Solar Panel Guide Discussion

croninsfc

After no rain for a few weeks, I noticed over the last couple of days a dusty deposit has appeared on my panels (as well as lots of cars).
Not sure how much it affected output - if at all - as I had the highest ever daily generation of 15kWh today (since installation of a 2.45kWp system at the end of last September). Total generation to date is 31% higher than the PVGIS simulation.

Anyway, just in case I could be getting more it was up the ladder with a hosepipe to wash them down as still no rain forecast for the foreseeable future.

ronlizpatsimon

(as well as lots of cars) (quote by "croninsfc")

To get 15 kw and be shaded by lots of cars parked on the panels was an excellent result!


I got 22.5 kw today.

croninsfc

orrery wrote: »

Metering is fine. My first impression was that there had been no changes other than solar during the year, but the install of solar has made me make a few changes like putting in more LED lighting. I can't really explain the high level of savings at all, but the similarity of the generation numbers are pure co-incidence. All very odd, but long may it continue!

I have noticed the same sort of thing, my most recent bill compared to the same quarter before having solar shows a £90 saving over the quarter:j I too have changed habits, but I didn't think they were that significant.
Also my supplier has noticed my reduced consumption as they have reduced my monthly bill to £42 (from £82 previously).:beer:

Martyn1981

croninsfc wrote: »

I have noticed the same sort of thing, my most recent bill compared to the same quarter before having solar shows a £90 saving over the quarter:j I too have changed habits, but I didn't think they were that significant.
Also my supplier has noticed my reduced consumption as they have reduced my monthly bill to £42 (from £82 previously).:beer:

Yep, same here too. In fact this sort of statement seems to be cropping up more and more on various threads and forums.

I thought I was pretty good, Wifey and I had a pretty low (and stable) consumption of approx 220pm, approx 2,650pa. But we've definitely seen an awareness related drop too, since PV install. EDF reduced our DD after 2 quarterly readings (post PV), but before I even asked. Cherry on the top perhaps!

Mart.

sly_dog_jonah

croninsfc wrote: »

After no rain for a few weeks, I noticed over the last couple of days a dusty deposit has appeared on my panels (as well as lots of cars).
Not sure how much it affected output - if at all - as I had the highest ever daily generation of 15kWh today (since installation of a 2.45kWp system at the end of last September). Total generation to date is 31% higher than the PVGIS simulation.

Anyway, just in case I could be getting more it was up the ladder with a hosepipe to wash them down as still no rain forecast for the foreseeable future.

I came back from a few days away today and also noticed the lack of rain is having it's effects on the panel dust levels. Given the imminent hosepipe ban in this area though I'm not about to start firing the hose at the roof. But I might connect up the power washer to the 200litre water butt :rotfl:

croninsfc

sly_dog_jonah wrote: »

I came back from a few days away today and also noticed the lack of rain is having it's effects on the panel dust levels. Given the imminent hosepipe ban in this area though I'm not about to start firing the hose at the roof. But I might connect up the power washer to the 200litre water butt :rotfl:

No hosepipe ban planned here yet, but next time I will use my butt pump to supply the Karcher, and hopefully help to avoid one :laugh: I'm already using the water butts for washing the car.

RoxyK

Gosh I'd be delighted if our DD decreased this year

As for the Karcher washers my DH asked our installers and they said to specifically not use it as just too much pressure. The hosepipe would be fine......or if lack of rain continues maybe just a bucket of water from the water butt!

BTW, we have dust from the install still and scaffolding up and recorded a peak today of 3,789Wh which has gobsmacked me. Highest peak so far and not a good day really. And amazing peak seeing as we have a 3.84 system

ronlizpatsimon

[QUOTE

BTW, we have dust from the install still and scaffolding up and recorded a peak today of 3,789Wh which has gobsmacked me. Highest peak so far and not a good day really. And amazing peak seeing as we have a 3.84 system

You did do suprisingly well today. Here its been partly cloudy with hail and rain showers. At 4 pm I've got 7.1kw and do not expect much more today.
Perhaps your near capacity peak today was partly dependent on where your panels are located. The Canary Isles perhaps!?

RoxyK

ronlizpatsimon wrote: »

[QUOTE

BTW, we have dust from the install still and scaffolding up and recorded a peak today of 3,789Wh which has gobsmacked me. Highest peak so far and not a good day really. And amazing peak seeing as we have a 3.84 system

You did do suprisingly well today. Here its been partly cloudy with hail and rain showers. At 4 pm I've got 7.1kw and do not expect much more today.
Perhaps your near capacity peak today was partly dependent on where your panels are located. The Canary Isles perhaps!?

LOL I wish In fact I lied, peak at midday was 3,867Wh which I wouldn't believe myself if it wasn't staring me in the face! I wonder if my monitoring system keeps a record of the highest peaks. Haven't found it yet which is a shame

Have generated 12kWh today which is lower than the 20kWh of the past few days - just so interesting to me that the peak comes on a colder cloudier day. Ooh this PV stuff is so cool

ronlizpatsimon

Good Evening Roxy,
I still find it hard to believe that any system can exceed its potential. I think you must have been standing on the apex of your roof, balancing a large mirror directing the sun at your panels!