Solar Panel Guide Discussion

ronlizpatsimon

OBSERVATION
I've had my panels for 6 months. I had imagined that during the 6 months centred on June 21st, when sunrise is much earlier and sunset much later; those facts would vastly increase my generation. Not so. e.g. Panels facing due south on a sloping roof. The Direct sunlight cannot reach the panels until the sun's angle is greater than the slope of the roof. By the time that happens the sun has moved round past due east and thus can shine directly onto the panels.
Of course, despite getting little extra when the sun is not in the southern sky; there is extra to be made due to the higher angle in the sky and the likelihood of less cloudy/foggy days

EricMears

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

OBSERVATION
I've had my panels for 6 months. I had imagined that during the 6 months centred on June 21st, when sunrise is much earlier and sunset much later; those facts would vastly increase my generation. Not so. e.g. Panels facing due south on a sloping roof. The Direct sunlight cannot reach the panels until the sun's angle is greater than the slope of the roof. By the time that happens the sun has moved round past due east and thus can shine directly onto the panels.
Of course, despite getting little extra when the sun is not in the southern sky; there is extra to be made due to the higher angle in the sky and the likelihood of less cloudy/foggy days

At six months, you're just getting back to conditions similar to those on installation day. On June 21st. , elevation of sun will be at its maximum thus absorption of light beam through atmosphere at a minimum and panel output should be as high as it gets (unless you have a very steep roof). The extra day length will also make a huge contribution.

I'd almost go as far as to say that if your best day of the year isn't a cloudless day in late June then there's some fault with your system.

orrery

EricMears wrote: »

On June 21st. , elevation of sun will be at its maximum thus absorption of light beam through atmosphere at a minimum and panel output should be as high as it gets...

...notwithstanding the effect of panel temperature on the instantaneous output. You lose somewhere around 0.3 to 0.5% for each degree C rise.

So, if your June day is rain and cloud, with a good breeze and the ambient is 20C then you may just get 100% of your kWp as the sun is revealed from behind cloud. On a stinking hot day it is quite possible that your cell temperature will rise by 50C and hence your peak output couldl fall by over 20%.

Despite a 20 degree roof, I've frequently seen peaks of well over 3kW but on these clear hot days in March the system never gets to 3kW.

ronlizpatsimon

orrery wrote: »

Despite a 20 degree roof, I've frequently seen peaks of well over 3kW but on these clear hot days in March the system never gets to 3kW.

During the past few days my system has peaked at 3.2 kw

EricMears

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

During the past few days my system has peaked at 3.2 kw

Elevation 45 degrees is very close to today's optimum (around 50deg).

Steeper angle of sun over next few weeks will still reduce absorption along light path but sun not being 'square on' will lose you a bit of that.

xbr500

I wonder if you can help me out, i too have been misled by this company and have parted with £397 back in October. I was informed in Feb by the solar panel installers that my roof does not qualify for free panels, so i have gone back to Think Green Earth for my refund with no joy. Unfortunaely i do not have a copy of the refund policy as i viewed it online and didnt think to print a copy off. Would anyone have a copy of their refund policy stating a refund if your roof is not suitable? If i can get a copy of this then i can claim from my credit card company.

Regards
xbr500

EricMears

xbr500 wrote: »

I wonder if you can help me out, i too have been misled by this company and have parted with £397 back in October. I was informed in Feb by the solar panel installers that my roof does not qualify for free panels, so i have gone back to Think Green Earth for my refund with no joy. Unfortunaely i do not have a copy of the refund policy as i viewed it online and didnt think to print a copy off. Would anyone have a copy of their refund policy stating a refund if your roof is not suitable? If i can get a copy of this then i can claim from my credit card company.

Regards
xbr500

The offer is still there on the website http://www.tgetermsandconditions.co.uk

For a one off survey fee of £397.00 Think Green Earth Limited will determine whether or not your property is suitable for the installation of solar panels.
Things to consider

• If after survey your roof is deemed not suitable for solar panels, by Think Green Earth Limited, all monies paid to Think Green Earth Limited will be refunded.

Follow link & print it off quick ! Company may well be monitoring this forum.

ronlizpatsimon

CONCERN FOR MY NEIGHBOR
My neighbor has also paid the £397 (about 2 months ago). Unlike the complainants above; she has had notification that her roof is suitable and panels should be fitted within 2/3 months. It seems a long total time so I passed on my suspicions to her. Another point about delays is that the FIT payments will be reduced again in July. At that point I cannot see any why anyone would think it worthwhile to own the panels
Does anyone know of any Think Green Earth successful installations?

EricMears

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

Does anyone know of any Think Green Earth successful installations?

This BBC film http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10277544 is referenced on the TGE website. It actually shows a team from 'A Shade Greener' installing on a house in Barnsley and an interview with a company spokesman. Not sure if TG are claiming a connection to 'A Shade Greener' ?

(Later) No obvious connection. 'ASG' don't mention a survey fee on their website so no doubt 'TGE' are giving a false impression of BBC 'approval'.

johnpr98

she has had notification that her roof is suitable

ronlizpatsimon
Who gave her this notification, Think Green Earth or the installation company?