a dent in an 8kw shower's usage.

Do you know how many kwh you have produced each day so far? Be interesting to see winter day's energy output and your area of the uk you are in.

teachergirl

The best day we have had so far has produced 12kw.(i think) I did read it everyday at first but as we had deep snow on the roof it was not very exciting. Today we have made just under 6KW. My array has just switched off but it is pouring with rain and quite dark(due to clouds not nightfall) We had sun up until about 12.30pm. I am in south East Essex. Which I know is one of the driest parts of the UK but not too sure about the sun factor.

Jon_Tiffany

teachergirl wrote: »

BTW I looked at my inverter in the garage and there does appear to be bits where there are single wires albeit quite thick ones before they join together to go into a single white plastic bit(very technical I know) Is there any harm in trying to find which one is the exporting wire????:)

Hard to tell, sounds like they could be the DC inputs from the panels. Could you post a photo?

Jon_Tiffany

teachergirl wrote: »

The best day we have had so far has produced 12kw.(i think) I did read it everyday at first but as we had deep snow on the roof it was not very exciting. Today we have made just under 6KW. My array has just switched off but it is pouring with rain and quite dark(due to clouds not nightfall) We had sun up until about 12.30pm. I am in south East Essex. Which I know is one of the driest parts of the UK but not too sure about the sun factor.

6kWh for a cloudy winters day is very good, and a high of 12kWh in winter is also really good.

What was the estimated annual output for your system?

Jon_Tiffany

teachergirl wrote: »

Not honestly because we are that MSE but just because it's a bit of a challenge.:D
Maybe we should get out more:rotfl::rotfl:

Dont worry we are the same, we are both quite competitive and like a challenge. We probably need to get out more as well :rotfl::rotfl:

teachergirl

Hello again Jon. I will try and post a picture next weekend. It is too dark now and work is quite busy this week so I will probably not see my house in the light! My estimated output is 3301Kw . (where does the 1kw on the end come from???) So far we have produced 75Kw with somedays making nothing at all. Obviously not the best time of year to be starting.
Thanks for all your help:)
Where in the country are you?