Renewables: "talking 'bout my generation"

Sterlingtimes

I drove on business today from Meriden to Heathrow. It was a fantastic clear-sky sunny day in the south. I had high expectations. I have just got home and have recorded a lousy 0.76 Os

Andy_WSM

The weather is only making up for last week. Remember, I had the spoon and it nearly floated away with all the rain.

Looking less pleasant tomorrow onwards unfortunately. Bloomin cold too! :eek:

Oscargrouch

Andy_WSM wrote: »

I agree the figures add up, but they're pointless. I want to compare my import to other households - then I can see the true saving offered by the solar and using the excess to run the UFH. As it is, the sunnier it is, the more power I use - rather than running the more efficient heat pump, so while my bills are lower the numbers will make my "usage" look horrendous.

It should at least be something we can select in the user control panel - which is what I've written back and requested.

But you can see it; I only have a 2.5 kWp system. I can see that throughout the entire year I save an average of 55% over the year. In June '13 I saved 67% and December '14, it was only 40%. Excuse my lack of knowledge, but what powers a heat pump?.....

Got it now, they use ground energy. So if you are saying you would rather use your heat pump, it is like me saying why can't I save on gas with Solar??? All my heating water and radiators are gas powered solely.

1.72 here again.......

DaffyDill_2

1961Nick wrote: »

If your friend can accommodate a 4kWh array on his roof using standard panels, then there's little point in waiting. All that will do is to delay the point at which he gets some return from the roof (assuming he's made the decision to go ahead). The cost of an installation may fall if he waits, but so too might the FIT.

The return on capital employed is (conservatively) in the 15%- 20% range (mine made 21.25% last year). The best ISAs are 3%! Even if you write off the cost of the installation after 20 years & allow for a replacement inverter, the return only drops by 5%.

(Calculations based on FIT + £250 solar use)

Thank you for your reply.

How long does the inverter usually last and how much do they cost to replace?

Andy_WSM

Oscargrouch wrote: »

But you can see it; I only have a 2.5 kWp system. I can see that throughout the entire year I save an average of 55% over the year. In June '13 I saved 67% and December '14, it was only 40%. Excuse my lack of knowledge, but what powers a heat pump?.....

Got it now, they use ground energy

I just want a comparisson of import compared to other households. Why shouldn't I be able to do that? All the data is there.

What about househods that usually heat their water with gas, but use surplus solar when it's available - again, their electricity usage will show as crazy high against a house that doesn't do that, but is burning gas instead.

It's an air to water heat pump, but with an efficiency of approx 4 to 1 (sometimes better, sometimes worse) so it's a more efficient use of energy - but not financially better if i'm not generating enough to cover it's use, which I never will this time of year.

Oscargrouch

Andy_WSM wrote: »

I just want a comparisson of import compared to other households. Why shouldn't I be able to do that? All the data is there.

What about househods that usually heat their water with gas, but use surplus solar when it's available - again, their electricity usage will show as crazy high against a house that doesn't do that, but is burning gas instead.

It's an air to water heat pump, but with an efficiency of approx 4 to 1 (sometimes better, sometimes worse) so it's a more efficient use of energy - but not financially better if i'm not generating enough to cover it's use, which I never will this time of year.

Think you may find that the comparisons are between your home and an average (other) home. Hence the reason that you need to describe your home in the settings.
I know that you use the Wattson at Home; do you bother with the energyhives own sheet. Not as good as Wattson, but gives another angle on things. I will be glad when the Loop becomes compatible with Solar, I could use it now and ignore the electric readings and use only the gas readings; but I will wait......

Energy Hive site: http://www.energyhive.com/dashboard/oscarsenergy

1961Nick

DaffyDill wrote: »

Thank you for your reply.

How long does the inverter usually last and how much do they cost to replace?

Mine was £700 (ish) in 2013. They may be cheaper now.

Manufacturer's warranties can be 5-10 years. That would suggest that the lifespan is typically over 10 years for a modern unit. It's certainly something else to research when deciding on a system.

(Should really start a new thread or use an existing one if you want to continue.)

Edit: Just taken a fresh look at inverter warranties & 5 years seems to be the basic offering. Some manufacturers are including free upgrades to 10 years. Solar edge inverters come with 12 years warranty & an option to extend it to 20 years for £158 which sounds pretty reasonable.

tunnel

A disappointing 0.6 O's on my SSW today AND NO SNOW

legoman62

0.75 O's today....missed the wooden spoon, and better than I expected

Andy_WSM

Oscargrouch wrote: »

Think you may find that the comparisons are between your home and an average (other) home. Hence the reason that you need to describe your home in the settings.
I know that you use the Wattson at Home; do you bother with the energyhives own sheet. Not as good as Wattson, but gives another angle on things. I will be glad when the Loop becomes compatible with Solar, I could use it now and ignore the electric readings and use only the gas readings; but I will wait......

Energy Hive site: http://www.energyhive.com/dashboard/oscarsenergy

It's because of the limited comparrison that I want to see my import against an average all electric home. It's no big deal, but knowing the data is there and not being able to display it is frustrating.

I'm aware of the other portal, but haven't bothered with it as it still won't give the data I want and it all just gets data overload tbh.