solar panel confusion

Cardew

Zeupater gave the simple explanation of Power factor & voltage optimisation!!

There is some evidence that there is marginal savings with Voltage optimisation on Fridge/Freezers and I have read that big supermarkets with banks of fridges have fitted them.

However I would agree with the thrust of zeupaters conclusions - as would these two non-technical articles.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/9153868/Jeff-Howells-DIY-advice-home-voltage-optimisers.html

http://www.yougen.co.uk/blog-entry/1948/Is+domestic+voltage+optimisation+all+it'27s+cracked+up+to+be'3F/

[Deleted User]

Many thanks

counting_down_the_days...

My understanding is....

The voltage optimiser helps with solar PV because if your kettle takes longer to boil, therefore drawing less watts, you're more likely to use your 'free' generated power. Whereas if it boils at the full 3kw, you may have to pay for some electric to boil it.

They claim to make appliances last longer too, but I'm not convinced and really don't see the point in them. Just my opinion.

counting_down_the_days...

zeupater, can I ask a question too please.....

I've had my solar immersion delivered and getting it installed next week. It can be wired with two sources. The first puts any excess solar power to the hot water, then once this cuts out, any additional power can be sent to a secondary source, eg a storage heater. We have gas central heating, so this isn't an option, however, I am keen to have some form of heating.

My thoughts at the moment are having any excess power diverted to a socket, which I can plug an electric heater into, as and when required. However, if for example, it was a 3kw fan heater and there was only 100w available, would this work but just not heat up as much? I appreciate there are safety issues here regardless of whether it will heat without the full 3kw, just a thought!

Thanks

Dave_Fowler

counting_down_the_days... wrote: »

zeupater, can I ask a question too please.....

I've had my solar immersion delivered and getting it installed next week. It can be wired with two sources. The first puts any excess solar power to the hot water, then once this cuts out, any additional power can be sent to a secondary source, eg a storage heater. We have gas central heating, so this isn't an option, however, I am keen to have some form of heating.

My thoughts at the moment are having any excess power diverted to a socket, which I can plug an electric heater into, as and when required. However, if for example, it was a 3kw fan heater and there was only 100w available, would this work but just not heat up as much? I appreciate there are safety issues here regardless of whether it will heat without the full 3kw, just a thought!

Thanks

You would not be able to run anything with a motor in it (such as a fan heater) as the motor will only work correctly on the full mains voltage. Something like a Dimplex (other makes available!) oil-filled radiator should work ok.

Dave F

EricMears

Originally Posted by counting down the days...

My thoughts at the moment are having any excess power diverted to a socket, which I can plug an electric heater into, as and when required. However, if for example, it was a 3kw fan heater and there was only 100w available, would this work but just not heat up as much? I appreciate there are safety issues here regardless of whether it will heat without the full 3kw, just a thought!

Thanks

Dave_Fowler wrote: »

You would not be able to run anything with a motor in it (such as a fan heater) as the motor will only work correctly on the full mains voltage. Something like a Dimplex (other makes available!) oil-filled radiator should work ok.

Dave F

Definitely don't attempt this if you don't completely understand it (and even if you do it's a lot of effort for very little reward) but you could arrange to rewire a fan heater such that your reduced power supply fed the heater element and a relay and the relay fed 'normal' mains voltage into the fan motor.

Otherwise, I completely agree with Dave.

zeupater

counting_down_the_days... wrote: »

zeupater, can I ask a question too please.....

Hi

I agree with the above posts, a simple oil-filled radiator would probably suit your needs best ...

I take it that the secondary output from the control unit is also proportional ? (ie varies voltage according to spare pv capacity), if so I see no problem in theory around running a cable to a dedicated proportional socket but you would need to check wiring regs (maybe someone on here could help !) ... perhaps it would be a good idea to identify the socket as being non-standard through sourcing a coloured one (red?), or alternatively having a completely different plug & socket arrangement (commando type ?) ....

I've previously used/specified both 13A colour coded sockets and commando sockets/plugs within the corporate environment to identify power sources and ensure that the correct circuit is used.

HTH
Z

counting_down_the_days...

I have no intention of doing this myself - will ask the sparky, but thought I'd get an idea on here, so he can't fob me off. I think I knew a fan heater wouldn't be any good, but hadn't thought of an alternative. But thanks, an oil filled heater would work.

I'm not sure if it's really worth it & for all the time we would be away, just keen to know my options.

cheers

silverwhistle

Thanks to zeupater for his excellent explanation!
I certainly wouldn't get any optimisation device, but the interesting thing about my Italian experience is that the system was not tripped by the consumer unit but by the smart meter itself. I could have paid to increase my maximum permitted load to 6kw (6.6kw actual) but in my circumstances wasn't worth it. It does indicate the possibilities of smart meters though, and even if in the UK you aren't charged for domestic maximum demand, it shows their potential to help smooth system loads. Whether that is a good thing for the customer probably deserves another thread!:-)

dreaming

Well electricity meter was changed today but is still at 0000.00 and displaying RED so that is good. Baking hot here in Northampton but luckily have week off work.
Am very happy with generation - from 10/04/13 to yesterday - 457.81 - average of 17.6 KwH per day. Most of that went back to grid as old elec. meter went from 27561 to 27274 but am getting used to setting d/washer and w/machine on timer for daytime now, as well as charging all the gadgets etc.
Not so happy with Scottish Power - their processing team are only up to March 20th and mine was received April 17th. Still good to know it is there.
Meter man also has panels and suggested I ask Scottish Power for a smart meter and then, as a low user, I might get paid for everything I export. Do you know if this is possible/true?